Geotourism and Local Development Based on Geological and Mining Sites Utilization, Zaruma-Portovelo, Ecuador

Abstract

This study offers a detailed assessment of the geosites and mining sites present in the ZarumaPortovelo mining district (Ecuador) through their qualitative and quantitative assessment. It shows up the potentiality of this area taking advantage of its geological-mining heritage. The methodological process includes: (i) compilation and inventory of all the sites within the study area with particular geological or mining interest; (ii) preparation of reports and thematic cartography, (iii) assessment and classification of the elements of geological-mining interest; (iv) SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis and TOWS (Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses, Strengths) matrix preparation seeking strategies to guarantee the viability of geotourism. A total of 16 sites of geological interest and 11 of mining interest were identified. The 77% of these sites was proved to be of high and very high interest in scientific terms. Likewise, their susceptibility to degradation assessed from their vulnerability and fragility was found to be high or very high in the 30% of the cases. As for the protection priority, all the studied sites obtained a medium-high result. Finally, the study based on the SWOT-TOWS revealed the possibility of applying action strategies in order to facilitate the compatibility of geotourism with the current productive activities, despite the difficult situation in the study area created by mining activities.

Tangible Heritage of the Historical Stonework Centre in Brusno Stare in the Roztocze Area (SE Poland) as an Opportunity for the Development of Geotourism

“…The evaluation of the cultural geosites revealed their low geological and tourist attractiveness as well as scientific value, in contrast to data presented by Sá dos Santos et al (2016) or Mero et al (2018). This may result from the relatively poor knowledge of Eastern Roztocze and its tourist resources.…”

“…The example of the use of the stonemasonry heritage of Brusno Stare described in this paper represents the increasingly popular trend of creating cultural geosites (Nita and Myga-Piątek 2014;Mero et al 2018). Among the current list of world geoparks, only some were created exclusively based on geosites with unique natural resources (UNESCO Global Geoparks List.…”

“…In a majority of geoparks, elements of nature and culture are combined, thus creating a sense of place, as underlined by Hose (2012) and Dowling (2013). Areas created in this way serve geotourism as defined by the National Geographic Council (after Mero et al 2018).…”

Geotourism

“…The major focus of Mero et al's [18] paper is qualitative and quantitative assessment of mining sites in the Zaruma-Portovelo mining district in Ecuador. Their methodological approach comprises four stages: (i) compilation and inventorying of all geosites within the study area; (ii) thematic cartography, (iii) assessment and classification of the elements of geological mining interest; (iv) SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis as well as TOWS (Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses, Strengths) matrix preparation, with a view to identifying strategies which guarantee the viability of geotourism.…”

Suitable Re-Use of Abandoned Quarries for Restoration and Conservation of the Old City of Salamanca—World Heritage Site

“…The location of the village of Martinamor (a village dramatically affected by aging and population exodus) near the outcrops will permit the use of a rehabilitated house as a welcome centre, where visitors can have a first insight into the quarrying activities before the guided field trip. There are many examples of similar approaches in areas transformed by the mining activity that make it possible to outline the best options [38][39][40].…”