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Geomorphosite assessment for geotourism purposes Cover

Geomorphosite assessment for geotourism purposes

Open Access
|Jan 2014

Abstract

The article briefly examines the relationship between geodiversity, geoheritage (represented by geosites and geomorphosites) and geotourism. It is obvious that geosites and geomorphosites represent a fundamental resource for geotourism. As geosites are defined as sites that present particular importance for the comprehension of the Earth history and bear mainly scientific values, geomorphosites concept is wider and includes also added values (e. g. cultural, aesthetic and economic). Therefore, for assessing the importance of the geological and geomorphological sites for geotourism purposes, the concept of geomorphosites is more appropriate. The article presents several assessment methods that represent a significant tool for geoconservation and geotourism purposes. The assessment is carried out from several perspectives with an emphasis on scientific, cultural and economic parameters of the sites. The results of the assessment can serve as a basis for appropriate use of geoheritage, its management and generally for identification of geotourism potential of the geological and geomorphological sites. To find out which method is suitable for geotourism purposes, it is necessary to take into account the definitions and principles of geotourism. Different assessment methods are analysed and discussed. Based on this, the proposal for criteria for geosite and geomorphosite assessment for geotourism purposes is presented.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cjot-2013-0005 | Journal eISSN: 1805-9767 | Journal ISSN: 1805-3580
Language: English
Page range: 80 - 104
Published on: Jan 29, 2014
Published by: Masaryk University
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 2 issues per year

© 2014 Lucie Kubalíková, published by Masaryk University
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License.