Geotourist values of loess geoheritage within the planned Geopark Małopolska Vistula River Gap, E Poland

Abstract

The European network of geoparks currently consists of 64 parks, but a limited number are located in loess areas. Three national geoparks have been created in Poland, while designs for new ones are being prepared, including a geopark encompassing the area of the Małopolska Vistula River Gap, within which some of the thickest loess covers in Poland occur. Loess geoheritage have been studied for many years, and the knowledge accumulated in this field is very extensive. Additional information is provided by data collected for the project Geopark Małopolska Vistula River Gap, including an inventory of more than 220 geosites.The study objective is to assess the geotourist value of loess geoheritage. A total of 57 sites, mainly gullies, were assessed, taking into account 24 assessment indices (values) subsumed under four categories: scientific, educational, functional, and tourist value. The application of cluster analysis made it possible to distinguish groups of sites with similar sets of characteristics. The spatial pattern of the general tourist values of the Geopark was assessed based on the selected natural environment and tourist infrastructure characteristics (eight criteria). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to study the most important indices in both assessments.The assessment results made it possible to identify the spatial variation of loess heritage values, sites having the highest geotourist value and indices having the greatest impact on the final assessment. The geosites under study comprised gullies and viewpoints. Regions and sites with a suitable potential for the development of the tourist function were thus identified. Both assessments provide the basis for the formulation of guidelines concerning the appropriate management of the tourist and geotourist assets. This should include specific measures suitable for each group of sites distinguished. Thanks to the outstanding value of the loess sites, the planned Geopark may become the first site in Poland and Europe to present assets related to loess geoheritage on such a broad scale.