Abstract
This paper explores problems associated with explanation of geoheritage at the landscape scale and argues that focus on individual geosites that show rock outcrops or small-scale landforms may not be sufficient to tell the story. The area of Orlické–Bystrzyckie Mountains Block in Central Europe lacks spectacular landforms or large rock outcrops, and yet has a most interesting geological history that involved Mesozoic planation, Cretaceous marine transgression and the origin of sedimentary cover, Cenozoic differential uplift and the origin of tectonic topography, resultant fluvial incision and Quaternary periglaciation. Individual geosites documented in the area fail to show this complexity and give an incomplete picture. Therefore, viewpoint geosites, allowing for in situ interpretation of regional landscapes, have a role to play and they collectively illustrate the effects of the main stages of geological and geomorphological evolution. In addition, the potential of simple visualization technologies is investigated, as these 3D visualizations may enhance ground views, putting things into even broader perspective.
Highlights
Jesus Martinez-Frias and Geosites, defined as localities of particular significance for comprehension of Earth history [1,2] and recognized by scientists mainly on the basis on their expert knowledge, are powerful tools to both protect geoheritage and to develop geotourism
Well-researched sites of geoscientific interest are most suitable for the development of interpretation, which is at the core of properly defined geotourism [3,4,5]
Geosites are very promising for systematic explanation and interpretation of various themes within geoheritage, but being thematically and physically disconnected they may fail to show the ‘big picture’, that is, how a particular area evolved in terms of both its rock record over geological time and its geomorphology
Summary
Jesus Martinez-Frias and Geosites, defined as localities of particular significance for comprehension of Earth history [1,2] and recognized by scientists mainly on the basis on their expert knowledge, are powerful tools to both protect geoheritage and to develop geotourism. Geosites are very promising for systematic explanation and interpretation of various themes within geoheritage, but being thematically and physically disconnected they may fail to show the ‘big picture’, that is, how a particular area evolved in terms of both its rock record over geological time and its geomorphology This comment applies to non-expert geotourists [3,6], who are less able to integrate separate local stories into one, region-wide ‘journey’ throughout geological history. In landscapes without high relief, they may get overlooked In another conceptual approach, a large area—a 5 km long gorge—is considered a singular geosite (‘big and complex geosite’ [19]) and it is argued that such designation will help tourism management at the site and facilitate interpretation. We will discuss if and how this exciting story can be told using existing concepts in geo-interpretation and available tools
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