Geological heritage in UNESCO's World Heritage List: A critical review

Abstract

The UNESCO World Heritage Convention (WHC), established in 1972, aims to protect and conserve cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value (OUV). Properties nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List must demonstrate OUV and meet at least one of ten criteria. The importance of geological values with respect to global heritage was recognized early on and is specifically outlined in criterion (viii). The Advisory Bodies of UNESCO evaluate nominated properties, including geological ones, with input from the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) in this case. A systematic analysis of geoheritage properties on the list reveals marked trends and patterns, highlighting a persistent geographic imbalance, along with a predominance of aesthetic aspects of abiotic nature, with less emphasis on less evident geological themes. Thus, the more visual aspects of geology prevailed in the selection of geoheritage properties. In this way, geological heritage in the WHC remains subordinated to landscape aesthetics and ecological aspects, and there is a striking concentration of properties (50%) in Europe and North America. While only seven properties from the World Heritage List coincide with a UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGps). The rise of the UGGps program signals a shift towards greater recognition and conservation of geological heritage at both community and international levels.