North-west Argentina: promoting tourism,
education and conservation through geology
Oscar Alcober
San Juan Museum of Natural Sciences
Argentina
oalcober@unsj.edu.ar
The Ischigualasto Basin is one of the most exciting fossil localities in the world, and just about the only place where the origin of dinosaurs, crocodiles and mammals can be documented. This Provincial Park was designated in 2000 as a World Heritage site by UNESCO because of the importance and abundance of vertebrate fossils that uniquely document what happened on earth during part of the Triassic Period (about 240 Ma to 210 Ma).
In this desert valley, we have two fossil-bearing formations that cover the crucial period when dinosaurs first started taking over the earth and driving mammalian ancestors into hiding for about 150 million years.
Our project is about the search for fossils and the interpretation of the extraordinary geology preserved in 500 square miles of very well exposed sedimentary rocks. Volunteers who usually join this project work for two weeks looking for fossils, many of which will be of great scientific importance. Working with them is great fun mixed with a lot of hard work. We expect our volunteers to be experienced campers, comfortable in a rugged environment, and full of enthusiasm for the joy of discovering how life in the modern world came to be.
We camp in tents and try to become part of the environment while we are living in the Park. We carry all the water from twenty miles away in containers, so it must be used judiciously but is never rationed for drinking, so volunteers learn to appreciate the value of this essential element. We work hard during the day, dividing our time between prospecting for specimens, exploring unknown areas and excavating specimens. In the evenings we rest, catalogue finds, and discuss the questions and implications of our work.
In the eight years of work with Earthwatch volunteers in the Park, we have discovered hundred of specimens which helped the Museo de Ciencias Naturales in San Juan to put together one of the most important collections of Triassic vertebrate fossils in the world. In this period of time hundreds of volunteers who participated in our expeditions have been learning not just about paleontology or geology. What is probably more important, they have learned how to protect and value our natural and cultural heritage.
Links:
http://www.ischigualasto.org/spanish/80Museo/index.htm (Spanish)
http://www.ischigualasto.org/ENGLISH/index.htm (English)
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Realising the world heritage values of the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage area
Steven Bourne
Department for Environment and Heritage
Naracoorte Caves National Park
Australia
bourne.steven@saugov.sa.gov.au
Naracoorte Caves National Park covers 600 hectares in the South East of South Australia. In 1994 the Park, together with Riversleigh in Queensland, was inscribed on the World Heritage List as the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh/Naracoorte) World Heritage Area. There are 26 caves within the park with 20 fossil deposits identified to 2000. Research into these fossil deposits has contributed greatly to the knowledge of Australia 's extinct Megafauna with the research findings providing the basis for a strong interpretive program. The Park attracts over 70,000 visitors per annum providing important revenue for management and making a major contribution to the economic health of the region. Management of the Naracoorte Caves is a careful balance of providing access and opportunities for research, delivering stimulating interpretive programs and recreational opportunities while ensuring the integrity of the site is maintained.
Arguably, palaeontological excavations in caves require more careful planning than for other sites, due to the fragile nature of the environment. Logistical issues in extracting material from caves, lighting, access and managing the site post excavation are all special considerations.
Tourism at Naracoorte Caves National Park was originally based around the caves themselves, but a significant fossil-based product has been developed which is now the primary focus of the Park's promotion. This is being further enhanced through the linking of fossil sites across South Australia , a partnership with the South Australian Museum and the development of the concept of Palaeontology Week. A statewide event this year, Palaeontology Week will be held in several Australian states next year. An international approach is also worth considering.
Fossil-based tourism provides experiences at several market levels. The Naracoorte Caves offer palaeontological experiences and interpretation for the wider public including the Wonambi Fossil Centre and guided tours to fossil sites in caves. Additionally, there are specialised products such as participatory ecotourism and premium tours. A significant education program has been developed, across all age groups including training at a tertiary level.
This paper will present the fossil site management strategies Naracoorte Caves employs and the tourism product developed over the past five years and how each contributes to meeting the obligations of the World Heritage Convention.
Click here to view the 'Draft Fossil-based Tourism Scoping Study' (File format PDF – size 1.13 Mb)
Click here to view the 'Business Plan on Fossil and Geological Heritage Tourism in South Australia' (File format PDF – size 768 Kb)
Links:
Naracoorte Caves National Park: http://www.naracoortecaves.sa.gov.au
Local Geodiversity Action Plans – a wider application
Dr Cynthia Burek and Dr Jacqueline Potter
University College Chester
c.burek@chester.ac.uk
j.potter@chester.ac.uk
The action planning process is a common tool in the business world. It is about facilitating forward movement on a complex issue embodied in an overarching aim. This aim is broken into smaller objectives, which can be tackled as actions and achievements recognised within targets. Since 1996, this process has been adopted by the biological conservation community in the UK as habitat, species and local BAPs (Biodiversity Action Plan) that support a national UKBAP to maintain and enhance biodiversity. The BAP process is driven by legislation from the top downwards as a result of Britain signing and ratifying the Biodiversity Treaty in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The concept has now transferred to the geological conservation community but is not driven by legislation from above but by local actions.
There is no UK Geodiversity Action Plan at present but the number of Local Geodiversity Action Plans is rapidly increasing. The term geodiversity emphasizes the close links between the land, people and wildlife and has been defined as 'the variety of soils, rocks, fossils and minerals and natural processes'. In this paper, the history of this new development in the area of geoconservation is explored and its application beyond the local is compared with the biodiversity experience.
Local Geodiversity Action Plans are now being used throughout the UK as an effective tool for advancing geoconservation and the Cheshire region LGAP will be used as an example of good practice using the partnership approach. Other LGAPs will be examined and their ease of transfer of the process elsewhere will be assessed. Action planning to safeguard Geodiversity has far greater potential and examples have already been explored in the UK at national level, for Scotland , and for the protected Limestone Pavement habitat. Geodiversity Action Plans are a tool which could have widespread appeal across the worldwide Geodiversity and geoconservation communities.
Links:
Local Geodiversity Action Plans: http://www.lgaps.org
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The role of the World Heritage Convention in global geoconservation
Paul R. Dingwall
The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
pdingwall@doc.govt.nz
With 177 signatory nations and 754 inscribed sites throughout the world (at May 2004), the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention is the most widely adopted international conservation instrument. Intended to promote protection of globally significant cultural and natural heritage, the Convention makes substantial provision for recognition of geological sites both in principle and in practice. Natural heritage includes (among others) geological and physiographical formations which from an aesthetic, scientific or conservation viewpoint are of "outstanding universal value".
Qualifying geological sites may be either outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including fossil sites, or those demonstrating significant geological or geomorphological processes or landforms. Geological values can also be recognised where they underpin sites of outstanding biodiversity, cultural and landscape significance.
In addition to recognising the international significance of geological sites, the Convention can assist with their protection, monitoring, and technical and financial support. Overall, about 125 World Heritage natural and mixed natural/cultural properties in 60 countries are considered to be geologically significant. Of these, some 50 areas in 25 countries are inscribed on the World Heritage List explicitly for their universally outstanding geological values, including the Dorset/East Devon Coast. Fossil sites are contained in about 20 of these areas, which vary in size from the 87 ha Devonian site of Canada's Miguasha Park to Grand Canyon National Park, and represent a very long span of geological time.
World Heritage areas are also widely representative of geological and geomorphological phenomena, including: tectonic, structural and stratigraphic features; volcanoes; mountain regions; icefields and glaciers; caves and karst; fluvial, lacustrine and estuarine systems; coasts, reefs and islands; and arid landforms.
The World Heritage Convention is highly selective in its recognition of cultural and natural heritage, with a focus on universally outstanding rather than representative protected sites. This ultimately limits the Convention in recognising the full range of geodiversity. IUCN is developing a global strategy for geological world heritage to provide a contextual framework for evaluating sites of global geological significance and to guide States Parties in nominating prospective sites. Options for geoconservation exist among complementary international conservation instruments and programmes, such as the Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, and its evolving Geoparks Programme, and the Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance.
Beyond the site boundary: geodiversity and the wider world
Peter DoyleDepartment of Earth Sciences
University College London
doyle.towers@virgin.net
In the United Kingdom, formal conservation of geological features and landforms has been driven by the need to designate sites that can be conserved on a 'last stand' basis. Since the 1940s, rooted in a much earlier philosophy, the designation of first 'nature reserves', and then Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), has rightly taken centre stage in the development of formal conservation strategies, for habitats, ecosystems and geological features/landforms. Required by law, the recognition of specific geographical areas of special scientific merit, with strict boundaries on a map, has had the merit of being more-or-less clearly understood by those required to conserve it (local government, land owners, enforcers etc). In turn this has enabled a 'last stand' approach, with a clearly defensible position in Public Inquiries, for example. But this approach, de facto, condemns 'nature' outside the boundary to fend for itself, and suggests it is of a lesser value than that within the boundary. Clearly this is not ideal.
Recently, conservation agencies within the UK have adopted a wider countryside approach, which identifies natural areas; combinations of underlying geology, ecosystem and local heritage that helps define a given area. This is echoed by the 'ecosystem approach', which again uses a holistic framework for conservation – grounded literally in the Earth – taking geological features/soils/landforms as an integral part of the whole nature conservation asset at all SSSI and other designated sites. Both approaches are laudible, but within the UK's site-based conservation strategy, they still suffer from the need to identify strictly constrained, boundary-controlled sites.
While the site remains the core of the UK's conservation strategy, it is imperative to look beyond its boundary to promote awareness of our geological/geomorphological heritage. Geology is more fashionable than it was, with increased exposure on TV, and with the integration of geology into 'natural history' programming. Awareness is arguably the cornerstone of conservation, creating the will to conserve, enhancing the appreciation of the inherent value of a given site or feature. Greater investment in promotional publications is of value – such as the Landscape Fashioned by Geology book series produced by Scottish Natural Heritage – but in some ways these can also create the impression that geological features of value occur only in the 'wider countryside', remote beyond the urban centres where 80% of the UK's population dwell. This urban environment is arguably the most important target for the awareness boost. And with attention increasingly focused there, the potential for conservation gain is vast, re-uniting the link both physically and mentally between urban and natural environments.
The Geological Conservation Review: past, present and future
Neil Ellis
GCR Publications Manager
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
UK
Neil.Ellis@jncc.gov.uk
The 'Geological Conservation Review' (GCR) project was initiated in 1977 by the former Nature Conservancy Council – to parallel the 'Nature Conservation Review' (NCR) of sites important for wildlife. The aim of the GCR was to identify Britain's best Earth science sites, that is those sites that are nationally important for the study of geology and geomorphology. An ambitious programme of site assessment and documentation was initiated. After widespread consultation with geologists and geomorphologists across Britain, as well as through field studies, almost 3000 sites had been selected for around 100 site selection categories for the GCR 'register' by 1990. Most of the GCR sites are presently conserved as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) under British law. The GCR forms the 'backbone' information resource upon which other conservation activities can be based.
Since 1989, the significance of each GCR site has been progressively published in a series of books, putting on record detailed scientific descriptions that provide the justification for conservation of the sites. With over three-quarters of the 42-volume GCR series now available, and the remaining titles largely complete or in press, the publication phase is nearly complete.
However, the GCR project is not intended to be a 'Domesday' style snapshot – a static record of Britain's best sites as selected up to 1990. Instead, the GCR site series is intended to keep pace with new discoveries and developments in geological research. Limited review of GCR site 'register' has been ongoing during the publication phase of the GCR. In the future, further re-evaluation and confirmation of the GCR sites' worthiness for conservation is envisaged, along with assessment of additional sites, so that the GCR assignation can continue to stand as a benchmark for quality in British Earth heritage conservation.
As well as gradual review of the site lists for each GCR selection category, digital information management of site records and published information will be important. Also, developing links to other geological and conservation information resources should make information provision about the geology of the UK more seamless in the future. Further digital dissemination of the wealth of GCR information resource is also planned. Basic records for every GCR site are now available on the World Wide Web in the GCR database, along with extracts from published GCR books. The development and management of the 'GCR data repository' will be driven by the needs of those using the information to benefit research and conservation.
Use of geological/geomorphological information in landscape planning
Lars Erikstad
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
lars.erikstad@nina.no
Norway has a long tradition with geological nature conservation. The first Norwegian Nature Conservation Act from 1911 specifies mineralogical and paeleontological interests among others as legal basis for establishing nature protected areas. Even as this has not been given priority within Norwegian nature conservation, some 250 areas has been protected more or less directly on geological grounds. This represent near 10% of all protected areas in Norway. Additionally, geological interests, especially of geomorphological nature, play an important role in establishing National Park and large Landscape Protection Areas.
Norwegian rivers have been heavily exploited in developing hydroelectrical power resources. This development resulted in serious environmental debates and also environmental demonstrations and actions in the 1970's. As a result a tradition of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) was established, and here earth sciences played an important role. This place in the EIA system was later lost, especially when the EUs EIA directive was implemented some years ago.
Most areas are not managed under special legislation, but under normal land use planning systems. It is therefore of vital importance that geology is recognised as a natural interest in its own right as well as biological interests. Over the last years the term biodiversity has gained global recognition as the basis for nature management and land use planning under the overall aim of sustainable development. Even if this term includes ecosystem diversity, and thus also contains important geological aspects, there is a tendency to concentrate on species diversity in a more narrow sense. Therefore, the term geodiversity has been launched as a parallel and is in the process of being widely accepted. A project under the Nordic council of Ministers had its aim to introduce the term Geodiversity in Nordic nature management.
Geodiversity as a term has the advantage of being easily implemented and being understood within existing nature management and land use planning systems. It ranges from the high end of natural values (areas of national and international conservation value) down to the every day landscape where the diversity forms important elements in landscape character and quality.
Geodiversity, Earth heritage interpretation and tourism in Scotland: developing the potential
John Gordon, Colin MacFadyen, Rachel Robson and W. Taylor
Scottish Natural Heritage
john.gordon@snh.gov.uk
Rocks, landforms and soils form the basis for most of Scotland's famous landscapes and varied scenery that are highly valued by the tourism industry. They also provide the resource for a variety of recreation and leisure activities, in the mountains, at the coast and on lochs and rivers. Even within Scotland's cities, there are close links between urban landscapes, architectural heritage and geology. Geodiversity is therefore a significant asset, creating the basis for our scenery and built environments, and implicitly underpins one of the most important economic sectors in Scotland.
Yet for most visitors to Scotland, geodiversity is largely unknown. Raising wider awareness and appreciation of Scotland's geodiversity can not only enhance the visitor experience, but also contribute to economic development and income generation through providing new opportunities for geotourism-based activities. Additional benefits from better informed visitors include the development of a broader support base for conservation of geodiversity and wider public understanding of how the environment works. The latter is an essential part of achieving more sustainable management of landscapes and natural resources.
Raising awareness of geodiversity in Scotland has focused mainly on Earth heritage interpretation and has included a range of approaches based on 'reading the landscape'. Examples will be presented of the use of awareness-raising events, publications, self-guided trails, initiatives in the urban environment and the development of visitor centres. Potential future developments might include interpretation of broader links with cultural landscapes, industrial archaeology and biodiversity. To be effective, such interpretation must be based on sound principles and presented in stimulating and well-targeted ways.
Exciting opportunities for the development of geotourism lie ahead, following the creation of Scotland's first national parks and the current proposals for several geoparks. As a means of demonstrating the potential, a study is underway to provide a national information database of potential sites and themes for geotourism, based on the concept of a network of hub and satellite sites. Organisations involved in the development of geotourism will then have access to this resource to help plan future initiatives. This will require clear vision, the co-ordination of activities and development of partnerships between different interest groups and sectors.
The social and economic value of geodiversity
Michelle Guthrie
Institute of Rural Sciences,
University of Wales Aberystwyth
mmg02@aber.ac.uk
Geology is the study of rocks, fossils and minerals, and geomorphology is the study of landforms and the natural processes that sculpture them. The variety of these can be described as geodiversity which is synonymous with Earth heritage conservation, that is, the conservation of all things geological in the widest sense. This includes museum collections, building stones, geological data, maps and art. Over the past 20-30 years much effort has been made to assess the value of the environment and while the scientific value of geodiversity has been documented, the economic, social and cultural contribution to human welfare has been largely overlooked.
The benefits of geodiversity to human welfare can be illustrated by considering the different values that arise, both directly and indirectly. Research that describes the benefits of nature provides a starting point from which to explore the benefits of geodiversity in more depth. The approaches developed take into account all the ways in which nature contributes to our quality of life. These are classified into four main groups, appreciation, knowledge, products and ecosystem/natural functions, with each group split into detailed categories.
As environmental economists we can measure the value of Earth heritage using environmental valuation techniques such as contingent valuation, travel cost method and choice experiments. Economic impacts of geodiversity can be measured using multiplier analysis. These methods have been used extensively to value a wide range of other environmental attributes, however a study of the social and economic value of geodiversity has not been carried out previously.
Environmental valuation techniques measure the economic benefits associated with environmental policies and have been used for policy development and form an important role in the decision making process. In the UK, much funding has been contributed by government departments and agencies such as the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency towards environmental valuation studies.
Geodiversity provides many social and economic benefits. These benefits will be examined and quantified using a range of methodologies including qualitative approaches, environmental valuation and economic impact studies.
The Jurassic Coast: past, present and future
Jurassic Coast World Heritage team
Dorset and Devon
r.edmonds@dorsetcc.gov.uk
World Heritage Site status was awarded to the Dorset and East Devon Coast by UNESCO in 2001. This presentation will describe the story of the World Heritage nomination, the early impacts of designation, and the plans for the future.
The past: Development of the World Heritage nomination took over eight years, starting from a community initiative, and requiring support of the UK Government to be secured for the site to be put forward to UNESCO. The nomination document and the management plan were prepared through wide public consultation, and with the support of a large network of scientists in the UK and abroad.
The present: World Heritage Site status is seen locally as a real achievement, establishing a high profile for conservation and presentation, and generating considerable interest with respect to sustainable tourism and economic development. The first three years of work have focussed on the establishment of a new World Heritage Team and the creation of strategies for conservation, marketing, transport, education and interpretation. A Site steering group supported by a series of working groups is responsible for driving the work forward. Some early successes on conservation and interpretation have been achieved, but the aim is to put in place strong foundations that will support a long-term approach to improved site management.
The future: World Heritage Site status allows a new vision to be created for the Dorset and East Devon Coast . The challenge is to make it work in a realistic way, and attract the resources and energy needed to achieve it. Key themes are seen as conservation, improvement of the tourism offer, accessibility and transport, education, interpretation and regeneration. The final section of the presentation looks forward to the hopes for the Jurassic Coast for the next ten years and the practical issues that need to be addressed to realise them.
Click here to view the 'Jurassic Coast World Heritage site marketing strategy' (full document) (File format PDF – size 698 Kb)
Click here
for executive summary
Dr Jonathan Larwood
English Nature
Jonathan.Larwood@English-Nature.Org.UK
Ecosystems are a result of the interaction between climate, physical landscape, substrate and living organisms. Ecosytems are complex and geodiversity is critical. Geodiversity influences climate at global, regional and local scales. Landscape is determined by the nature of underlying rocks and the processes that have shaped and formed them whilst substrate and soil are derived from these rocks. To work with ecosystems we must therefore understand geology and geomorphology – a framework on which on which our surrounding environment is built.
Past
Patterns of land, ocean and climate have continually changed driving evolution, extinction and an ever changing ecosystem. This constant change is vividly portrayed in our geological record. Britain has seen mountains built and eroded, sea levels rise and fall and climates from tropical to temperate to glacial. Geology can therefore teach us how interlinked and complex ecosystems are, the consequences of changing climate change and environmental disaster are all to be seen in our past and are the challenges of today and the future.
Present
Today’s ecosystems reflect the character of underlying geology. The distribution of habitats and species is in part determined by landscape, substrate and climate which are all linked in someway to geodiversity. Equally, geomorphological processes continue to mould our landscape through weathering, land movements, rivers and coastal processes. Today, working with ecosystems involves appreciating natural diversity alongside the processes maintain that diversity as well as accepting change – geology and geomorphology are crucial to this philosophy.
Future
Understanding the links between geology and biology can bring practical benefits as a management tool and as a way of understanding habitat distribution and the consequences of environmental change. Geodiversity has shaped the world and should be shaping conservation. It cross-cuts all disciplines and provides a measure of how dynamic our world is, a framework which structures our landscape and biodiversity and the processes which continue to mould and change our future environment. Geodiversity provides a vital link between natural and urban landscapes, people and the environment around them. Placing geodiversity in this wider context is a key challenge for the future of geological conservation. Extending the relevance of geodiversity will increase the success of geological conservation.
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Geoparks: geology, tourism and rural regeneration in Europe
Patrick J. McKeever
Geological Survey of Northern Ireland
pmck@bgs.ac.uk
Established in June 2000 by four territories, the European Geoparks Network now consists of 17 members across nine member states of the European Union. Working together, these members co-operate to promote the protection of their geological heritage and to use that heritage to promote sustainable economic development in their respective regions. The Network is used as a tool to allow members to exchange experience and ideas from across Europe as well as allowing members to work together on common initiatives, all aimed at raising the awareness of Europe's geological heritage amongst its populace. Common projects exist on different levels whether between all members or between smaller groups of geoparks. Significantly, the network signed an official agreement of collaboration with UNESCO (Division of Earth Sciences) in 2001 and in 2004 all of it's members were formally integrated into the UNESCO-endorsed Global Geoparks Network.
A European Geopark is defined as a territory with a particular geological heritage and which has a sustainable development plan to help promote economic development. While the majority of sites within a European Geopark must be geological in nature, European Geoparks adopt a holistic approach to sustainable tourism and sites demonstrating other aspects of a territories natural and cultural heritage are also promoted. While supporting education and promoting sustainable economic development, a European Geopark must ensure that no geological material from within the Geopark, and under its control, is sold or destroyed. The European Geoparks Network has a Charter detailing its rationale and philosophy.
The European Geoparks Network has a simple management structure. An advisory committee of 6 members (including UNESCO) is complimented by a coordination committee made up of two nominees from each member Geopark. While the advisory committee helps streamline the decision making process, no decision is taken without the majority endorsment of the coordination committee. The two committees are complimented by two Network coordinators whose role includes acting as contact points for potential new members. The entire Network meets three times a year though individual groups of Geoparks often meet separately on additional occasions.
As the European Geoparks Network continues to expand in Europe, we hope that our approach, linking geological heritage and awareness to sustainable economic development, might prove to be a model that other areas of the planet might follow.
– WH cultural landscapes
Adrian Phillips
Vice Chair for World Heritage in
IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas
adrianp@wcpa.demon.co.uk
The World Heritage Convention uniquely unites nature and culture under one international agreement. Yet, until about 1990, the convention seemed unable to deal with landscapes – that is, sites which have important natural and cultural values. This paper will consider how this shortcoming came to be rectified. In particular, the United Kingdom's frustrated attempt to inscribe the Lake District as a WH site helped lead to the emergence of the idea of Cultural Landscapes as a new category within the convention. Especially significant was the adoption by the WH Committee in 1992 of three types of WH Cultural Landscape: designed, organically-evolved and associative sites, a typology which was incorporated into the rules for the operation of the convention. While the Cultural Landscape category is based in the cultural 'side'' of the convention, in fact it forms a bridge between the natural and the cultural views of World Heritage.
The paper will then assess the progress made since 1992 in inscribing Cultural Landscapes on the WH list. Both IUCN, and its cultural counterpart ICOMOS, have been involved in assessing nominations for new sites, and in monitoring the state of conservation of Cultural Landscapes already on the WH List. This section will also include the results of a recent analysis on the overlap between WH Cultural Landscapes and protected areas designated for their natural values (such as national parks or nature reserves), and use this to explore the wider significance for the conservation of natural values of the idea of Cultural Landscapes.
In the final part of the paper, several case studies of WH Cultural Landscapes – some with important earth science values – will be considered, including Pico in the Azores , the Philippine Rice Terraces and the Icelandic site of Thingvellir. These cases will be used to demonstrate to geologists and other earth scientists how important cultural and natural values often occur alongside each other, and are mutually interdependent, in a number of Cultural Landscapes. Thus, this new kind of WH site can help to bring different disciplines together in identifying and managing the world's cultural and natural heritage.
Geological conservation in Great Britain
– an anatomical guide
Dr Colin Prosser
Head of Geological Conservation
English Nature
Colin.Prosser@English-Nature.Org.UK
Although site assessment and selection is an essential part of geological conservation, it serves only to provide a framework around which to build. Truly successful geological conservation also requires strong legislation, conservation friendly policies, practice, and action plans, an active geological/conservation community, and most importantly, activity aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our geological heritage, and the need to conserve it, amongst both decision makers and the public.
Only through achieving increased levels of understanding and involvement by decision makers and the public, can geological conservation be brought to 'life', and transformed from an academic, procedural discipline, to a 'living' activity that really delivers conservation.
In Great Britain, with fifty-five years experience of statutory geological conservation, fifteen years experience of an active voluntary geological conservation sector, and with an enthusiastic geological/conservation community, we are now close to breathing 'life' into geological conservation.
The scientific rigour of the Geological Conservation Review (GCR) and strong national nature conservation legislation provides a robust framework, or 'skeleton', for the conservation and management of our geological heritage. The voluntary sector, led by the Regionally Important Geological/geomorphological Sites (RIGS) movement has added 'flesh' to this skeleton through the conservation management, and promotion of locally/regionally important sites.
The emergence of Local Geodiversity Action Plans (LGAPs), has acted as a 'skin', integrating and pulling together the delivery of both national and local geological conservation objectives through developing partnerships and plans aimed at conserving, managing and promoting sites on a local basis.
The 'heart' of geological conservation is provided by an active and enthusiastic geological/conservation community, and the 'life-blood' by initiatives aimed at raising awareness amongst the general public, of geology and the need for its conservation. Much more effort to raise awareness is now needed by everyone interested in geology, in order to 'pump the life-blood faster', and to achieve the levels of public appreciation and support that are needed to bring geological conservation to 'life'. With new opportunities including a geological World Heritage Site and a number of Geoparks, there has never been a better time to create the 'living' subject we all desire.
Links:
English Nature geology: http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/geological/sites/
UK RIGS: http://www.ukrigs.org.uk/html/ukrigs.php
Local Geodiversity Action Plans: http://www.lgaps.org
Opportunities for Geoparks in Namibia: what do we stand to gain from it?
Gabi Schneider
Geological Survey of Namibia
gschneider@mme.gov.na
Namibia is world famous for her wildlife parks, such as Etosha, so what's the need to add another dimension in the form of geoparks? The history of Earth is inscribed in its rocks so well exposed in Namibia. In these rocks we can trace the cycles of change and renewal that have shaped the Earth in the past. The geological history of the Earth and its rocks, minerals, fossils and landforms is not only an integral part of our natural world, but is intrinsically linked to the evolution of life. Geology has had a profound influence on Namibian society, civilisation and cultural diversity through mineral and energy resources, agriculture and water, forestry, mining, quarrying for building materials and tourism. Namibia's geological heritage is therefore of scientific, cultural and aesthetic significance. Namibia's geological heritage is on the other hand surprisingly fragile and vulnerable to destruction, by both natural and man-made processes.
Of the 690 sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, 529 are cultural, 138 are natural and 23 are mixed sites. Only 20 are inscribed primarily because of their geological interest. There are 32 natural sites in Africa , which accounts for one quarter of all natural sites worldwide. Off these only 1 is a truly geological site while there are 4 others that have a geological component. There is not a single geopark in Africa.
There are a lot of potential benefits from geoparks for Namibia, such as recognition of the relationship between people and geology; education and knowledge transfer; marketing of geotourism destinations and related socio-economic development; development of a national identity based on the natural environment; and public relations and promotion for geoscience institutions. Namibia stands to gain directly in the form of increased tourism, employment opportunities for local communities, better returns for small-scale mineral specimen miners, increased awareness of the geo-environment amongst Namibians and a better protection for endangered sites.
On the other hand, the hurdles in the way comprise a lack of legislation and funding, no broad acceptance for the concept of geological heritage conservation, lack of staff in relevant organizations, and a lack of political support at communal and central government level. The way forward therefore includes lobbying of politicians, awareness campaigns, fund raising, liaison with established conservation OMAs and soliciting support from UNESCO.
This process has started with a UNESCO-sponsored workshop in Windhoek in early August 2004, which was officially opened by the Minister of Mines and Energy. During this workshop, a pilot area for a potential geopark, which comprises the complete geological history from the formation to the post break-up of Gondwanaland, was chosen, because of a high density of geological and cultural sites, as well as proclaimed national monuments. Furthermore, this area has abundant minerals and fossils, an interesting and specially adapted flora and fauna with obvious links to the geology, and a good existing infrastructure. A draft brochure for promotion and lobbying is currently being compiled, and contains details of the geology of the area, the history and current status of mining, the landscapes and the coast, cultural sites and infrastructure. Socio-economic aspects are also dealt with.
THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY – Integrating geological conservation with visitor management and wider landscape protection
Graham Seymour
Environment and Heritage Service
Northern Ireland
graham.seymour@doeni.gov.uk
The Giant's Causeway is frequently described as an icon for the tourist industry in Ireland. It is Northern Ireland's premier tourist attraction and leads the way by far in terms of 'out of state' visitors. A recently published Tourism Masterplan for the wider Causeway Coast and Glens underlines the significance of the Giant's Causeway to the economy of the region.
The Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site was nominated for its international geological interest and its aesthetic beauty. An increasing number of visitors to the site and the associated pressures for safe, easy access are threatening its wildness and taming the visitor experience. Added to this are acute pressures for tourism-related development within the setting of the site to the extent that its approach is judged by some commentators to be have been urbanised and disfigured.
Management plans for the World Heritage Site, for the wider Causeway Coast AONB and a new development plan for the area are trying to reconcile these potentially conflicting demands. Meanwhile an international competition for a new visitor centre promises to bring further acclaim to the site.
Can the qualities that make the Giant's Causeway so special survive this level of interest? Is it realistic to provide access for all at a site that is inherently hazardous? Is there a risk of 'dumbing down' its interpretation by emphasising on its mythological legends more than scientific fact? And can a sustainable approach to development in its setting be maintained without jeopardising the support of the local community that sees few other opportunities for economic growth? These are some of the challenges facing this unique geological phenomenon in the 21st century.
Identification and management of geoconservation values in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
Chris Sharples
Consultant Geoscientist
Tasmania
chris@sharples.com.au
The development of geoconservation concepts and management practices in Tasmania, Australia, has been closely linked with the identification and protection of nature conservation values in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA). The inundation of the outstanding glacio-fluvial landform of Lake Pedder for hydro-electric development in south-west Tasmania in 1972 was a major event in the history of environmental politics in Australia. In Tasmania it triggered the notion that landforms – and not just living things – should be a major focus of nature conservation.
After two decades of political controversy the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1989. Two of its key listed values were its possession of large areas in which geomorphic and soil processes (fluvial, karst, coastal and blanket bog) were ongoing in a way predominantly unmodified by contemporary human activities, and its possession of a range of relict glacial, glacio karstic, periglacial and uplifted coastal landforms and sediments providing the best southern hemisphere geomorphic record of the Late Cainozoic 'Ice Ages' phase of Earth history in a tectonically stable, temperate maritime environment. The significance of these values in the Tasmanian context has led to the development of geoconservation priorities focused on maintaining the natural geodiversity of landforms and soils, and on conserving natural rates and magnitudes of change in ongoing geomorphic and soil processes. This is in contrast to mainland Australia, where geological heritage work has historically had a much stronger emphasis on the preservation of bedrock features and exposures. However, landforms and ongoing geomorphic and soil processes are highly relevant to mainstream nature conservation since these underpin bioconservation, and this has made geoconservation easier for Tasmanian land managers to understand and perceive as relevant.
Recognition of geoconservation values as key values underpinning the World Heritage listing of the TWWHA has made funding available for a variety of relevant research and management activities, including the following examples:
– Monitoring and removal of incipient exotic dune grass infestations from TWWHA sandy coasts, since such infestations have significantly modified dune dynamics on other Tasmanian coasts and hence threaten natural coastal geomorphic processes in the TWWHA.
– Innovative rehabilitation aimed at restoration of former natural hydrological processes associated with a quarry whose operation was degrading ongoing karst processes in the major Exit Cave system of the TWWHA.
– Research into the effects of differing fire regimes on TWWHA blanket bog peat soils, which can be severely degraded by excessive firing yet are periodically burnt deliberately in some parts of the TWWHA for bioconservation management reasons. The TWWHA blanket bogs have World Heritage significance in their own right, and also play a major role in natural fluvial and hydrological processes in the TWWHA.
– Monitoring of bank erosion caused by tourist boat wakes on the TWWHA Gordon River estuary, and development of techniques to minimise boat wake impacts.
– Rehabilitation of mid-Holocene alpine lunette dunes damaged by former 'traditional' stock grazing and firing in the Central Plateau region of the TWWHA.
Whilst much effort has been expended on researching and developing management practices aimed at protecting geoconservation values in the TWWHA, the same geomorphically focused conservation concerns have also led to significant measures to appropriately manage active karst systems, relict glacial landforms and other geoheritage in State forest and some other land tenures in Tasmania.
Geoconservation at a local, national and global scale: making the links
Tony Weighell
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
UK
Tony.Weighell@jncc.gov.uk
The 2004 Dorset–Devon Earth Heritage:World Heritage Conference has a number of themes;
–The role of important geological sites in a UK context;
– How important geological sites, and geodiversity as a whole, fit into landscape-scale conservation;
– The wider economic and social context of geoconservation;
– The specific experience of geoconservation offered by the World Heritage Convention and its use as a model.
From a British perspective, as the site review undertaken as the Geological Conservation Review, comes to a close we need to look forward to managing the mass of information that has been put together, for scientific research, site management and education. The use of this information to link geoconservation with biological and cultural conservation programmes is perhaps one of the most significant objectives for the future – 'making the links'. The UK approach to managing this type of information should be influenced by developing global approaches to geo- and bio-diversity conservation. These may be through protected area programmes such as the World Heritage Convention or geoparks, but should also include use of the Convention on Biodiversity and other national, regional and global biodiversity programmes.
The role of special sites of global significance needs to be 'compared and contrasted' with programmes that relate more to local/regional social and economic needs. The World Heritage Convention and the geoparks programme offer contrasting but mutually complimentary approaches. Links between such programmes are essential, as are links between geodiversity and biodiversity programmes.
Making these links firstly requires a convincing geoconservation philosophy that explains what we are trying to protect and why. In respect of geodiversity and the measures required to protect it, we are well advanced in developing a philosophy and practice. Communicating the 'what' and the 'why'' to a wider audience requires consistent and objective mechanisms to make explicit what the geodiversity resource is and the management actions needed to conserve it. Papers at the conference will demonstrate this range of geoconservation tools from philosophy to practical implementation, with emphasis on integration with other aspects of conservation.
The foundation for practical geoconservation work is the development of inventories of important sites using rigorous techniques. But thinking and action now goes beyond sites into landscapes, and beyond geoconservation in the narrowest sense to link with biodiversity, cultural heritage and even artistic inspiration. The use of geodiversity audits at a local, regional or national scale provides an extension of the inventory approach to make some of these links, recognising geological sites of importance but also historical records, museum collections, architecture and literature as part of our geodiversity resource.
Recognition of the resource needs to be complemented by determination of appropriate actions, and the use of action plans is now becoming important to develop management strategies for geoconservation and to influence planning policy in general.
Finally, the mechanisms for recognising geodiversity at the landscape scale vary. The World Heritage Convention and geoparks programmes are two mechanisms based on protected area approaches that can incorporate geodiversity. The inventory–audit–action-plan hierarchy can, however, be used to draw attention to geodiversity values in any landscape within or outside protected areas. Geodiversity values are perhaps easiest to recognise within the outstanding landscapes of the world, but these values are present and important in the more mundane landscapes with which most of us live.