GEODIVERSITY AND GEOHERITAGE AS A BASIS FOR GEOCONSERVATION STRATEGIES: CONCEPTS, APPROACHES, ASSESSMENT METHODS, AND APPLICABILITY TO THE CONTEXT OF THE RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE

Abstract

This paper presents a review of geodiversity, geoheritage, and other concepts related to geoconservation practices and geopark management. Such strategies bring the geoscientists near to the issues of nature conservation, territorial management, and sustainable development in rural areas. The different approaches and methods for assessing geodiversity and geoheritage are critically analyzed. Finally, a brief scenario of the geodiversity of Rio Grande do Sul is presented, pointing out some contexts in which geoconservation and/or geopark establishment could be important. The present review aims to mark some starting points for a research on the subject, as well as for spreading these concepts and practices to the geoscientists of the Rio Grande do Sul State.