The Ceará Central Domain, in the northern Borborema Province/NE Brazil, encompasses important geological records (geosites) which allow understanding a relevant period of the Earth's evolution, mainly associated to Neoproterozoic Brazilian/Pan-African Cycle and West Gondwana amalgamation, besides Neoarchean to Ordovician records. The presented geoheritage inventory aims to characterise the geosites with scientific relevance of Ceará Central Domain. By applying a method for large areas, the final selection resulted in eight geological frameworks represented by 52 geosites documented in a single database. This is the first step for a geoconservation strategy based on systematic inventories, statutory protection, geoethical behaviour and awareness about scientific, educational and/or cultural relevance of geosites.
The characterisation of geoheritage and the understanding of the physical and socio-cultural features of a territory are essential to achieve the major geoconservation goals: protection and sustainable use of exceptional elements of geodiversity. This research was done in the Sertão Central, an economic vulnerable area in the hinterland of northeast Brazil, remarked by the Caatinga Biome and a rocky, semiarid landscape. The area comprises an assemblage of deformed igneous and metamorphic rocks, such as gneisses, TTG rocks, schists, and granites. Starting from a regional geoheritage inventory done in 2015, fourteen geosites were selected and assessed, representing a wide regional tectonic evolution from the Precambrian West Gondwanan orogenesis to the Cenozoic development of particular examples of Brazilian granitic inselbergs. In addition to the inventory of geosites, six geodiversity sites were also evaluated, along with five geocultural sites, highlighting the cultural value of geodiversity in the area. Based on the available information, an analysis with the main features and spatial configuration of the geoheritage was developed, allowing to designate the most appropriate use for each geological site. Considering geoconservation as a geoscientific fostering for the sustainable development, our study suggests a set of general guidelines for the management of geoheritage, in order to facilitate the decision-making process by local managers and stakeholders as well as to promote the discussion on geotourism strategies for the region. Organised according to welldefined geoconservation strategies, these guidelines could enhance the sustainable development of vulnerable regions, such as Sertão Central itself.
ResumoA avaliação quantitativa de valoração do patrimônio geológico tem se demonstrado uma relevante ferramenta para delinear estratégias de geoconservação, sobretudo em áreas extensas e com escassez de recursos. A área selecionada para este estudo corresponde a uma região socioeconomicamente vulnerável no semiárido do estado do Ceará, nordeste do Brasil, e contempla um conjunto de 52 sítios geológicos representativos da evolução geodinâmica do Domínio Ceará Central. Com o intuito de delinear estratégias de geoconservação pertinentes a realidade local, este trabalho teve por objetivo identificar quais os geossítios prioritários no plano de gestão. Para tanto, foi utilizado o método de avaliação quantitativa integrado na plataforma GEOSSIT do Serviço Geológico do Brasil, tendo sido avaliado o valor científico, o risco de degradação, o potencial uso educativo e turístico e as prioridades de proteção. Os resultados indicaram que os geossítios inventariados possuem alto valor científico, que existe predominância de geossítios com risco moderado de degradação e predomínio de valores medianos para o potencial uso educativo e turístico. Três listas de sítios prioritários foram definidas, considerando apenas os locais com alto valor científico e potencial uso relevante. No final, foi possível identificar e justificar quatro territórios estratégicos para a geoconservação na porção centro-norte do Domínio Ceará Central. Palavras-chave: Patrimônio geológico; geossítios; sítios de geodiversidade; Geossit AbstractQuantitative assessment of geological sites has been demonstrated as a consistent tool in order to delineate geoconservation strategies, especially for large areas with scarce resources. The working area is located in a vulnerable region in north-eastern Brazil characterised by low socioeconomic conditions. This area comprises an assemblage of 52 geological sites (geosites and geodiversity sites) representing the geodynamic evolution of the Ceará Central Domain, one of the oldest tectonic terranes in Brazil. In this perspective, this work aimed to identify priority sites for geoconservation actions. All geological sites were evaluated by a quantitative assessment concerning the scientific value, the degradation risk, the educational and touristic potential uses and the protection priorities. The assessments were performed by the method available on the GEOSSIT platform developed by Brazilian Geological Survey. Results indicate geological sites with high scientific value, predominance of geosites with moderate degradation risk and medium values for educational and touristic potential uses. Three sorted lists were defined considering only geological sites with high scientific value (geosites) and relevant potential uses. At the end, four priority areas were delineated for a detailed geoconservation plan in the centre-north portion of Ceará Central Domain.
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