Geodiversity has elements of exceptional scientific value that are considered to represent geoheritage, or geological heritage. One way to conserve and promote the knowledge of these elements is through the initiatives of United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geoparks, which, over a decade ago, began to notably highlight a new sustainable tourism alternative called geotourism, or geological tourism, that promotes the protection of the unique geological resources of territory and, at the same time, provides social, economic, and environmental benefits. This study aims to investigate the scientific information related to geotourism in the Scopus database through a bibliometric analysis, using the VOSviewer software, for the evaluation of the structure, conceptual evolution, and trends of geotourism following related publications. The research comprises four study phases: (i) search criteria of the research field; (ii) search and selection of documents; (iii) software and data extraction; and (iv) analysis of results and trends. The results present geotourism as a scientific discipline that is in a phase of exponential research growth and exhibits its scientific productivity from 1984 to 2019, where three main periods are differentiated: introduction, theoretical development, and diversification of information. The most active research area is geomorphological heritage, which is very far from the emerging line of research of engineering geology in geotourism. However, growing exploration during the last six years has generated the development of various geoscientific branches promoted by geotourism that, currently, present their research area trends such as geosites, geoheritages, and geoparks.

Landslides are generated by natural causes and by human action, causing various geomorphological changes as well as physical and socioeconomic loss of the environment and human life. The study, characterization and implementation of techniques are essential to reduce land vulnerability, different socioeconomic sector susceptibility and actions to guarantee better slope stability with a significant positive impact on society. The aim of this work is the bibliometric analysis of the different types of landslides that the United States Geological Survey (USGS) emphasizes, through the SCOPUS database and the VOSviewer software, for the analysis of their structure, scientific production, and the close relationship with several scientific fields and its trends. The methodology focuses on: (i) search criteria; (ii) data extraction and cleaning; (iii) generation of graphs and bibliometric mapping; and (iv) analysis of results and possible trends. The study and analysis of landslides are in a period of exponential growth, focusing mainly on techniques and solutions for the stabilization, prevention, and categorization of the most susceptible hillslope sectors. Therefore, this research field has the full collaboration of various authors and places a significant focus on the conceptual evolution of the landslide science.

Coastal aquifers are part of the natural resources contributing to local development and promote resilience in the most vulnerable communities near the sea. Manglaralto, an Ecuadorian coastal parish, is affected by water resource scarcity. The increase in salinity and deterioration of the water quality is generated by the local and floating population’s demand, causing an increase in the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) concentrations and decreasing the aquifer’s piezometric levels. The aim is to establish a numerical model of flow and transport of the Manglaralto coastal aquifer by using hydrogeological data and Visual Transin software, relating the hydraulic importance of a dyke’s design (“tape”) and its impact on the quality of the water. The methodology is (i) hydrogeological database analysis, (ii) the system’s recharge concerning the soil water balance, (iii) the boundary conditions of the flow and transport model and, (iv) the results and validation of the numerical simulation. The results configure the importance of the coastal aquifer’s artificial recharge in the area where the tape is located, as reflected in the increase in piezometric levels and the decrease in salinity in wells near the sea. In conclusion, the numerical model of flow and transport allows expanding the knowledge of the variation of the piezometric levels and TDS concentrations over time, the importance of recharge in the hydrogeological system’s operation, and correct community management resilience and projection to sustainable development.

The current world situation marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, plus the various specific situations in each locality, require an adequate response to promote development. One of the most recommended is the development of tourism, and precisely that it is linked to the environmental environments of nature. For this reason, geotourism offers guarantees of biosecurity, open spaces, and better conditions in the current situation. Guayaquil, a cosmopolitan city on the Ecuadorian coast, has unique characteristics for the development of geotourism. This work aims to carry out an environmental analysis, using the cause-consequence method and tourist carrying capacity in geosites for sustainable geotourism development. The methodology includes: (i) strategic geosites selection; (ii) environmental assessment of geosites and analysis of their carrying capacity for tourism; and (iii) interpretation of results and strategy development. The results reflect that Guayaquil has very significant potential given its natural geological and biological conditions. The union of geodiversity and biodiversity give the Guayaquil metropolis a special uniqueness, auguring an excellent future for geotourism development. It is vital the develop geosites with an environmental consideration that allows projecting towards sustainable development.

This research focuses on providing a solution to rural sectors' problems regarding solid waste management and final disposal. It considered the Sanitary Landfill (SL) technical-environmental viability for rural communities in the north of Santa Elena-Ecuador. The objective is to propose a methodology for evaluating a sanitary landfill's technical-environmental viability, considering a Key Factors Matrix (KFM) for the possibility of its application in rural communities. The proposed methodology is based on: i) identification of preliminary and field data for assessment of the sector through the KFM, and ii) determination of the technical-environmental viability of an SL according to the aspects considered. The KFM allowed the Ayangue commune to be chosen for the location of the SL under certain precautions. Given this sector's tourist influence, solid waste accumulates 40 tons per day from the ninth year on. Therefore, it is recommended to bear in mind a possible restructuring of the SL, from a semi-mechanized system to a fully mechanized one.

In the north of the province of the Santa Elena province (Ecuador), the important rivers in the area are seasonal, that is, the surface water is intermittent without supplying the population throughout the year. Consequently, the coastal aquifers are managed and exploited by the communes of the sector through the Water Boards. The "Regional Board of the Olón Drinking Water System" (JRAPO, acronym in Spanish), through 7 wells that pump 15 hours a day, supplies water suitable for human consumption to the communities of Olón, Curia, San José, La Núñez and La Entrada. However, when it is beach season, the demand for water increases and at the same time the flow in the wells decreases, generating problems in the water supply to the community members. The objective of this work is to analyze community water management through the social organization of the JRAPO, the technical measures in the water wells and the management of the river with its intermittences for the supply of water to the population. The work methodology includes i) processing of general and specific information on the Olón river-aquifer system, the organization of the JRAPO with its legal framework, ii) geographical territorial scheme of the situation of the Olón basin, iii) analysis of data from the aquifer such as: number of wells, pumping, demand, production and recharge, iv) the interpretation of data and management guidelines that obtain the current supply covering the demand. The results presented allow us to know the average flow of the wells that is around 20 lt/s and the production based on the pumping of said wells. The water from the wells complies with the requirements of the "Ecuadorian Technical Standard" (NTE) for human consumption in the sector. In conclusion, the analysis of the water management carried out by the community representatives through JRAPO is successful and considers several sections: good community organization, technical component that includes the evolution of the water levels of wells, measurement of the physical parameters. chemicals, well pumping regimes and environmental measures in pursuit of sustainability.

Biodiversity is an essential component of nature, relegating the aspects of geodiversity, which provides geological and landscape variety to a territory. However, the importance of geodiversity and its social, economic, educational, scientific, and technological impact on a region, are not well understood. This article measures the geoheritage values of Guayaquil, a port city in Ecuador, via surveys and analyses of variables, with the aim of proposing guidelines or strategies that promote the knowledge and diffusion of that geoheritage. Our methodology included (i) a review of historical landmarks of Guayaquil and their relationship with geodiversity, (ii) a survey and data tabulation, (iii) an analysis of the local population’s perception of the city’s geoheritage, and (iv) the development of geodiversity strategies using computer tools. Our results determined that people approach areas of interest because of each site’s biodiversity and the available information about the site. Once there, they can obtain knowledge about the city’s geology, geodiversity, and urban geotourism. Therefore, geoheritage is an essential consideration in establishing educational plans, initiatives, and promotion strategies. Furthermore, the identification of a city’s heritage values following geoeducation, and the recognition by society of the city’s geosites and their historical–scientific significance, will provide a basis for using geotourism in a context of sustainability.

The geodiversity consists of a wide variety of geological elements that can be considered as a heritage, due to the unique characteristics of a specific place. The analysis focuses on Guayaquil, a cosmopolitan city, considered the pearl of the Pacific and the main port of Ecuador, its birth and location are marked by features of geodiversity that, in one way or another, have marked the development of the city in interaction with the social, economic and cultural activities of its inhabitants. Its heritage values highlight some elements of geodiversity, becoming an icon of the Ecuadorian coast. The aim of this research is to evaluate 12 geosites belonging to the city using the Brilha and Medina assessment methodology for the enhancement of their resources contributing to education and tourism. The methodological process includes: (i) geological and geographical framework of Guayaquil; (ii) cataloging 12 sites with geological and mining interest within the study area; (iii) assessment of geosites using the designated methodologies; and (iv) analysis of strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats (SWOT) and generation of a matrix of threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths (TOWS) through a cross of SWOT variables for the establishment of strategies of development in geosites in the geoturistic field. The manifestations of geodiversity obtained show the existence of an important geological and mining heritage with geoturistic incidents within the territory of the city, establishing that the 12 points of interest considered serve as basic tools for the consideration of natural resources, which complement the great biodiversity of the ecosystems linked to the mangrove that make it a candidate to preserve the biosphere, adding the unique characteristics of the environmental and tourist geological sector with a view to dissemination and promotion as an alternative in conservation that serve to enhance opportunities for society.