Landscape planning for geodiversity conservation of Ciletuh geo area in Ciletuh Geopark using bioregional approach

Abstract

Indonesia has 15 National Geoparks, and four of them have been recognized by UNESCO as the Global Geopark Network (GGN). The Ciletuh Geopark is one of the geo-parks in Indonesia that UNESCO has recognized. With the status of GGN, the management of the Ciletuh Geopark area must be directed according to the area development criteria set by UNESCO. The form of designated area development is related to efforts to increase cooperation, increase local communities’ welfare, develop infrastructure, and establish sustainable geopark areas. This Area’s result must pay attention to the Area’s sensitivity with geological uniqueness so as not to damage the geological diversity (geodiversity) in it. Therefore it is necessary to arrange the area with the direction of area development under the stipulations outlined. This research aims to develop a landscape plan to conserve the Ciletuh Geo Area geodiversity as part of Ciletuh Geopark using a bioregion approach. This process starts from inventory, literature study to analysis and synthesis, and planning. The research is carried out with a bioregion approach to determine the bioregion unit, landscape unit, and place the unit. Biophysical and geological characteristics are used in the preparation of bioregion classes. The synthesis was carried out by compiling the place units with significance values at 18 geological sites, making each place unit’s intrinsic value. The landscape plan prepared by referring to the rules of conservation of nature reserves can be considered in the development and management of the Ciletuh Geo Area in particular and Ciletuh Geopark area in general.