Comparing quantitative methods on the evaluation of scientific value in geosites: analysis from the Itatiaia National Park, Brazil

Abstract

Despite efforts by the scientific community to create a single universal quantitative method to assess geological sites, dozens of methods have been designed and applied around the world with the purpose of assessing geosites with specific interests. Although several studies have already compared quantitative assessment methods with different objectives, there is not yet research that compares the application of general-purpose (method applicable to any geosite) and special-purpose methods (designed to assess geomorphosites) on the assessment of geosites with geomorphological and other geological interest. In view of this fact, this study aims (i) to make a quantitative assessment of the scientific value of the inventoried geosites of the Itatiaia National Park, Brazil, adopting geological and geomorphological approaches, using both general- and special-purpose methods and (ii) to discuss whether special-purpose methods provide different results that justify their application and whether general-purpose methods appropriately assess geomorphological heritage. The methodology procedures consisted of applying two general- and three special-purpose methods adopting the geological and geomorphological approaches to each geosite. The results show two main patterns: (i) different scores in the assessment of the geological and geomorphological approaches when applying the same method and (ii) similar scores in the assessment of each geosite among each method type –general- or special-purpose methods. The comparison of these five methods showed that general- and special-purpose methods could be applied in geosites with geomorphological and other geological interest without strongly affecting the final results.