Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09 1

GEOCONSERVATION & GEOPARKS

Alexandru Andrăşanu

University of Bucharest, Romania

Hateg Country Dinosaurs Geopark

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Geotop

Geosite

Geodiversity

Geological heritage

Geoconservation

Geoeducation

Geoparks

90` - New words & new concepts

The Stein Family - GeaNorvegica

Geosciences play a pivotal role in the well being of people… BUT - Almost absent in public perception; - Brilliant minds do not pursue

geosciences as a career; - Does not even find a proper place in

school curriculum...

Geosciences perception in the broad society

Geosciences - just rocks – boring!?

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

• 1992 Rio Summit / Agenda 21 / Geosciences play a pivotal role in the well being of people… it does not rank high in the eyes of the society. Policy makers and bureaucrats make wrong decisions;

(IGEO Newsletter, no 1, Florenta, 2004);

• Geoconservation - the “forgotten half” of the nature conservation (Sharples, 2002);

• Important part of natural and cultural heritage to be protected

(Earth Memory Declaration - Digne declaration, 1992 )

Geosciences position in nature conservation activities

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

1909 Sarek and Padjelanta national Park

The first National Park in Europe, North Lapland, Sweden

National Parks

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

1976 MAB – Man and Biosphere Reserves

1981, Greece, Mt Olymp, Biosphere reserve

The World Heritage Convention World Heritage List

• Established in 1972

• 180 / 191 UN member states are signatories

• Governed by a Committee of 21 Members

• 166 natural sites from a total of 851 sites (2007)

• 71 from 191 properties inscribed for natural values are primary value for Earth Science

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Organizing the new words and concepts

• Geodiversity - variety of rocks, fossils, minerals, landforms, soils, tectonic, hydro geologic features, processes shaping the landscape;

• Geotope / Geosite – a place / an area with unique or rare geological features, important for science and / or education;

• Geological heritage (geoheritage) - part of geodiversity we enjoy more;

• Geoconservation a new area of applied geology aiming to assure the sustainable use of geological heritage and to promote geosciences. Main areas of activity:

– Geodiversity evaluation

– Geotourism

– Geoeducation

– Geoparks

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CULTURAL IDENTITY

BIODIVERSITY

Geological heritage

Natural heritage

(except the geological one)

Cultural heritage

GEOTOURISM (Economic benefits)

GEOPARKS Geopark networks

(Economic, social & cultural

benefits)

(Local identity)

Geodiversity evaluation

(Geodiversity Action Plans

Geodiversity audit)

GEODIVERSITY

Geoconservation - basic concepts, relationships and activities

Legal and institutional framework

History

• Up to 1991 – Subordinated to other activities related to nature conservation

• 1991/1992 – 2000: development of different methods for geological heritage conservation;

• 2000 – 2004 – Geopark - Global concept

- Development of EGN

- Setup of Global Geoparks Network (GGN)

• Since 2004 – new area of applied geology

- CE Recommendation 3 / 2004 (Geologic heritage)

- IUCN (2012); / Worldwide activities

- UNESCO (program ?)

Geoconservation development Scientific publication GEOHERITAGE - ProGEO publication (Wimbledon. W., & Brilla, J. )(edts)

Books Geoheritage in Europe and its conservation (Wimbledon, W., Smith – Mayer, S.) (edts)

Research projects Educational programs (EVS case study) Geoparks development

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Geoconservation is giving “life” to rocks, is telling stories about our planet to make people to understand and love it.

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Create and organize stories into a context, based on scientific data

Cutie / Cuchie, Hateg (Ro) The sharpening stone (Eng)

Earth materials used for different human needs can tell us two stories: an anthropological one and a geological one.

Hay making

The object has an anthropological story about…

…connected to rural economy

The sharpening stone is made from sandstone formed in a tropical environment of the Tethys Sea, 72 million years ago, DURING THE DINOSAUR ERA

And also has a geological story

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

National promotion of GEOTOURISM - Thematic trail

Romania

France

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 3 x 10 objects x places = 30 object and 60 stories

St Vincent Stars

Lower Jurassic crinoids, 190 my

DIGNE (F)

Châtaigneraie Limousine (F)

Faiance

Kaolin, 2 my

The identified rocks are covering more than 800 million years of geological evolution of Europe

Copyright RGHP

Continental rocks

Marine rocks

Publications

3 simultaneous exhibitions (France and Romania) – PARIS / EYID

Intangible Heritage Geologic sites as source of legends and scientific interpretation

Design Dan Palcu

Design Dan Palcu

GEOPARK A GEOpark – is not about geology is about the Earth (GEO - Earth)

A Geopark is about people, about the dialogue between Man and Earth A geopark connects all stories for local development: cooperation, education , tourism

A GEOPARK MEANS

• A territory / local communities / local heritage;

• Strategy for economic development /Tourism destination; (Geotourism and Geoproducts);

• Nature conservation (Geoconservation);

• Innovation in education (Geoeducation);

• Strengthen local identity (rural areas);

• To be partner in European & Global Network (UNESCO)

EGN Charta (2000)

UNESCO Guidelines 2004, 2008)

KEEP IN MIND! A GEOPARK IS A LIFE PROJECT

CREATION & MANGEMENT ARE STRONG CONNECTED

Identify local values and assign a role for future activities (Interdisciplinary studies and researches) (geopark borders) Partnership for the Geopark`s Charta and Management Plan (commitment, geopark`s team and budget) - Each geopark is unique and has its role to play both in local communities and international bodies (innovative activities / approach)

National framework

Local context

Buzau Land Geopark

A balanced territory

18 localities

147 villages

134 000 ha

50000 inhabitants

30 geological sites

25 biological sites

35 cultural, historic sites

5 N2000 sites

Optimal territory A comparison between initial (light yellow) and final areas for the geopark (dark yellow)

The role of a geopark . Local business Support for development of traditional and new local products

geo-products, geotourism, local brands

Interpretation and public awareness about geological heritage / Geo-products

Spain

Germany

Portugal

Germany

France

Romania Brasil

Could generate strong brands

The role of a geopark. Geo-education

Educational materials, special toolkit (GEORIUM) or

programs: Geo-kids, Rocks detective

Mini-Georium

Discovering the plants

of the Petrified Forest

RGHP – Georium, 8 Boxes,

Fanerozoic fossils (marine and terrestrial) research methodology

New approach in education

Innovative tools and activities

Geo-kids (Germany), Rock detectives (UK)

Learning about rocks

Moulding fossils

Local support and cooperation

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

European Geoparks Network – a brand of quality / Charta 2000 – 2013 (from 4 to 54 geoparks) + hundreds of other initiatives

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Chinese & global stories

Global Network of National Geoparks

/ UNESCO (90 geoparks)

Margaret Patzak – UNESCO

Patrick McKeever – UNESCO

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

China is giving a strong

support to geopark

development program

26 Chinese geoparks

EGN structure and activities

• Committee meeting / spring and autumn – open session (iTALY, September, 2013)

• Two presidents / Advisory committee;

• Partnerships with UNESCO, IUGS, IUCN (representatives)

• European Geoparks Week;

• Promotion (website, magazine, books, media coverage)

• Conferences / courses / projects

• Validation and revalidation (every 4 years)

Dr Guy Martini

The Geoparks` story… …a French story about the ammonite slab

A piece of rock for almost everybody An good place for fossils` hunters An exciting site for geologist (190 my) A big trouble for GRHP administration

The ammonites Kings of the Mesozoic seas Extinction like dinosaurs at K/T

1992 - Kamaishi Region (Japan) decided to buy the ammonite slab RGHP made a 160 sqm cast (in 30 pcs), big exhibition in Japan, museum, twining

Lesvos

A Greek story…

Dr Nikolas

Zouros

Petrified Forest / Site museums Sigri Museum Tourism development / promotion / projects / education

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

• And a German story…

53

Dr Marie Luise Frey

GEOPARK

GEOTOURISM

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/08 http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=2937

Messel Pitt

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Grube Messel Visiting Centre - Germany

Geoparks – future development Geoparks and UNESCO

Geoparks vs Biosfere reserves Geoparks and World Heritage List Geoparks and education

Rules to restrict the accession (by countries / by subjects) Evaluate the economic impact

The PPF CONCEPT - continuous landscape

evolution

PAST PRESENT FUTURE

“)

STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN LANDSCAPE

EVOLUTION AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES

THERE IS ALWAYS A GEOLOGIC STORY TO BE TOLD!

“The best geopark is the next one”(Guy Martini)

Thank you!