INVENTORY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF EROSIVE FORMS IN THE BARBANTIÑO RIVER (MIÑO BASIN, GALICIA, NW PENÍNSULA IBÉRICA)

The existence of forms sculpted by fluvial erosion is frequent in Bedrock Rivers. Since 1999, the Area of Physical Geography of the University of Vigo (Ourense Campus) has been conducting research on these rock cavities in various reaches of the middle Miño River. The exploratory study that is presented corresponds to the case of a section upstream of the Barbantiño river waterfall (Ourense, Galicia). Carried out within the framework of a research line with the objectives of inventorying, characterizing, interpreting and evaluating the erosive forms in the rocky channels of the Miño River and its tributaries, the employed methodology included phases of field work, creation of a database, and statistical analysis. From the records in the sampled sectors of the Barbantiño River, an inventory was made with 60 erosive forms, considering quantitative variables (measurements of length, width, depth) and qualitative variables (morphology of the bottom, state of the walls, and presence of deposits). The preliminary results of the exploratory analysis provide new information on the sculpted forms in bedrock, allowing comparison with previous studies. The erosive forms of the studied section are characterized by great variability in their depth (between 2 cm and 2.7 m), length (between 7 cm and 2.5 m) and width (between 4 cm and 2 m); the strong correlation between surface and bottom dimensions (Spearman's r> 0.85); and the coexistence of cavities in an incipient state, furrows and potholes. These results contribute to the advancement of knowledge of a natural legacy that is part of the geodiversity of the Miño River basin, with a complex of values associated with its condition of geomorphological heritage.

Inventory and Assessment of the Geomorphosites in Central Cyclades, Greece: The Case of Paros and Naxos Islands

The Cycladic landscape is characterized by landforms of natural beauty and rarity. Landforms resulting from differential erosion, weathering, tectonics, drainage network, sea level changes, and depositional processes can contribute to the development of geotourism in the area. This can be achieved by supporting conservation, protection and promotion of the geo-environment and nature, educating students, residents, and visitors. The aim of this work is to develop an inventory of the main geomorphosites of Paros and Naxos islands by assessing their scientific and additional values, using qualitative and quantitative criteria. Our results show that, besides the high scientific interest of the 75 geomorphosites, most are also characterized by a high ecological value and can potentially lead to a significant increase in the islands’ tourism. The results of this work aim at raise awareness on the geomorphological heritage of central Cyclades and provide a basis for their promotion, protection, and management.

APPLICATION OF GEOMORPHONS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GEOMORPHOLOGICAL HERITAGE INDEX OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BOMBINHAS – SC - BRAZIL/APLICAÇÃO DOS GEOMORPHONS NA CONSTRUÇÃO DE UM ÍNDICE DE PATRIMÔNIO GEOMORFOLÓGICO NO MUNICÍPIO DE BOMBINHAS – SC – BRASIL

Torna-se cada vez mais necessário o desenvolvimento de metodologias de avaliação do patrimônio geomorfológico. Neste sentido, este artigo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de analisar as possibilidades do uso dos geomorphons no processo de reconhecimento e avaliação do patrimônio geomorfológico do município de Bombinhas, a fim de contribuir para ações voltadas à geoconservação e ao geoturismo na área em estudo. Para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho foi utilizado um MDE com resolução de 90 metros e a classificação do relevo foi realizada utilizando a ferramenta r.geomorphon do software QGIS. Conclui-se que o uso dos geomorphons se mostrou satisfatório enquanto nova aplicação no campo da geoconservação, sobretudo como instrumento de avaliação do patrimônio geomorfológico, uma vez que forneceu a base para o cálculo do índice de patrimônio geomorfológico e o reconhecimento de geomorfossítios.

Geological World Heritage: a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention

In 2005, IUCN published a report entitled Geological World Heritage: A Global Framework (Dingwall et al., 2005). The aim of that report was to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage. The aim of the present report is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii). This aim has been achieved through a thorough review of the 2005 report, and in particular the thematic approach to geology that the report used. This has led to the proposal of a rationalised set of 11 themes to guide the application of criterion (viii). This report also examines the processes of comparative analysis and questions of site integrity in relation to properties listed for geological and geomorphological values.

A Geomorphological Approach to Geodiversity and Geotourism in Uttarakhand Himalaya, India: A Pilot Survey

<p>Himalaya is the greatest heritage of India. The objective of this paper is to present a view of the geomorphological heritage of the Himalaya.Uttarakhand<strong> </strong>state (77°35’5”-81°2’25” E and 28°43’45”-31°8’18’’N, Area: 53,066 sq.km.)<strong> </strong>lies almost wholly within the realm of the Himalaya and is a distinct geographical entity. The state is a land of vast geological and topographic diversities and a realm with rich geo-wealth and geoheritage. Geological and geomorphological features occurring in different parts of Uttarakhand Himalaya are part of the natural assets and are precious state heritage (geoheritage), worthy of conservation. Apart from rock monuments and fossil parks, geomorphological features or geomorphosites have great potential to exert a pull on tourists. These sites have noteworthy impact on the geoscience education and research. Geotourism is growing rapidly all over the world and Himalaya region is no exception to this. To promote geotourism in the Himalayan State of Uttarakhand, comprehensive information about geomorphosites should be made available to the tourists by way of websites. For this, first a peer-reviewed state inventory of geomorphosites and their classification, mapping and assessment is required. Geodiversity in Uttarakhand State can best be understood in the form of the rise of Himalayan mountains from the bed of Tethys Sea which gave rise to four distinct tectonic units largely varying in lithology and structure. The relief was fragmented into four major morphosculptural units which signify the mountainous part of the state: viz. i. the Tethys zone or the Trans-Himalaya ii. the Greater Himalaya iii. the Lesser Himalaya and iv. the Siwalik. Apart from this mountainous region of the State, there is  outlying region of the state, which incompasses : iv. Bhabhar and Tarai (a sub-montane tract) - a landscape feature along the foothills, v. Dun Valleys – valleys of tectonic origin and vi. Plains of North India - the lowest part in Uttarakhand with an altitude of 200 m. These geological units recognised on the basis of evolutionary history, stratigraphic sequences and component rock units and reveal identical topographic and climatic characteristics. These units are separated by various tectonic boundaries. Apart from geodiversity, the geomorphological diversity can be assessed in the form of towering snow peaks, awe-inspiring horned peaks with natural grandeur, widely distributed stretches of wide and fertile valleys, valleys of tectonic origin-canoe shaped longitudinal valleys, lofty snow capped peak surrounded by several small and big snowfields, glaciers and lakes, mountain passes and  elevated zones packed in a series of multi-level distinctive waterfalls. Thus, being the youngest mountain of the world, this Himalayan State has geotouristic potential from the point of view of its geomorphological heritage.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Keywords: </strong>Himalaya<strong>, </strong>geodiversity , geomorphological heritage, geomorphosites, geotourism.  </p>

Geo-environmental analysis of terraced slopes and dry-stone walls in Can Grau area (Garraf Park, Catalunya, Spain): preliminary results from the Stonewalls4life project.

<p>Stonewalls4life is an E.U. Life project started in the second half of 2019 involving many subjects, both public bodies and privates, in a multidisciplinary working group. The main objective of the project is to demonstrate how an ancient technology for land use, drystone walling, can be effectively considered to improve the resilience of the territory to climate change by adopting a socially and technically innovative approach.</p><p>The project actions are being performed at Manarola, within the Cinque Terre National Park (eastern Liguria, north-western Italy). The pilot site is a narrow strip of land close to the seaside and characterized by small valleys with steep terraced slopes. This anthropogenic landscape represents a high-value peculiarity attracting more than three million tourists every year.</p><p>Three replication sites were identified in order to demonstrate the transferability and replicability of the project actions: two are located within the Cinque Terre Natural Park territory and one is in the Can Grau area (Garraf Park, Catalunya, Spain).</p><p>The Spanish site is currently under evaluation. An extensive geological, geomorphological, and land-use-land-cover (LULC) analysis is now being carried out in the Can Grau area to define its environmental features, especially concerning geological aspects and land use, and focusing on terraced areas and their state of conservation. This study aims to identify a specific suitable site for the replication of the project actions that will be carried out in Manarola, namely for dry-stone walls recovery, and is based on a multitemporal analysis of aerial images performed in a GIS environment and a wide collection and review of bibliographic data.</p><p>This contribution illustrates the preliminary results of the Can Grau area analysis, focusing in particular on the distribution of terraced areas and the variation of LULC from the 1950s to the present day. From this study emerges a progressive abandonment of terraced areas used for cultivation, although, according to historical sources, this process mostly occurred after the phylloxera appeared in the late 19th century, seriously affecting the most important agricultural activity in the Garraf, namely the viticulture.</p><p>The outcomes from this study will be useful in terms of both Stonewalls4life project implementation and overall land management, particularly aiming to restore a man-made geomorphological heritage and mitigate geo-hydrological risk.</p>

Geodiversity in the Liguria region: a preliminary GIS-based quantitative assessment

<p> <span><span>Geodiversity is an important natural resource that must be considered in developing an effective land management strategy. In recent times there has been a great impulse on the research on geodiversity topics; particular attention has been given to geodiversity assessment methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative. The Liguria region in Northern Italy, despite its small geographic scale, encompasses a great variety of natural and cultural features of international significance. This wide variety is due to its particular geographical, geological and geomorphological conditions. In this work a first preliminary assessment of geodiversity in the Liguria region has been carried out, according to the quantitative method proposed by Melelli et al (2017). This GIS-based method uses spatial analysis techniques, taking into account five parameters: a geological index (lithology) and four morphometric indices (drainage density, roughness, slope position index and landform category), combined to obtain a total Geodiversity Index. The results show that the Liguria region is characterized by many areas with high geodiversity. The most important examples are the western Ligurian Alps, the Finalese, the Sestri-Voltaggio Zone and its surroundings, the eastern Ligurian Apennines, the Cinque Terre, which are in fact the areas with the greatest morphological and lithological variety. Most of these areas are well known by geoscientists for their significant geological and geomorphological heritage, and by the general public for their impressive landscapes. There is a correspondence between the most geodiverse areas, the main natural parks and the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, established to protect and enhance biodiversity. This suggest a link between geodiversity and biodiversity, that may be subject to further research.</span></span></p>

Worldwide Research on Geoparks through Bibliometric Analysis

Since the Digne Convention in 1991, the literature related to Geoparks has gained a growing interest on the academy’s part, especially in achieving the preservation of geological interest sites through sustainable tourism. This article aims to provide an analysis of the academic research on Geoparks, based on publications in the Scopus database in the period 2002–2020. Bibliometric analysis methods and bibliographic display maps were examined using VOSviewer software. The bibliometric analysis process comprises three phases: (i) Search Criteria and Source Identification, (ii) software and data extraction, and (iii) data analysis and interpretation. The results show geoparks in full growth as a scientific discipline, thanks to the contribution of various authors, institutions, journals, and related topics that confirm the importance of this field of study. Additionally, bibliometric maps lead to an understanding of the intellectual structure of the subject, in which keyword co-occurrence analysis shows six main themes, ranging from ‘UNESCO Global Geoparks’ to ‘Geo-tourism-Sustainable Tourism’. this, combined with maps of co-citation, broadly exhibits this structure and development, showing areas of current interest and potential development, thus offering the latest knowledge on Geopark research worldwide. There is a growing concentration of research on geomorphological heritage and geo-tourism, focusing on methodologies to evaluate the specialities of this type of heritage and define the concept of geo-tourism; there is a great interest especially in the evaluation and identification of geo-site/geo-morphosites which try to eliminate subjectivity in methods and focus on sustainable development of the localities.