Human Impacts on Geodiversity and Associated Natural Values of Bedrock Hills in the Mekong Delta

Abstract

The isolated hills that rise above the plains of the Mekong Delta contribute significantly to geodiversity and are fundamental to the retention of biodiversity and ecosystem services. As the only topographic highpoints on the delta, these hills, together with caves some hills contain, have long formed a natural focus for human attention and activity. They have provided important sites for habitation, spiritual practices, production of timber, agricultural fertilizer, and building stone and cement and have been the arena of multiple episodes of armed conflict. These uses have degraded the natural environmental values but in some cases led to accrual of cultural heritage value that has accentuated recently growing pressures from recreation and commercial tourism. Habitation, religious use, and tourism have caused significant but localized soil loss, while cave systems have been damaged by trampling, hydrological changes, removal and mixing of sediments, and damage to speleothems. Impacts caused by armed conflict have been much more widespread and include damage to rock surfaces, soils, and caves by deployment of explosive and other ordnance and the establishment of infrastructure in caves including weapons caches, defensive structure, and cave hospitals. Quarrying for building materials has resulted in very pronounced landform modification with recent expansion of cement manufacture entailing the removal of entire hills. The very limited extent of these upland environments on the Mekong delta and the particular importance of some values at stake greatly intensify the significance of human impacts on both their geoheritage and the other natural values that are dependent upon it.

Recognition and assessment of sinkholes as geosites: lessons from the Island of Gozo (Malta)

“…In areas where sinkholes are widespread and/or where large ones can be found, these features often became part of myths and legends grew up around them. Their mythological or mystic value, their historical importance in a broad sense and their scenic value have certainly favoured the designation of sinkholes and their surroundings as protected areas in numerous karst regions, in particular when they tend to form subcircular lakes (e.g., Lewis 2008;Kiernan 2010;Vdovets et al 2010;Fassoulas et al 2012). The most remarkable protected area in the World directly associated with sinkholes is the Bottomless Lakes State Park of New Mexico (USA).…”

Nature, Severity and Persistence of Geomorphological Damage Caused by Armed Conflict

“…On the basis of experience gained conducting similar research in the Mekong delta (Kiernan, 2010), it was considered unlikely that rocky sites subject to bombing, shelling or small arms fire would be readily identifiable from remotely sensed imagery and that entirely ground‐level identification and assessment would be necessary. The fieldwork was undertaken in 1–2‐week sessions in the closing months of 2008–2011.…”

Analysis on spatial distribution characteristics and geographical factors of Chinese National Geoparks

“…In April 1999, a project to establish geological parks was proposed in the 156th Standing Committee meeting of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The aim was to establish 500 geoparks in the world at a rate of 20 per year [4,5]. China was one of the pilot countries for this world geoparks program.…”