Identification of Geoheritage Elements in a Cultural Landscape: a Case Study from Tokaj Mts, Hungary

Abstract

Cultural landscapes were developed as a result of continuous interaction between nature and human culture. During their evolution, the geodiversity was also considerably influenced by human activities. Recently, geoheritage studies have become more sensitive towards man-made cultural landmarks. In this paper, we explore a methodology to compile a regional inventory for a historic mountainous cultural landscape with remarkable geological, volcanological, and mining heritage in Tokaj Mts, (NE Hungary). The databases of the natural and cultural heritage contribute to the extension of regional inventories with a large number of geodiversity-related records. The specific selection procedure with a combination of GIS and fieldwork assessment resulted in the final list of potential sites. The applied three stage classification forms a basis for territorial analysis. The selected 60 geosites of 700 km2 represents well the geological history of the study area, while another 160 geodiversity and geocultural sites emphasize further enhancement of natural and cultural diversity. The functional classification referring to the physical nature of the sites was useful to define specific conservation management priorities. The thematic grouping of the sites defined new interpretation possibilities for geotourism and geoeducation taking into account volcanological, geomorphological, and mining heritage values.