Geodiversity is generally defined as the natural range of abiotic (geological, geomorphological, pedological, and hydrological) features and processes. Geoheritage, anchored on geodiversity, is one way of recognizing the landscape’s value to humans. Geoheritage valuation includes recognizing scientific, educational, and touristic values of geodiversity elements to determine sites worth studying and preserving. Key texts in geodiversity and geoheritage research primarily recognize ‘ecosystem services’ as the practical benefits that humans get from the abiotic nature and the natural processes associated with their formation and modification. Recognizing these benefits that humans gain from the landscape provides a foundation for geoconservation. Through its ecosystem services, geodiversity is linked to heritage, education, tourism, and conservation which have been the primary lines of geoheritage research in recent years. Despite geodiversity being defined as a value-free term, it remains a subject that is mainly studied in the Earth Sciences and most geodiversity research progress to geoheritage valuation. Presented here are some ways the Geodiversity concept can be extended beyond Physical Sciences. 

Ecosystem services do not fully account for the complex relationship (beneficial and/or detrimental) humans can have with the landscape. Geoeducation programs in active volcano-tectonic areas, as well as sites of past disasters, highlight geohazards which also result from geodiversity. There have been multiple studies that relate geoheritage and geohazards, and there’s still a potential to establish or adopt a framework to formally integrate these fields. Disaster studies have long considered the environment as something that gives humans both “benefits” and “hazards”, with the perceived weights of each factoring in humans’ decisions in risk mitigation (i.e. evacuating, relocating, etc.). These ‘benefits’ can be thought of as geodiversity’s ecosystem services and the ‘hazards’ as geohazards associated with the geodiversity elements in an area (i.e. presence of active faults, volcanoes, unstable slopes, etc.). By adopting this framework, we recognize that geodiversity is not just ‘beneficial’ but could also be ‘hazardous’ to humans, both of these strengthen the importance of geodiversity and acknowledges the complexity of the role that the abiotic landscape play in the lives of humans. Beyond practical benefits represented by ecosystem services, humans also build relationships with geodiversity through place-making. The place attachment of humans to an area is essentially a non-quantifiable, yet equally important, value that humans give to the landscape. Integrating geodiversity with these theoretical frameworks from the social sciences allows a wider and deeper understanding of how geodiversity is valued and how it actively affects human populations. This understanding, in turn, will greatly help encourage bottom-up approaches in conservation and more meaningful integration of geoscience in local education and tourism efforts. 

How to cite: Irapta, P. N.: Geodiversity beyond Geoheritage, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-4029, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-4029, 2023.

Although volcanoes present a risk to society, they also represent an opportunity for the development and socio-economic sustainability of their territories. Its main benefits are associated with the diversity of resources offered by volcanic landscapes: geothermal energy, agriculture, building materials, tourism, etc. The volcanic nature of the Macaronesia region (Azores, Madeira, Canarias and Cape Verde archipelagos) constitutes an important geoturistic claim as a result of the great beauty and the landscape diversity of the volcanic territories, offering the possibility of experiencing closely the force of nature and the cultural and spiritual wealth of the population that lives in safe conditions thanks to the existence of programs aimed at reducing volcanic risk. The objective of the VOLTURMAC project (MAC2 / 4.6c / 298), funded by the INTERREG VA Spain-Portugal MAC 2014-2020 Territorial Cooperation Program, is to contribute to the strengthening of the conservation, protection, promotion and development of natural and cultural heritage associated with the volcanic phenomenon in Macaronesia through tourism volcano and contribute to the diversification of the tourist offer of the four Macaronesian archipelagos. To achieve the main objective of this project, nine different activities are proposed and grouped around three main axes: (1) analyze, evaluate and identify the potential of volcano-tourism in Macaronesia; (2) create geo-itineraries and touristic geo-routes that value the natural and cultural resources of the volcanic landscapes of Macaronesia by identifying, selecting, mapping and evaluating geosites, geomorphosites and sites of geotourist interest (SGIs) and (3) promoting and strengthening training on natural and cultural resources linked to the volcanic phenomenon in the tourism sector for all tourism actors, but with special relevance for those in the business field and tourist guides. (Volturmac-MAC2/4.6c/298).

How to cite: Dóniz-Paéz, J., Pérez, N. M., Hernández, P. A., Beltrán-Yanes, E., Pérez, Y., Padrón, N., Delgado, N., Reyes, J. C., Duarte, M., Paim, M., Correia, A., Viera, I., Alfama, V., Silva, S. V., Martins, C., Pereira, J. M., Vasconcelos, M., and Delgado, A.: VOLTURMAC project: a bet of INTERREG V Spain-Portugal program for the development of volcano-tourism in the Macaronesia region, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-4489, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-4489, 2023.

Calbuco Volcano (41.3°S, 72,6ºW) is located in the Southern Andes of Chile, in the Los Lagos region. It ranks 3^rd in the Chilean volcanic risk ranking (www.sernageomin.cl) having both high hazard due to recent and frequent eruptions and exposure to that hazard of about 300 000 people in the region. Its last eruption (April 22-23, 2015), severely affected the surroundings of the volcano, including the village of Ensenada, evidencing a growing need for volcanic risk reduction. This task can be assisted by raising awareness of volcanic processes and geoheritage, contributing to reduce exposure to hazards, and to risk education and mitigation. In this work, an assessment of the geoheritage potential of the northern flank of the Calbuco Volcano is presented. Literature review, geological mapping, stratigraphy, and petrographic studies of some recent deposits and eruptive products were performed. Volcanic deposits and landforms (e.g., pyroclastic density currents, lahars, tephra falls, and lava flows) is key to reconstructing volcanic eruptions and providing volcanic hazard data. Besides, well-preserved, and easily accessible eruptive sequences can be used to educate communities exposed to volcanic hazard through different outreach and geoeducation techniques which can help volcanic risk mitigation. The identified geosites were numerically assessed, scoring through qualitative and quantitative procedures. The top-five ranked geosites have high scientific value and use potential, allowing the observation of volcanic processes under better accessibility conditions. They may offer scientific, educational, and touristic use if geoconservation strategies are considered in the management of the areas around the volcano. Part of the volcanic edifice remains inside parks, both public (Llanquihue National Reserve) and private (Parque Valle los Ulmos and Parque Volcanes), which gives it greater accessibility and conservation potential. The addition of further geosites to the inventory from other flanks of the volcano is aimed, for a more detailed characterization of the area and the support of geoconservation strategies and volcanic risk reduction. With these studies, more scientific knowledge and awareness of volcanic processes and hazards can be achieved, mainly to benefit the social and economic development of local population. A geopark project in the area would be an incentive to that development and a way to educate the population about geodiversity, geoheritage and volcanic hazards topics. This type of strategy would have to include local institutions in its management, such as local government bodies, universities and research units, nature conservation staff and local associations to be a nationally and internationally recognized project.

Key words: Calbuco volcano, Southern Andes, volcanic risk, geoheritage, education.

How to cite: Sanchez, F., Pereira, P., Romero, J., and Schilling, M.: Fostering geoheritage in volcanic risk areas: the case of the Calbuco volcano, Southern Chile., EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-5806, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-5806, 2023.

Geotourism has been attracting more and more interest of the scientific community and the authorities in charge of tourism management and marketing. In Romania, such interest has just started to build, most of geotourism-relate research focusing on montaineous areas and not having an unitary approach. One of the least explored regions in terms of geotourism valorisation is the Moldavian Plateau, which is representative for the hilly lands of Romania. The plateau covers the entire North-East area of the country (27,158 km²) and is heavily affected by both by surface denudation and gully erosion.

The aim of the current study is to build an inventory of geomorphosites and geosites, that may help setting up the profile of the plateau. The transformations suffered by this landform unit over time motivate the need for an updated profile, which can be further integrated in future research works concerning the  creation of a gully-based geopark.

The first step was to corroborate the already existing data on the location and size of the gullies. Further on, a list of evaluation criteria was established and applied in the consequent fieldwork stage. The geomorphosites and geosites were identified and located using qualitative a evaluation process aiming to determine the geomorphological intrinsic value, potential use, and required protection. In addition, a GIS-based methodology was implemented in order to build the profile of the Moldavian Plateau. Finally, the identification of the geomorphosites and geosites served to the proposal of  geotrails; which represent the basis for geotourism in the study area, as an alternative for local economic development. Geoparks have proven to be excellent tools for educating the public about Earth Sciences; and are also important recreational areas and favour significant sustainable economic development.

Keywords: Geoheritage, Geoscience education, Gullies potential, Geosites, Geomorphosites.

How to cite: Ana Maria, A. and Lilian, N.: The valorisation of the (Geo)heritage between the Siret and Prut Rivers of the Moldavian Plateau (Romania), EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-3568, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-3568, 2023.

The UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGG) as program was based in the natural heritage conservation philosophy to promote sustainability. The idea allowed the creation and consolidation of national, continental and global networks of geoparks. The paleontological heritage developed an important task in the UGG progress and succession. Here, the analysis of the public material exposed in the geoparks’ and UNESCO’s websites can collaborate for the geoheritage valorization understanding. The data was collected take in account the geoparks descriptions of their geography, geoheritage and designation year. Was detailed by statistics, geoparks with paleontological heritage as main highlight. 57 UGGps have their own geological heritage as primary or secondary interest connected to paleontology. 13% of all geoparks were identified as a paleontological in their main geoheritage interest, and 11% as secondary interest associated to fossils. During the stage of Global Geopark Network (GGN) was noted a period with more designations of paleontological heritage geoparks. After, through the 2018-2020 interval in the UGG, it is observed another growth also. More than half of these “paleogeoparks” are part of the European continent. It is observable a strong relationship between territorial identity and paleontological heritage expressed by marketing strategy, when is possible found ammonites, trilobites, dinosaurs, tetrapod, petrified wood and other local fossils linked to the geopark image and divulgation, remarked in logotypes for example. Was possible recognize that some geological time or typologies of fossils are more common in the geoparks’ paleontological heritage, such as cretaceous, quaternary and vertebrate patrimonial records. In this direction was possible to consider pioneers UGGps to paleontological heritage, thus European and Asiatic continents with major quantity of “paleogeoparks”, as China, Germany, Spain, Canada, France and Greece – at least with five “paleogeoparks” per country. It is possible reconstruct the Earth’s history of life through the UGGps. Furthermore, other continents have potential to explore more the paleontological heritage to promote sustainable development.

How to cite: dos Santos Costa, S. S.: The role of Paleontological Heritage in UNESCO Global Geoparks, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-10721, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-10721, 2023.

In geoparks, the presence of “sites and landscapes of international geological significance” (UNESCO definition) is a very favourable condition for the development of geotourism, but the existence of these sites alone does not guarantee that people will visit them and discover their geological or geomorphological qualities. To convey an understandable and coherent message to the audience, interpretation is essential. The geoscientific interest of the geosites, generally recognised by the scientific community, indeed must be shown and explained to the visitors. But explaining geology or geomorphology to a lay public is not always easy, the manner of interpreting depends on the target audience and the messages the interpreter wishes to convey should be related to a selection of specific sites or themes.

Based on examples from the M’Goun Global Geopark located in the central High Atlas (Morocco), we propose a discussion on the geotourism potential of geomorphological landscapes with two specific questions:

(1) how to select sites according to their didactic potential?

(2) what is the point of view of the local guides regarding the interest of the sites and interpretation?

Geomorphological landscapes – defined as landscapes whose geomorphological component is of heritage interest (Bussard & Reynard, 2022) – are interesting supports for the dissemination of scientific knowledge in geomorphology. Their didactic potential indicates the degree of relevance or ease with which the site can be integrated into an interpretation process relating to one or more defined themes (Bussard et al., 2022). We describe the didactic potential of 8 geomorphological landscapes of the M’Goun Global Geopark (Bussard, 2022) and a selection of specific themes according to two criteria: visibility (clear view of the object) and level of complexity (number of objects, complexity of processes). The description of these criteria allows the managers of the sites to build an interpretation plan based on a coherent selection of sites and themes adapted to the target audience.

After this analysis through the lens of geomorphology, we conducted a series of interviews with professional guides working in the area to better understand their views on the interpretation of geomorphological sites. As they have a privileged contact with many visitors, guides play a key role in the transmission of knowledge on local and regional geomorphology. The interviews show that the concepts specific to geomorphology and geology are often unfamiliar to the guides, but that there is a genuine interest on their part in these subjects, particularly in palaeontology (the geopark contains numerous traces and bones of dinosaurs) and geomorphology, through the reading of the landscapes and their morphogenesis.

References

Bussard, J. (2022). Paysages géomorphologiques du Géoparc du M’Goun (Maroc) : Fiches descriptives. Institut de géographie et durabilité, Université de Lausanne. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7181982

Bussard J., Reynard E. (2022). Heritage value and stakeholders’ perception of four geomorphological landscapes in Southern Iceland. Geoheritage, 14, article 89. DOI: 10.1007/s12371-022-00722-8

Bussard J., Martin S., Monbaron M., Reynard E., & El Khalki Y. (2022). Les paysages géomorphologiques du Haut Atlas central (Maroc) : Potentiel éducatif et éléments pour la médiation scientifique. Géomorphologie : Relief, processus, environnement. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/geomorphologie/17103

How to cite: Bussard, J.: Geomorphological landscapes of the M’Goun Geopark (Morocco): potential for geotourism and local guides’ perspective, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-5264, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-5264, 2023.

Tenerife is the largest (2034 km²), and the highest (3718 m a.s.l.) island of the Canary. It has been built up as a result of the accumulation of different volcanic materials during the last 12 million years. In Tenerife it can be recognized different morphostructures: three shield volcanoes (Anaga, Teno and Adeje), two volcanic ridges (Pedro Gil and Abeque), a important volcanic field in the south of the island, a central caldera (Las Cañadas), a complex stratovolcano (Teide-Pico Viejo) and hundreds of cinder or scoria monogentic cones scattered throughout the island's geography. Despite this geological and volcanic richness, geological heritage is currently given less importance than biogegraphical heritage when identifying, defining and catalogue natural areas to protect (NPA). The objective of this work is to obtain the classification of geomorphological heritage of the total NPAs of the island and show the importance that these volcanic forms and their processes have in the natural landscapes of Tenerife. In this work we utilized the methodology elaborated by Serrano and González (2014) and involves a three-way comparison of the different values of the geomorphosites: scientific, cultural and use and management values. The values of geomorphological heritage are expressed from 1 to 5. Tenerife has forty-three NPAs with a total of more than 110,098 hectares, which represents more than 49% of its surface. The variety of NPAs are: one National Park, ten Natural Reserves, one Natural Park, two Rural Park, fourteen Natural Monuments, nine Protected Landscapes and six Sites of scientific interest. In general, the NPAs shows the geodiversity of Tenerife´s volcanism with average scientific (1.5), cultural (1.8) and use (2.6) values. These data show the importance of geoheritage in the NPAs of Tenerife (shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes, volcanic ridges, scoria cones, lava fields, hornitos, lava tubes, lava deltas, calderas, ravines, cliffs, beaches, dunes, etc.), but we can´t avoid the human intervention on several characteristics at these areas with cultural values over than scientific (mythos, legends, archaeological sites, traditional construction, crops, livestock, etc.). The geomorphological heritage analysis expressed the relationship between of the volcanic natural heritage and the humans. (Volturmac-MAC2/4.6c/298).

How to cite: García-Hernández, R., Dóniz-Páez, J., Beltrán-Yanes, E., Pérez, N. M., and Hernández, P. A.: Geographical heritage in natural protected areas of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) , EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-7925, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-7925, 2023.

The area of the Mt. Papuk (eastern Croatia) is characterised by rich biodiversity and historical heritage, but also by an exceptional geodiversity, providing the ground for declaration of Nature Park (NP) Papuk in 1999. However, the uniqueness of certain features has been recognized even earlier as in the case of the Rupnica geosite, which has been declared the “First Croatian Geological Monument of Nature” as early as 1948. In 2007 the geodiversity and geoheritage of Mt. Papuk were internationally recognised which therefore became the first protected area in Croatia to receive the status of a geopark and became a member of both the European and World Geopark Network under the protection of UNESCO.  

Rupnica geosite (NW part of Papuk Geopark, near the town of Voćin) is famous for the well-exposed occurrence of columnar jointing. Although the exposed outcrop is not as impressive in size as some other world-known sites with the same feature, Rupnica is a scientifically valuable geosite as columnar jointing is more commonly developed in basaltic rocks, while the rocks exposed at Rupnica are acidic. The rocks of Rupnica are albite and aegirine-albite rhyolites with porphyritic texture dominated by albite phenocrysts hosted in matrix of albite microliths, quartz and devitrified volcanic glass with accessory minerals (magnetite, apatite, zircon and occasionally alkali clinopyroxene (aegirine-augite)). Volcanic rocks of Rupnica formed by cooling and (near-)surface crystallisation of acidic magma during the Late Cretaceous (~81 Ma) and are related to regional geological events associated with closure of the Neotethys Ocean. Geochemistry points to a parental A-type magma formed in an anorogenic tectonic setting from a lower crustal source with peraluminous, alkali-calcic to alkalic, ferroan and high-temperature (780–900 °C) character. Recent studies of inclusions captured in accessory zircon (i.e. anatase, fluorapatite and hematite) indicates possible mantle source contribution, rapid uplift and cooling of an oxidised magma.

Despite its scientific value, it is mainly the striking surface appearance that makes the Rupnica geosite a trademark of the Papuk Geopark. Nevertheless, both recent and past volcanic activity and associated rocks are usually the main geotouristic attraction and a significant geoheritage. Additional infrastructure and educational facilities recently developed in the Papuk Geopark area, such as the Geo-info centre Voćin (opened in early 2022, only 1 km from Rupnica geosite), enhance geotouristic experience and control visitor access. The now increased number of visitors (~19,000 visitors in 2022, compared to the not precisely known but relatively low number of previous visitors to Rupnica) provides additional opportunities for expansion of local accommodation capacities and touristic offer, contributing to regional economic development. Furthermore, Rupnica geosite is used as an educational polygon for geology students, in primary and secondary science education, but also for the youngest with “Rupko’s School of Geology”, in which the development of columnar jointing is explained in a popular way. The promotional and educational activities of the Papuk Geopark, one of the main tasks of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, constantly enhance public perception of geodiversity and exceptional geoheritage of the Mt. Papuk area.

How to cite: Schneider, P., Petrinec, Z., Radonić, G., Pavić, G., and Balen, D.: Geoheritage and geotourism in the Papuk UNESCO Geopark (Croatia) at its key locality Rupnica - the “First Croatian Geological Monument of Nature”, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-8990, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-8990, 2023.

In recent decades, the tourism industry has become one of the key sectors in the global economy, which is related not only to the number of people employed in tourism services but also to significant revenues from tourism to state budgets. Along with the development of tourism and the increase in the number of tourists, the new so-called phenomenon of "overtourism" has appeared. It causes various negative effects on nature as well as on society. Therefore, in recent years sustainable development of regions in all areas of the economy has been emphasized, especially in the tourism industry. This process is mainly implemented in highly developed countries; however, the problem is likewise significant in developing countries, including Central Asia. Geotourism fits perfectly into this trend, as residents and tourists benefit from it, and public awareness of the environment is a positive side effect. In addition, geotourism can serve as a powerful tool in educating society about the protection of abiotic and biotic elements of the natural environment.

The main aim of the study is to analyze the current state and prospects for the development of geotourism in the Jeti-Oguz Valley in the southern part of the Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan. This region is one of the most attractive destinations for tourists throughout Central Asia. The Jeti-Oguz Valley was selected as an area for detailed research based on geoinformation analysis of individual elements of the natural environment.

The analysis of the current state and prospects for the development of geotourism is primarily based on a detailed inventory of georesources and tourist infrastructure of the Jeti-Oguz Valley. The inventory was supplemented by surveys among the local community. Based on the collected research material, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis was carried out regarding the further development of geotourism in the Issyk-Kul Region.

How to cite: Bozzhigit kyzy, T., Kostrzewski, A., and Majewski, M.: The current state and prospects for the development of geotourism in the Jeti-Oguz Valley in the Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan, EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 23–28 Apr 2023, EGU23-14902, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-14902, 2023.