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Over the past decade, various methodologies have been developed to systematize, discuss, and propose measures for protecting and sustainably managing geological heritage. The Alto Ribeira Touristic State Park is a crucial component of the most significant network of protected areas in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. It has international recognition for its speleological heritage, which underpins its status as a popular tourist destination. This intensive touristic use necessitates solid management plans that ensure sustainable tourism while preserving the karst features. Therefore, this work refined the inventory of geological sites and provided a quantitative assessment of their degradation risk and potential for use. Three geosites and twenty four geodiversity sites were identified and assessed. The quantitative evaluation of these geological sites was conducted using the System for Registration and Quantification of Geosites and Geodiversity Sites (GEOSSIT), which was developed by the Geological Survey of Brazil. The application of this tool, designed for use in a vast and diverse country like Brazil, revealed the need for adaptations when applied to a smaller area such as Alto Ribeira Touristic State Park. This work helped establish management priorities for these sites and determine the most suitable uses for each geological site, providing valuable information for park managers. Such studies demonstrate that proper management of protected and conserved areas should always include geodiversity and geoconservation in their action plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, various methodologies have been developed to systematize, discuss, and propose measures for protecting and sustainably managing geological heritage. The Alto Ribeira Touristic State Park is a crucial component of the most significant network of protected areas in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. It has international recognition for its speleological heritage, which underpins its status as a popular tourist destination. This intensive touristic use necessitates solid management plans that ensure sustainable tourism while preserving the karst features. Therefore, this work refined the inventory of geological sites and provided a quantitative assessment of their degradation risk and potential for use. Three geosites and twenty four geodiversity sites were identified and assessed. The quantitative evaluation of these geological sites was conducted using the System for Registration and Quantification of Geosites and Geodiversity Sites (GEOSSIT), which was developed by the Geological Survey of Brazil. The application of this tool, designed for use in a vast and diverse country like Brazil, revealed the need for adaptations when applied to a smaller area such as Alto Ribeira Touristic State Park. This work helped establish management priorities for these sites and determine the most suitable uses for each geological site, providing valuable information for park managers. Such studies demonstrate that proper management of protected and conserved areas should always include geodiversity and geoconservation in their action plans.

Morocco hosts a wealth of geological heritage, alongside a rich and varied palaeontological heritage that dates back 1.7 billion years, and archaeological assets that chronicle the biological evolution of the human species and their cultural activities. Research into Morocco's geoheritage has pinpointed several sites and monuments, both nationally and internationally recognised, noted for their unique geological formations and aesthetic appeal. This study aims to offer a comprehensive review of the geoheritage research conducted in Morocco over the last 14 years (2008–2022). This research is sourced from databases including Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The documents retrieved have been meticulously reviewed after isolating publications that primarily focus on Moroccan geoheritage sites. The findings indicate a growing trend in the number of studies conducted in this realm over the years. Initially, most research concentrated on the identification and characterisation of Morocco's geoheritage localities. However, with the burgeoning interest in this field, geoscientists have broadened their scope to explore diverse facets of geoheritage site evaluation, encompassing aspects such as geoparks, geotourism, geoeducation, and geoconservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive study investigates the intricate interplay between geodiversity, geohazards, and anthropogenic influences within the Kratovska Reka catchment—an area distinguished by its remarkable geosites. Kratovska Reka, spanning a length of 17.3 km, serves as the left tributary to Kriva Reka. The watershed of Kratovska Reka, covering an area of 68.5 km2, is situated on the northwestern inclines of the Osogovo Mts in North Macedonia. Despite harboring exceptional geodiversity, the area lacks protective measures for its myriad geosites. Evaluating susceptibility to geohazards, including excessive erosion, landslides, and flash floods, this research identifies heightened risk zones, particularly in the valley of Kratovska Reka and its tributaries. A multi-hazard model reveals that 56.07% of the basin is vulnerable to geohazards. The study correlates lithological composition, relief features, and morphometric characteristics with geohazards, emphasizing the significance of paleovolcanic relief in resisting excessive erosion. Human-induced factors, notably deforestation and inappropriate land use, amplify geohazards. This research underscores the urgent need for geosite protection and sustainable land management to mitigate geohazards' impacts. Additionally, it explores the correlation between land use practices and geodiversity, emphasizing the importance of responsible land management in safeguarding the geological and geomorphological values of the researched area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Monti Pisani massif (Tuscany, central Italy) is an isolated mountain relief known for its rich geodiversity, including a remarkable palaeontological heritage from the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. The Palaeozoic record consists of exquisitely preserved plant remains and rarer invertebrates of Permo-Carboniferous age, which testify to extensive rainforests and large swamps that thrived in an alluvial system under a humid, (sub)tropical climate. In addition to invertebrate shells, invertebrate trace fossils and microbial structures, the Mesozoic record features a diverse Middle Triassic tetrapod ichnoassemblage consisting of tracks of lepidosauromorphs, archosaurs (among which are the earliest dinosauromorph fossils of Italy) and nonmammalian therapsids. These vertebrates lived in a subsiding costal setting that stretched across an expanding rift valley under a subarid climate. The Cenozoic record features abundant fossils of terrestrial vertebrates (including spectacular members of the mammalian megafauna) from karst deposits, testifying to the manifold inhabitants of the massif during the glacial and interglacial phases of the Late Pleistocene. Overall, this long-lasting fossil record remarkably demonstrates how much the Earth's environments have been changing through the Phanerozoic. The outstanding palaeontological heritage of the Monti Pisani area is in need of specific efforts of conservation and valorisation, especially with respect to the many palaeontological sites that punctuate the massif. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in Kouoptamo, located in the Noun Plain in Western Cameroon, with the main objective of inventorying and evaluating the geological heritage, and promoting the protection and geoconservation of geosites, and their use in geotourism development. Geosites in the region include dammed lakes (Petpenoun lakes), maars (Sanka Ndoumkain Maar, Tchoua Maar), scoria cones (Nkoambeng, Kechuentim, Ngouen volcanoes), a dome (Njigoumbé Dome) and a managed natural area (Petponoun Domain). Most geosites have a high scientific, aesthetic and educational value. The method used for the inventory and assessment of geosites in this work is according to Reynard, et al. (2016), which is more suitable for geological heritage on a regional scale. The scientific value in this method is composed of four criteria, namely rarity, representativeness, integrity and palaeogeographical interest. Each of these criteria is evaluated independently by a numerical score ranging from 0 (nil) to 1 (very high) in intervals of 0.25. The overall average scientific value of the Kouoptamo geosites is 0.77. Nkoambeng Volcano has the highest scientific value (0.88), followed by Tchoua Maar, Sanka Ndoumkain Maar, Njigoumbé Dome and Ngouen Volcano, all of which score 0.81, while Kechuentim Volcano and Petpenoun Domain score 0.75 and 0.69, respectively. The integrity of several of these geosites is preserved, mainly the Petpenoun lakes, the Tchoua Maar, and the Sanka Ndoumkain Maar. Geosites such as Sanka Ndoumkain Maar, Tchoua Maar, Njigoumbé Dome and the Nkoambeng, Kechuentim, and Ngouen volcanoes are representative of the regional geomorphology. Artisanal quarries (Nkoambeng Volcano) and industrial quarries (Njigoumbé Dome), as well as agro-pastoral activities, tend to degrade these geosites, which in general do not benefit from any legal protection. It is strongly recommended that geoconservation policies be adopted for these geosites, in order to preserve and develop these sites for their considerable geotourism potential while taking into account the current resource and land usage to find an optimum, sustainable strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inventory of the geological heritage, along with the quantification of its value, is an essential task for the implementation of geoconservation strategies. Despite the Brazilian’s rich geological heritage, only the state of São Paulo has concluded its systematic inventory. This paper presents the geological heritage inventory of Paraná State and a quantitative assessment of the scientific value of geosites and their vulnerability. The method applied for the geosites evaluation was adjusted after analyzing the most deemed protocols in international literature, taking into account the Brazilian socioeconomic and cultural conditions. The selection of geosites made by experts was based on the following criteria: representativeness, rarity, integrity, and degree of scientific knowledge. The inventory consists of 76 geosites, distributed in nine geological frameworks, which represent the geological evolution of Paraná. It is expected that this work may support future planning and management actions, which can safeguard the state’s geological heritage, with efficient strategies, especially for those places with high risk of degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero is a mineral-rich region covering about 7,000 km2 in Central-Southern Brazil. It is known for its extensive gold and iron ore reserves, and for its historical cities. Many geological and mining sites related to gold mining and iron ore mining are in protected areas, and have been studied for preservation and use in educational and tourism projects, but at the same time, the region has suffered many pressures from mining companies and its preservation is in a constant state of alert. Recently, geoconservation studies have emphasised the value of geological and mining heritage, its importance for understanding the history of territorial occupation, as well as the geological evolution of our planet. For example, the Cauê Peak is the type-locality of the Cauê Formation, where six new minerals (arsenopalladinite, atheneite, isomertieite, palladseite, jacutingaite and palladinite) were identified in the AuPd deposits which were listed by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA), and where the systemic iron mining activities began with the creation of the first mining company, the Brazilian Hematite Syndicate, in 1909. Since the 19th century, many of these geosites have been the target of research and educational field trips in the training of geologists and mining engineers at the Ouro Preto School of Mines and Federal University of Minas Gerais. These geosites can be used to explain the geological history in the Archaean-Paleoproterozoic boundary of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF), the depositional environment of banded iron formations of the Cauê Formation, and also through the Transamazonian (2.1-1.94 Ga) and Brazilian (650-450 Ma) orogenies responsible for development of AuPd and iron deposits. When observing the Cauê Peak, the Itabira Peak and the Curral Mountain, the different stages in the evolution of the anthropic landscape can be observed. The Cauê Peak has been transformed into an open pit mine, the Itabira Peak is surrounded from all sides by mining activities and the Curral Mountain undergoes processes for authorization of mining activities in an area that should be preserved.

The inventory and evaluation of geosites are fundamental steps of any geoconservation strategies and in setting priorities for the management of protected areas. The North-Marchean Apennines (central Italy) host an extraordinary geoheritage, making its use by society worthwhile and meaningful (e.g., teaching/learning, tourism, and recreation). An area of 600 square kilometres embracing 18 municipalities, mainly distributed along the Mt. Catria–Mt. Nerone ridge, is home to numerous spectacular geosites. The purpose of this study is to analyze the environmental heritage of the North-Marchean Apennines through the recognition, selection, and description of an extensive list of geosites, with a view to providing useful data for the establishment of a possible geopark discussed in the context of a region that is rich in protected areas. Among these, seven geosites were chosen as representative of the area and were processed through a quantitative evaluation method. The calculated Q-values are indicative of geosites of high significance and well represent the great variety and strong potential of this area. The seven geosites, witnesses of sites with a high aesthetic value, are framed from a geological and geomorphological point of view, without neglecting the additional values that make these localities particularly attractive for geotouristic and educational purposes. The study area is finally framed in the context of the region's protected areas, with a view to the conservation and enhancement of its environmental heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Earth landscapes were not always as what they present themselves today, thanks to the interaction with the internal and external dynamics of the Earth. Thus, it is clear that the rocks are true “files” where what can informally be called “key files” capable of telling the history of a territory are stored. Threats against outcrop protection demand urgent management actions. Because of it, making an inventory of the geological heritage of a place makes it possible to delimit these places of interest and through a quantitative assessment to support measures for the geoconservation of this natural heritage. The present work consists of the first steps of the elaboration of an inventory of the geological heritage in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), northeast of Brazil, and one of the first state inventories in progress in the country. In this text, it is exposed how the potential geosites were selected based on different bibliographic sources, filtered according to their uniqueness or regional representativeness, to then be organized in a uniform database, with general information about each point for consultation by the scientific community. Cartographic and graphic products were also generated to represent the information obtained in each location of geological interest. This study can be constantly updated and aims to direct future work on the inventory of geological heritage or with emphasis on specific topics such as geomorphological, paleontological, and mineralogical in RN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biome of the “Pampa” in Brazil is a restricted area located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, that extends for 153.254 Km2 and constitutes 1.79% of the national territory. Unfortunately, it has been severely impacted by agribusiness activities. The present study will show a strategic importance for the environmental preservation of the “Pampa” geoheritage. The goals are to reset the borders of the “Pampa”, to identify geosites of scientific value, and to evaluate the risks of environmental degradation with the aim to propose geoconservation actions. The material for this study came from Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, Geological Survey of Brazil and edited using the geographic information systems program ArcGIS - ESRI®. The evaluation methodology used consists of the systematic registration of geological sites using different scales and values, and by mathematical criteria showing the relevant value and the degrees of environment degradation risks. The results present three maps showing the borders (limits) of the “Pampa” biome, geodiversity, and geosites and in as well as frames and charts, which contain the scientific value and the degree of environmental degradation risk of the six geosites. This information will be useful in proposing a course of action for geoconservation such as: the creation of conservation units, geoparks and the updating of environment legislation. The proposed actions are fundamental for spatial planning, based on the best practices of sustainable development, as geoconservation, geopreservation and geoprotection still remain the major challenges of the 21st century.

The characterization of the elements of geodiversity, through different inventory and quantitative evaluation methods, in the past decades, has allowed the identification of the most representative sites of the regional geological evolution of the state of São Paulo. Between 2013 and 2016, the first phase of the inventory of the geological heritage of São Paulo state was carried out. At the end of this stage, 142 geosites integrated into 11 geological categories were defined, which were characterized and quantitatively evaluated according to their scientific value and degradation risk, to establish future management priorities. Between 2017 and 2019, in the second phase of the research, the data obtained in the inventory were submitted to an analysis aiming at the diagnosis of use and protection and the proposal of strategies for management and public use of these geosites. Currently, the inventory of the geological heritage of the state is composed of 143 geosites, of which, based on their scientific value, 57 were evaluated as potential candidates to be integrated into the inventory of the national geological heritage. Despite this, there are still few works that systematically apply the stages of conservation and monitoring of geological sites. In this context, this study presented the initial phase of the definition of a methodology for the assessment of the evolution of the state of conservation of the geological heritage and its application in the state of São Paulo, to subsidize future actions of management and preservation of this heritage. In this stage, 129 state geosites were evaluated based on three defined criteria. This evaluation preliminarily resulted in the identification of 10 priority geosites, which will

India is a bedrock of unexplored geological marvels from east to west and north to south. It is endowed with unique geological features of rocks, minerals, fossils, soil, and landscape which has its genesis millions of years ago. Based on the uniqueness of geological formation and aesthetic appeal the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified several geoheritage sites and national geological monuments. The current study aims to provide an overview of the research carried out in India on geoheritage in the last 12 years (2010-–022). The research on the topic of interest is retrieved from the Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. Reviewing of the extracted papers is done after separating the publications that primarily focus on Indian geoheritage sites. The results suggest that over the years, there have been a growing number of studies conducted in the field. Most studies initially concentrated on identifying and characterizing India’s geoheritage sites, but as the area has gained popularity, geoscientists are now looking into its various domains of assessing the geoheritage sites including geopark, geotourism and geoconservation aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Monti Pisani massif (Tuscany, central Italy) is an isolated mountain relief known for its rich geodiversity, including a remarkable palaeontological heritage from the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. The Palaeozoic record consists of exquisitely preserved plant remains and rarer invertebrates of Permo-Carboniferous age, which testify to extensive rainforests and large swamps that thrived in an alluvial system under a humid, (sub)tropical climate. In addition to invertebrate shells, invertebrate trace fossils and microbial structures, the Mesozoic record features a diverse Middle Triassic tetrapod ichnoassemblage consisting of tracks of lepidosauromorphs, archosaurs (among which are the earliest dinosauromorph fossils of Italy) and nonmammalian therapsids. These vertebrates lived in a subsiding costal setting that stretched across an expanding rift valley under a subarid climate. The Cenozoic record features abundant fossils of terrestrial vertebrates (including spectacular members of the mammalian megafauna) from karst deposits, testifying to the manifold inhabitants of the massif during the glacial and interglacial phases of the Late Pleistocene. Overall, this long-lasting fossil record remarkably demonstrates how much the Earth’s environments have been changing through the Phanerozoic. The outstanding palaeontological heritage of the Monti Pisani area is in need of specific efforts of conservation and valorisation, especially with respect to the many palaeontological sites that punctuate the massif.

Biodiversity is an essential component of nature, relegating the aspects of geodiversity, which provides geological and landscape variety to a territory. However, the importance of geodiversity and its social, economic, educational, scientific, and technological impact on a region, are not well understood. This article measures the geoheritage values of Guayaquil, a port city in Ecuador, via surveys and analyses of variables, with the aim of proposing guidelines or strategies that promote the knowledge and diffusion of that geoheritage. Our methodology included (i) a review of historical landmarks of Guayaquil and their relationship with geodiversity, (ii) a survey and data tabulation, (iii) an analysis of the local population's perception of the city's geoheritage, and (iv) the development of geodiversity strategies using computer tools. Our results determined that people approach areas of interest because of each site's biodiversity and the available information about the site. Once there, they can obtain knowledge about the city's geology, geodiversity, and urban geotourism. Therefore, geoheritage is an essential consideration in establishing educational plans, initiatives, and promotion strategies. Furthermore, the identification of a city's heritage values following geoeducation, and the recognition by society of the city's geosites and their historical–scientific significance, will provide a basis for using geotourism in a context of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the course of the last years, geoconservation is increasingly becoming on the A-list of topics holding more and more attention, given its importance on geoheritage regarding several scales: conservation, geotourism, geoeducation, and local development. Central Moroccan massif is one of the Variscan massifs that amass a number of geosites (sedimentological, basin genesis, petrographical, paleoclimate …) allowing the understanding of the relevant period of the Earth’s evolution and the geodynamics of the area, as well as, it contains geosites from the Ediacarian to Quaternary. In this perspective, the current work aimed to identify priority sites for geoconservation actions, geoeducation, and geotourism. All geological sites were inventoried and evaluated by a quantitative assessment relying on the scientific value, the degradation risk, the educational and touristic potential uses regarding both the protection priorities and the use management. The inventory of geosites and their quantitative assessment were performed by the method of Brilha (Geoheritage 8:119–134, 2016). The takeaways of this work may help improve the sustainable development of the area through the establishment of geopark, the implement of a geoconservation strategy and the geotourism action plan. In addition, it could be the path to achieve a global target of the sustainable goals in the Central Morocco area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of geoeducation generates a link between people, landscapes, and their culture by recognising the geological potential around geosites and their conservation. Geosites have important scientific value and constitute a way of generating learning tools for the development of geoeducation. The city of Guayaquil, the main port of Ecuador, has a valuable geological and mining heritage, which has been affected by population growth and its invasion of protected areas, causing the displacement of animal species to the point of possible extinction. The research aims to assess geosites in the surroundings of the Gustavo Galindo campus, using the Spanish Inventory of Sites of Geological Interest (IELIG, Spanish acronym) methodology to promote geo-education in the context of sustainability. The methodological process includes (i) the inventory and initial selection of Sites of Geological Interest (SGI) based on interviews with experts and the analysis of primary data from potential sites; (ii) characterisation and semi-quantitative geosites assessment using the IELIG methodology; and (iii) qualitative assessment through SWOT analysis to formulate geotourism and geoeducation development strategies. This research emphasises the importance of promoting geological heritage in an urban area. It shows geotourism attractions represented by five SGI grouped into two types: geomorphological and petrological. In general, the SGI are in the "High" category of the degree of geological interest, ranging from 170 to 236.67. In addition, the study identified the lack of a geological culture and natural values of the university campus. It allowed the proposal of protection strategies (e.g., a geoconservation plan ensuring that the number of visitors does not exceed the maximum load capacity), geoscientific dissemination (e.g., creating games, museums, itineraries, launching geoeducational souvenirs, or developing educational content using augmented reality) and a detailed research based on evaluating sites for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orania, located in northwestern Algeria, is characterized by a diversified and fascinate geology. Ten geosites, namely Nedroma granite, Souk el Khemis Messinian Reef, Tadmaya Plateau Basalt Columns, Sassel Beach Messinian Stromatolites, Tafraoui Canyon, Ouillis Quarry, Cedar Forest Numidian Flysch, Ain Ouarka Diapir, Ain Ouarka mid-Jurassic Reefs and Tiout Sandstones Rock Art, have been selected based to their scientific and additional values. These geosites have a relatively high scientific, geoeducational and pedagogical values, due to their uniqueness, rarity, representativeness of geological elements, exceptionality, scientific knowledge and geodiversity. Regarding geotouristic values, they have high aesthetic and moderate cultural values. This inventory shows the scientific importance of the area, which may be frequented by both native and foreign visitors, including undergraduate and graduate geology students. Some geosites are affected by a degradation risk and they are damaged by human activities. The main threat of this anthropogenic pressure is from vandalism, lack of care by local community and visitors, mineral extraction, urbanization and conflagrations. Finally, Management procedures, establishment of geoparks and organization of conferences and meetings must be planned and implemented in order to increase the sustainable use and geoconservation of the analyzed sites, which have all the potential to be recognized as a geoheritage sites and deserve to be declared as a National Geological Monuments.

A complex approach to geodiversity and landscape in order to foster geoconservation and develop geotourism and geoeducation is usually more effective than isolated protection and promotion of geoheritage sites without wider context. A Geodiversity Action Plan (GAP) represents a reasonable tool for how to follow these goals in cooperation with local stakeholders. This specific document is not focused only on an inventory of sites of Earth science interest in an area, but encompasses all geodiversity (geological, geomorphological, soil and hydrological features, processes, systems and relationships). As geoconservation often goes hand in hand with education, sustainable tourism and promotion, the GAP includes practical proposals for management and rational use of the area's geodiversity and geoheritage. This complex approach is needed as it provides a complement to the site-oriented protection or management and, moreover, it can be perceived as coherent with a geoethical approach. The paper presents a case study from Moravian-Slovak border (a central part of Bílé Karpaty/Biele Karpaty Mountains) where the proposal for GAP (including inventory, assessment and management measures) was elaborated together with local authorities, schools and other stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sudetes mountain range in SW Poland include several areas, where distinctive topography has developed upon layered sedimentary successions of Cretaceous age, with quartz sandstones supporting the most spectacular landforms. They are most diverse in the Stołowe Mountains, which are a good example of a tableland with plateau levels, escarpments and mesas. Extensive ruiniform relief, rock labyrinths and clusters of pedestal rocks are the highlights of the area and the main reason why the area is protected as a national park. Sandstone landform inventories in other parts of the Sudetes include cuesta ridges, crags, block fields and non-karstic caves, most of them not subjected to any legal form of conservation. Threats to the integrity of sandstone geomorphological heritage are mainly related to tourism, which is clearly over-developed in the most popular parts of the Stołowe Mountains National Park. Negative impact of climbing was considerably reduced after this type of outdoor activity was prohibited in most of the Park territory. Proper geo-interpretation of sandstone geomorphology is challenging, given that dense vegetation hampers landform recognition and appreciation, whereas the most important formative processes, such as subterranean erosion, are slow-going, invisible and, hence, difficult to explain in succinct way, as expected from geo-interpretation aimed at casual visitors. Uncontrolled growth of vegetation interferes with the visibility of many sandstone landforms, and it is argued that regular vegetation clearance is a necessary conservation measure at many geosites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of geoconservation concepts and methodologies to the Azores archipelago led to the implementation of the Geopark Azores, recognized as such by the European and Global Geoparks Network. The current work re-evaluates and stresses the scientific and touristic value of the palaeontological sites of Santa Maria Island. Two new geosites (the Ponta do Castelo tempestite deposit and the Pedra-que-pica coquina) are proposed for classification as ‘Regional Natural Monuments’ by the Regional Government of the Azores, due to their international relevance. The tempestite deposit of Ponta do Castelo was overlain by a contemporary coastal lava delta, which enables the inference of the precise water depth of the geosite at the time of deposition, a very rare condition worldwide; and Pedra-que-pica is the most extensive multispecific fossiliferous coquina ever reported in the literature from the shelf of any of the ∼20,000 known volcanic oceanic islands in the world. Relevant geosites reported for this island are increased from 15 to 26. Additional palaeontological heritage contributions to the sustainable tourism of Santa Maria are suggested, with a focus on two recent projects: the ‘Fossil Trail’ and the future ‘PalaeoPark Santa Maria’.

Geoconservation and geoethics are two emergent domains in geosciences. During the last decade, both topics have increasingly gained the attention of geoscientists and the society, but the main geoethical dilemmas related to the conservation and management of geoheritage are not clearly identified yet. This work aims at providing an overview on the meaning and scope of geoethics and how it intersects geoheritage and the practice of geoconservation. Some case studies—many of which are under current debate and have a high potential as geoeducational resources—are presented for addressing ethical, social and cultural settings as well as dilemmas affecting geoheritage. We find that there are particular cases (mostly concerning the trade of fossils, and in particular the growing concern about activities that rely on amber from Myanmar) for which a clear dichotomy of views makes them much more problematic and complex. These cases deserve more suitable legal frameworks that help implement more balanced ethical standards and practice guidelines for geoconservation, guarantee human rights and needs in relation to that heritage and contribute to the advancement of geosciences. Particular attention is given to palaeontological heritage, as fossils are among the most threatened elements of the Earth’s diversity and are in need of more effective and statutory protection measures. In the context of geoethics applied to palaeontological heritage, and given the need of a clear understanding of what ethics in palaeontology means, a new concept—palaeontoethics—is proposed and formally defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both worldwide and in Mexico, multiple regions with thermal springs exist and have played an integral role in culture and daily life in these civilizations since pre-Hispanic up to modern times. Thermal springs have become places of high cultural importance, and most of the times have been used for balneology or as baths of local people. Unfortunately, in Mexico a lack of knowledge about the possible direct uses of geothermal energy for all these resources exists, and the relevance of their conservation, their role in the local sustainable development, and their historical trajectory as elements of local heritage and geo-heritage. The objective of this work was to classify the geoheritage in Puruándiro. In summary, this work presents two aspects of this classification: (1) classification of geosites in Puruándiro using educational, scientific, and cultural parameters according to the first geothermal exploration in the area and local opinion via a perception survey and (2) design and presentation of didactic and multidisciplinary material in Spanish (geo-map, geo-guide, and infographics) for use in situ in which the geosites and importance of their geoconservation are highlighted. The main results of this work denote highly scientific, educational, and cultural parameters of most of the thermal springs with a great potential for the direct use of geothermal energy in addition to highlighting these parameters as part of the local geoheritage and main axis in planning sustainable development of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil is a country that has a vast territory and contains many natural landscapes features and immense variety of rocks, shapes and structures of great aesthetic and scientific value. Geosites are areas that have numerous geological potentials, where these characteristics are notable from a scientific, didactic or touristic point of view. In this sense, this work carried out a cataloguing of geosites in the municipality of Conceição da Aparecida, in the south of Minas Gerais state aiming at the geoconservation of the geological heritage, the balanced use of natural resources and the identification of geosites. The lands of the study area belong to several units of the crystalline basement entitled Campos Gerais Formation, Carrancas Group, Petunia Complex, Varginha-Guaxupé Complex and Andrelândia Complex composed essentially by gneissic rocks. The development of this work consisted in the construction of a qualitative base on the studied area from the analysis of topographic maps, the use of GIS and later field activity, laboratory analysis and the elaboration of the results. In this way, the relationship between man and nature can be evidenced from the proposals for geoconservation and the identification of these areas for future generations. Thus, the integrity of nature and the best quality of life for man will be maintained. he scientific and local community will be informed about the issues of geographic space, enabling investments and better management practices in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity is an essential component of nature, relegating the aspects of geodiversity, which provides geological and landscape variety to a territory. However, the importance of geodiversity and its social, economic, educational, scientific, and technological impact on a region, are not well understood. This article measures the geoheritage values of Guayaquil, a port city in Ecuador, via surveys and analyses of variables, with the aim of proposing guidelines or strategies that promote the knowledge and diffusion of that geoheritage. Our methodology included (i) a review of historical landmarks of Guayaquil and their relationship with geodiversity, (ii) a survey and data tabulation, (iii) an analysis of the local population’s perception of the city’s geoheritage, and (iv) the development of geodiversity strategies using computer tools. Our results determined that people approach areas of interest because of each site’s biodiversity and the available information about the site. Once there, they can obtain knowledge about the city’s geology, geodiversity, and urban geotourism. Therefore, geoheritage is an essential consideration in establishing educational plans, initiatives, and promotion strategies. Furthermore, the identification of a city’s heritage values following geoeducation, and the recognition by society of the city’s geosites and their historical–scientific significance, will provide a basis for using geotourism in a context of sustainability.

Having a national geoheritage inventory is essential to plan effective geoconservation strategies. Since 2017, the Geological Survey of Brazil (CPRM) has been carrying out a project aimed at the Inventory of the Brazilian Geological Heritage and defined state coordinations to propose indicative lists of potential geosites based mainly on the scientific value (SV) according to the GEOSSIT platform. For the state of São Paulo, which was the first in Brazil to have a systematic geoheritage inventory, with 137 geosites already defined, this study intends to analyze them to propose some criteria to select the ones to compound the national list. Fifty-seven geosites were chosen according to both SV (≥ 300, following the requirements of GEOSSIT) and representativeness within each geological framework (when SV < 300). We also evaluated the selected geosites in other national initiatives, such as SIGEP (nine geosites) and the Geoparks Project (five geosites). The GEOSSIT public lists show only three of the 57 geosites already registered, a low number considering that these registrations are relevant indicators for the national inventory. The geosites were also analyzed according to the main thematic classification (eight main thematic categories, with a large number in the petrology theme - 35.10%) and general geological context (73.70% in the Mantiqueira, Paraná, and Tocantins provinces and 26.30% in Emerged Phanerozoic Basins - Paraná, Bauru, and São Paulo), according to the parameters available on GEOSSIT. The sites were also evaluated according to typology, being 33 points, 22 areas, and two sections. Regarding the statutory setting, 30% are in fully protected areas, 36% in public or private areas with non-effective statutory protection (APAs, marine land, paleontological sites, etc.), and 34% comprise public or private areas with no protection.

The development of geoeducation generates a link between people, landscapes, and their culture by recognising the geological potential around geosites and their conservation. Geosites have important scientific value and constitute a way of generating learning tools for the development of geoeducation. The city of Guayaquil, the main port of Ecuador, has a valuable geological and mining heritage, which has been affected by population growth and its invasion of protected areas, causing the displacement of animal species to the point of possible extinction. The research aims to assess geosites in the surroundings of the Gustavo Galindo campus, using the Spanish Inventory of Sites of Geological Interest (IELIG, Spanish acronym) methodology to promote geo-education in the context of sustainability. The methodological process includes (i) the inventory and initial selection of Sites of Geological Interest (SGI) based on interviews with experts and the analysis of primary data from potential sites; (ii) characterisation and semi-quantitative geosites assessment using the IELIG methodology; and (iii) qualitative assessment through SWOT analysis to formulate geotourism and geoeducation development strategies. This research emphasises the importance of promoting geological heritage in an urban area. It shows geotourism attractions represented by five SGI grouped into two types: geomorphological and petrological. In general, the SGI are in the “High” category of the degree of geological interest, ranging from 170 to 236.67. In addition, the study identified the lack of a geological culture and natural values of the university campus. It allowed the proposal of protection strategies (e.g., a geoconservation plan ensuring that the number of visitors does not exceed the maximum load capacity), geoscientific dissemination (e.g., creating games, museums, itineraries, launching geoeducational souvenirs, or developing educational content using augmented reality) and a detailed research based on evaluating sites for sustainable development.

Central America is located in a dynamic region where tectonics and volcanism together with the tropical climate and its diverse vegetation have shaped the landscapes. Our main objective is to review the status of the geodiversity, geoconservation, and geotourism in Central America. We will identify the region’s geomorphic environments and geodiversity using classic regional geomorphology mapping techniques. Likewise, using touristic maps and webpages, we identify the most prominent geosites of different origin in Central America. Moreover, we will explore the national environmental policies, natural conservation systems, and tourism initiatives to promote their national geoheritage through geotourism. We found that volcanic, coastal, karstic, glacial, and fluvial geomorphic environments are the most common in the region. In addition, we identified 393 geosites of volcanic, coastal, karstic, glacial, fluvial, and archeological origin in Central America. The promotion of geoheritage, geodiversity, geoconservation, and thus the development of geoparks are excellent opportunities to promote sustainable development, sustainable lifestyles, appreciation of natural and cultural diversity, and the promotion of peace. These results may prove important to spread information about geoscience widely to decision makers on geotourism and conservation in each country and the stakeholders of the region. Geoheritage studies in tropical and developing countries such as those in Central America should be improved, and priority should be given to the geomorphological dynamics and strong anthropic pressures on their geo- and biodiversity to increase their income through geotourism, especially among the less favored communities and avoid affecting their already threatened natural resources.

Geoconservation in England, as in Great Britain more widely, is very well established. Sites of national or international scientific importance, as determined by a systematic site assessment and selection exercise, can be protected by designation as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Sites of local importance e.g. Local Geological Sites may also be taken into account when planning decisions are made that could have an impact on them. As a whole, the network of conserved geosites represents the key elements of our current understanding of the geology and geomorphology of England. Site selection and safeguard and management of this network are dependent on geoscience information, and in return continued geoscience fieldwork is dependent on having conserved sites available for study. Here, we review the relationship between geoconservation and geoscience, and how it has developed since the first geoconservation legislation nearly 70 years ago. We discuss the achievements, challenges and where and how this relationship needs to strengthen further to meet future needs of both geoscience and nature conservation. In a changing world, there will continue to be a need for innovative geoscience supported by effective geoconservation. Those interested in conserving England’s geological heritage will need to engage the wider geoscience community more than ever to deliver a shared vision for the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a significant concern for nature conservation in the 21 st century. One of the goals of the 2014 Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme is to identify the consequences of climate change for protected areas and to put in place adaptation or mitigation measures. As a contribution to the process, this paper develops a methodology to identify the relative level of risk to nationally and internationally important geological and geomorphological sites in Scotland from the impacts of climate change. The methodology is based on existing understanding of the likely responses of different types of geosite to specific aspects of climate change, such as changes in rainfall, rising sea levels or increased storminess, and is applied to assess the likelihood of damaging impacts on groups of similar geoheritage features in sites with similar characteristics. The results indicate that 80 (8.8%) of the ∼900 nationally and internationally important geoheritage sites in Scotland are at ‘high’ risk from climate change. These include active soft-sediment coastal and fluvial features, finite Quaternary sediment exposures and landforms in coastal and river locations, active periglacial features, sites with palaeoenvironmental records, finite or restricted rock exposures and fossils. Using this risk-based assessment, development of indicative geoheritage climate-change actions have been prioritised for these sites. Depending on the characteristics of the sites, management options may range from ‘do nothing’ to rescue excavations and posterity recording. Monitoring is an essential part of the management process to trigger evidence-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to Campo de los Alisos National Park, Sierra de Aconquija, has a varied geological heritage, offering numerous tourist attractions, natural resources and landscapes not yet used in a sustainable way. We present a preliminary inventory of geological interest sites related to Quaternary cryoforms in the region in order to link this geological heritage with educational aims and economic use. The aim is to increase consciousness about the value of this natural area and the same time the wish to enhance the environmental protection of the geological interest sites, and offer this knowledge to specialists in tourism to generate the georesources and geoproducts necessary for tourism activity. Large number of geotopes were identified during the field work.

Southern Italy includes a large variety of geological environments represented by sedimentary, metamorphic, and volcanic rocks. The understanding of the complex geological history leading to the present-day setting of Southern Italy has been achieved through a great number of geological studies carried out on key localities which show geological features of high scientific interest. Often, these key outcrops or geosites fall into highly sensitive and vulnerable areas, especially where linear infrastructures occur, and represented in most cases by railways, roads, and bridges. The main aim of this paper is to analyze the interaction between some significant geosites and linear infrastructures. Therefore, the study takes into account the guidelines provided by ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) and the experience arising from a series of activities and projects carried out by the SIGEA (Italian Society of Environmental Geology). As a first step, we have linked the principles and applications of 'environmental geology' with the concept of 'geoconservation.' Two case studies have been selected and described. The first case concerns the interaction between the Lagonegro Calabro-Lucana railway bridge (Basilicata Region, Southern Italy) and a deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD) affecting the bridge. Thus, the landslide activity is recorded by the progressive deformation of the bridge. The second case is represented by the interaction between the Torre di Lesco cave (Apulia Region, Southern Italy) and Road no. 96 (Altamura-Bari) where the construction for the widening the road led to the discovery of an impressive, hitherto unknown, karstic cave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of geoconservation concepts in Cuba is very recent, despite the wide body of knowledge accumulated through the study of Cuban geology. Recently, the establishment and consolidation of a National System of Protected Areas that stresses interaction with scientific institutions has greatly helped initiate geoconservation in Cuba. In this study, we review the geoconservation criteria used in the management of protected areas, their precedents and administrative framework. We used the methodology proposed by Bruschi () for the characterisation, assessment and management of geodiversity resources, and modified its criteria for use in selecting geosites. We have applied the methodology to assess the Guaniguanico Range and the Guanahacabibes Plain where 162 geosites were defined. Of the 162 geosites assessed, 107 were at Viñales National Park, so it could be a potential area to become the first Caribbean Geopark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, a knowledge base has been built up worldwide in relation to geological heritage and geodiversity, and respective working methodologies. However, the absence of knowledge and technical information by the local, regional and national authorities about geosites makes it difficult to create appropriate legislation and to assure a good management. There is also a public ignorance about geological processes and their relationship to biodiversity, as well as their value as natural heritage. This study focuses on the Autonomous Community of Galicia (NW Spain), specifically the 'Southern Coast' area established in the Planning Programme for the Coast (POL) and brings to light the importance of the Quaternary deposits and associated landforms. The study concludes that the Southern Coast should be recognized as an area-type geosite. Taking into account the evaluation of their scientific value, the landforms of Oia and San Xián are proposed as geosites. Legal mechanisms of protection need to be reinforced and new, more specific ones, developed in tandem that make reference to the fact that these landforms exemplify environmental records of the past. This area is unique on a national level due to the scientific and educational value of the deposits. Therefore, they should be proposed to the Spanish Geological Survey (IGME) for inclusion in the general list of geosites of the Spanish State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the exceptional geological characteristics of iron oxide and sulphur lavas structures cropping out at El Laco and Lastarria volcanic complexes in Northern Chile, their geographical context, and the Chilean legal framework for conservation, the authors make a general assessment of the geological heritage value of both volcanoes, while analysing the possibilities and challenges that arise in order to protect them. Relevant issues in this matter are the lack of appropriate laws and of applied geoconservation experience in the country, and the difficulty of attracting financial resources but also a big potential for conciliating conservation with mining, different alternatives of tourism-including geotourism-, or other sustainable initiatives, in a naturally and culturally diverse and rich region, already known as a world class tourist destination. Thus results the need to identify the relevant geosites present in each volcano, to emphasize their study and knowledge, as well as a proactive role of public authorities in order to effectively protect these extremely rare and vulnerable geological features. Analysing the specific cases of both volcanic complexes as possible geological heritage locations, the authors aim to highlight the main problems that need to be solved in order to introduce proper geoconservation in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

n adequate management of geological heritage by national and regional authorities presupposes the existence of a solid geosites inventory. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many countries. Most often, there is no national inventory at all or the method and criteria used to assess geosites was not adequate. This paper makes an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the most common procedures to produce a geosite inventory and proposes a methodology particularly adapted for large territories such as Brazil. Nevertheless, this methodological approach can be easily adapted to any other geographical or geological setting, promoting the characterization and conservation of the world's geological heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central America is located in a dynamic region where tectonics and volcanism together with the tropical climate and its diverse vegetation have shaped the landscapes. Our main objective is to review the status of the geodiversity, geoconservation, and geotourism in Central America. We will identify the region's geomorphic environments and geodiversity using classic regional geomorphology mapping techniques. Likewise, using touristic maps and webpages, we identify the most prominent geosites of different origin in Central America. Moreover, we will explore the national environmental policies, natural conservation systems, and tourism initiatives to promote their national geoheritage through geotourism. We found that volcanic, coastal, karstic, glacial, and fluvial geomorphic environments are the most common in the region. In addition, we identified 393 geosites of volcanic, coastal, karstic, glacial, fluvial, and archeological origin in Central America. The promotion of geoheritage, geodiversity, geoconservation, and thus the development of geoparks are excellent opportunities to promote sustainable development, sustainable lifestyles, appreciation of natural and cultural diversity, and the promotion of peace. These results may prove important to spread information about geoscience widely to decision makers on geotourism and conservation in each country and the stakeholders of the region. Geoheritage studies in tropical and developing countries such as those in Central America should be improved, and priority should be given to the geomorphological dynamics and strong anthropic pressures on their geo- and biodiversity to increase their income through geotourism, especially among the less favored communities and avoid affecting their already threatened natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inventory and assessment of a geosite in a territory provides a sound basis for the protection and use of its geological heritage. This article aims to evaluate the most relevant geosites in the province of Chimborazo (Ecuador), applying the Spanish Inventory of Sites of Geological Interest (IELIG, in Spanish) method, and proposing alternatives for geotourism development in the studied area. The methodological process was based on: (i) the inventory and preliminary selection of geosites; (ii) a semi-quantitative geosite assessment and proposal of travel itineraries for geotourism; and (iii) the application of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) matrix to establish geotourism development strategies within a framework of sustainability. The global assessment of scientific, tourist, and academic interests demonstrates that 25% of the 20 evaluated geosites have very high interest and 75% have high interest. The top three geosites with the highest degrees of interest are the Chimborazo Volcano, known as 'Earth's Closest Point to the Sun', the Pallatanga geological fault, and the geosite named Comunidad Cacha. The SWOT analysis reveals that travel itineraries that combine cultural heritage elements and geosites could offer a real alternative for the region's sustainable development through geotourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Liguria Region in Northern Italy is characterized by a wide geological and geomorphological variety, encompassing an important and valuable geoheritage. The Ligurian regional law (L.R. 39/2009) protects and enhances geodiversity and geosites, establishing the Regional Inventory of Geosites; however, an approved official inventory is still lacking. In this work, a first reasoned inventory of 120 geosites is proposed for the Liguria Region on the basis of field surveys and literature review. A quantitative assessment of the value and the degradation risk of geosites has been carried out: the value assessment takes into account scientific, additional and potential-for-use values; the degradation risk assessment considers geosites' fragility and vulnerability. The results, providing knowledge on the Ligurian geoheritage, can serve as the basis for the Regional Inventory of Geosites and can be useful tools for the implementation of any regional geoconservation strategy or environmental management plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]