Several factors and processes, both natural and anthropogenic, can threaten the integrity of any geosite, leading to their degradation. For this reason, geoheritage degradation risks should be considered a fundamental step in any geoconservation strategy, all the more when the aim is to tackle the effects of climate change. The present work proposes a quantitative methodology for the degradation risk assessment of geosites by considering the extrinsic factors that can damage the geoheritage. The methodology has been tested on the Maltese Islands, where considerable previous research has been undertaken in order to highlight the international significance of the Maltese landscapes. Three criteria to assess the degradation risk are proposed: natural vulnerability, anthropogenic vulnerability and public use. For each criterion, several parameters have been identified in order to propose a detailed numerical evaluation. The results show that the degradation risk of geosites is mainly related to negligence and lack of knowledge of its inherent geological heritage, and which leads to public misuse and mismanagement of the geosites. The results give an overview of the condition of the geosites and provide information for the design and management of suitable protection measures, especially in the light of future threats related to climate change.

Spain is an international reference for geoparks and geoconservation polices, and it is the second country in the world with the highest number of UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps), after China. Additionally, Spain was one of the four countries involved in the establishment of the European Geoparks Network (EGN) in 2000, the first geoparks network. Based on this prominent role of Spain, the present research had the aim to analyse and characterize the process of establishment, development, and management of two Spanish UGGps. This study also intended to identify important aspects of the operation and management that can be a reference to other geoparks. As geological heritage is one of the essential requirements of any geopark, geoconservation has particular importance in the geopark management, requiring experts in the geopark staff. Equally important is that the management structure can effectively ensure an integrated development of the territory, connecting the geopark staff, the whole community, and the stakeholders. A good cooperation of the management team with the administration of protected areas that might exist within a geopark is also noteworthy, because park managers have extensive experience in the implementation of nature conservation and environmental education actions, activities that can certainly benefit any geopark.

<p>Natural and anthropogenic factors and processes can threaten the integrity of geosites, leading to their degradation or even loss. For this reason, geoheritage degradation risk should be considered in any geoconservation strategy and should be assessed in the first stages of geoheritage studies, all the more when the aim is to tackle the tangible effects of climate change. The present research proposes a quantitative methodology for the degradation risk assessment of geosites by considering the extrinsic factors that can damage or destroy the geological heritage. The proposed methodology has been tested on the Maltese Islands (central Mediterranean Sea), where considerable previous research has been undertaken in order to highlight the international geomorphological significance of the Maltese landscapes. The methodology considers three criteria to assess the degradation risk: natural vulnerability, anthropogenic vulnerability and public use. For each criterion several parameters have been identified in order to propose a detailed numerical evaluation. The results show that the degradation risk of geosites in the study area is mainly related to negligence and lack of knowledge of its inherent geoheritage, which leads to their public misuse and mismanagement. In fact, most of these areas are intensively used by locals and tourists alike for recreational activities, some of which may damage the sites. With respect to natural vulnerability, sites in proximity to the coast are more threatened by natural processes, making the complex environment of coastal areas more sensitive to natural hazards and deeply impacted by the effects of climate change (e.g. sea level rise, intensity changes in coastal deposition and erosion processes, increase of violent meteo-marine storms and tsunamis). Moreover, the pressure of tourism and infrastructures are concentrated in these areas. The results obtained give an overview of the condition of the geosites and provide useful information for the design and management of suitable protection measures in a geoconservation context, especially in the light of future threats related to climate change.</p>

<p>Keywords: monitoring, criteria, degradation, geoheritage, Vale de Meios, Portugal</p><p>Monitoring is one of the main stages in geoconservation strategies, essential to guarantee<br>geoheritage sustainability. Nevertheless, few studies focus on geoheritage monitoring techniques<br>and methods, unlike the multitude of works focusing on procedures to inventory and assess the<br>value of geosites. Moreover, criteria used in these methods can be applied on monitoring<br>procedures, specifically those supporting degradation risk and scientific value quantitative<br>assessments. In this context, a geoheritage monitoring model is being applied in Vale de Meios<br>(Alcanede, Portugal), an abandoned limestone quarry with well-preserved Middle Jurassic<br>Theropod footprints, inside the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park. This geosite was<br>previously assessed for its scientific value and vulnerability and it is included in the Portuguese<br>inventory of geoheritage with national and international relevance. A set of “scientific value” and<br>“degradation risk/vulnerability” criteria were reviewed to assess the degradation of the geosite<br>and used to identify the most suitable monitoring model. The “integrity” criterium used in most<br>methods to assess the scientific value of geosites, also credited as “conservation status”, is strictly<br>connected with the deterioration of the geoheritage elements in the past and present, while<br>degradation risk is normally referring to the threats and potential losses in the future. Fourteen<br>“degradation risk” assessment sub-criteria (intrinsic active processes, deterioration of geological<br>elements, size, extrinsic active processes, proximity to active processes, economic potential,<br>collectible elements potential, protection status, proximity to human activities, accessibility,<br>population density, visitor facilities, degradation by public use, and visitation control) can be<br>distributed by the main criteria fragility, natural vulnerability, anthropic vulnerability, and public<br>use. A detailed analysis of the criteria and the specific characteristics of each geosite support the<br>definition of suitable monitoring indicators. In the Vale de Meios geosite, monitoring actions<br>should primarily consider: active natural process, deterioration of geological elements,<br>accessibility, visitor facilities, degradation by public use, and visitation control in order to define<br>the monitoring indicators. An analysis of the conservation status over the past decades has been<br>carried out, using time indicators of deterioration. Long-term monitoring results will provide more<br>data about the geoheritage degradation though partial data show that in Vale de Meios the main<br>concern is related with the high natural vulnerability of the Theropod footprints, which are<br>exposed to natural erosion. Despite the protection status of the area and design of a plan for<br>visitation control measures, conservation procedures should prioritize physical protection<br>initiatives in the geosite management strategies.</p>