Earth Heritage Research Articles

A new methodology to identify and quantify material resource at a large scale for earth construction – Application to cob in Brittany

A new methodology based on the cross-referencing of spatialized pedological and heritage data is proposed to identify and quantify soil resources available for earth construction. The paper underlines the pedological particularities of areas containing earth heritage and uses these particularities to propose criteria to assess the suitability of soils for modern earth construction. The methodology applied at the regional scale in France (for a given area of 27,200 km2 in Brittany) enabled to specify five new texture classes (balance between clay, silt, sand and gravel content) of suitability for cob soils. This result calls into question recommendations available in the literature.The methodology also provides data on the scale of availability of the resource to repair earth built heritage (cob) or to build new low impact buildings with integrated modern cob walls. In the studied area the potential waste recovery of 2.8 Mt per year is measured, highlighting the large availability of materials for earth construction. At least 23% of earthwork wastes of Brittany are suitable for earth construction (0.7 Mt). However, earth remains a non-renewable material and this resource has to be properly managed, requiring an appropriate building design and maintenance in order to increase longevity and to avoid the use of admixture, preventing earth reversibility at end of life.

Geosite identification in Karangbolong High to support the development of Karangsambung-Karangbolong Geopark candidate, Central Java

Geopark is an area that has an outstanding geological evidence, including archaeological, ecological and cultural values in which local people are invited to participate in protecting and enhancing the function of natural heretage. Its sustainable development concept has proven to increase economic and conservation benefits. Geopark introduces the earth's heritage, protected areas, geo-development, economic development and implementation of various science and technology. Geoparks have unique geological, cultural and biological that can be utilized for conservation and geotourism. Indonesia has 2 global geoparks, 4 national geoparks and 15 geopark candidates. Karangsambung-Karangbolong area is one of the geopark candidates which is a subduction zone that underwent an uplift and now is dominated with conical hills karst. The Kebumen local government is preparing a master plan for Karangsambung Geopark except Karangbolong, and LIPI is supporting the scientific studies. To initiate the development of Karangsambung-Karangbolong Geopark, an integrated geosite identification has to be done. Field observation of geodiversity, bio diversity and culture diversity, followed by rating of geosite based on scoring method using weighting 3 for geodiversity, 2 for biodiversity and 2 for culture diversity. Geosite of Karangbolong High includes geosite of karst-nonkarst morphology of Wanalela Hill and Tugu Village. Cave geosites are Barat, Petruk and Jatijajar caves. Beach geosite include Lampon, Menganti, G. Hud, Logending, Karangbolong and Karangagung beaches. Very good geosites are Petruk cave, Hud hill and Barat cave. Good geosite includes Lampon, Menganti, Karangpamuran, Pelus, Jatijajar, Wanalela, Logending and Karangbolong. Geosite at Karangbolong High provides good support for the development of Karangsambung-Karangbolong Geopark.

GLOBAL GEOPARKS NETWORK AND THE NEW UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS PROGRAMME

The Geopark concept was introduced at late 90’s aiming to protect and promote Earth heritage sites through the sustainable local development of territories containing abiotic nature of significant value. The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) established in 2004 operates as an international platform of cooperation among Geoparks around the world The GGN includes 120 Geoparks in 33 countries working to protect Geological heritage and promote local sustainable development. The 38th UNESCO General Conference (November 2015) ratified the statutes of the new International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme and the UNESCO Global Geoparks Operational Guidelines, introducing the brand UNESCO Global Geopark as a label of excellence for areas that meet the criteria set by the above mentioned guidelines. In doing so, it has legally endorsed the new UNESCO label of “UNESCO Global Geopark" and the endorsement of all the existing 120 Global Geoparks to become UNESCO Global Geoparks with immediate effect.The UNESCO Global Geopark branding could strongly contribute to raising EarthHeritage sites visibility in the world and in high-quality public outreach onsustainable development linked to issues on geodiversity, the environment,geohazards, climate change and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Restoration of Built Heritage: Case Study of Earth Constructions - Tiznit

Following the floods of November 2014, several southern regions of Morocco have experienced major losses and damage in particular materials.Among these areas we find the ancient city of Tiznit that lost several of its earth constructions.The particularity of this Medina is the ranking of its built heritage as a national heritage and this since 1932. Given the extent of damage caused by the rains on the Medina, an intervention is necessary in order to preserve what remains of the Earth Heritage. It is in this context that fits this work and which aims to make a technical diagnosis on the state of Medina in order to present an action plan which aims primarily the restoration of this wealth, and therefore the preservation of heritage buildings.

Wood Sheds with Stone Roof in Tsushima Islands, Southwestern Japan Sea, Have the Merit of an Earth Heritage

Wood Sheds with Stone Roof in Tsushima Islands, Southwestern Japan Sea, Have the Merit of an Earth Heritage

A proposal of Selection 100 Heritage of the Earth

A proposal of Selection 100 Heritage of the Earth

A Perspective of Tourism Geography for Earth Heritage from Ogasawra Islands' Studies

A Perspective of Tourism Geography for Earth Heritage from Ogasawra Islands' Studies

Involving local communities and volunteers in geoconservation across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, UK—the Community Earth Heritage Champions Project

Abstract Although an increasing number of people are becoming aware of the importance of geological conservation there is still a long way to go before it achieves the conservation profile and participation levels enjoyed by wildlife conservation. Local and county based geoconservation groups have achieved a great deal in the UK in recent years. One of the main challenges they still face is to conserve and monitor their Local Geological Sites when funding to do so is scare or absent. This lack of resources has meant that there is little or no capital funding to carry out specific conservation activities or core funding to enable conservation groups to pay suitably qualified staff/consultants to monitor the condition of their sites. The Community Earth Heritage Champions Project was primarily developed by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust as a solution to these problems; recruiting local volunteers to take on the monitoring and conservation role at a local level across the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, England. By taking a number of different approaches towards community involvement, there are now 19 geological sites, all in excellent condition, that are being monitored by groups of keen individuals who are willing to promote geological conservation to other members of their community. One of the main achievements of this project has been the success in convincing those with no prior interest, that geology is a fascinating and important field of scientific study and that geological sites are worthy of conservation.

Approximation to the earth buildings pathology. Some recommendations of intervention

This article shows several points to consider in the study and conservation of the heritage of earth. We show the most characteristic damages of these buildings and we propose some recommendations for the correct diagnostic of their pathology. Finally, some recommendations for the conservation of this heritage are given.

Communicating Earth heritage to all: using cartoons in leaflets, books and panels to attract and inform people of all ages

Communicating Earth heritage to all: using cartoons in leaflets, books and panels to attract and inform people of all ages

Desafios da geoconservação nos Campos Gerais do Paraná

The Campos Gerais do Paraná earth heritage is represented mainly by geomorphologic features, past glacial evidences, type localities of geological units, and classic fossiliferous outcrops. The region has special significance in terms of its research and educational values, with a number of teaching institutions using it as a type of practical laboratory for activities in the Earth Sciences. The establishment of a coordenated earth heritage conservation strategy in the region will require the adoption of sequential actions: inventorying, quantification, classification, protection, valuing, divulgation, and monitoring. The implementation of this geoconservation plan of actions responds to the exceptional values and threats to the regional geodiversity. These threats include engineering works, predatory collecting of geological samples and inadequate land management, mainly linked to agriculture and forestry practices. Some of the next challenges to the geoscientific community in the Campos Gerais are: a) to bring scientific support to an increasing natural tourism sector, respecting limits and integrating it with the other touristic activities (cultural, historical, gastronomical etc.); b) to determine criteria for the rational use of mineral, soil and water resources; c) to increase the presence of earth science knowledge in the daily activities of the society through formal and informal programs; d) to effectively participate in the management of conservation units; e) to act in harmony with biodiversity conservation professionals, building natural conservation strategies that address both the biotic and abiotic aspects; and f) to set up the scientific foundations to the implementation of a geopark in the region of the Campos Gerais.

History of Geoparks

Abstract The philosophy behind the Geoparks concept was first introduced at the Digne Convention in 1991 as a means to protect and promote geological heritage and sustainable local development through a global network of territories containing geology of outstanding value. In 1997, in direct response to the ‘Declaration of the Rights of the Memory of the Earth', the Division of Earth Sciences of UNESCO introduced the concept of a UNESCO Geoparks Programme to support national and international endeavours in Earth heritage conservation. In 2000, representatives from four European territories met together to address regional economic development through the protection of geological heritage and the promotion of geotourism. The result of this meeting was the signing of a convention declaring the creation of the European Geoparks Network (EGN). The next significant step for the EGN was the signing of an official agreement of collaboration with UNESCO in 2001, placing the Network under the auspices of the organzsation. In 2004 the 17 existing European Geoparks joined with eight new Chinese national Geoparks to form a Global Network of National Geoparks under the auspices of UNESCO. This Global Network of National Geoparks has encouraged other countries such as Iran and Brazil to develop Geoparks programmes. By 2007, European Geoparks were distributed across 15 European countries. There are 31 members of the European Geoparks Network, bringing the total number of Global Geoparks to 52. Progress has not always been easy, however, and finding funding to develop the initiative and secure the future of individual Geoparks remains a significant challenge.

Geosites inventory of the northwestern Tabular Middle Atlas of Morocco

Across the northwestern Tabular Middle Atlas of Morocco there are many examples of landscapes, rocks and fossils that provide key evidence of a particular moment or period in Earth history. Such Earth heritage sites are important for educating the general public in environmental matters. They also serve as tools for demonstrating sustainable development and for illustrating methods of site conservation as well as remembering that rocks, minerals, fossils, soils, landforms form an integral part of the natural world. The significance of certain sites for aesthetic or tourism reasons is obvious. There are numerous geosites, which could contribute to effective exploitation of geotourism, often in conjunction with ecotourism. The strategy employed to such sites involves close consultation with all communities in the vicinity of the respective geosite and is not only aimed at tourism and education, but also at sustainable improvement of the infrastructure of the people of this area. Geological heritage sites, properly managed, can generate employment and new economic activities, especially in regions in need of new or additional sources of income.

Identification and assessment of Cretan geotopes

This study presents the first complete list of the most important geological features and landforms of Crete. Identification of geo topes and collection of data were based on earlier publications and similar efforts, search in existing scientific literature and field observations. A database was formed containing the overall documentation of each geotope, on which evaluation was afterwards implemented. Worldwide tested methodologies were used for the recognition of the importance and value for each geotope, as well as, the identification of possible threats and future perspectives for local economic and scientific development. About 132 geotopes were recognized for their national or regional importance, their representativeness for the interpretation of Cretan geology and impact on natural ecosystems and local culture. The majority of these geotopes are of high scientific and aesthetic value serving in our days tourist and scientific/educational purposes. Generally no serious threats or dangers have been recognized, except of few caves where the impact of massive tourism is serious. These results set a minimum base for the conservation and enhancement of Cretan earth heritage, that should be followed by nationally based actions for further recognition and legal protection of our geodiversity

Geoparks: Celebrating Earth heritage, sustaining local communities

Geoparks: Celebrating Earth heritage, sustaining local communities

Climatic peculiarities as the earth heritage elements of Serbia

Theoretically, each point on the Earth, relative to the regional atmospheric circulation and geodiversity, has a particular type of climate; therefore any conclusion on regional climate calls for some generalization. For a basic notion of the climatic peculiarities of Serbia, it would be sufficient to begin with its extreme and apply some statistics. The results and the analysis of morphological features of areas and their climatic peculiarities are used in selecting the Earth heritage sites for a unified inventory.

Soil: How Educational Sector Contributes to Conserve the Living Earth Heritage to Future Generations ?

Soil: How Educational Sector Contributes to Conserve the Living Earth Heritage to Future Generations ?

Conservation and Management of the Earth Heritage Resource in Great Britain

Earth heritage conservation is the branch of conservation that is concerned with sustaining the geological and geomorphological heritage of the Earth. The aims and requirements of Earth heritage conservation are poorly understood in comparison to biological conservation in Great Britain, although both operate within a similar legal framework. This paper outlines the aims of Earth heritage conservation, the legislative framework within which it operates and some of the main threats to Earth heritage sites. A fundamental distinction is made between exposure and integrity sites, each of which has different conservation management requirements. Integrity sites include both static geomorphological sites and active process geomorphological sites, the management of which is illustrated with examples from the coastal and fluvial environments. Exposure sites are those where there are natural or artificial exposures of rocks or sediments that are extensive beneath the ground surface. This paper also considers recent developments in the field of Earth heritage conservation and explores potential areas in which the subject may develop. These include the development of natural areas, the role of urban geology, opportunities for site interpretation and the expansion of the regionally important geological/geomorphological sites (RIGSs) network.

The conservation of historically important geological and geomorphological sites in England

Nationally important geological and geomorphological sites in Great Britain have been protected through town-planning and/ or nature conservation legislation for more than fifty years. They are still, however, subject to development pressure. Many other countries still fail to offer their key sites any formal protection. The relatively high priority given to conserving these key sites in Great Britain stems from the importance we attach to these sites - our Earth heritage. The unique characteristics of Great Britain's Earth heritage, its richness and diversity, and its importance in the development of the sciences of geology and geomorphology, provide the justification for the priority given to Earth heritage conservation. A number of conservation designations and tools are available to help secure the long term future of historically important sites. In England, the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSl) framework is the major tool used to safeguard and manage key sites. Most nationally important historical sites are SSSIs. Other conservation options such as National Nature Reserves, Regionally Important Geological/ geomorphological Sites (RIGS), World Heritage Sites and Geoparks exist and their use could be extended. Successful conservation of our heritage of historically important sites requires greater awareness of their significance by both decision makers and the general public.

Geotourism, Conservation and Society

Geotourism is a rapidly increasing industry. In the UK areas such as the Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland and the Dorset Coast of Southern England are world famous and visited throughout the year. The intrinsic attraction of these areas is geology whether as part of the landscape or as a resource to more directly enjoy and use. Geotourism offers both opportunity and threat to Earth heritage conservation. There is an established and strong framework for Earth heritage conservation in the UK involving site selection, documentation and safeguard. Central to this process is the need to promote our Earth heritage and its conservation. Gaining awareness and understanding at all levels, from international or national government to local community, will ensure continued support and backing for Earth heritage conservation. Geotourism offers a means for achieving such wider appreciation. The message and the audience must be carefully considered. An holistic approach, one that places geology in a wider context is deemed essential. Geology not only as part of the wider landscape and environment but also as central to our culture and history. Such an approach widens the appreciation of the specialist researcher or geology student and increases the personal relevance to the non-specialist — the wider public. Initiatives such as the identification of "Natural Areas" in England and the development of the Pan-European Biological and landscape Diversity Strategy now start to address these very issues. It is essential, however, that geotourism is achieved in a framework of sustainable development. The needs of the environment, economy and society must be carefully balanced now and in the future. The impact of wider use through increased value must be carefully managed; the economic resource generated through geotourism should contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of the Earth heritage resource; and the needs of society, particularly the local community (not just the geotourist) should be met. The opportunities (and threats) that geotourism brings to Earth heritage conservation are discussed. In particular, the value of wider and integrated promotion is considered in establishing a societal culture that increasingly values our Earth heritage resource and the need to conserve it.