Where geodiversity meets biodiversity and culture: a case study from the abandoned limestone quarries of Hády (Brno, Czech Republic)

Abstract

Geodiversity represents a basis of landscape and it has close connections to biodiversity and culture. This complexity is well visible in different types of areas and should be taken into account when planning and managing natural resources, considering legal protection, and developing sustainable forms of tourism and environmental education activities. Abandoned quarries represent a good example of a specific ecosystem where the relationships between geodiversity, biodiversity and culture are very tight and clearly visible. The Hády quarries (Brno, Czech Republic) shows such a case which has significant potential regarding the development of geotourist and geoeducational activities. To recognize and evaluate the mutual links between abiotic, biotic and cultural issues, the ecosystem services concept was applied and together with a mind map, it served as a basis for preparing a geotourist map. However, merging these two approaches can be used for other purposes. It may be considered a solid basis for designing integrated promotion, conservation and management of natural and cultural heritage. These two tools also enable involving local stakeholders and communities and may be applied also in other areas where geodiversity, biodiversity and culture are closely interconnected.