UNESCO Global Geopark Research Articles

The role of water as a significant resource in UGGps results of an international workshop

Water resources are becoming increasingly scarce in many parts of the world. The protection and the sustainable use of water resources is highly relevant to mitigate climate impacts. This article aims to investigate the activities of UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) in regard to ground and surface water resources. Using a mixed-methods approach, a questionnaire was administered and an international online workshop was held. The results show that there are various common fields of activities and common threats in regard to water resources. The identified topics are structured and discussed within a SWOT analysis. The article provides a starting point for UGGps to jointly promote water as a significant resource and to define common fields of activities that can be supported by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (UGGpN). The article recommends the establishment of a new working group within the UGGpN. This will provide a platform to exchange best-practice experiences and develop guidelines on how to effectively integrate the protection and sustainable use of water resources into the management of UGGps.

PROSPECT AND CHALLENGES WITH PENTA HELIX MODEL FOR UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK AND LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A LESSON FROM INDONESIA

Batur is the first area in Indonesia that is considered worthy of being a geopark by UNESCO. This determination is an acceleration of the progress of the nature and culture-based tourism industry that helps the welfare of the surrounding community with the principle of sustainability. This study aims to examine the role of several parties in enhancing UNESCO global geopark in Batur Bali of Indonesia as well as promoting local economic welfare. The study adopted a qualitative study with case study approach to gain a comprehensive result of the phenomenon. The qualitative content analysis and narrative analysis was used to process various information. This study focuses in UNESCO Global Geopark Batur Bali in Indonesia as the first and most successful in creating a better economic welfare primarily during and post the Covid-19 pandemic. The findings indicate that the Penta helix model can be used to develop Geopark Batur Bali and Indonesia in general in which each party plays their role in this development tourism and local economic development.

From geodiversity assessment to geosite analysis – a GIS-aided workflow from the Bakony–Balaton UNESCO Global Geopark, Hungary

Abstract Geodiversity and geosite assessments precede geoheritage and geotourism utilization. The process first determines the geodiversity value of an area (based on geoscientific attributions) and then the geotourism potential of the available sites. As a result, significant geosites can be identified, which are the bases for protection and tourism. During geosite assessment, scientific and infrastructural aspects are essential because spectacular sites and landscapes carrying intrinsic or visible values generate interest among tourists and professionals. In this study, a quantitative workflow to determine the geodiversity index over an area, evaluate geosites and monitor significant ones is presented. The study area is the Bakony–Balaton UNESCO Global Geopark, where no quantitative assessment was conducted previously. A GIS-based geodiversity analysis identified the most diverse areas which gave the basis for the geosite assessment done in a ‘geodiverse’ subregion of the geopark. The most important nine of the 75 identified potential geosites were chosen to examine the spatial variance of the assessment. By continuous monitoring, we got an image of what the visitors liked or did not like there. In this way, we were able to monitor the various opinions of geotourists to present unique development strategies for each of them. A connection between the location of geosites and the spatial distribution of geodiversity values was also determined by analysing and visualizing the connection between geodiversity and geosite assessment results.

Geotourism around Poggiorsini: unexpected geological elements for a sustainable tourism in internal areas of Murge (Puglia, southern Italy)

The recent candidacy of the Alta Murgia National Park (Puglia, southern Italy) for UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) opens several challenges to how to introduce geology along pathways where other topics (biological, archeological, historical, among others) are classically proposed to eco-tourists in the area. This short paper represents the first attempt to show some of the many objetcs that should be deepened to introduce geotourists to the geology of the Murge area. It is addressed to the origin and nature of outcropping rocks, exclusively sedimentary and mainly carbonate in origin. The territory around Poggiorsini village could represent the best place to begin this deepening since it hosts the three main kind of carbonate succession regionally featuring the Murge area and its flanks: Cretaceous rocks recording tropical shallow-water environments; Oligocene rocks recording lacustrine environments; Plio-Pleistocene rocks recording temperate shallow-water environments.

Nisyros Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark: Crucial Steps for Promoting the Volcanic Landscape’s Unique Geodiversity

Nisyros Geopark, an island geopark in the Southeastern Aegean Sea, Greece, is here presented as an official candidate for the UNESCO Global Geoparks designation, featuring outstanding geological, natural and cultural characteristics tightly connected to its volcanic origin. It covers a total area of 481 km2 and includes Nisyros, an active volcano and the main island, the surrounding islets of Pachia, Strongyli, Pergousa, Kandeliousa and the marine region among them. It features 24 geosites and a network of well-established walking trails. Furthermore, there are two internationally designated Natura 2000 areas covering its entire surface and also exceptional archaeological and cultural sites, including fortresses, remnants of ancient habituations and numerous churches and monasteries. It is the only area in the broader region of the Eastern Mediterranean that hosts all these features within such a restricted area. The initial efforts of the management body of Nisyros Geopark and its scientific team to promote its unique geodiversity included the complete design, construction and launch of the official website, the mobile application “Nisyros Volcano App’’, a modern informative leaflet regarding the region of the hydrothermal craters (Lakki), a Geopark guidebook and a series of panels and signs for the geosites.

RENCANA AKSI BADAN PENGELOLA KAWASAN GEOPARK KABUPATEN NATUNA DALAM PENGEMBANGAN PARIWISATA MENUJU UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK (UGGp)

The Natuna Islands will be proposed as a UNESCO geopark site through a Letter Of Intent (LOL) that Indonesia will submit to the UN organization at the end of 2019, which is submitted by the Head of the Agency for the Study and Policy Development (BPPK) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of this study is to see and find out the Action Plan from BPKGN as the authorized agency which is planned in geopark management to improve the status of the Natuna National geopark to become a UNESCO Global Geopark. The research uses qualitative research methods which aim to put more emphasis on the process and meaning by describing something. This research is descriptive, namely to describe the reality of the events studied by using a sampling technique, namely Purposive Sampling. His research is based on the reference of Presidential Regulation which describes 2 planning dimensions, namely implementing guidelines and amenities. From the results of the analysis, it can be concluded from the findings that it can be explained that from the dimensions of the Implementing Guidelines, it is found that there are still many findings from the Planned Action Plan. This is due to the weakness in the budget sector which still relies on CSR funds. Furthermore, in its implementation, the majority still involve district government structural officials so that in managing geoparks there is no focus, in determining the delineation boundary it is not yet specific in each existing geosite, land status is still unclear, because it is still community property, and there is no Masterplan so that it still relies on action plans. regions and the lack of education about geoparks, so there is a need for socialization about the existence of geoparks. Furthermore, in the Amenity dimension, there are still many incomplete ones, only the sandstone geosite is complete, and the majority of cooperation partners still rely on local communities.

Frond orientations with independent current indicators demonstrate the reclining rheotropic mode of life of several Ediacaran rangeomorph taxa

AbstractFossils from the deep-sea Ediacaran biotas of Newfoundland are among the oldest architecturally complex soft-bodied macroorganisms on Earth. Most organisms in the Mistaken Point–type biotas of Avalonia—particularly the fractal-branching frondose Rangeomorpha— have been traditionally interpreted as living erect within the water column during life. However, due to the scarcity of documented physical sedimentological proxies associated with fossiliferous beds, Ediacaran paleocurrents have been inferred in some instances from the preferential orientation of fronds. This calls into question the relationship between frond orientation and paleocurrents. In this study, we present an integrated approach from a newly described fossiliferous surface (the “Melrose Surface” in the Fermeuse Formation at Melrose, on the southern portion of the Catalina Dome in the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark) combining: (1) physical sedimentological evidence for paleocurrent direction in the form of climbing ripple cross-lamination and (2) a series of statistical analyses based on modified polythetic and monothetic clustering techniques reflecting the circular nature of the recorded orientation of Fractofusus misrai specimens. This study demonstrates the reclining rheotropic mode of life of the Ediacaran rangeomorph taxon Fractofusus misrai and presents preliminary inferences suggesting a similar mode of life for Bradgatia sp. and Pectinifrons abyssalis based on qualitative evidence. These results advocate for the consideration of an alternative conceptual hypothesis for position of life of Ediacaran organisms in which they are interpreted as having lived reclined on the seafloor, in the position that they are preserved.

UNESCO Global Geoparks vs. Education: a 10-Year Bibliometric Analysis

UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) have become one of the most important territories for teaching geosciences and natural environment awareness in a sustainable development framework. The strategy of using geotourism and geosciences as the main engine for territorial development has successfully created an outdoor classroom where people from all over the world can learn about our planet in a scientific, cultural, and social manner. This, linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, has resulted in a safe activity for all those curious and knowledgeable people who can take a break and enjoy Earth itself with no barriers. In this study, information about UGGps and education was compiled from one of the most important databases within the international scientific community: Clarivate™ Web of Science. Its analysis shows the state of the art and the situation of this interesting topic inside the actual science context. Besides that, they give clues about the future of these territories and hints of new paths in the field of scientific research to create multiple quality educational models, accessible and adapted for everyone.

Collaborative mapping on sustainable development goals in Latin America UNESCO Global Geopark: A methodological discussion

UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) are territories that promote sustainable development through a territorial management plan focusing on education, conservation, and local development. In their guidelines, they establish, among others, the relevance of the territorial bottom-up approach. This implies the active involvement and participation of the local communities on the projects and strategies focusing on sustainable territorial development and management. In this sense, the participatory processes should be one of the main strategies for the progress, analysis and diagnosis on the development and management of the UGGps. On this scope, the use of geographic analysis tools, like interpretative maps of the territory and the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) through a collaborative approach, could be an asset for the spatial planning required in the UGGps, reinforced by the local knowledge. One of the main applications that can be implemented in UGGps for the improvement, adaptation, and actualization of the spatial planning and management of the territories is the application of collaborative mapping strategies. This work is an example of a methodological proposal for the spatial diagnosis of the sustainable development in four UGGps of the Latin America and Caribbean Geoparks Network (GeoLAC) through a collaborative mapping process. This should be understood as a map's creation practice by local communities' perception. In addition, it also allows the understanding of the dynamics, evolution, and transformation of the UGGps through community knowledge and citizen science, supporting the improvement of the management plans of each territory. The objective of this methodology is to identify and discuss the spatial and territorial distribution of the “geopark” concept and how different activities related to geoconservation, geoeducation and geotourism, as main axes of the principles of the UGGp, are acting for and contributing to the sustainable development in four UGGps of the GeoLAC. Results allow to define new strategies to involve, in a more homogeneous spatial distribution, the impacts and benefits of the UGGps. The final maps become important tools not only for researchers or managers but also for local communities. This methodology has the potential to become a tool for its application in any UGGp willing to analyze the spatial distribution of the territorial strategies, the activities impact, and the benefits for the sustainable development of its territory. Furthermore, it can be an efficient evaluation tool when applied periodically in the territory, allowing to compare the development and evolution of the spatial impacts and territorial dynamics of the strategies defined by the management structure, calibrated by the vision and perception of the local communities.

Geoheritage of Cajón del Maipo aspiring geopark: inventory, assessment, and opportunities for local development in the Andes of central Chile

Abstract Cajón del Maipo is a mountainous territory located in the Andes Cordillera of central Chile ( c. 5000 km 2 ), 48 km away from Santiago, and is a highly visited tourist destination. It reaches a maximum altitude of 6570 m, and its geology is controlled by the subduction regime between the Nazca and the South American plates. In its rocks, the Andean Tectonic Cycle is recorded, and its geodiversity includes active stratovolcanoes, thermal springs, tectonic structures, glacial and fluvial morphologies, landslides, marine fossils and abandoned mines. The area hosts an important and strained water system, with more than 800 glaciers that supply the city of Santiago with drinking water. This work shows the inventory of geoheritage of Cajon del Maipo, which includes 40 geosites. They were selected and assessed using a quantitative approach in the three main types of use (scientific, educational and touristic), and in their degradation risk. The results are displayed with an innovative synthetic map. Combining statistical quantitative and qualitative analysis, management priorities and opportunities for local development were identified. This inventory must be the framework for developing a geoconservation strategy, and the basis for the application of Cajon del Maipo as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Promoting Geotourism in Dunhuang UNESCO Global Geopark

Geoparks in China have always overlapped with many other tourism branding schemes. It is unclear whether people are familiar with the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) label in a place in which many tourism brands and abundant resources exist. This article relies on data collected and interviews conducted in the Dunhuang UGGp to focus on tourists’ cognition, perception and satisfaction and to analyse their understanding of geotourism and participation in tourism activities. We suggest that the administration of Dunhuang UGGp change the schedule of tour routes, highlight geotourism, and foster the popularization of science and technology (PST) through activities within the geopark that support inquiry-based learning and facilitate geointerpretation and lively learning.

A Framework for Geoconservation in Mining Landscapes: Opportunities for Geopark and GEOfood Approaches in Minas Gerais, Brazil

The continuous processes of mining development, since the very beginning of Minas Gerais State’s development, have been giving new attention and meaning to valuable pre-existing features (i.e., cultural, social, and physical-environmental), impacting and recharacterizing not only its municipalities but their essential local or native sociocultural components. At the same time, mining, as one of the central pillars of the Brazilian development model, has put different communities, natural and cultural heritage, and mineral and water resources at risk. The wide concept of geodiversity and the related geoheritage emerge as an alternative for conservation, territorial planning, and sustainable development, to reconcile these spheres. This study developed a comprehensive framework for geoconservation within selected areas of mining landscapes, contributing to insights for the creation of a catalog about geoheritage in the state of Minas Gerais, discussing and analyzing well-established strategies and opportunities based on UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) and the GEOfood brand. We concluded that the mining landscapes of Minas Gerais must be administered as a viable possibility for economic and environmental dynamic actions and activities, strengthening the maintenance of municipalities from the very beginning to after the end of operational activities. Heritage programs such as UGGp and GEOfood enable knowledge sharing and engagement with geoheritage, improving the comprehension and management of the short- and long-term impacts of mining, while elevating geodiversity as a major source of information in the “greening” of mining policies.

Danau Toba Sebagai Unesco Global Geopark Dalam Perspektif Hukum Lingkungan

An area known as a geopark is an area that has three fundamental pillars—conservation, education, and local economic development—and includes significant geological heritage and biodiversity, as well as integrated biodiversity and culture. Development in the fields of culture and tourism is multi-sectoral, interdisciplinary and based on a synergistic system, and is expected to be able to support efforts to educate society, advance civilization, foster national unity and strengthen international friendship. Transport and changes in the cultural and tourism sectors have led to new systems that are more reliable and sustainable. However, the improvements brought about by revolution and reform have not yet reached their full potential. The waters around Lake Toba before it was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark experienced various disturbances to the preservation of nature due to floating net cages (KJA) animal feed, reduction of land to individual ownership, arbitrariness in the form of logging and waste generated by the community originating from the restaurant business, including oil vessel., which is contaminating the lake water. Toba Government Regulation Number 37 of 2014 concerning Soil and Water Conservation as a legal basis for structuring the Lake Toba Geopark tourism area as a legal umbrella must be holistic, fundamental and partly so that water damage to the surrounding environment can be overcome. This research aimed to analyze the impact of UNESCO's designation of Lake Toba as a Geopark. This research is juridical law research by conducting data collection activities in the form of secondary data. Data analysis used a quantitative descriptive method. The research results show that the government is still trying to maintain the sustainability and beauty of the area by providing education about the ecosystem and realizing Lake Toba as a World Geopark. The government also carries out rehabilitation, reclamation and reforestation of forests to prevent landslides on critical land. It has a Lake Toba Caldera website to implement information on the Toba Caldera area. The existence of Government Regulation Number 37 of 2014 can prevent and preserve the environment around Lake Toba.

Development of Sustainable Tourism Potential in Belitung

Belitung Island is a district that has unique tourism potential. Currently it has been designated as Belitong UNESCO Global Geopark which has Spectacular Granite Views in Southeast Asia’s Tin Belt. “Belitong” is the traditional name of Belitung Island, a tin-rich island with fascinating history, spectacular geology, and beautiful landscape. The formulation of a strategy to improve the quality of Belitung tourist destinations is prepared by conducting a mix method. The strategy to improve quality is prepared based on the results of the SWOT analysis. Belitung has the potential for marine tourism which has high competitiveness with the main strength of its uniqueness and diversity of marine tourism attractions. The priority strategy is to improve quality by carrying out an aggressive strategy, namely utilizing strengths to take advantage of existing opportunities by supporting aggressive growth policies based on sustainable tourism.

Prospective Study on Geosciences On-Line Education: UNESCO Global Geoparks in Spain and Portugal

UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) stand out as territories of excellence for the development of educational activities in the international arena. Their didactic potential, their multidisciplinarity and their importance for the development of non-formal and informal teaching activities have drawn the attention of institutions, organizations and governments of many countries. This, to such an extent, that the number of UGGps continues to increase year after year, having currently reached 177 territories spread over 46 countries. All of them work every day developing different activities and educational proposals aimed at the creation of the so-called “Quality Education”, the fourth objective of the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. The diversity of didactic plans, their adaptability and their accessibility mean that each UGGp is unique and different from the rest, maintaining the key values that make up this group of territories. This study describes the different educational proposals and activities that the Spanish and Portuguese UGGps show on their official websites, with the aim of analyzing their level of visibility before visiting the territories and highlighting their relevance in the education development framework.

How Can Tufa Deposits Contribute to the Geotourism Offer? The Outcomes from the First UNESCO Global Geopark in Serbia

The study focuses on the present state and the assessments of geotourism development of the two most representative tufa deposits in the Djerdap National Park—the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Serbia. The findings were designated through implementing the freshly upgraded methodology—M-GAM-1-2 based on an early modified geosites assessment model (M-GAM). To overcome the limitations of the previous model, the authors implemented additional enhancements and involved members of the local community (residents and authorities) in the study to comprehensively evaluate the observed sites. The outcomes revealed that the attitudes of all stakeholders should be taken into consideration in order to develop geotourism properly, additionally attract visitors, and preserve tufa deposits for future generations of locals and visitors. Moreover, geotourism at the observed sites can be one of the vital activities of the population, as well as a type of compensation for various limitations in the development, which are imposed by the regimes of natural and cultural heritage protection within the recently established UNESCO Global Geopark.

Forest wellness tourism destination branding for supporting disaster mitigation: A case of Batur UNESCO Global Geopark, Bali

Indonesia is a beautiful nation prone to natural disasters. The attractiveness of a place is the potential for its people to prosper through tourism, particularly natural tourism. As part of an effort to preserve nature and safeguard the source of human prosperity, it is necessary to implement disaster mitigation strategies, such as preserving forests to prevent landslides. Disaster mitigation includes increasing community participation and awareness of disaster risk management. Likewise,Batur Geopark, Kintamani, Bali, protected forest areas with caldera and lakes can be utilized with good and sustainable management. This research is a potential branding destination for Batur Geopark as a mental recreation area by adopting the theme “forest bathing”. The formulation of forest bathing as a branding strategy is also an effort to maintain a sustainable forest and optimize the participation of the local community. This research is qualitative with case study method. Data was collected from June to August 2021 by means of field study and desk study in implementing destination branding concepts. The results show that there is potential to create destination branding with the theme Geoforest-Bathing. This branding is expected to be applied to forest-wellness attractions which can provide great benefits for visitors, the local community, and as part of landslide disaster mitigation efforts in the geopark area.

Geodiversity of Las Loras UNESCO Global Geopark: Hydrogeological Significance of Groundwater and Landscape Interaction and Conceptual Model of Functioning

Las Loras UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) is geologically diverse, particularly in relation to water-derived features: springs, karst springs, travertine buildings, waterfalls, caves. In this work, the interactions between geology, geomorphology, structures and hydrogeology are analyzed. As a result of this study, a first conceptual model of the hydrogeological functioning at Las Loras UGGp is presented. The most plausible hypothesis is that the system is formed by two superimposed aquifer systems, separated by an aquitard formed by Lower Cretaceous material. The deep lower aquifer formed by the Jurassic limestones only outcrops on the northern and southern edges of the Geopark and in a small arched band to the south of Aguilar de Campoo. It forms a basement subject to intense deformation. The upper aquifer system, formed by outcropping materials from the Upper Cretaceous, is a free aquifer. It is formed by a multilayered aquifer system that is highly compartmentalized, constituting individual moorland and lora units acting as a separate recharge–discharge system. This model explains the base level of the permanent rivers and the abundant springs, important components of the water cycle and representing a contribution to the rich geological heritage of the location.

Case Studies of the Belitong Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark: Evaluating Geosites for Geotourism Development

Despite Indonesia's abundance of diverse geological features, the country has yet to fully acknowledge and exploit its potential for promoting geotourism. The present study assesses the capacity of a specific geotourism site, namely the Belitong Geopark located in the Belitung archipelago, which attracts a significant number of visitors. In this study, we present a methodology for evaluating the developmental prospects of geotourism locations through the utilization of three distinct forms of analysis. Initially, a quantitative assessment was conducted to determine the numerical worth of diverse attributes of the locations deemed significant for the advancement of geotourism. These characteristics included the added value that non-geotourism features contributed in addition to their scientific, tourism, and conservation values. Tourism can be a major source of income for the local community, but it is important to ensure that it is sustainable and does not damage the environment. The development of geotourism on Belitung Island could be facilitated through a collaborative effort between local communities, governmental bodies, and academic institutions through a private-public partnership.

Distribution of seismicity hazard levels using PGA analysis with the PSHA method in the Ciletuh Geopark Area, Sukabumi, Indonesia

The regional structure in Java Island, Indonesia, was influenced by the collisional activity of the Eurasian and Indo-Australian plates, which resulted from mélange rocks outcrops in Ciletuh. Ciletuh is one of the geotourism conservation areas included in the UGG (UNESCO Global Geoparks). This area is in the path of the Cimandiri Fault and the Sunda Strait Megathrust, resulting in a unique geological diversity and a place where the oldest rocks are exposed in West Java. In addition, the potential impact of seismicity on the Ciletuh geopark area is quite significant. The potential for seismicity can be analyzed and calculated. In this study, PGA (Peak Ground Acceleration) analysis on bedrock was conducted using the PSHA (Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis) method. The data used for the PSHA method is in the form of background, fault, and megathrust provided by the National Earthquake Study Center (PuSGeN). This research shows that the PGA value in the Ciletuh Geopark area is influenced by how close it is to the location of the earthquake source. Pelabuhanratu Subdistrict has the highest PGA value based on all earthquake sources when combined.