1,721,024 research outputs found
Ophiolites: Geological Heritage with Multifaceted Cultural Values
Full text linkCultural geomorphology is a very recent discipline that studies the geomorphological component of a territory which embodies both a cultural feature of the landscape and its interactions with cultural heritage: this cultural approach concerns the dialogue and cultural integration between humanistic and scientific disciplines and can be extended to all the fields of Earth Sciences. Ophiolite rock masses strongly characterize the landscape: their greenish-black, sometimes red-brown colour; the steep profile of the slopes, which results from their greater resistance to erosion than the surrounding softer sedimentary rocks; the scarce or even absent vegetation cover. The value of ophiolites is not only related to scientific and aesthetic interests, but is also due to historical-geographical, cultural and socio-economic issues. In this research, we present the elements of cultural and landscape value related to the ophiolites of the Northern Apennines, and how these geological and geomorphological features have led to specific relationships with humankind and human geography. Indeed, ophiolites represent characteristic elements of popular culture with immediate reference to toponymy, local legends and religion. Ophiolites are also an element of great strategic importance, as they are crucial for human settlement, with specific reference to defence, and for mining and quarrying activities. The landscape of ophiolites is of great geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological and pedological interest, resulting in a high concentration of geosites, hence on the one hand the opportunity for enhancement and potential geotourism, and on the other hand the need for their protection and geoconservation
Landslides, a Key Landform in the Global Geological Heritage
Full text linkLandslides are important components of global geoheritage, but awareness of their significance and value in such terms seems scanty in the scientific community. Landslides are normally identified among various features of geological and geomorphological interest, and often considered a source of hazard. However, they are seldom identified as geosites and as part of geoheritage. This paper aims at filling these gaps by highlighting the importance of landslides in the global geoheritage. After a short introduction on the values and criteria to define landforms as geosites, based on literature review, we show to what extent landslides have been defined as geomorphosites and as part of geoheritage around the world. We then outline three aspects that should be specifically considered in the identification of landslides as geomorphosites, namely 1) past and present climate changes, 2) anthropic signature, and 3) risk perception. Finally, we describe four cases of spectacular landslides that serve as significant examples worldwide
The natural reserve of the Secchia River flow regulation system: a place for flood mitigation and people amusement (Po Plain, Italy)
No full textThis work illustrates the Landscape Map of the Natural Reserve of the Secchia River which is located in the area of the flow regulation system of this river in the Po Plai
Scientific research on geomorphosites over the last eight years : improvements and aims of the book
No full textGeomorphosites and Natural Hazards: Teaching the Importance of Geomorphology in Society
No full textGeomorphosites and geological landscapes are
among the most important tourist attractions of rural and
mountain areas. In the past decades, especially thanks to
several research and cultural projects on geological heritage,
many regional and local authorities have started inventorying
and publicising their landscapes and sites of geological and
geomorphological interest publishing booklets, geotouristic
maps and equipping their territories with explanatory panels.
Nevertheless, geology and geomorphology are able to occupy
the head titles of the major newspapers or make the breaking
news on TV channels only when natural hazards hit the
population.Making the processes that shape themorphologies
at the Earth’s surface understandable to a wider public and
helping people to “read” the wide variety of signs and remnants
of recent or remote natural disasters might help to retain
society’s memory of these phenomena and therefore minimise
human and material losses. The geomorphological scars in the
landscape that remind, if adequately interpreted, past natural
and or human-induced disasters are ideal spots for geoenvironmental
education and should therefore be the subject
of a scientific programme able to exploit their didactic value.
This paper reports some interesting examples of such sites in
Italy
I Beni Geologici come espressione e veicolo culturale per tutti. Un progetto in Emilia Romagna.
No full textIn Italy, as in most countries, the geological component of the landscape has not yet been given its real value as a cultural asset. It is therefore necessary to find new ways and strategies to increase the awareness and sensitivity not only of the scientific world and institutions but also of society in general.From this viewpoint, a project has been activated with the collaboration of the Department of Earth Sciences of Modena and Reggio Emilia University and the Emilia-Romagna Region – Landscape, Parks and Natural Heritage Service. The aim of this project is to census and rate the most important sites of geological interest and develop cultural-tourist itineraries and educational routes.Such geological itineraries have a double aim: to promote the knowledge of Earth Sciences, so little widespread among media or public opinion; to offer new professional perspectives to young un-or unemployed geologists
Environmental rehabilitation linking natural and industrial heritage: a Master Plan for dismissed quarry areas in the Emilia Apennines (Italy)
No full textOver the past decades, quarrying activities have produced a vast array of physical and environmental impacts worldwide. In the past 20 years, there has been a growing need to address the issue of rehabilitation and requalification of quarry areas that, to be effective, should be strictly linked to local territorial resources and context, as shown by different types of rehabilitation schemes implemented in different parts of the world. This paper focuses on the rehabilitation of a recently dismissed quarry area in the Rio della Rocca valley (Emilia Apennines, northern Italy), near the ceramic tile district of Sassuolo, which is considered the largest in the world. During the past 50 years, quarrying activity has deeply modified the pristine landscape of this valley, which, however, still holds biotic and abiotic features of great natural interest and scientific value. The methodological approach and actions that led to an environmental rehabilitation scheme, based on the combined appraisal of geological, biological and industrial heritage within a Master Plan, are presented. Territorial resources, restrictions on development, geological hazards, as well as inputs from the local community at different stages were taken into account in defining the Master Plan
Increasing Geoheritage Awareness through Non-Formal Learning
Full text linkNon-formal learning can have a crucial role in increasing citizens’ literacy to geoscience providing the opportunity to raise the public profile of geology and geomorphology. Starting from these remarks, the project presented here is one of the first attempts, at national level, aimed at achieving the territorial upgrading based on geoheritage enhancement. The project started thanks to a bottom-up input and involved the collaboration between scholars and local administrations and stakeholders for the valorization of a fluvial area within the Municipality of Castellarano (Emilia Apennines, Northern Italy). To achieve this aim of non-formal learning activities, based on the interpretation of the geoheritage, have been implemented. In fact, the investigated area includes valuable geological and geomorphological features which have been used, in the frame of the project here presented, to promote local geodiversity and geotourism. In particular, three geosites of regional significance were considered for the creation of EarthCaches, interpretative panels and guided excursions. Interpretative contents were designed to be educational, providing accurate but non-technical explanations. Attention was given in including illustrations playing an important role in the learning process. The results revealed that the implemented activities positively contribute to raising public awareness on the value of geoheritage
Un percorso culturale e turistico nel paesaggio ofiolitico. Le "Pietre del Diavolo" tra borghi e castelli nell’Appennino emiliano.
No full textLa complessità del territorio nazionale ed il ricco patrimonio ambientale che lo caratterizza fanno dell'Italia uno dei paesi in cui la dimensione areale è inversamente proporzionale alla ricchezza e alla frequenza di luoghi e oggetti di rilevanza documentale globale. Ciò vale soprattutto per il patrimonio ambientale, verso il quale si sta registrando un interesse sempre più crescente, sia in ambiti scientifici, che attraverso iniziative legislative di censimento, protezione e valorizzazione (Bertacchini et alii, 1999).In quest'ottica si inserisce un progetto in collaborazione tra il Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell'Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia e la Regione Emilia Romagna - Servizio Paesaggio, Parchi e Patrimonio naturale - responsabile Sandra Piacente, volto, oltre che al censimento e la valutazione dei più importanti siti di interesse geologico, alla realizzazione di itinerari turistico-culturali.I risultati ottenuti diventano così anche occasione di protezione e di valorizzazione di questo particolare patrimonio ambientale, trasformato da "oggetto geologico" in "bene culturale", fruibile e godibile da tutti
Le "Pietre del Diavolo" tra borghi e castelli nell'Appennino emiliano. Un percorso culturale nel paesaggio ofiolitico.
No full textGeological heritage: a new opportunity for cultural and tourist development. The "Devil's Stones" between Hamlets and Castles of the Emilia Apennines (Italy). The complexity of the national territory and the variety of environmental heritage make Italy one of the countries where the areal extension is inversely proportional to the richness and frequency of places and objects of considerable cultural relevance. This is particularly true for environmental heritage, which is enjoying an ever increasing interest from the viewpoint both of scientific interest and of legislation regarding census, protection and improvement activities. Within this framework, a co-operation project between the Department of Earth Sciences of Modena and Reggio Emilia University and the Landscape, Park and Nature Conservancy Service of the Emilia-Romagna Region has been activated. The aim of this project is the classification and assessment of the most important geological sites and the implementation of educational routes and cultural tourist itineraries. The results expected could therefore be an opportunity for stimulating territorial upgrading by means of interventions on abandoned or secondary areas and by promoting new models of development
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