Challenges and Research Trends of Geoheritage and Geoconservation

A special issue of Geosciences (ISSN 2076-3263). This special issue belongs to the section "Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 1151

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Interests: geoheritage; geoconservation; geodiversity; field geology; sedimentary basin analysis; geomorphology; remote sensing
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Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, a significant acceleration in the use of advanced technologies across various fields has been witnessed. These modern tools allow us to develop and test new methods for managing different aspects of our personal and professional lives, as well as allowing for the exploration of new research opportunities. In the fields of geoheritage and geoconservation, these technologies support a wide range of theoretical and practical studies related to definition, management, protection, and dissemination.

This Special Issue aims to collect papers covering a broad range of theoretical and practical topics related to the sustainable management of geoheritage and geoconservation.

We welcome contributions that focus on leveraging advanced technologies and techniques for data analysis. We also emphasize the importance of protecting, conserving, enhancing, and promoting the educational and touristic enjoyment of geoheritage in its broadest sense. We sincerely invite you to join us in this sharing of ideas and experiences.

Dr. Eva Pescatore
Prof. Dr. Salvatore Ivo Giano
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • geoheritage
  • geoconservation
  • geodiversity
  • geoeducation
  • geotourism
  • sustainable management
  • GIS, remote sensing, AI

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 5933 KB  
Article
Qualitative Map of Geodiversity as a Tool to Identify Geodiversity-Related Ecosystem Services: Application to the Costões e Lagunas Aspiring Geopark, SE Brazil
by Daniel Souza dos Santos, Kátia Leite Mansur and Neila Nunes Ferreira
Geosciences 2025, 15(9), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15090332 - 31 Aug 2025
Abstract
Geodiversity mapping is a key topic in the field of geoconservation. Although most methodological proposals are based on quantitative assessments, recent studies on qualitative mapping have shown strong potential for various applications, including relationships with biodiversity, territorial management, and nature conservation. This article [...] Read more.
Geodiversity mapping is a key topic in the field of geoconservation. Although most methodological proposals are based on quantitative assessments, recent studies on qualitative mapping have shown strong potential for various applications, including relationships with biodiversity, territorial management, and nature conservation. This article presents a qualitative geodiversity map of the Costões e Lagunas Aspiring Geopark, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The map was also used to identify geodiversity-related ecosystem services in the territory. The method for generating the map was divided into two steps: first, thematic maps representing geodiversity components were integrated to identify areas where components interact to form specific environments; second, based on these interactions, geodiversity units were defined. Ecosystem services provided by each unit were identified through the analysis of human activities occurring within them. The results show that the geodiversity units provide multiple ecosystem services across different categories and are essential to the well-being of local inhabitants. These findings reinforce the relevance of the qualitative approach and demonstrate that geodiversity mapping can support broader landscape analyses. Thus, qualitative geodiversity maps are effective tools for identifying ecosystem services across extensive areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Research Trends of Geoheritage and Geoconservation)
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Review

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37 pages, 9057 KB  
Review
Palaeoclimatic Geoheritage in the Age of Climate Change: Educational Use of the Pleistocene Glacial and Periglacial Geodiversity
by Paweł Wolniewicz and Maria Górska-Zabielska
Geosciences 2025, 15(8), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15080294 - 2 Aug 2025
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Abstract
The lithological record of past climates and climate changes reveals significant potential in enhancing education and understanding of global climate changes and their impacts on contemporary societies. A relatively young geological record of Pleistocene cooling and glaciations serves as one of the most [...] Read more.
The lithological record of past climates and climate changes reveals significant potential in enhancing education and understanding of global climate changes and their impacts on contemporary societies. A relatively young geological record of Pleistocene cooling and glaciations serves as one of the most useful geo-educational tools. The present study encompasses a comprehensive review of ongoing efforts to assess and communicate the glacial geoheritage of the Pleistocene, with a detailed case study of Poland. A literature review is conducted to evaluate the extent of scientific work on inventorying and communicating the geodiversity of Pleistocene glacial and periglacial environments globally. The study demonstrates a steady increase in the number of scientific contributions focused on the evaluation and promotion of Pleistocene geoheritage, with a notable transition from the description of geosites to the establishment of geoconservation practices and educational strategies. The relative complexity of the palaeoclimatic record and the presence of glacial geodiversity features across extensive areas indicate that effective scientific communication of climate changes requires careful selection of a limited number of geodiversity elements and sediment types. In this context, the use of glacial erratic boulders and rock gardens for promotion of Pleistocene glacial geoheritage is advocated, and the significance of educational initiatives for local communities and the preservation of geocultural heritage is outlined in detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Research Trends of Geoheritage and Geoconservation)
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