Potential Use of a Significant Scientific Geosite: the Messinian Coral Reef of Santa Pola (SE Spain)

Abstract

The Messinian coral reef of Santa Pola, one of the most relevant geosites in the geological heritage of the western Mediterranean, is quantitatively assessed in terms of geoscience and features of potential use. Two different methodologies are used, one developed by the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME) for the Spanish Geosite Inventory (IELIG) and the other prepared by the Paleontological Museum of Elche (MUPE) for the Fossils and Heritage Project of Alicante (FOPALI). Santa Pola scores very high with both methods, which is a clear indication that this exceptionally relevant scientific geosite (included in the Spanish Geosite Inventory) also has a high didactic and tourism-recreational potential. In addition, the paper compares and discusses the two different methodologies, concluding that the selection of a model depends on the purpose of the evaluation (representativeness of the geosite in the Spanish territory associated to the Spanish Geological Inventory (IELIG) and a comparison of palaeontological and geological features (FOPALI) between different geosites). This work is a starting point to develop a specially designed management plan and geoconservation strategy for this exceptional geosite of the western Mediterranean.