Geotourism in caves of Santander as a novel strategy for the protection of natural and cultural heritage associated to underground ecosystems

Abstract

In the department of Santander (Colombia) there is an extensive network of underground systems that has not been fully explored and is associated with highly fossiliferous mudstones and marine limestones of the Lower Cretaceous Rosablanca Formation, which is characterized by the development of valuable karstic systems showing a diverse richness of speleothems as well as fauna and flora. There is no doubt that this region has a karstic and biological richness, which, however, is ignored. Information regarding fauna and flora associated with these ecosystems is insufficient and limited. Similarly, local authorities responsible for environmental management strategies reported no environmental awareness in the community, or action plans oriented to conservation and use of these underground systems.

Geoconservation of underground ecosystems in Santander (Colombia) from geotourism and geoeducation strategies

“…In Colombia, there are numerous underground ecosystems, which, however, are not regulated or monitored by government guidelines or assisted by corporations and environmental entities, despite the wealth of fauna they contain and the tourism and sports possibilities they offer. 34 Deterioration of caves and speleothems directly due to tourist activities and vandalism has been observed, 35 which consequently induce a great harm to the equilibrium of the ecosystem. Activities such as mining, disposal of garbage, bonfires, dumping of sewage, indiscriminate tourism, destruction of speleothems and pictograms, graffiti on walls and ceilings, looting of archaeological material and little legislation for their protection have severely affected the underground ecosystems, 34 which, according to Anh-Duc & García-Guinea 36 are highly dynamic and understanding of their environment requires immediate methodological attention.…”

“…34 Deterioration of caves and speleothems directly due to tourist activities and vandalism has been observed, 35 which consequently induce a great harm to the equilibrium of the ecosystem. Activities such as mining, disposal of garbage, bonfires, dumping of sewage, indiscriminate tourism, destruction of speleothems and pictograms, graffiti on walls and ceilings, looting of archaeological material and little legislation for their protection have severely affected the underground ecosystems, 34 which, according to Anh-Duc & García-Guinea 36 are highly dynamic and understanding of their environment requires immediate methodological attention. Therefore, it is very important to keep in mind that for purposes of geoconservacion it is necessary to raise awareness among those who are going to participate in the activities of geotourism and geoeducation that comply with norms of good practices to avoid the deterioration of these subterranean ecosystems (Figure 2).…”

O geopatrimônio e o potencial geoturístico no Distrito Federal, Brasil

“…Essas cavernas ou grutas (definidas por seu tamanho, forma e condições ambientais) são sistemas subterrâneos nos quais são naturalmente ocos no estrato terrestre que podem ser ou não atravessados por água. (Muñoz-Saba et al, 1998;Ríos-Reyes et al, 2018) Muñoz-Saba et al (1998) afirmam que os sistemas subterrâneos são vulneráveis, porque o meio externo tende a modificar as condições ambientais no interior das cavernas, além de existir, dentro do sistema, espécies sensíveis às modificações humanas. Os exemplos destas modificações, conforme o autor, são: construções nos arredores, alterações nas fontes de energia que entram na caverna, desmatamento e extinção de espécies importantes, ocasionando a diminuição da população de animais que habitam as cavernas/grutas, que traz, como consequência, impactos na vegetação circundante.…”

“…Os exemplos destas modificações, conforme o autor, são: construções nos arredores, alterações nas fontes de energia que entram na caverna, desmatamento e extinção de espécies importantes, ocasionando a diminuição da população de animais que habitam as cavernas/grutas, que traz, como consequência, impactos na vegetação circundante. Especificamente, os danos causados pelas ações antrópicas estão relacionados à extinção de morcegos e obstrução de orifícios de cavernas e grutas por lixo e/ou outros resíduos (Ríos-Reyes et al, 2018).…”