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Germany’s UNESCO Global Geoparks and National GeoParks: Experiences from a Two-Tier System

Author

Listed:
  • Heidi Elisabeth Megerle

    (Hochschule für Forstwirtschaft Rottenburg am Neckar, 72108 Rottenburg am Neckar, Germany)

  • Christof Ellger

    (Geo-Union Alfred-Wegener-Stiftung, 14476 Potsdam, Germany)

Abstract

Initiatives in Germany were among the pioneers of the international geopark movement. The Vulkaneifel Geopark was involved in the development of the first international geopark initiative at the end of the 1990s, establishing the European Geoparks Network in 2000. In addition, the national geoscientific community opted early, since the year 2000, for an additional national label, with the idea of establishing more geoparks than then possible if they had relied solely on the international certificate. Currently, eight geoparks in Germany are both National GeoParks and UNESCO Global Geoparks. A further ten geoparks are recognized as National GeoParks. After more than two decades, the two-tier system in Germany appears to be a successful approach. Opportunities as well as challenges of such a two-tier geopark system, are addressed in the article.

Suggested Citation

  • Heidi Elisabeth Megerle & Christof Ellger, 2022. "Germany’s UNESCO Global Geoparks and National GeoParks: Experiences from a Two-Tier System," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2022:i:1:p:108-:d:1018877
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Julian Stolz & Heidi Elisabeth Megerle, 2022. "Geotrails as a Medium for Education and Geotourism: Recommendations for Quality Improvement Based on the Results of a Research Project in the Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-37, August.
    2. Heidi Elisabeth Megerle, 2022. "One Billion Years of Earth History: Challenges of Valorizing the Outstanding Geodiversity of Southwest Germany for Sustainable Geotourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-25, January.
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