Além Paraíba Mylonite (APM), occurring within the NE–SW-trending Além Paraíba Shear Zone in southeastern Brazil, represents a unique geodiversity element and cultural heritage of the Paraíba do Sul Valley, spanning municipalities in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. This ductilely deformed rock, associated with Neoproterozoic tectonic processes of the Brasiliano–Pan-African orogeny, has been widely used in historic constructions in the region during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This study documents the geological, technological, and heritage aspects of Além Paraíba Mylonite (APM) through field surveys, bibliographic research, and laboratory analyses. Quarry sites across the region were mapped, highlighting their scientific, educational, and geoheritage relevance. Blocks from orthogneissic and paragneissic mylonite were characterised for density, porosity, water absorption, mechanical strength, hardness, and colour, revealing properties suitable for civil construction and ornamental uses. APM was extensively employed in religious, civic, and elite residential architecture, as well as in infrastructure, engineering works, paving, and commemorative monuments, demonstrating its versatility and durability. Its presence in urban furniture, bridges, railway stations, fountains, and cemeteries further illustrates its cultural and symbolic significance. The integration of geological and historical data emphasises APM as both a building material and an element of regional identity. This comprehensive documentation supports the conservation, dissemination, and appreciation of Além Paraíba Mylonite as a tool for understanding the Earth’s processes that shape the natural environment and the cultural heritage in the Paraíba do Sul Valley in the state of Rio de Janeiro, reinforcing the link between geology and cultural identity. The study contributes to strategies for safeguarding historical constructions while promoting awareness of the region’s geological richness.
Natural history museums operate at a complicated intersection between museum studies, geology, biology, and culture. Museum collections are vital to natural science disciplines, yet they continue to face constraints in funding, space, and personnel, which limit their capacity to manage collections effectively. Ex-situ geoheritage is an emerging subfield of the wider geological heritage and geoconservation movements. Although it shares principles with in-situ work, there remains a significant research gap in addressing the needs of ex-situ geological material. Integrating geoheritage and geoconservation practices with museum studies offers a promising framework to address challenges faced by museums while guiding future conservation, acquisition, and collection management efforts. This study aims to assess the applicability, potential benefits, and limitations of an ex-situ geoheritage inventory and valuation methodology in a large-scale museum setting. This case study applies the methodology to a predominantly palaeontological collection at the Uppsala University Museum of Evolution, Sweden. A total of 417 specimens were inventoried and assessed to examine the practical application of the methodology at collection scale. After cataloguing, the material was graded on fifteen valuation criteria, divided into two categories to differentiate between varying values of the geological material. While the inventory performed well, significant challenges in cataloguing older museum collections were highlighted. For example, 49
Erta Ale Volcano and the Dallol Hydrothermal System in Ethiopia’s Afar Region offer distinctive geotourism opportunities, but sustainable development requires understanding site values, development constraints, and management responses. This study compares the geotourism potential of the two geosites, identifies development constraints, and examines existing management strategies. A descriptive, primarily quantitative design combined 121 usable questionnaires from purposively selected tourism and earth-science stakeholders with field observations. An adapted Kubalíková assessment framework evaluated scientific, added, tourism, and conservation values. Descriptive statistics summarized stakeholder assessments, and a SWOT overview synthesized contextual evidence. Aggregate scores were higher for Erta Ale (9.4772/15) than for Dallol (8.9813/15). Both sites received high ratings for aesthetic appeal, palaeogeographical significance, and geological representativeness, but low ratings for safety and tourism facilities. Major constraints included inadequate accommodation, limited transport access and interpretation services, weak promotion, and insufficient conservation implementation. Field observations indicated that mining-related infrastructure at Dallol did not translate into accessible visitor facilities, and perceived conservation recognition did not demonstrate effective site protection. Existing responses emphasized mass-media promotion and collaboration with accommodation providers, with limited attention to updated geotourism maps and integrated conservation planning. The findings support prioritizing visitor safety, tourism-specific infrastructure, geological interpretation, community participation, and coordinated geoconservation before expanding promotion. The study provides a context-specific basis for sustainable geotourism planning while highlighting the need to interpret stakeholder ratings alongside observed site conditions.
The Darwin Fossil Forest, located in Uspallata (Mendoza, Argentina), constitutes a key paleontological heritage site of high scientific, educational, and historical significance. Despite its importance, the site faces increasing vulnerabilities due to unregulated visitation and a lack of sustained management frameworks. The primary aim of this study is to establish an empirical baseline of the site’s conservation status, identify key heritage vulnerabilities, and provide evidence-based recommendations to guide future detailed heritage studies and conservation priorities. A field observation of the site integrity and a social perception survey, were carried out in accordance with established multidimensional geoconservation frameworks. Three composite indices are proposed: the Paleontological Knowledge Index (PKI), the Heritage Valuation Index (HVI), and the Institutional/Participation Interest Index (IPI). Non-parametric statistical procedures were applied to evaluate whether levels of paleontological knowledge, heritage valuation, and participation interest indexes varied significantly across demographic cohorts and geographic contexts. A total of 20 fossil logs were identified during field observations with varying degrees of preservation, ranging from visible anatomical features such as preserved growth rings to recent fractures and evidence of material removal. A total of 171 valid survey responses were analyzed, distributed across three macro-areas: Uspallata (n = 31), Mendoza City (n = 63), and other regions of Argentina (n = 77). The social perception diagnostic reveals a highly favorable environment for conservation, characterized by widespread heritage valuation alongside a statistically significant geographic gradient in site knowledge. Strong local identity attachment in Uspallata and Mendoza City, coupled with demographic variations in engagement interest, highlights the need for targeted, community-anchored heritage interpretation strategies rather than broad, non-specific outreach. By applying the initial diagnostic phases of the systematic geoconservation framework, this work provides the empirical foundation required to guide future research and evidence-based site management.
This study examines the impact of climate change and water management on the degradation of stream potholes assemblages. Stream potholes are significant geomorphological features within bedrock rivers, which occur profusely in several areas of the Spanish Central System which are outstanding in their overall geomorphological and geological value. Potholes assemblages are often a key feature contributing to the general geological values of these sites. By analyzing four sites along tributaries of the Tagus River (Manzanares, Alberche, and Tietar), the research evaluates the geomorphic and hydrological conditions affecting pothole functionality. The loss of pothole functionality may hinder their geoheritage status. Sites were categorized by varying levels of anthropogenic and climatic impact, with the Manzanares River, located in a National Park, displaying the highest pothole activity, contrasting sharply with the severely degraded Alberche-Picadas site influenced by reservoir regulation. Long-term precipitation and discharge data reveal declining trends linked to climate shifts, afforestation, and water management practices. A field-based index was developed to assess pothole functionality, highlighting the role of biological colonization and sediment retention in their inactivity. Results underscore the urgent need for conservation strategies integrating geomorphological insights and geotourism to preserve these dynamic landforms. By addressing the interplay between natural and anthropogenic factors, this work contributes to the sustainable management and educational utilization of geoheritage sites. Therefore, stream pothole assemblages may be considered individual geosites and, as such, an important component of geological heritage.
