Geosite condition monitoring in the UK 1999–2019

Wignall, R.M.L.; Dempster, Michael; Roberts, R.; Townley, Hannah C.

doi:10.1016/j.pgeola.2022.08.002

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Step 6: Indicators and Site Condition Monitoring The sixth step is to identify key indicators for detrimental impacts and undertake site condition monitoring at appropriate intervals to provide evidence to trigger management interventions if required. To monitor the condition of geosite features and processes, data on the current state of the features and processes must be gathered, then the current state compared to the favourable baseline state (Wignall 2019;Wignall et al 2022). This comparison is used to make a judgment on whether the current condition exceeds, equals or fails to meet the favourable baseline state.…”

Section: Adaptation Planning and Implementationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Site condition monitoring requires selecting those indicators specifically relating to aspects of the geosite feature or process that are relevant to its conservation objectives and therefore to its condition. Three broad aspects of geosite features and processes that may be used as condition indicators are: physical attributes (extent, composition, morphology), visibility and process dynamics (RPDC 2003;Wignall et al 2018;Wignall 2019;Wignall et al 2022; Table 4). The effects of individual stresses, such as vegetation growth or development, can also be used as condition indicators (Prosser et al 2006;Wignall et al 2022).…”

Section: Adaptation Planning and Implementationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Three broad aspects of geosite features and processes that may be used as condition indicators are: physical attributes (extent, composition, morphology), visibility and process dynamics (RPDC 2003;Wignall et al 2018;Wignall 2019;Wignall et al 2022; Table 4). The effects of individual stresses, such as vegetation growth or development, can also be used as condition indicators (Prosser et al 2006;Wignall et al 2022). In the UK, there has been a formal programme for monitoring the condition of geosites for over 20 years, with monitoring and reporting the responsibility of UK country government agencies (Wignall et al 2022).…”

Section: Adaptation Planning and Implementationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The effects of individual stresses, such as vegetation growth or development, can also be used as condition indicators (Prosser et al 2006;Wignall et al 2022). In the UK, there has been a formal programme for monitoring the condition of geosites for over 20 years, with monitoring and reporting the responsibility of UK country government agencies (Wignall et al 2022). On the other hand, less formal citizen science approaches can also provide early warning of threats or significant site condition deterioration.…”

Section: Adaptation Planning and Implementationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Planning for Climate Change Impacts on Geoheritage Interests in Protected and Conserved Areas

Gordon

Wignall

Brazier³

et al. 2022

Geoheritage

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Climate change presents challenges for the management of geoheritage at all scales from individual geosites to whole landscapes, and affecting all areas of the planet. Direct impacts will arise principally through the effects of climate changes on geomorphological processes and vegetation cover, while indirect impacts will result from hard engineering interventions to mitigate risks from natural hazards. We present an indicative framework that sets out key steps to help geoconservation practitioners and managers of all protected and conserved areas (PCAs) with geoheritage interests to assess and manage the impacts of climate change on geoheritage. Strategies for mitigation and adaptation to assist contingency planning and implementation should be supported by site condition monitoring and as far as possible work with nature, but will require to be adaptive in the face of many uncertainties. Our approach is based on assessment of the risk of degradation of geosites and their features and processes arising from the likelihood of climate change affecting them and the predicted severity of impacts. The risk of degradation of a site, feature or process will depend on (i) its geographic location and proximity to geomorphological systems that are likely to respond dynamically to climate changes; (ii) the magnitude, rate and duration of these changes; and (iii) intrinsic factors that include the geological and physical characteristics of the site and its features and processes. Management options range from non-intervention to planned interventions informed by the risk of degradation assessment. However, documentation for posterity may be the only practical option for geoheritage interests close to existential thresholds, such as small mountain glaciers, and sites at risk from sea-level rise and coastal or river erosion. Adaptation strategies for geoheritage in protected and conserved areas should, as far as practicable, align with those for biodiversity and aim to deliver multiple co-benefits for nature and people, although economic, social and political constraints may hinder implementation where wider stakeholder interests are involved. Managers of PCAs will need substantial input from geoconservation experts to carry out the assessments recommended and determine the action required.

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Section: Adaptation Planning and Implementationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Adaptation Planning and Implementationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Adaptation Planning and Implementationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Adaptation Planning and Implementationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Planning for Climate Change Impacts on Geoheritage Interests in Protected and Conserved Areas

Gordon

Wignall

Brazier³

et al. 2022

Geoheritage

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“…An integrated approach to assess geodiversity would both support geoconservation and increase our knowledge of geodiversity patterns [ 14 ]. For example, defining quantifiable geoindicators would be important for the monitoring of sites with high geoheritage value under human presence, such as International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) geological heritage sites [ 15 – 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A framework for quantifying geodiversity at the local scale: a case study from the Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark

Tukiainen,

Maliniemi,

Brilha

et al. 2024

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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Geoconservation and related quantitative and qualitative geodiversity assessments are gaining increasing attention. However, methodologies for measuring geodiversity at local scale are currently rare. Here, we present a framework for assessing local-scale geodiversity of different landforms using field-based and digital elevation model (DEM-) derived data from the Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark in Finland. We observed the presence or absence of various geodiversity elements, such as geological or topographical elements in our study sites, and used these data to quantify alpha (α), gamma (γ) and beta (β) geodiversity of various landforms. In addition, we measured topographical heterogeneity in the field and from DEMs. The results showed distinct patterns in the geodiversity and topographical variation of the landforms. The differences between α, γ and β geodiversity of different landforms were particularly clear. According to the results, measures of topographical variability can be used to some extent as surrogates for geodiversity, but the choice of optimal variables is context and scale dependent. These results provide perspectives for further local-scale geodiversity assessments in different study areas and are applicable for a range of purposes, from scientific research to practical management and geoconservation. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Geodiversity for science and society’.

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Coastal Cliffs of the Rio Grande do Norte State: Geoheritage Characterization and Valorization in Northeast Brazil

dos Santos Costa,

Junior,

Lima

et al. 2023

Geoheritage

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The Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeast Brazil, has 410 km of coastal extension, being 107 km approximately composed of cliffs excavated in Cenozoic sedimentary rocks. In the last three decades, these cliffs are passing for transformations due the human occupation, tourism activity and climatic changes. To inventory the geoheritage present in these cliffs is essential to support management plans that include investment to conserving part of this Earth’s natural history. This paper aims to inventory, classify, assess and value the Potiguar cliffs as geological sites. From 46 outcrops that Saraiva Junior (2021) studied to describe the cliffs’ geomorphology, 20 geological sites were selected, these are used in national and international publications and divided in three frameworks: Miocene-Pliocene sedimentation, Pleistocene sedimentation and Cenozoic tectonics. These 20 cliffs were inventoried using the Brilha (2016) methodology in order to qualify and quantify the scientific value, potential educational and touristic uses and degradation risk. The Ponta do Mel, Barra de Tabatinga, Ponta dos Três Irmãos, Barreira do Inferno, Ponta do Reduto and Morro do Chapéu were defined as the most valuable cliffs on the scientific aspect. We proposed monitoring planning based on the cliff’s baselines, protection measures based on the specific threats and three geotouristic routes based on the geographic distribution of the sites and the frameworks.

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Geosite condition monitoring in the UK 1999–2019

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

Planning for Climate Change Impacts on Geoheritage Interests in Protected and Conserved Areas

Planning for Climate Change Impacts on Geoheritage Interests in Protected and Conserved Areas

A framework for quantifying geodiversity at the local scale: a case study from the Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark

Coastal Cliffs of the Rio Grande do Norte State: Geoheritage Characterization and Valorization in Northeast Brazil

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