- 1Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- 2Teach For Portugal, Porto, Portugal
- 3Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Geoconservation and geoheritage are increasingly important topics within the scientific community. Since the 1990s, numerous studies on geosites have focused primarily on their identification, classification, and evaluation. However, the assessment of degradation risks associated with these geosites remains relatively underexplored, despite its critical importance for effective management and conservation. Geoheritage is continuously threatened by both natural and human-induced factors. In many countries, the absence of systematic inventories, inadequate management, and the impacts of climate change have placed geosites at risk of deterioration or complete loss. Therefore, developing assessment procedures to evaluate degradation risks and monitor conservation status is a priority for researchers. It is essential to recognize that existing methodologies for identifying and mitigating geoheritage degradation risks often lack common frameworks, approaches, and terminologies.
This paper aims to establish a foundation for assessing the degradation risks of geosites by outlining shared investigation schemes, identifying current research gaps, and highlighting potential areas for improvement. We analyzed the evolution of geoconservation studies over the past 20 years, particularly focusing on geoheritage degradation risks, and conducted the first systematic literature review on degradation risk and its related concepts. Our investigations involved a thorough search of major literature databases, which yielded 295 relevant records, subsequently narrowed down to 130 through a rigorous screening process. This study provided an in-depth understanding of the various methodologies and frameworks used to assess the risk of geoheritage degradation. This analysis was crucial for exploring both established and novel methodologies, offering a comprehensive overview of current practices and highlighting potential advancements in the field.
Keywords: degradation risk, geoheritage, geoconservation, geosite management
How to cite: Vandelli, V., Selmi, L., Faccini, F., Ferrando, A., and Coratza, P.: A Comprehensive Framework for the Assessment of Geoheritage Degradation Risk, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-3608, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-3608, 2025.
