A Statistical Approach to the Validation and Optimisation of Geoheritage Assessment Procedures

Abstract

The assessment of geoheritage is a crucial task for the establishment of ranks according to their value, an important step for the elaboration of catalogues and the implementation of protection and use programmes. One important problem that permeates the different stages of geoheritage assessment is subjectivity in the selection and application of criteria. Evaluation methods frequently used are based on the assignment of values through the expert's judgement (direct methods). In the last few decades, parametric methods, based on the measurement of specific features of geomorphosites have been increasingly applied. This type of procedure allows different operators to obtain similar results if certain criteria are accepted, but it requires more time and effort. A parametric method is proposed here based on three sets of criteria: intrinsic quality, potential for use and protection needs. The method has been tested on a series of coastal geomorphosites. Specific criteria, parameters to express them and value ranks are proposed. A statistical approach has been applied to the criteria to identify the most significant ones and their relative weights. The analysis enabled reduction of the number of criteria, eliminating redundancies. The new set of criteria was applied to assess the value of geomorphosites located in the north of Spain. The classification was compared with the ones obtained by both the parametric method using a larger number of parameters and a direct evaluation applied to the same sites. Results show a quite good coincidence. It is concluded that this approach makes it possible to obtain reliable classifications of geomorphosites based on clearly defined criteria and replicable procedures, but with a much lower effort, using a limited number of criteria.

Existing and Proposed Urban Geosites Values Resulting from Geodiversity of Poznań City

“…Alexandrowicz (1989), Cendrero (2005, 2009) Rybár (2010), Baca and Schuster (2011), Bruschi et al (2011), Fassoulas et al (2012), kubaliková (2013), Reynard, Coratza (2013, Pica et al (2014Pica et al ( , 2016Pica et al ( , 2017, Rocha et al (2014), Brilha (2016), kubaliková and kirchner (2016. These methods have been reviewed by kubaliková (2013), Štrba et al (2014) and partly Migoń and Pijet-Migoń (2017).…”

“…They divide the methods into two groups: qualitative and quantitative, but do not indicate the best ones (Pereira et al 2007, Reynard et al 2007, Rybár 2010, Baca and Schuster 2011, Bruschi et al 2011, Fassoulas et al 2012. They do, however, define the criteria, which should be taken into account in the assessment of geosites.…”

Some Comments to Geosite Assessment, Visitors, and Geotourism Sustainability

“…Following text brings brief overview of various geosite assessment methods, introduced, mentioned, and/or used in various geosite related publications, including methods proposed by Bruschi et al [8], Fassoulas et al [9], Pereira et al [10], Pralong [11], Reynard et al [12], Serrano and González [13], Štrba and Rybár [14], Vujičić et al [15], and Zouros [16].…”

“…Bruschi et al [8] introduced an assessment method based on three groups of criteria: intrinsic quality (scientific value), the potential for use (economic value), and potential threats and protection needs. These three groups include 21 assessment criteria.…”

Geomorphological Heritage as a Tourist Attraction. A Case Study in Lubelskie Province, SE Poland

“…An evaluation of the importance of geomorphological heritage has to take into account scientific criteria, which are usually easier to judge, as well as sociocultural ones (Pena dos Reis and Henriques 2009; Bruschi et al 2011). The result of the evaluation depends not only on the characteristics of the local terrain, but also on the evaluator-his sensitivity, culture, education and attitude towards the evaluated terrain (Lothian 1999).…”