The Geological Characterization of Landscape in Major TV Series: A Suggested Approach to Involve the Public in the Geological Heritage Promotion

Abstract

Abstract:The characterization of natural and cultural heritage using popular entertainment, such as TV movies and series, can become an effective and original way to involve society in protecting territory and enhancing local development, thanks to the dissemination of knowledge. The aim is to make the complex aspects of landscape related to its geological and ecological assessment understandable to the public. The tools here proposed are the episodes of the TV series "Inspector Montalbano" filmed in Sicily. The stories, written by Andrea Camilleri, are located in Sicily (the biggest Italian island in the southern Mediterranean Sea), in particular with some World Heritage Sites. The natural and cultural landscapes, which provide fascinating scenery to the films, represent a meaning in the representation of the plot. At the same time, if recognized and understood, they become part of the cultural heritage of each component of the local community and of society. The cognitive process activates a virtuous circle revitalizing the links between humanity and environment. Moreover, it promotes a creative participation of the public in new policies, OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2015, 7 4101 oriented towards sustainable development, and tourism-especially geotourism and ecotourism-becomes an important resource, especially in these times of crisis.

A Proposed Geoheritage Inventory System: Case Study of Isalo National Park, Madagascar

“…Considering the designation of the geological sites proposed in many geologic and geographic literatures (Wimbledon et al, 2000 [15], Reynard et al, 2007 [16], Iosif, 2014 [23], Giusti & Calvet, 2010 [24] and Golonka et 2014 [25]) and the main works of Ielenicz, 2009 [26] and Lugeri et al [27], which distinguished the geotope/ geosite to the geomorphosite in order to classify the tourist value of the site; Table 1 was established as a classification flow of geological features adopted in this present work. This classification is more flexible and easy to use in the field; in addition it can be used for complex geosites not only the rare geosites but also geosites with noticeable changes over a short-time period.…”

“…As parts of the process of geoconservation and protection of potential geosites, details description of sites are required and maximum amount of information are needed [27], therefore the inventory procedure progressively followed the following steps: -Data acquisition and collection, in which the methodology approach of the study were compiled with most of the data collected during site fieldworks. -Data compilation using spatial data analysis (GIS) based on geological, geomorphological, geodiversity and biodiversity.…”

Discovering the Landscape by Cycling: A Geo-Touristic Experience through Italian Badlands

“…As mentioned above, the use of special topics that make sciences more appealing to the audience is essential. Other experimental projects are going on in Italy, based on popular themes-such as television series and movies [45], where the natural scenery is relevant in the plot. The geological origin of the environmental setting of the story, is explained to the public following specific communicative tactics, aimed at making "friendly" the focused scientific topics.…”

Augmented Reality as a Tool for Promoting the Tourist Value of the Geological Heritage Around Natural Filming Locations: a Case Study in “Sad Hill” (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Movie, Burgos, Spain)

“…Few papers have analysed the relation between the natural locations used in filming by the media and the observable geology of the area (e.g. Lugeri et al 2015). However, when visible geology for its importance can be part of the geological heritage, undoubtedly enhances the cultural patrimony of the region and may raise the interest of cultural groups, students and tourists in general, to visit them.…”