Protecting and managing geoheritage, a new task for geoscientists

Seminar III – Geological Processes (Doctoral degree on Earth and Space Sciences)

Day – December 10

Hour – 2:30 PM

Link –  https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/86776030564

Title – Protecting and managing geoheritage, a new task for geoscientists

Abstract – By definition, heritage is what is inherited from past generations, maintained in the present, and bestowed to future generations due to its values. In this context, geological heritage (or geoheritage) is a selection of the most representative natural elements of geological nature that are worthy of preservation for present and future generations. This includes the set of geological features that best represent the history of planet Earth and that are the foundation of life-support systems essential to humankind and to biodiversity. Geological heritage includes all types of non-living natural elements, namely minerals, rocks, soils, fossils, landforms and landscapes, together with the diversity of natural processes that produce them. Geoheritage may be affected by several types of man-made and natural threats that may cause its decay or even total destruction. All these threats contribute to the loss of geoheritage, which is the most obvious justification for the need to implement geoconservation strategies. Therefore, each country should include clear measures to protect and manage its geoheritage.

Lecturer – José Brilha

Current position – Full Professor, Earth Sciences Department, University of Minho. Past-President of the European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage (ProGEO), 2012-2017. Evaluator of UNESCO Global Geoparks and UNESCO World Heritage, since 2012. Coordinator of the group on Geoconservation and Geoscience Education of the Earth Sciences Institute.

Scientific Interests – Geoconservation; Geological heritage; Geoparks; World Heritage; Protected areas