Abstract
The assessment of the geosites of Chelmos-Vouraikos UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) was carried out based on an established methodology for the evaluation of geoparks’ geosites. Such assessments should be used for sustainable development and geoconservation in geoparks. The selected methodology is based on a wider range of criteria concerning the overall value of each geosite, compared to other locations. Each criterion was scored and then three indices, Vedu, Vprot and Vedu were estimated for each geosite. The application of this methodology at Chelmos-Vouraikos UGGp has produced results which not only highlight the value of each geosite, but also provide ways for their utilization. The assessment of the 40 geosites of the geopark, identified geosites with high educational and touristic value (such as Portes–Triklia and the Cave of the Lakes), while geosites with increased protection-need value (the Tectonic Graben of Kalavryta) were also highlighted. Therefore, the assessment results will be used by the geopark to plan the effective management of the geosites based on their strengths and weaknesses, and which thus will promote the geopark and will contribute to the sustainable development of the local communities. The proposed methodology uses all possible criteria for its impartial application and despite a few minor problems that have been identified, it is considered appropriate for the assessment of geosites in Geoparks. The application of such evaluation methodologies is considered crucial for the development, protection and touristic promotion of geoparks.
Highlights
UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) “are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development
Brijla [20] reviews the most common and broader applied methodologies for geoheritage assessment, proposing a new one that combines several criteria and tools of previous methods, and which can be applied for geosites and geoheritage sites and at various inventory scales
The five criteria are: (1) Geology and Landscape, (2) Management Structure, (3) Interpretation and Environmental Education, (4) Geotourism, (5) Sustainable Regional Economic Development. This method represents a general assessment for geoparks, concerning the quality of the geodiversity, operation, visibility, geotourism and local development of a geopark, and is not limited to geosite evaluation
Summary
UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) “are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development. The Operational Guidelines of the UGGps define 10 focus areas in which the geoparks should develop activities [9] and for which they are evaluated every four years [10] These areas refer to the natural resources of their territories, and their sustainable use; to geohazards and climate change; to education of local inhabitants and visitors; to natural and cultural heritage; to science and research; to local culture and the celebration of local heritage; to the empowerment of women and equality; to indigenous people and knowledge, if they exist; to the sustainable development through geotourism; and to geoconservation and safeguarding the geological value of their territory
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