Conservation Of Geological Heritage Research Articles

Направления законодательного регулирования деятельности по созданию и организации геопарков

The article examines the issues of the legal regime of geoparks, models of organization of geoparks on the example of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The experience of regulating the creation, management and operation of geoparks in Russia and its subjects, as well as in foreign countries, is studied. Various definitions of the concept of "geopark" are analyzed and the author's definition of a geopark is proposed. Directions for legislative regulation of activities for the creation and organization of geoparks are proposed. It is proposed to consolidate the system of principles of legal regulation in the field of creation, management and development of geoparks and the conservation of geological heritage, as well as to work out the possibility of using public-private partnership in the field of recreation development in relation to land plots of natural monuments included in the geopark. It is noted that the absence of a definitive apparatus, in turn, entails the absence of a legal regime for geoparks, as a result of which problems arise in regulating relations for the rational use and protection of natural objects of geological, tourist, recreational, historical, cultural and other purposes. At the federal and regional levels, due to the lack of legislation on geoparks, there is a need to adopt a legal act that establishes the legal basis for the creation and operation of geoparks in Russia and its constituent entities.

Geodiversity Research at the Crossroads: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Geodiversity research is a growing industry. However, in contrast to diversity studies in other branches of natural sciences, geodiversity specialists have only paid attention to one side of the coin. They focused on the conservation of geological heritage (geoconservation) and its role/use for economic development through geotourism. Most geodiversity experts forgot the more strictly scientific side of the coin such as the use of standard techniques to inventory georesources and analyze their spatial patterns. Furthermore, the lack of a consensual definition with universal classifications and standards to carryout inventories inhibits progress in the inventory and quantification of planetary geodiversity. Even though most definitions of geodiversity include soil resources, pedodiversity is generally ignored in geodiversity research and publications. On the other hand, pedodiversity studies tended to follow the path previously created by biodiversity experts over a period of decades, although they have not convinced policymakers to approve strategies to preserve global soil resources (parks, pedosites, reserves, etc.). Biodiversity studies paid attention to the role of diversity in the structure and function of biocenosis, ecosystems, and biomes, with preservation being placed in the hands of experts in conservation biology. The structure and dynamics of all the Earth surface systems could be analyzed using the standard mathematical tools developed for biodiversity studies and that have been applied with success in pedodiversity analyses. In fact, most of the patterns detected in biodiversity also appear in pedodiversity. According to the canons of the philosophy of science, geodiversity has not reached a paradigm shift, despite the claims of some geodiversity experts. Thus, geodiversity research is at a crossroads as it seeks to reach a genuine paradigm shift.

How to achieve the ecological sustainability goal of UNESCO Global Geoparks? A multi-scenario simulation and ecological assessment approach using Dabieshan UGGp, China as a case study

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geopark (UGGp) plays an important role in ecosystem services (ES) and geological diversity protection. However, the majority of the literature on UGGps focuses on geological heritage conservation, geological science and tourism development, little attention is paid to the simulation of land use change patterns in UGGps and the associated ES dynamics. In this study, we aim to explore whether the declaration and construction of the UGGp will contribute towards ecological sustainability. Since ES value (ESV) can directly reflect the sustaining status of ecosystems, it is both theoretically and practically important to examine changes in land use and ESV over time and space. By taking Dabieshan UGGp in China as an example, we first analyze the spatiotemporal evolutions of land use and ESV in Dabieshan during 2005–2018 before it was designated a UGGp. Then we use the future land use simulation model (FLUS) to predict the future landscape patterns and ESV in Dabieshan under three UGGp management scenarios, i.e., tourism development priority (TDP), core area protection (CAP) and strict ecological protection (SEP). The results show that: (1) high-intensity human activities negatively affect the provision of ES in Dabieshan UGGp, while ecological landscapes such as forest and water bodies have positive effects on ESV; (2) the ecological protection measures and regulations implemented by the local government during the declaration and construction of Dabieshan UGGp play an active role in preventing ecological landscapes from being occupied by construction land; and (3) under the TDP scenario that prioritizes tourism and economic development, ESV continues to fall as construction land expands during 2018–2031. Under the CAP scenario, the total ESV is lower than that in 2018, but the ESV in most core areas increases, which meets both economic development and ecological protection needs. In contrast, the ESV is constantly improving under the SEP scenario that maximizes ecological benefits. Therefore, it is crucial for UGGps to strike a balance between economic development and ecosystem protection. These findings shed new light on the impacts of UGGps' declaration and construction on ecosystems and provide valuable information for spatial planning and sustainable management of UGGps.

Methodological Proposal for the Inventory and Assessment of Geomorphosites: An Integrated Approach focused on Territorial Management and Geoconservation.

Geoconservation has been growing in importance within the environmental management context. The conservation of geological heritage is being more and more recognised as an essential issue in nature conservation. Inventories of geosites are considered basic steps in geoconservation strategies and constitute a tool to support management considering the sites' values, use potential and risks of degradation. There are dozens of proposed methods to create inventories and to perform qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the sites and there are still discussions concerning the issues of how to select and evaluate sites and provide management guidelines. Geomorphosites are geosites with geomorphological nature and it is a category that presents some peculiarities highlighted in the literature. This work aimed at proposing a method for inventorying and assessing geomorphosites designed for territorial management focused on the use potential of the sites, divided into scientific, educational and geotouristic uses, the promotion conditions and the risks of degradation. The method was applied to the southeast coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, which has a high geomorphological diversity. The result was the creation of an inventory of geomorphosites in which all sites were described and quantitatively assessed, creating a product that can be easily applied in the management of the sites. The objective of this work was to contribute to the methodological discussions and to strengthen the insertion of geoconservation on territorial management.

The Dinosaur Route in El Castellar (Teruel, Spain): Palaeontology as a Factor of Territorial Development and Scientific Education in a Sparsely Inhabited Area

Research into and conservation of geological heritage and the use of the knowledge gained for the education of the general public lay the groundwork for the creation and consolidation of specialised museums and the dissemination of knowledge among a more diverse audience. In this way, resources linked to Geology will become a territorial development factor and move societies to consider them as indispensable resources for their benefit. This, along with heritage laws, will ensure that these elements are provided with the stewardship to ensure their long-term care and maintenance. This action plan is being carried out with the geological and palaeontological heritage in some places of the province of Teruel (Spain) where, even in remote areas with little more than one inhabitant per square kilometre, the research, development and innovation have resulted in various museography actions in dinosaur sites. The Dinosaur Route in a small village called El Castellar, which already has other tourist attractions related to “terrible lizards”, is one example of research being placed at the service of territorial development in rural areas. The route is a 2.3-km walking trail that consists, mainly, of two dinosaur fossil sites that have been enabled for tourist visits which have great educational value for all audiences: Camino El Berzal, with tracks, and San Cristobal, with various original bones of a stegosaurid. The latter is the first site in Spain where dinosaur fossils can be seen in situ in a permanent exhibition.

Tourism Management in South American Geological Areas: Comparing Two Cases from Peru and Brazil

There are many areas of high geological relevance in South America receiving visitors every year. However, most of these sites have not exploited their geotourism potential yet. This paper shows a comparison of the tourism management models of two geosites: Marcahuasi Stone Forest (MSF), in Peru, and Vila Velha State Park (VVSP), in Brazil. The aim of this work is to find out if the models applied in each area foster the socioeconomic development of the local population and conservation of geological heritage. Management structure, public actions, and the relationships between the stakeholders were observed and analyzed utilizing mixed data collection techniques and comparative analysis, finding out positive and negative aspects. Results show that MSF is managed exclusively by the local community and has not properly developed tourism because of a lack of planning and professional training. In VVSP, despite having a management plan and professionally prepared team, there is still a decoupling between the goal of conservation and social responsibility. In general, geoconservation is found not to be driving both forms of tourism management, and there is a lack of contribution to local socioeconomic development, mainly due to political reasons.

Ukraine in the history of the movement for the conservation of geological heritage in Europe

The paper focuses on the history of the movement for preservation of geological heritage of Ukraine, closely related to the history of geoconservation in Europe; determines the relationship of the extent of geodiversity and geological structure of a certain country, political system, historical traditions and attitude towards wildlife and inanimate nature. Despite the fact that geodiversity and biodiversity have always been in parallel, traditionally all nations in all the continents have focused more on the preservation of so-called wildlife. The article describes that preservation of the so-called inanimate nature; provides a rather sufficient analysis of literature sources which report on the problem of preserving bio- and geodiversity not only in Ukraine, but also in other countries of Europe. In particular, the combination of biotic and abiotic constituents of nature proved to be an essential aspect in determining the place of the world`s first nature reserve and location of an important centre of Buddhism in Mihintale, Sri Lanka. The start of the movement for preservation of so-called inanimate nature in Europe could, with a certain extent of possibility, be considered the first historical written mention of the subject, which was declared in the 10th Chapter of Third Statute of Lithuania in 1588. That is protection of rivers against artificial change of their banks, change in currents and preservation of large erratic boulders. As an important stage of the beginning of the movement for preservation of the so-called inanimate, can be considered the year 1668, when in Germany the Baumannshöhle cave was preserved. It was first mentioned in the literature in 1565, and in 1646 the cave became an object of tourism. During the analysis of the historical stage related to the movement ProGEO, we emphasizes international events in which the representatives of the Ukrainian ProGEO group took part. Active work of the Ukrainian ProGEO group created conditions for transition to a new level of geoconservation, i.e. determination of the possibility of creating a new category of objects of the Nature-Reserve fund of Ukraine – geological parks (geoparks) as important locations for the development of geotourism and territories of complex conservation of the natural environment.

Γεωλογικό πλαίσιο για την επιλογή γεώτοπων σύμφωνα με τις προδιαγραφές της Διεθνούς Ένωσης Γεωεπιστημών (IUGS) και της Ευρωπαϊκής Εταιρείας για τη Διατήρηση της Γεωλογικής - Γεωμορφολογικής Κληρονομιάς (ProGEO). Δεύτερη Φάση: άνοιγμα μιας συζήτησης στη χώρα, δημοσίευση του πλαισίου, βελτίωση-συμπλήρωση του πλαισίου

This contribution constitutes the second phase of the Geosites project of IUGS. This phase started with an open discussion in the greek geoscientific community for the improvement of the geosites framework created during the first phase of the project. The first phase is described in another paper of the present Congress.The criterion for the selection of the geoscientists to send them an information package for this first open discussion was their previous involvement with geological heritage conservation, geotopes protection and management issues. The fruit of the cooperation of the first group, that is, the improved and completed geosites framework together with some geosites as examples of the framework categories, is included in this paper. The format of the framework has changed in this paper (compared with the one of the paper for first phase, of the present congress) in order to make it shorter. The whole framework, categories, geosites-examples, are written in English language as well, because English is the common language of the Geosites programme.The categories refer to both continental and submarine geosites. This product is not closed and static but on the contrary it is open, dynamic and under development. It will obtain gradually and systematically, with the involvement and cooperation of all the more specialists, completeness and a representativity equivalent to the geodiversity of Greece. In this way it will be represented adequately in the European and the world geosites list.

DESIGNATION OF GEOSITES- PROPOSALS FOR GEOPARKS IN GREECE

During the last three years, the research project: “Geosites, geoparks contribution to sustainable development” aiming at recording and designating geosites and potential geoparks, as a means to sustainable development, funded from the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF) programme, is developing at the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration of Greece (IGME). The project, according to its objectives, is divided in the following five sub-projects: 1: Identification, characterization, evaluation of geosites 2: Compilation of a DataBase and a Geographic Information System (GIS) for the geosites, geotrails and potential geoparks in the country. 3: Planning of walking and motoring geotrails around the geosites, in combination with other attractions of biotic, archaeological and cultural interest. 4: Specifications of the geoparks’ studies and planning for interpretation, tourism, marketing, development, operation and management. Drafting of complete management proposals for selected areas, in view of their development into geoparks and of their participation in international networks. 5: Promotion of the project’s objectives and benefits in international, national level and the local community, businesses and institutions. Compilation of interpretative, marketing material for tourism purposes, and for the community awareness on geological heritage conservation. The whole project is based on the systematic inventory of the geosites and the compilation of a GISaided database for the geosites, geotrails and potential geoparks. The framework of the research materialization, the procedural steps, as well as the methodological approach for its accomplishment, will be presented in this paper, focussing mostly in the first sub-project methodology as Geosites registration is the base for the whole project. The geosites, geotrails, potential geoparks Registry compiled with this project will function as a source of information for various uses: national and international level public or private sector projects regarding planning and conservation of nature, education and tourism.

Anthropic Threats to Geological Heritage: Characterization and Management: A Case Study in the Dinosaur Tracksites of La Rioja (Spain)

This paper focuses on the management of geological heritage and particularly on the anthropic activities that stress these geological sites. Anthropic threats to geoheritage arise from two main sources: public use and the anthropic vulnerability of a geosite. Threats from public use include mining, quarrying, infrastructure construction, conflicts with other territorial uses, and possible conflicts with other types of natural or cultural heritages. Anthropic vulnerability comprises threats raised from the scientific, educational, and recreational uses of the geosites, as well as collecting and vandalism. All of these threats are discussed through the study case of the paleontological sites in La Rioja (Spain) where significant Cretaceous dinosaur footprints occur. The categorization and analysis of several cases allow for the discussion and proposal of diverse management strategies. The solutions provided derive from a management philosophy based on two basic principles: prevention and monitoring. These two premises entail changes both in the conservation of geological heritage and in general environmental management.

Geological heritage and mining legislation: a brief conceptual assessment of the principal legal acts of selected EU countries

The principal legal acts regulating minerals policy in 21 EU countries are examined in order to understand what they prescribe (“in theory”) regarding management of in situ and ex situ geological heritage. All analyzed mining laws claim for rational exploitation of geological heritage as an economic resource. The acts of Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, and Lithuania emphasize on its non-economic importance, but even they tend to reference geological heritage in overly general words. The laws allow conservation of geological heritage together with the whole environment. However, responsible stakeholders may be unaware of unique and sometimes “fragile” geological features.

Geological Heritage Beyond Natural Spaces: The Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Morrison, CO, USA), an Example of Syncretism Between Urban Development and Geoconservation

The Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, USA constitutes a paradigm for reconciling contemporary human actions and geological heritage conservation. The Amphitheatre, built upon red beds of the east flank of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, was constructed in the late 1930s with close attention to and respect for the existing geological landform. The park surrounding the performance space is incorporated in the Mountains Park System together with the adjoining Dinosaur Ridge/Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark. Together, the Red Rocks Park and the Dinosaur Ridge provide access to an informative geological cross-section that exemplifies the geology of the Rocky Mountains, from the Precambrian crystalline basement to and across the Phanerozoic cover. Park visitors and concert goers may explore or encounter the transect along walks that are marked by geology information panels. The situation of the Amphitheatre performance space within the geological transect provides a powerful example of the coexistence of different values and multiple uses that may increase the heritage of the site. Settings like this that educate and increase civic awareness of locations of geological value are potentially positive for geoconservation.

Geological Heritage and Geoconservation in Spain: Past, Present, and Future

Geoconservation in Spain dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century. During the first decades, the protection of biotic and geological heritage developed together, and geologists played an important role, but the conservation of geological values was overlooked during the second half of the twentieth century. As a general rule, the protection of geological heritage was limited to scenic elements of a great value in the landscape but did not pay attention to their scientific interest and representativeness or to geological exclusiveness criteria. On the other hand, the beginnings of the study of geological heritage in Spain date back to the 1970s. Although the methodological bases were defined at that time, the work done on research, promotion, and conservation of the geological heritage has been mainly developed in the last 15 years. The increasing presence of geological heritage in the Spanish scientific and social fields has been completed with Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, which mentions the conservation of geodiversity and geological heritage as one of its sources of inspiration. This Law replaces the Law 4/1989 on the Conservation of Wild Flora and Fauna that was the main legal framework for nature conservation in Spain during three decades. The purpose of this paper is to analyze—from a historical perspective—the evolution of the study and protection of the geological heritage in Spain since the beginning of the twentieth century, both referring to the legal framework and the studies required. Finally, an estimate is presented of challenges to be faced by geoconservation in Spain in the next decades.