New approaches to rock landform and landscape conservation

Abstract

Rock landforms are natural outcrops of solid bedrock, exposed at the earth surface due to higher resistance to weathering and erosion. They are important carriers of information about past and more recent geological and geomorphological processes, underpin biodiversity and cultural values, and may have considerable aesthetic significance. Many are popular tourist destinations. They are subject to different threats, including physical damage through quarrying and vandalism, may suffer from excessive rock climbing, or their values are compromised by uncontrolled vegetation growth. Their interpretation is often poor or non-existent. Conservation measures and solutions are mainly site-specific and typically require coordination with biological conservation, including prioritization of conservation efforts focused on localities of special scientific significance.