Geoheritage最新文献

United Nations protection programmes under the UNESCO’s Global Geopark initiatives have resulted in the establishment and recognition of 195 Global Geoparks in 48 countries to sustainably protect Geoheritage. Given an inclusive approach with local communities and the geoscientific communities as stakeholders, the UNESCO Global Geopark concept has gained popularity in India. Further, India provides a diverse range of geoheritage in terms of rock records from the Precambrian to the Holocene. The Kachchh region (western India) has tremendous scope to be conserved under the UNESCO Geopark programme as it sustains many plausible geosites. Of the numerous geosites within Kachchh, the “Palasava” locale holds geoheritage potential as it exposes ~ 14 million-year-old Chassra Formation sedimentary succession that is well-known to yield vertebrate (including marine and terrestrial mammals) fossils. These fossils hold significance in the context of origin and diversification of middle Miocene vertebrates (including mammals), Neogene biochronology of Kutch, palaeobiogeographic scenarios involving various vertebrate groups, and related aspects. In a geotourism context, the Palasava locale presents picturesque views being located between the Wagad Highland and the Little Rann of Kutch. In addition to local religious and cultural features, the Kachchh (= Kutch) region is globally well-recognized for the “Wild Ass Sanctuary” and the “Rann Utsav”– “Festival of the Rann.” Owing to its unique Geoheritage and geotourism potential, we herein, propose Palasava locale as a “geosite” within the “Kachchh Geopark” to protect and conserve this geologically significant locale, to enhance sustainable geotourism in the region for the economic benefit of the local population and for the public to cherish.

A growing number of geoheritage studies have examined the legacy of natural stone in urban settings, but research into the intersection of cultural and natural heritage (integrating the historical, social, and spiritual significance of stone acquired through the centuries) is relatively sparse. The purpose of the present study was to analyse the use of natural stone in the urban environment of Poznań in Poland over the past thousand years by merging geological, historical, and archaeological data. The results show that in cities that do not have sufficient local sources, complex arrangements of natural materials and the history of changing stone types have been conditioned by the location of state borders and the economic environment, and mediated through the cultural context of subsequent epochs, the preferences of ruling monarchs, the migration of stonemasons, and doctrines of national self-sufficiency. Natural stones in urban settings cannot, therefore, be regarded merely as ex situ geodiversity elements but rather as an interface between cultural and abiotic environments, a memory of past trading and cultural connections, and architectural trends. It is hoped that the integration of geological and cultural heritage will stimulate more comprehensive geoconservation efforts and contribute to the growth of geotourism.

India is endowed with rich geological heritage through its significant geological structures, geomorphologic features, landscapes of rocks, etc., and attracts the attention of earth scientists, nature lovers and common man too. Most landscape features possess unique values that need to be recognized nationally and internationally, conserved as Geoheritage sites as developed and promoted as Geotourism destinations. The present paper embodies and discusses aesthetic importance and geologic values of Columnar jointed basaltic dyke of Potla, also known as Kawadia Pahad—a geological treasure of Dewas District, Madhya Pradesh. The Potla dyke exposed in the form of seven detached linear ridges, trending ENE–WSW over a distance of 4.5 kms, having an average width of 80 m and exposed couple of meters (36 to 51 m) above the general ground level. The in situ columns in the dyke-ridges that so far been observed show straight, parallel faces without any striations. The length of the horizontal columns ranges between 1 and 3.60 m. The columns which are inclined and penetrated deep inside may have greater lengths. Such exposed columns have a height of 4.10 m which may be extending far downward. As far as diameter of the columns is concerned, it ranges between 30 and 50 cm. Each dyke-ridge consists perfectly separate, very well-developed, finely stacked and interlocked, horizontal to sub-horizontal columnar joints that inclined at various degrees. The columns are polygonal in the dyke-ridges, and majority show tetragon, pentagon, and hexagon shapes in cross section, but occasionally cyclic-hexagons can also be seen. The central part of the dyke, i.e. part of CR-5 and W-4 dyke-ridges, exhibits Dyke-Sill Hybrid Geometry. This monumental dyke-sill interface is not observed anywhere else except Columnar Trap Dyke of Potla, though this interpretation is based on orientation/interrelation of columns in the field. It is suggested that 66.6 ± 0.5 Ma is the crystallization age of the columnar basaltic dyke of Potla. The dyke is rarest of rare, and therefore, numbers of amenities are recommended to fascinate the tourists so that this Geosite should be developed and promoted as a new Geotourism destination of India. The Potla dyke is picturesque and matchless in which the development of the columns is magnificent and the arrangement of the columns is amazing. This world-class dyke fulfils all the requirements of Geoheritage and Geotourism and should get the status of National Geological Monument (NGM). It should also be included in the list of IUGS Geological Heritage Sites.

Ecclesiastical geotourism is a branch of urban geotourism since Christian churches have been typically constructed with a wide variety of dimension stones. The geological heritage and the geoscientific dissemination of the lithological types found can reveal information about the spaces’ history, architecture, and culture. As a result, the present study describes the stones used in ten churches in the city of Rio de Janeiro, resulting in an ecclesiastical geotourism itinerary. In addition, information about the weathering of these stones was also studied. The ten churches were selected based on rock diversity, fossil content, and historical and cultural aspects. The primary stones found were limestone (Lioz, Rosso Verona, Negro de Mem Martins, Botticcino), marbles (Jacarandá, Carrara, Bardiglio), augen gneiss (Gnaisse Facoidal), and Leptinite. The fossil content includes rudists (Radiolitides and Caprinula), gastropods (Neoptyxis), ammonoids (Hildoceras), stromatolites, and solitary corals. The main problems observed in the stones were natural weathering over time, pollution and acid rain (on limestone façades), salt efflorescence, biological colonization, black crusts, loss of matrix, graffiti, and mechanical breaks of edges and corners. By disseminating the geodiversity present in these structures, it will be possible to obtain a new approach to these spaces, adding more geotourism value to the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Rivers in arid zones are very susceptible to change due to the dry climate conditions, and these changes need to be considered and monitored. The Shur River is the only permanent river in the deserts of Iran and has undergone significant changes. It is also one of the outstanding values of the Lut Desert world heritage. These changes need to be addressed, especially since the Lut Desert was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The study emphasizes the significance of addressing the threats posed by changes in the Shur River. These changes have the potential to have an influence on human safety and infrastructure and also enhancing values of Lut desert world heritage. The present study is based on Library methods, field and remote sensing techniques with the aim of investigating these changes and finding their geomorphic evidence. First, the changes in the river channel in the time series from 2000 to 2020 have been studied, then by emphasizing the behavior of rivers in arid areas, river changes have been identified, quantified and validated based on geomorphic evidence. Additionally, researchers have studied crevasse splays within the Shur River and investigated the formation of young lakes in the Lut desert that were influenced by these effects. The results confirm that the river is highly susceptible to change during the study period and sometimes has shifted its bed in width about 5 km during the study period. Several causes contribute to similar variations in other rivers, but the Shur River is unusual because its kaluts (yardangs) have a substantial impact on the river's large-scale movement and formation of new lake.

This study is an initial attempt to introduce the concept of geoheritage resilience, which refers to the capacity of a geosite and its system to absorb, adapt, or resist disturbances, and to consider it in geoconservation planning. Assessing the resilience of geoheritage sites is crucial for managing, protecting and developing sustainable geotourism that requires a specific approach and methodology. Therefore, this research aims to propose a comprehensive method based on criteria and indicators to measure the resilience of geoheritage sites and implement it in the most significant geosites of Lorestan province through literature review and fieldwork. The proposed method is based on 5 criteria and 22 indicators. Each indicator is measured based on 5 parameters and calculations are performed using the corresponding equations. The results of the geoheritage resilience assessment, using the proposed method, indicate that various geological, hydroclimatic, ecological, anthropogenic, and geotourism disturbances have led to a reduction the resilience of the geosites studied. According to the results, Calder Cave and Shirz Canyon geosites have a high level of resilience with final scores of 65.62 and 62.62, respectively. In contrast, Bisheh Waterfall and Pol-e Dokhtar Lakes have a low level of resilience with scores of 46.73 and 35.51, respectively. These two geosites are affected by natural and human disturbances, which require effective management, protection, and improvement of their resilience levels. This study has also provided a basic conceptual model to illustrate the planning process for enhancing and promoting geoheritage resilience through geoconservation planning. Given the importance of geoheritage and the potential threats, it is very important to pay attention to the concept of resilience and the measurement of geoheritage resilience in geoconservation planning for sustainable scientific, educational and geotourism use.

Abstract

This article identifies the Nongkhlieh area of eastern Meghalaya as a potential site for the development of karstic geopark or karstic national park since it is the largest karst system in the state (and also one of the best karst systems of the world) showing prominent surficial and sub-surficial karstic and speleological features. ~ 200 caves are present in this area, most of which are active and also support various lifeforms and contain fossils. It is a good representative karst area with ample scope for various scientific studies, especially geology, which is essentially a field-based subject. Along with academic benefit, the creation of geopark would also help in revenue generation and local development through tourism. Protection of this area of geological wonder against the perils of mining and ignorant human activities needs immediate attention.

Geodiversity assessment gained a prominent interest in the geoscientific community and beyond. However, it is not always sufficient for land planning or geoconservation. It is then pivotal to account for the contribution of functional geodiversity (i.e., geofunctionality), for instance declining the ecosystem services (ES) cascade model. However, by our knowledge, geodiversity-based ES (GES) have been rarely quantified. This paper aims to adapt existing ES-related approaches to quantify and map GES in French Guiana, a French Overseas territory located in the Amazon, where ongoing land use changes might affect ES supply. Seven GES were spatially assessed through an indicator-based approach accounting for both offered and used GES and merged into multiservice maps. Multiservice maps were then combined with a hemeroby index to highlight geofunctionality hotspots. Difference maps were finally used to compare geodiversity and geofunctionality patterns. The ES framework seems an effective way to quantitatively assess geofunctionality. Geodiversity and geofunctionality do not follow the same spatial patterns: very geodiverse areas can be poorly functional and vice-versa. Therefore, geodiversity and geofunctionality need to be both considered when it comes to landscape planning. This might be enhanced through hotspot mapping to highlight priority areas for planners. This study also focuses on the role of human inputs in GES supply and raises questions about the selection of proper indicators that should fit each step from the ES supply to management. High-quality datasets must be available and their occasional absence is a central matter of land planning that must be addressed before every decision-making process.

The Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeast Brazil, has 410 km of coastal extension, being 107 km approximately composed of cliffs excavated in Cenozoic sedimentary rocks. In the last three decades, these cliffs are passing for transformations due the human occupation, tourism activity and climatic changes. To inventory the geoheritage present in these cliffs is essential to support management plans that include investment to conserving part of this Earth’s natural history. This paper aims to inventory, classify, assess and value the Potiguar cliffs as geological sites. From 46 outcrops that Saraiva Junior (2021) studied to describe the cliffs’ geomorphology, 20 geological sites were selected, these are used in national and international publications and divided in three frameworks: Miocene-Pliocene sedimentation, Pleistocene sedimentation and Cenozoic tectonics. These 20 cliffs were inventoried using the Brilha (2016) methodology in order to qualify and quantify the scientific value, potential educational and touristic uses and degradation risk. The Ponta do Mel, Barra de Tabatinga, Ponta dos Três Irmãos, Barreira do Inferno, Ponta do Reduto and Morro do Chapéu were defined as the most valuable cliffs on the scientific aspect. We proposed monitoring planning based on the cliff’s baselines, protection measures based on the specific threats and three geotouristic routes based on the geographic distribution of the sites and the frameworks.