More than fossils: Paleoburrows as geoheritage and paleoenvironmental archives in the Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul UNESCO Global Geopark, Southern Brazil

Abstract

The paleoburrows (paleotocas) are ichnofossils produced by the autochthonous megafauna of South America. The Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul UNESCO Global Geopark (CCSUGG), Southern Brazil, contains a large amount of these ichnofossils, which are regarded as internationally relevant. This article aims to discuss paleoburrows as geoheritage and paleoenvironmental records, using the examples present in the CCSUGG. For this purpose, bibliographic research, paleoburrows cataloguing fieldwork and mapping routine were carried out. So far, 24 paleoburrows have been compiled. Mostly found in sedimentary friable rocks, such as the Botucatu Formation sandstones, can also occur in harder, weathered lithologies in a smaller amount. Some bioerosive structures show claw scrapping and digging signs, attributed to the Pliocene-Pleistocene South American megafauna, such as the giant sloths and the giant armadillos. Despite these 24 paleoburrows, four of them are recognized as geosites of regional and international value. These ichnofossils provide geological and paleontological values, considering their builders are already extinct and their presence allows to infer paleoenvironmental changes and megamammals distributions. Besides tangible values, these burrows evoke myths and histories about indigenous people and settlers who used these burrows as shelter, representing intangible cultural heritage. Even though these values, paleoburrows face threats that endanger their conservation, like unguided visitors, water flow and block falls. Hence, there are geoeducational efforts to preserve these ichnofossils for future generations. All these processes are evident in geosites with scientific, scenic and touristic values, the paleotocas giant paleoburrows.