The ABC Concept—Value Added to the Earth Heritage Interpretation?

Abstract

Holistic interpretation of Earth heritage is one of the most important tasks of UNESCO Global geoparks. The ABC (abiotic, biotic, and cultural interconnections) concept is a potential interpretive approach used in Earth heritage popularization through geotourism. Apart of the deeper understanding of this concept, this study explores the application of this concept in selected geoparks. The Colca and Volcanoes Andagua UNESCO Global Geopark (Peru) and Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark (Japan) served as a case study in the frame of this qualitative research conducted during the summer 2019. Results show that the ABC approach is nearly perfectly understood by both geoparks, however there are both internal and external factors which influence the extent and form of how this concept is applied in practice. Except for specific geographical settings, different stages of geopark product development, and different managerial approaches, they mainly include the level of scientific knowledge and general education in the given geopark, as well as level of knowledge management and networking with another UNESCO global geoparks. The more experienced Muroto Geopark interpretation exhibits a comparatively higher level of visible ABC application, while the Colca and Volcanoes Andagua Geopark can benefit in the future from the natural inclination and ability of the local people to integrate the cultural aspects into their Earth heritage interpretation.

Linking Wine Culture and Geoheritage—Missing Opportunities at European UNESCO World Heritage Sites and in UNESCO Global Geoparks? A Survey of Web-Based Resources

“…However, an important comment here is that these two UNESCObranded properties have different aims and hence, explorations of possible linkages will have to follow different paths. Whereas the primary aim of UNESCO World Heritage properties is ensure safeguarding of inherited values and (Dowling 2013;Pásková et al 2021). Here, winemaking process is presented as one among the ways to use available georesources.…”

Challenge in Geo-Interpretation Development and Implementation

“…Thus, the alienation of man and nature, which is often the root of various environmental problems, can be overcome. The principle of integrated interpretation in the geopark area is also known as the ABC concept (abiotic-biotic-cultural interconnection), an interpretation approach used to popularize the Earth's heritage through geotourism [15,18].…”

Geoheritage Meaning of Artificial Objects: Reporting Two New Examples from Russia

“…Several specialists have argued that it is tied to cultural, historical, archaeological, and other categories of heritage. Particularly, Cárdenes et al [4] showed the connections between geological and industrial heritage and regional history; Ezquerro and Simón [5] related geoheritage to music; Gordon [6] put geoheritage into the context of cultural landscapes; Górska-Zabielska [7] demonstrated that a university's rock garden can be considered as geosite; Kubalíková [8] realized the cultural ecosystem services of geodiversity; Moroni et al [9] linked geological and archaeological heritage; Pásková et al [10] analyzed culture-geology interplay in geoparks; and Prosser [11] explained that quarry-based geosites establish cultural connections. Despite the accumulation of all these lines of evidence, two gaps are yet to be filled.…”