Methodological Proposal for the Inventory and Assessment of Geomorphosites: An Integrated Approach focused on...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Geology
• Conservation Science

Background:

• Geoconservation is increasingly vital in environmental management, recognizing geological heritage as essential for nature conservation.
• Inventories of geosites are fundamental for geoconservation strategies, aiding site management by considering values, use potential, and degradation risks.
• Geomorphosites, a specific category of geosites, present unique characteristics requiring tailored inventory and assessment methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel method for inventorying and assessing geomorphosites.
• To focus the assessment on territorial management, evaluating scientific, educational, and geotouristic potential, promotion conditions, and degradation risks.
• To contribute to methodological discussions and enhance geoconservation's integration into territorial management.

Main Methods:

• Development of a specific methodology for inventorying and assessing geomorphosites.
• Quantitative assessment of geomorphosite values, including scientific, educational, and geotouristic potential.
• Evaluation of site promotion conditions and risks of degradation.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive inventory of geomorphosites was created for the southeast coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.
• All inventoried geomorphosites were quantitatively assessed based on their potential uses and risks.
• The developed method provides a practical tool for the management of geomorphosites.

Conclusions:

• The proposed method effectively inventories and assesses geomorphosites for territorial management.
• The quantitative assessment aids in informed decision-making for geosite conservation and utilization.
• This work strengthens the integration of geoconservation principles into broader environmental and territorial management frameworks.