Community Perceptions for Geoconservation of a Coastal Area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

We collected socio-environmental data from the inhabitants of a coastal area in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to investigate the local knowledge about environmental, economic and cultural particularities of the area and the main human activities that impact the environment. Community perceptions from 11 localities in the Região dos Lagos were evaluated. The data analysis can help in the development of specific geoconservation activities for the study area, which is located in the aspirant Geopark 'Costões e Lagunas do Rio de Janeiro'. This initiative of considering community perceptions can help to maintain and protect local geological sites, raise public awareness of environmental matters and help to manage the development of the new Geopark. Furthermore, it can also contribute to the sustainable development of the area and to the planning of effective policies to sustain progress. Taking into consideration the answers and needs of the interviewed communities, the key topics requiring geoconservation activities in the study area are land use planning and biodiversity, urban mobility, continuous monitoring strategy, environmental awareness, wastewater, urbanisation, geotourism, sense of place, waste and economical activities.

Community Involvement in Geoconservation: A Conceptual Approach Based on the Geoheritage of South Angola

“…It is assumed that geoconservation is an emerging geoscience with clear and deep social interrelation [12], which must be grounded in knowledge and methods developed in different sciences, thus approaching the social sciences of the natural sciences [10,25,38,46]. Such holistic vision must be taken into account not only in its scope, but also in its methods, including in inventory and evaluation procedures.…”

“…The community involvement in conservation and valuation procedures of the geological heritage is emphasized by all, as community perceptions can help to maintain and protect local geological sites and raise public awareness of environmental matters [25], but it is generally disregarded in inventory and evaluation procedures. However, inventory and evaluation steps play a decisive role on the implementation of subsequent conservation, valuing and monitoring actions of the geological heritage [12].…”

Geotourism Development for Fossil Conservation: A Study in Amkhoi Fossil Park of West Bengal in India

“…The involvement of local community in conservation and valuation of geological heritage is recognized worldwide because their perceptions may help to maintain and protect local geosites and raise public awareness of environmental aspects (Avelar et al, 2015). Involvement of local communities is not only positive for the local economy but also there arises the scope for utilization of indigenous knowledge (Farsani, 2009).…”

New keywords in the geosciences – some conceptual and scientific issues

“…Many factors affect support for the creation of geoparks. ONARY-ALVES et al (2015) andAVELAR et al (2015) have both emphasised the need to raise local awareness, citing a proposal for 'Geopark Bodoquena Pantanal', in a remote rural area, and also 'Costões e Lagunas do Rio de Janeiro', which is peri-urban. MANSUR & SILVA (2011) and AVELAR et al (2015) both stress the importance of communication with society, citing the value of the 'Geological Paths Project' (Caminhos Geológicos) in the State of Rio de Janeiro.…”