Addressing indicators for geoheritage monitoring based on degradation risk and scientific value quantitative assessment
Abstract
Keywords: monitoring, criteria, degradation, geoheritage, Vale de Meios, Portugal Monitoring is one of the main stages in geoconservation strategies, essential to guaranteegeoheritage sustainability. Nevertheless, few studies focus on geoheritage monitoring techniquesand methods, unlike the multitude of works focusing on procedures to inventory and assess thevalue of geosites. Moreover, criteria used in these methods can be applied on monitoringprocedures, specifically those supporting degradation risk and scientific value quantitativeassessments. In this context, a geoheritage monitoring model is being applied in Vale de Meios(Alcanede, Portugal), an abandoned limestone quarry with well-preserved Middle JurassicTheropod footprints, inside the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park. This geosite waspreviously assessed for its scientific value and vulnerability and it is included in the Portugueseinventory of geoheritage with national and international relevance. A set of "scientific value" and"degradation risk/vulnerability" criteria were reviewed to assess the degradation of the geositeand used to identify the most suitable monitoring model. The "integrity" criterium used in mostmethods to assess the scientific value of geosites, also credited as "conservation status", is strictlyconnected with the deterioration of the geoheritage elements in the past and present, whiledegradation risk is normally referring to the threats and potential losses in the future. Fourteen"degradation risk" assessment sub-criteria (intrinsic active processes, deterioration of geologicalelements, size, extrinsic active processes, proximity to active processes, economic potential,collectible elements potential, protection status, proximity to human activities, accessibility,population density, visitor facilities, degradation by public use, and visitation control) can bedistributed by the main criteria fragility, natural vulnerability, anthropic vulnerability, and publicuse. A detailed analysis of the criteria and the specific characteristics of each geosite support thedefinition of suitable monitoring indicators. In the Vale de Meios geosite, monitoring actionsshould primarily consider: active natural process, deterioration of geological elements,accessibility, visitor facilities, degradation by public use, and visitation control in order to definethe monitoring indicators. An analysis of the conservation status over the past decades has beencarried out, using time indicators of deterioration. Long-term monitoring results will provide moredata about the geoheritage degradation though partial data show that in Vale de Meios the mainconcern is related with the high natural vulnerability of the Theropod footprints, which areexposed to natural erosion. Despite the protection status of the area and design of a plan forvisitation control measures, conservation procedures should prioritize physical protectioninitiatives in the geosite management strategies.
- Publication:
-
EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- April 2021
- DOI:
- 10.5194/egusphere-egu21-15024
- Bibcode:
- 2021EGUGA..2315024C