IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v12y2023i9p1650-d1222963.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Quantitative Assessment of Geodiversity for Conservation Purposes in Slovenské rudohorie Mountains (Slovakia)

Author

Listed:
  • Mária Barančoková

    (Institute of Landscape Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 81499 Bratislava, Slovakia)

  • Daniela Hutárová

    (Institute of Landscape Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 81499 Bratislava, Slovakia)

  • Maroš Nikolaj

    (Esprit, Spol. s.r.o., 96901 Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia)

Abstract

A geodiversity assessment is one of the basic steps in the development of geoprotection activities. It is important to establish parameters that quantify the elements and locations of abiotic nature. Here, the focus is on those who are richer than the average population. In doing so, it is possible to manage areas for the protection of important geoheritage and develop sustainable activities, e.g., geotourism. The monitored territory (Slovenské rudohorie Mts.) lies in southeast Slovakia and occupies an area of 4986 km 2 . The geodiversity assessment is based on overlaying a grid onto different maps at a scale of 1:500,000, where the final geodiversity index is the sum of six indices calculated in 5 × 5 km grid squares. These indices consist of a geological index, a geomorphological index (composed of two sub-indices: geomorphological subdivision and morphological–morphometric types), a hydrological index (composed of three sub-indices: the type of aquifer, the density of the river network, and the occurrence of springs and mineral waters), a soil index, a tectonic index, and a mineral resources index (composed of four sub-indices: the occurrence of ore, non-ore, construction, and energy resources). The resulting geodiversity index map is presented in the form of five isoline classes: very high (10% of the monitored area), high (28%), medium (32%), low (23%), and very low (7%). The geodiversity map of the territory of the Slovenské rudohorie Mts., together with the indices, creates a useful tool for conservation, management, sustainability programs, and education at the national level. However, Slovak legislation does not mention the concept of geodiversity, its protection, valuation, restoration, or responsible usage. Only its specific forms and processes are preserved as a natural resource supporting biodiversity. Considering the mineralogical richness of the area, some locations with a very high geodiversity may be the focus of mineral exploration. It is very important to set up appropriate landscape management for these sites. Valuable geotopes located in biodiversity cold spots that are not subject to protection within the state’s nature protection program should be considered as small protected areas (up to 1000 ha) at the fourth or fifth level of protection under Act No. 543/2002 Coll. or could form the core areas of a possible Geopark.

Suggested Citation

  • Mária Barančoková & Daniela Hutárová & Maroš Nikolaj, 2023. "Quantitative Assessment of Geodiversity for Conservation Purposes in Slovenské rudohorie Mountains (Slovakia)," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-28, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:9:p:1650-:d:1222963
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/9/1650/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/9/1650/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ľubomír Štrba & Jana Kolačkovská & Dušan Kudelas & Branislav Kršák & Csaba Sidor, 2020. "Geoheritage and Geotourism Contribution to Tourism Development in Protected Areas of Slovakia—Theoretical Considerations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-20, April.
    2. Pavel Hronček & Bohuslava Gregorová & Dana Tometzová & Mário Molokáč & Ladislav Hvizdák, 2020. "Modeling of Vanished Historic Mining Landscape Features as a Part of Digital Cultural Heritage and Possibilities of Its Use in Mining Tourism (Case Study: Gelnica Town, Slovakia)," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-16, April.
    3. Bouzekraoui Hicham & Barakat Ahmed & El Youssi Mohammed & Touhami Fatima & Mouaddine Atika & Hafid Abdellatif & Zwoliński Zbigniew, 2018. "Mapping Geosites as Gateways to the Geotourism Management in Central High-Atlas (Morocco)," Quaestiones Geographicae, Sciendo, vol. 37(1), pages 87-102, March.
    4. Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Paúl Carrión-Mero & Niurka Alvarado & Fernando Morante-Carballo & Alfonso Maldonado & Pablo Caldevilla & Josué Briones-Bitar & Edgar Berrezueta, 2020. "Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-24, June.
    5. Vladyslav Zakharovskyi & Károly Németh, 2021. "Quantitative-Qualitative Method for Quick Assessment of Geodiversity," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-21, September.
    6. Juliana P. Silva & Diamantino I. Pereira & Alexandre M. Aguiar & Cleide Rodrigues, 2013. "Geodiversity assessment of the Xingu drainage basin," Journal of Maps, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(2), pages 254-262, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Vladyslav Zakharovskyi & Károly Németh, 2023. "Recognition of Potential Geosites Utilizing a Hydrological Model within Qualitative–Quantitative Assessment of Geodiversity in the Manawatu River Catchment, New Zealand," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-19, February.
    2. Marián Lukáč & Ľubomír Štrba & Alexander Černega & Samer Khouri, 2021. "Recent State Policy and Its Impact on Geopark Establishment and Operation in Slovakia," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Vladyslav Zakharovskyi & Károly Németh, 2022. "Geomorphological Model Comparison for Geosites, Utilizing Qualitative–Quantitative Assessment of Geodiversity, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-20, October.
    4. Vladyslav Zakharovskyi & Károly Németh, 2022. "Scale Influence on Qualitative–Quantitative Geodiversity Assessments for the Geosite Recognition of Western Samoa," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-15, August.
    5. Laura Valentini & Veronica Guerra & Olivia Nesci, 2023. "The Mt. Catria–Mt. Nerone Ridge in the North-Marchean Apennines (Central Italy): A Potential Geopark?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-28, July.
    6. Fernando Morante-Carballo & Geanella Herrera-Narváez & Nelson Jiménez-Orellana & Paúl Carrión-Mero, 2020. "Puyango, Ecuador Petrified Forest, a Geological Heritage of the Cretaceous Albian-Middle, and Its Relevance for the Sustainable Development of Geotourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-24, August.
    7. Vladyslav Zakharovskyi & Károly Németh, 2021. "Qualitative-Quantitative Assessment of Geodiversity of Western Samoa (SW Pacific) to Identify Places of Interest for Further Geoconservation, Geoeducation, and Geotourism Development," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 1(3), pages 1-19, December.
    8. Borut Stojilković, 2022. "Towards Transferable Use of Terrain Ruggedness Component in the Geodiversity Index," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-18, February.
    9. Daniela Hutárová & Ivana Kozelová & Jana Špulerová, 2021. "Tourism Development Options in Marginal and Less-Favored Regions: A Case Study of Slovakia´s Gemer Region," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-23, February.
    10. Zorlu, Kuttusi & Dede, Volkan & Zorlu, Burçin Şeyda & Serin, Soner, 2023. "Quantitative assessment of geoheritage with the GAM and MEREC-based PROMETHEE-GAIA method," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    11. Antonio Martínez-Graña & José Angel González-Delgado & Carlos Nieto & Vanessa Villalba & Teresa Cabero, 2023. "Geodiversity and Geoheritage to Promote Geotourism Using Augmented Reality and 3D Virtual Flights in the Arosa Estuary (NW Spain)," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, May.
    12. Margaret Kalacska & Oliver Lucanus & Leandro Sousa & J. Pablo Arroyo-Mora, 2020. "High-Resolution Surface Water Classifications of the Xingu River, Brazil, Pre and Post Operationalization of the Belo Monte Hydropower Complex," Data, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-12, August.
    13. Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Néstor Montalván-Burbano & Carlos Mora-Frank & Lady Bravo-Montero, 2021. "Scientific Research in Ecuador: A Bibliometric Analysis," Publications, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-34, December.
    14. Marcin Siłuch & Waldemar Kociuba & Leszek Gawrysiak & Piotr Bartmiński, 2023. "Assessment and Quantitative Evaluation of Loess Area Geomorphodiversity Using Multiresolution DTMs (Roztocze Region, SE Poland)," Resources, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-24, January.
    15. Alejandro Arias-Díaz & Hugo Murcia & Felipe Vallejo-Hincapié & Károly Németh, 2023. "Understanding Geodiversity for Sustainable Development in the Chinchiná River Basin, Caldas, Colombia," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-36, November.
    16. Paúl Carrión-Mero & Alicia Ayala-Granda & Sthefano Serrano-Ayala & Fernando Morante-Carballo & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Miguel Gurumendi-Noriega & Nataly Paz-Salas & Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Edgar B, 2020. "Assessment of Geomorphosites for Geotourism in the Northern Part of the “Ruta Escondida” (Quito, Ecuador)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-23, October.
    17. Judith Nyulas & Ștefan Dezsi & Adrian Niță & Raluca-Andreea Toma & Ana-Maria Lazăr, 2024. "Trends and Future Directions in Analysing Attractiveness of Geoparks Using an Automated Merging Method of Multiple Databases—R-Based Bibliometric Analysis," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-30, October.
    18. Yiting Zhu & Xueru Pang & Chunshan Zhou & Xiong He, 2022. "Coupling Coordination Degree between the Socioeconomic and Eco-Environmental Benefits of Koktokay Global Geopark in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-25, July.
    19. Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Paúl Carrión-Mero & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Fernando Morante-Carballo & María Jaya-Montalvo & M.C. Morillo-Balsera, 2020. "Groundwater Resilience Assessment in a Communal Coastal Aquifer System. The Case of Manglaralto in Santa Elena, Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-27, October.
    20. Janetta Nestorová Dická & Alena Gessert & Lenka Bryndzová & Tamás Telbisz, 2020. "Behavioural Survey of Local Inhabitants’ Views and Attitudes about Slovak Karst National Park in Slovakia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-24, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:9:p:1650-:d:1222963. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.