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Topical - Geoheritage
Figure 12: Landscape Physiographic Unit Map - scale 1:250.000 Abruzzo
region. Figure 13: Map of habitat and land use, scale 1: 50.000.
The multi-scaled approach gives an
added value in terms of tools, to the study
of landscape. For example, the 1:250.000
scale map gives a general view of the landscape,
in order to recognize, classify and
map geomorphologically homogeneous
areas.
The scale 1: 50.000 highlights soil use, in
particular the distribution of wine cultivation
in the area (Fig. 13).
At the same scale, thanks to the thematic
maps produced by the CARG project it
is also possible to gather geological and
geomorphological data. Indeed, even if the
biotic component plays a key role in the
functional ecosystem dynamics, geology,
being a part of all natural systems, plays
a primary role in the study of landforms,
climate, and biodiversity. In parallel, new
attention is paid, in the study of nature and
territory, to agricultural arrangement, cultural
settlement and, more generally, to
land use, recognized as a very important
factor in an integrated approach to territorial
analysis, that integrate both the natural
and cultural aspects of a landscape (Fig. 14).
In many cases, spectacular land forms
become a potential tourist resource. This
situation is not easy to manage and needs
scientific/geomorphological monitoring,
new outlooks in agricultural practice, and
social consensus, based on shared knowledge
and on a common model of identification
in the local landscape.
Conclusions
referring to the social aspects of geoheritage,
is represented by local institutions
which study and protect the territory, programmes
for territorial monitoring, and
promoting local action to restore, protect
and exploit, in a sustainable way, the areas
of interest. At the same time, special attention
should be devoted to social involvement:
communication, dissemination and
education.
A proper technical and cultural approach
to the question of managing and protecting
the environment requires a multiscale and
multidisciplinary approach, aiming at a
balance between use of and respect for the
land, in order to have development that is
sustainable for both the natural and social
ecosystems. Future planning should make
use of interpretative landscape analyses
using various tools.
The aim to protect places of significant
geological interest derives from the need to
guarantee a conscious and enjoyable use of
landscape in all its forms for future generations.
The relevant Italian law, the “Framework
Law on Protected Areas” (394/1991),
has among its aims the protection and management
of certain areas and geological and
palaeontological conservation, places of
scenic and panoramic interest, natural processes,
and hydraulic and hydrogeological
equilibrium. New environmental problems
need new solutions and new creative strategies
in cooperation with citizens and policy
The Italian landscape, spectacular and
varied, is made up of a dynamic set of geomorphosites.
An important extra value,
Figure 14: Risk/Resource in Abruzzo region (Photo: Mauro Cantoro).
European Geologist 34 | November 2012
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