From geodiversity assessment to geosite analysis – a GIS-aided workflow from the Bakony–Balaton UNESCO Global Geopark, Hungary

Abstract

Geodiversity and geosite assessments precede geoheritage and geotourism utilisation. The process first determines the geodiversity value of an area (based on geoscientific attributions) and then the geotourism potential of the available sites. As a result, significant geosites can be identified, which are the bases of protection and tourism purposes. During geosite assessment, scientific and infrastructural aspects are essential because spectacular sites and landscapes carrying intrinsic or visible values generate interest among tourists and professionals. In this study, a quantitative workflow to determine the geodiversity index over an area, evaluate geosites and monitor significant ones is presented. The study area is the Bakony-Balaton UNESCO Global Geopark, where no quantitative assessment was conducted previously. A GIS-based geodiversity analysis identified the most diverse areas which gave the basis for the geosite assessment done in a ‘geodiverse’ sub-region of the geopark. The most important 9 of the 75 identified potential geosites were chosen to examine the spatial variance of the assessment. By continuous monitoring, we get an image of what the visitors like or do not like there. In this way, we were able to monitor the various opinions of geotourists to present unique development strategies for each of them. A connection between the location of geosites and the spatial distribution of geodiversity values was also determined by analysing and visualising the connection between geodiversity and geosite assessment results. Supplementary material at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6424534

Non-Uniform Distribution of Geoheritage Resources in Geoparks—Problems, Challenges and Opportunities

“…In addition, cultural assets are also non-uniformly distributed, mostly in the south (Benedictine abbey in Tihany, hot spring resort in Héviz, palace and gardens in Keszthely, old town of Veszprém, picturesque ruins of village churches and, last but not least, vineyards). This qualitative recognition of the non-uniform distribution of georesources is in agreement with the results of the quantitative geodiversity assessment [35].…”

A framework for quantifying geodiversity at the local scale: a case study from the Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark

“…the detection of geological heritage sites or landforms) and quantitative aspects (e.g. a thorough examination of the geodiversity of these sites or landforms) [ 7 , 33 ]. For example, in the case of our study, aapa mires ( n = 5) and aeolian deposits ( n = 6) had somewhat similar α geodiversity (i.e.…”

“…In addition to purely quantitative or qualitative approaches, there are also examples of recent landscape-scale studies that cover both quantitative and qualitative aspects of geodiversity (e.g. [6,7,31,32]). For instance, in Brazil, Gonçalves et al [32] investigated how geodiversity units (qualitative data) correlated with the location of sites of geological interest, and with other aspects of the environment, such as land use and vegetation.…”

“…which geodiversity elements, such as rock types, are present at the site) and quantitative geodiversity (e.g. number of different types of geodiversity elements are present at each site) ( [4][5][6][7]; table 1). An integrated approach to assess geodiversity would both support geoconservation and increase our knowledge of geodiversity patterns [14].…”

“…In addition to purely quantitative or qualitative approaches, there are also examples of recent landscape-scale studies that cover both quantitative and qualitative aspects of geodiversity (e.g. [ 6 , 7 , 31 , 32 ]). For instance, in Brazil, Gonçalves et al.…”