J. B. Brilha

Inventory and Quantitative Assessment of Geosites and Geodiversity Sites: a Review

The inventory and quantitative assessment of the most valuable occurrences of geodiversity are essential steps in any geoconservation strategy and in the establishment of priorities in site management. Despite the existence of many site inventories applied to different scales (countries, municipalities, parks, etc.), the criteria used for their selection are often unclear and poorly defined. This paper proposes a new approach to the concepts of geosite and geodiversity site and reviews the procedures used in the development of a systematic site inventory applied to different scales and values. Procedures to achieve a numerical evaluation of the value and degradation risk of sites are reviewed and new criteria are proposed. Finally, guidelines are presented, bearing in mind the preparation of effective geodiversity inventories, to support geoparks’ strategies. This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding and use of the above-mentioned concepts, which are essential for the implementation of geoconservation actions worldwide.

Geoconservation and protected areas

Introduction In most countries, protected area managers are primarily interested in biology (McNeely & Miller 1984; Nelson & Serafin 1997). This perspective is not suitable for effective nature conservation because there is no real separation between geological and biological processes. Geology is important in all kinds of planning projects because geology is part of all natural systems. Understanding of climate, landforms and biodiversity depends on geological studies. Even human habitation and cultural heritage depend on geology. During the last 30 years, numerous studies have shown that biological conservation is essential to the welfare of all human beings. Nevertheless, the concept of geoconservation and preservation of the geological heritage has appeared only recently (Wilson 1994; Sharples 1998; Barettino et al . 1999, 2000; Osborne 2000). I argue that real nature conservation can only be attained if geology is integrated into protected area management at the same level of importance as biology and all natural processes are considered together.

Geoheritage: inventories and evaluation

Abstract The recognition of what is geoheritage is based on the perception that some geodiversity elements have something that it is unusually important, which means that they have an extra value. Due to this high value, these elements must be protected, particularly when the risk of degradation caused by natural or anthropic factors is critical. This chapter details methods for the identification and inventorying of geoheritage. In addition, in order to prioritise subsequent management actions, the numerical assessment of the geoheritage value and risk of degradation are proposed, based on a set of criteria that intends to decrease the subjectivity inherent to any evaluation procedure.

The inventory of geological heritage of the state of São Paulo, Brazil: Methodological basis, results and perspectives

An inventory of geological sites based on solid and clear criteria is a first step for any geoconservation strategy. This paper describes the method used in the geoheritage inventory of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, and presents its main results. This inventory developed by the geoscientific community aimed to identify geosites with scientific value in the whole state, using a systematic approach. All 142 geosites representative of 11 geological frameworks were characterised and quantitatively evaluated according to their scientific value and risk of degradation, in order to establish priorities for their future management. An online database of the inventory is under construction, which will be available to be easily consulted and updated by the geoscientific community. All data were made available to the State Geological Institute as the backbone for the implementation of a future state geoconservation strategy.

Inventory and Assessment of Palaeontological Sites in the Sousa Basin (Paraíba, Brazil): Preliminary Study to Evaluate the Potential of the Area to Become a Geopark

The Rio do Peixe rift basin developed during the Lower Cretaceous (Neocomian) and comprises the Sousa, Uiraúna-Brejo das Freiras, Pombal and Vertentes basins. In these basins, there is an abundant ichnofauna mainly composed of theropod, sauropod and ornithopod dinosaur trackways that represent the palaeontological heritage of the region. As the majority of the fossiliferous areas are located in the Sousa basin, an inventory and assessment of the scientific, educational and touristic values, together with the vulnerability of 25 palaeontological sites, is here presented and discussed. The aims of the study are to guide the strategies of geoheritage protection in the Sousa basin and to evaluate the scientific potential of the area as a geopark. In general, the geosites of the Sousa basin have low scientific and touristic values, moderate educational value and high vulnerability. The fossiliferous areas are suffering from strong natural and anthropic threats and are at high risk of degradation. For these reasons, based on the quality of the palaeontological sites, the region currently has little potential to become a geopark.

Geoheritage and Geoparks

European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, based on COMPETE 2020 (Programa Operacional da Competitividade e Internacionalizacao), project ICT (UID/GEO/04683/2013) with reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007690 and national funds provided by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia

Monitoring of the Visitors Impact at “Ponta da Ferraria e Pico das Camarinhas” Geosite (São Miguel Island, Azores UNESCO Global Geopark, Portugal)

Abstract“Ponta da Ferraria e Pico das Camarinhas” is a protected geosite in São Miguel Island in the Azores archipelago, Portugal. Due to its importance for the geoconservation strategy of the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark, monitoring actions of visitor impact were implemented in order to assure that the main geological features of this geosite continue to be in a favourable status of conservation, taking into account present public use. Different types of data were collected over a one-year period aiming at the identification of factors that may affect the geosite and also the assessment of the eventual decrease of relevance that this geosite has experienced throughout that period. Among the many geological features that occur in the geosite, the littoral cone (or pseudocrater) was considered the most threatened due to its uniqueness and high vulnerability. The number of visitors was also analysed with respect to the geosite’s carrying capacity. The monitoring of this geosite allowed the definition of practical actions, in particular to be addressed to the governmental agency who is responsible for the management of this geosite.

Creation of museums as strategy for preservation of the fossil heritage of Araripe sedimentary basin in Pernambuco, NE, Brazil

Agradecemos ao Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico do Brasil/CNPq, pela bolsa de produtividade de pesquisa 303071/2014-1 e o projeto de pesquisa 401748/2010, a Pro-reitora de Extensao- PROEXT-UFPE e a FUNCULTURA, Processo 0756/2014. Sinceros agradecimentos tambem sao devidos a prefeitura do Municipio de Exu, ao Departamento Nacional de Producao Mineral-DNPM e ao Sindicato da Industria do Gesso de Pernambuco/SINDUGESSO, pelo apoio no desenvolvimento da pesquisa.

Geoheritage: A Multidisciplinary and Applied Research Topic

Abstract Geoheritage, which has been studied almost since the 18th century, has been rediscovered by the scientific community during the last 25 years. Although much remains to be done before geoheritage is recognised by society and political authorities, great improvements have been made during the last two decades, both at the research and the management levels. The book Geoheritage: Assessment, Protection and Management proposes a state of the art concerning geoheritage. It is divided into 26 chapters distributed in seven sections: (1) introduction; (2) geodiversity; (3) geoheritage; (4) conservation of geoheritage; (5) uses of geoheritage; (6) case studies; (7) conclusion.

Kernel density applied to the quantitative assessment of geodiversity

The development of research involving the geodiversity concept has been growing in the last two decades. The quantification of spatial patterns of geodiversity seems to be one of the most promising lines of research related with natural diversity, since it explores the relations between abiotic elements. This last aspect can be crucial, not only for territorial management, but also for conservation initiatives associated with biodiversity. The main aim of this study was to develop a new GIS procedure, based on centroid analysis, to calculate a geodiversity index, using kernel density, and to test its application in two municipalities with different area surfaces and geological setting. The proposed method is an upgrade of those previously published based on a spatial grid system at a landscape scale. The results of this method show that it is possible to obtain a spatial geodiversity standard that reflects the spatial variation of natural abiotic elements on both territories and that lithology and geomorphology are the key drivers that control the geodiversity index. In addition, the testing procedures have demonstrated that this method can be applied to areas with any geological and geomorphological setting and at different scales and also to be a useful tool for land use planning.