Striving for the aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark Algarvensis: Connecting Climate Change Threats with Cultural and Natural Heritage

Abstract

Since 2019, a team of scientists, technicians, and politicians from Southern Portugal has been planning and implementing a new project aimed at involving the local population in fostering sustainable development alongside the preservation and conservation of natural and cultural assets. This initiative has evolved into the aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark (aUGGp) Algarvensis, reaching maturity earlier this year when its southern territorial boundary was established at sea, aligning with a bathymetric depth of 130 meters, representing the coastline of 20,000 years ago. Situated in the Algarve region, this territory is facing several threats associated to climate change, the most significant ones being the sea level rise, reduced rainfall and freshwater availability, and the impact of the extreme events. The natural and cultural heritage assets are abundant, both on land, along the coast, and underwater. Given the diverse stakeholders responsible for their management based on their type, characteristics, size, and location, there has been no global and integrated approach to assessing their vulnerabilities, both specific and common. The aUGGp Algarvensis aims to rectify this by identifying, quantifying, and mitigating risks drived from natural, climatic, anthropogenic, and biological hazards across various types of heritage. Although relatively unknown, the continental territory of the aUGGp Algarvensis boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage, featuring over 228 listed and referenced sites encompassing various types of heritage. Over the last decades, several coastal heritage sites have vanished into the sea due to intense coastal erosion, with underwater heritage primarily appreciated by divers.. This study explores how climate change poses risks to the region's geological, cultural, and ecological features. It emphasizes the intricate relationship between environmental changes and heritage preservation within the context of the UNESCO Global Geopark Algarvensis initiative. Our goal is to not only present the survey and compilation data gathered so far under the aUGGp Algarvensis coordination but also to underscore the importance and impact that such a local/regional non-governmental structure can bring to implement an efficient and proactive management strategy in the face of evolving risks to heritage.   Acknowledgement:   This study had the support of national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), under the project LA/P/0069/2020 granted to the Associate Laboratory ARNET and UID/00350/2020 CIMA, as well as from the Municipalities of Loulé, Silves and Albufeira.