Geosite Assessment and Communication: A Review

Abstract

This work is aimed at reviewing the current state of the art in geosite selection, assessment, and communication. We first highlight the main papers that have defined paramount concepts such as geodiversity, geoheritage, and geosites. We then delve into the theoretical principles and guidelines that have been proposed over the last twenty years by researchers who have thoroughly illustrated how to individuate and assess geosites. In doing so, we illustrate notable field examples of applications of qualitative and quantitative assessments of geosites in places such as Serbia, India, Iceland, Ecuador, Sardinia (Italy), Egypt, Tasmania (Australia), and Brazil. The third part of this work is dedicated to illustrating a list (by no means exhaustive) of works that have tried to come up with innovative tools, strategies, and solutions to promote and communicate geosites. From our work, it appears that geosites can be extremely effective as fully fledged outreach tools capable of bridging the gap between Earth science and the lay public.

The Geoheritage Potential of the South-East Pałuki (Western Poland) to Promote Geotourism

“…Attractive geo-objects, by conveying specialised knowledge (e.g. Macadam, 2018;Pasquaré-Mariotto et al, 2023), reveal the backstage of the geological past without destroying it and preserve it for future generations.…”

“…museums where geoheritage is collected, exhibited and preserved). Geosites can also be defined (Pasquaré-Mariotto et al, 2023) as "places where geological features or fragments of the geological environment are exposed on the earth's surface and can therefore be visited and studied". Gioncada et al (2019) emphasise "the unique importance of outreach activities based on in-depth knowledge of the general and local geological significance of the proposed site".…”

“…Depending on their importance, they can be local, regional, national or global (Zorina and Silantiev, 2014). Geosites can also be distinguished according to their spatial appearance (Pasquaré-Mariotto et al, 2023): confined places (e.g. rock outcrops), linear features (e.g.…”

“…The record of geomorphological processes and palaeoenvironmental conditions from this period, as seen by an expert in this region today, remains silent to the average tourist. However, there are numerous examples of interesting and scientifically valuable geological objects being made available to lay tourists in a simple, accessible and successful way (Mamoon, 2014;Miśkiewicz, 2016;Kubalikova et al, 2021;Zafeiropoulos et al, 2021;Evelpidou et al, 2022, Pasquaré-Mariotto et al, 2023. Also examples of Polish young glacial landforms and various forms of legally protected nature can be used for geoeducation and tourism in areas of natural value (e.g.…”

Geoheritage and Geoconservation, from Theory to Practice: The Ghost Town of Craco (Matera District, Basilicata Region, Southern Italy)

“…Geoconservation should not be confined to the scientific research field s.s. or designed solely for an object's physical conservation. Also, geoconservation should concern "intangible" conservation, represented by both multimedia texts and contents, which current technologies can create and offer (see, e.g., the increasingly available bibliography on virtual geosites and related topics as in [37,38] and the references therein), also aimed at conservation and dissemination and the correct and inclusive use of geoheritage. As Pescatore et al (2023) [39] outlined, during geoconservation actions, geosites and geodiversity sites must be analyzed within the context of the physical landscape in which they are inserted, highlighting both biotic and abiotic components and the impact of anthropic component.…”