A Geoinformatics Hike Over the Vikos Canyon in Northwestern Greece

Geoheritage is increasingly recognized and geoparks become widespread. Greece, for example, counts to-date nine geoparks, part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (GGN). Here, we focus on the Vikos canyon, part of the Vikos–Aoos UNESCO GGN, that is located in the Pindus mountain range of Northwestern Greece. In proportion to its width, Vikos canyon is considered among the deepest canyons in the world. This region, part of the Natura 2000 European network of protected areas, is characterized by significant biodiversity and includes landscapes of critical importance for both ecological diversity and recreational activities. Taking advantage of the continuously increasing geospatial observations, including topographic and environmental conditions (e.g., terrain, land cover, soil properties, climatic conditions, etc.) as well as demographic attributes, we present creative ways for visualizing and jointly exploring this data in order to highlight the unique features of the canyon and contribute towards raising awareness on critical environmental issues. The approach deployed here includes not only 2-D visualizations, but also 3-D printing technology and interactive web mapping (e.g., story maps). The abovementioned tools can help knowledge mobilization on the unique geological and ecological features of the Vikos-Aoos geopark and contribute to conservation efforts of the area, fostering scientific research and global awareness.