Geoconservation, history of

[Excerto] The word "geoconservation" was probably used for the first time in Tasmania (Australia) in the beginning of the 1990s (Sharples 1993). Sharples, a pioneer of Australian geoconservation, reports that during the period of 1993-1994, the Forestry Commission of Tasmania prepared several reports with preliminary inventories of landforms in the state forests of Tasmania in order to facilitate "the conservation of Earth systems ('Geoconservation')" (Sharples 1993). However, initiatives to protect particular geological and geomorphological features started centuries before, during the seventeenth century. The first example of the protection of geological features dates back to 1668, concerning the protection of the Baumannshöhle cave in the Harz Mountains in Germany (Grube 1994)...info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Inventory and quantitative assessment of geosites and geodiversity sites: a review

"Published online: 15 January 2015"The inventory and quantitative assessment of the most valuable occurrences of geodiversity are essential steps in any geoconservation strategy and in the establishment of priorities in site management. Despite the existence of many site inventories applied to different scales (countries, municipalities, parks, etc.), the criteria used for their selection are often unclear and poorly defined. This paper proposes a new approach to the concepts of geosite and geodiversity site and reviews the procedures used in the development of a systematic site inventory applied to different scales and values. Procedures to achieve a numerical evaluation of the value and degradation risk of sites are reviewed and new criteria are proposed. Finally, guidelines are presented, bearing in mind the preparation of effective geodiversity inventories, to support geoparks’ strategies. This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding and use of the above-mentioned concepts, which are essential for the implementation of geoconservation actions worldwide.The author thanks Diamantino Pereira, Flavia Lima, and Paulo Pereira for fruitful discussions and insights; Teresa Mota for the English revision; and the reviewers for significant improvements of the first submitted version. This paper results of the research done at the University of Minho and at the Geology Centre of the University of Porto, partially founded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal), strategic project with reference PEst-OE/CTE/UI0039/2014

Introducing New Guidelines on Geoheritage Conservation in Protected and Conserved Areas

The Cultural Heritage Administration, Republic of Korea, funded the design and publication of the Guidelines on which this paper is based.This paper introduces newly published guidelines on geoheritage conservation in protected and conserved areas within the “IUCN WCPA Best Practice Guidelines” series. It explains the need for the guidelines and outlines the ethical basis of geoheritage values and geoconservation principles as the fundamental framework within which to advance geoheritage conservation. Best practice in establishing and managing protected and conserved areas for geoconservation is described with examples from around the world. Particular emphasis is given to the methodology and practice for dealing with the many threats to geoheritage, highlighting in particular how to improve practice for areas with caves and karst, glacial and periglacial, and volcanic features and processes, and for palaeontology and mineral sites. Guidance to improve education and communication to the public through modern and conventional means is also highlighted as a key stage in delivering effective geoconservation. A request is made to geoconservation experts to continue to share best practice examples of developing methodologies and best practice in management to guide non-experts in their work. Finally, a number of suggestions are made on how geoconservation can be further promoted.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

An Airport Experience Framework from a Tourism Perspective

This study, by integrating the perspectives of sociological, psychological, and service marketing and management, all of which affect the passenger experience, proposes a theoretical framework for the creation of the airport experience in relation to tourism. This research responds to the current phenomenon in which airports are offering other types of experiences within the airport terminal, expanding the role of an airport from being a utility for transportation into a place where various and different values can be offered. This research explores the current airport experience and adds to research on airport experience by clarifying ten key components necessary for airport passenger experience propositions based on existing research, the current industry phenomena, and the empirical study. The paper also underlines those components that can enhance passenger experience in relation to tourism and highlights the role that airports contribute to a destination

The national inventory of geological heritage: methodological approach and results

A existência de um inventário nacional de património geológico é fundamental para se poderem implementar estratégias de geoconservação. Este trabalho apresenta a metodologia usada no desenvolvimento do mais completo inventário de geossítios, realizado até ao momento em Portugal, assim como os principais resultados obtidos. O inventário vai integrar o Sistema de Informação do Património Natural e o Cadastro Nacional dos Valores Naturais Classificados, ambos geridos pelo Instituto de Conservação da Natureza e da Biodiversidade.The existence of a national inventory of the geological heritage is of paramount importance for the implementation of a geoconservation strategy. This paper presents the methodological approach used to produce the most complete geosites inventory in Portugal, so far, and the obtained results. This inventory will be uploaded into the National Database of Natural Heritage managed by the Portuguese authority for nature conservation.Este trabalho é apoiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, através do financiamento plurianual do CGUP e do projecto de investigação “Identificação, caracterização e conservação do património geológico: uma estratégia de geoconservação para Portugal” (PTDC/CTE-GEX/64966/2006).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Neutrophil-Derived MMP-8 Drives AMPK-Dependent Matrix Destruction in Human Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Pulmonary cavities, the hallmark of tuberculosis (TB), are characterized by high mycobacterial load and perpetuate the spread of M. tuberculosis. The mechanism of matrix destruction resulting in cavitation is not well defined. Neutrophils are emerging as key mediators of TB immunopathology and their influx are associated with poor outcomes. We investigated neutrophil-dependent mechanisms involved in TB-associated matrix destruction using a cellular model, a cohort of 108 patients, and in separate patient lung biopsies. Neutrophil-derived NF-kB-dependent matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) secretion was up-regulated in TB and caused matrix destruction both in vitro and in respiratory samples of TB patients. Collagen destruction induced by TB infection was abolished by doxycycline, a licensed MMP inhibitor. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contain MMP-8 and are increased in samples from TB patients. Neutrophils lined the circumference of human pulmonary TB cavities and sputum MMP-8 concentrations reflected TB radiological and clinical disease severity. AMPK, a central regulator of catabolism, drove neutrophil MMP-8 secretion and neutrophils from AMPK-deficient patients secrete lower MMP-8 concentrations. AMPK-expressing neutrophils are present in human TB lung biopsies with phospho-AMPK detected in nuclei. These data demonstrate that neutrophil-derived MMP-8 has a key role in the immunopathology of TB and is a potential target for host-directed therapy in this infectious disease

Geoconservation in Chile: state of the art and analysis

Since the 1990s, the main international organizations dedicated to the conservation of nature and geosciences have included geoconservation among their areas of research. Gradually but increasingly, Chilean institutions linked to geology are working in this line, with the common hypothesis being that the country has a significant geoheritage. However, an exhaustive recollection of the geoconservation initiatives currently being developed in Chile throws that statement into question. The analysis of that background information and its subsequent comparison with works developed by other countries in Latin America and Europe shows the still incipient state of geoconservation in Chile. The inferred causes of this underdevelopment are the lack of public politics on geoconservation, the meager collaboration between the institutions that develop the currently ongoing initiatives, and the limited knowledge from the academic and professional world in Earth sciences related to what and how to conserve

Landscape as a support for biodiversity: The arribas do Douro case study (international Douro natural park, NE Portugal)

The fluvial canyon of the international Douro and Águeda rivers (NE Portugal-Spain border) supports a relevant natural and cultural heritage, which led to its recent integration in the portuguese conservation system – the International Douro Natural Park (IDNP). The spectacular steep cliffs, regionally named Arribas do Douro, are the major landscape feature of the region. They were developed during the incision of the Douro River and its tributaries on the Iberian Meseta, crosscutting granitic and metasedimentary terranes under the control of the fracture network. The landscape reflects the stream capture of the Tertiary Douro Basin towards the Atlantic by an active Quaternary down cutting. This geological setting provides one of the most important nesting habitat in Europe for vultures, eagles and black storks. The floristic heritage found on the rock slopes and ancient floodplains is also relevant. Evidence of the close relationship with the geological characteristics is also given by the millenary human occupation of the abrupt slopes, profiting from the microclimatic conditions for the production of wine, olive and almond. In conclusion, the Arribas do Douro landscapes have a relevant geological heritage and provide the support for the IDNP biodiversity. Therefore, the nature conservation policies must take this strong linkage into account

Nuevas resoluciones y avances de la UICN para la geoconservación

Sociedad Geológica de España. Comisión de Patrimonio Geológico. Reunión Nacional (12º. 2017. Mahón, España)Durante la última década, los tres miembros geoconservacionistas de la UICN (SGE, ProGEO y SEDPGyM) han estado contribuyendo a la inclusión y consideración apropiada del patrimonio geológico y la geodiversidad en las políticas de la UICN. Resumimos aquí el reciente proceso de elaborar, modificar, defender y votar en el Congreso Mundial de la Naturaleza de la UICN de 2016 las resoluciones relacionadas con la conservación del patrimonio geológico y la geodiversidad, es decir, relacionadas con la geoconservación. Estas tres organizaciones consiguieron que, en varias resoluciones, se nombrara explícitamente la geodiversidad y/o el patrimonio geológico; y que en otras se utilizaran términos inclusivos como patrimonio natural o diversidad natural, en cumplimiento de la resolución WCC-2012-Res-048 de la propia UICN. Además, redactaron y propusieron una moción para la conservación del patrimonio geológico mueble que fue finalmente aprobada como resolución WCC-2016-Res-083. Intentamos aquí resumir el significado y analizar las posibles implicaciones de estas resoluciones, proponiendo líneas de acción para el futuro.Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, EspañaGrupo de Investigación de Geología, Universidad de Murcia, EspañaDepartamento de Ciências da Terra, Universidade do Minho, PortugalServicio de la Reserva de la Biosfera de Urdaibai, Departamento de Medio Ambiente, Planificación Territorial y Vivienda del Gobierno Vasco, EspañaDepartamento de Territori i Sostenibilitat, Generalitat de Catalunya, EspañaGeoparkea, EspañaGeoparc de la Catalunya Central, EspañaÁrea de Paleontología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza, EspañaAyuntamiento de Lerma, Españ