Evaluation of Typologies, Use Values, Degradation Risk, and Relevance of the Seridó Aspiring UNESCO Geopark Geosites, Northeast Brazil

Abstract

The Serido, an interstate region of the northeastern hinterlands of Brazil, which encompasses several municipalities between the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Paraiba, has a geological heritage resultant from a series of natural processes over geological time, with a remarkable petrologic, structural, stratigraphic, and geomorphologic variety. The region is characterized by Paleoproterozoic gneisses, Neoproterozoic metasupracrustal rocks, magmatisms ranging from the Paleoproterozoic to Meso-Cenozoic, and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks. Taking into consideration the uniqueness of this Geological Heritage, it was developed since 2010 a proposal to create the Serido Geopark, which has been under development and in 2019 the territory was officially accepted as an aspiring geopark. With the geopark proposal also becomes necessary to develop geoconservation strategies. This paper aims to conduct different assessments of 21 geosites of Serido Aspiring UNESCO Geopark regarding scientific value, educational and touristic uses, and the associated degradation risk. The work is completed with a classification of the types of interest, visualization scale, and relevance of geosites. This work provides solid information, including tables, graphs, maps, and statistic for decision makers to establish priorities for action in order to promote the geosites protection.