International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks最新文献

{"title":"Integrated geospatial analysis for ecotourism potential: A study of Jhargram District using geographic information systems and analytical hierarchy process","authors":"Uttam Bhunia,&nbsp;Arvind Kumar Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.10.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the ecotourism potential of Jhargram District, West Bengal, India, using an integrated approach that combines geographic information systems (GIS) with the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) from multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) tools. Ten key criteria, including distance from geosites, elevation, slope, proximity to forests, distance from rivers, distance from cultural sites, distance from hotels and homestays, land use and land cover (LULC), distance from roads, and distance from tribal villages, were selected based on field surveys and expert opinions. The AHP method determined the relative importance of these criteria, and a weighted overlay analysis was conducted in ArcGIS 10.8. The analysis revealed that the district's 14.28% (432.50 km²) was highly suitable for ecotourism, with 0.16% (5 km²) classified as most suitable. Moderately suitable areas accounted for 73.21% (2217.38 km²), while 11.97% (362.55 km²) were less suitable, and only 0.38% (11.4 km²) were not suitable. The Binpur-II block emerged as the most favorable zone, hosting 35 villages within the most suitable category. The study's novelty lied in the integration of Kernel density estimation (KDE) and combined density analysis for validation, ensuring a more robust site selection process. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers to promote ecotourism while conserving natural ecosystems and generating employment opportunities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36117,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks","volume":"13 4","pages":"Pages 561-578"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145796996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The landscape of science communication and public engagement in UNESCO Global Geoparks","authors":"Joana Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Elsa Costa e Silva ,&nbsp;Diamantino Insua Pereira","doi":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.01.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.01.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>UNESCO Global Geoparks are unique platforms for communicating science and geoscience, especially in the context of contemporary environmental challenges. These territories are outstanding models for promoting environmental stewardship and fostering community engagement. To address a research gap in understanding science communication within geoparks, this study explored the theoretical framework behind science communication, discussing key principles and strategies. The results revealed a diverse landscape with a wide spectrum of approaches, showing progress and opportunities, yet challenges persisted, including inconsistent frameworks and the prevalence of deficit-model thinking. Trends indicated increasing adoption of participatory and community-focused initiatives, although these were unevenly implemented. The study concluded that while geoparks had made significant contributions to science communication and sustainability, their impact could be enhanced through more consistent and participatory strategies that actively involved communities, strengthening their role as global models for environmental stewardship and public engagement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36117,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks","volume":"13 4","pages":"Pages 547-560"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145746913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Benefits of geopark from the perspective of local communities: A case study of Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, Malaysia","authors":"Aelisa Awing Louis ,&nbsp;Hamimah Talib ,&nbsp;Jennifer Kim Lian Chan ,&nbsp;Kamlisa Uni Kamlun","doi":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Geoparks represent a dynamic nexus between geological heritage, ecological preservation, and sustainable development. Within this framework, the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark (KUGGp) in Malaysia was officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark on 26th May 2023. It stands as a paragon of geotourism, uniting local communities, cultural legacy, and natural wonders under the broader agenda of sustainable tourism. However, the extent to which these benefits are recognized by local communities, particularly in Kota Belud, remains inadequately explored. Understanding these perspectives is crucial for aligning geotourism initiatives with community aspirations and fostering sustainable development. This study investigates the perceived benefits of geoparks among the Kota Belud community using a mixed-methods approach. A total of 225 respondents from the community of Kota Belud participated in this study. The quantitative data were triangulated with the data from in-depth interviews with eight community representatives. Using a five-point Likert scale, the survey consists of 31 items constructed based on the UNWTO conceptual framework of the three pillars of tourism sustainable development: economy, social, and environment. Complementary in-depth interviews with eight representatives provided qualitative insights, enhancing the robustness of findings. Survey results indicate strong agreement on the benefits of geoparks in enhancing local economies (mean = 4.36), fostering social cohesion (mean = 4.28), and promoting environmental conservation (mean = 4.24). Thematic analysis further highlights the dimensions such as income generation, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship. This study underscores the transformative potential of geoparks and offers practical insights for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance geotourism strategies aligned with sustainable development goals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36117,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks","volume":"13 4","pages":"Pages 534-546"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145746912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Erratum to “Climate change risk assessment of heritage tourism sites within South African national parks” [International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, Volume 10, Issue 3, 417–434]","authors":"D. Chikodzi ,&nbsp;G. Nhamo ,&nbsp;K. Dube ,&nbsp;L. Chapungu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.09.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36117,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks","volume":"13 3","pages":"Page 490"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145117770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of communication tools in urban green space protection: A social innovation perspective from Karaj, Iran","authors":"Neda Gholikhani Farahani,&nbsp;Jamal Farajollah Hosseini,&nbsp;Mehdi Mirdamadi,&nbsp;Maryam Omidi Najafabadi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.05.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.05.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urbanization and population growth present significant challenges to environmental sustainability, necessitating the effective management and protection of urban green spaces. Communication tools and social innovation play a vital role in protecting urban green spaces and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. This study analyzed the effectiveness of various communication methods in promoting urban green space protection in Karaj, Iran. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 135 participants with expertise in green space management. The results showed that about 69.63% of respondents viewed the current status of urban green space protection as neutral to very unfavorable. The results revealed that social media was the most effective communication tool for enhancing awareness and engagement, followed closely by social network. Other methods, such as campaign activities and traditional media, also contributed positively, although to a lesser extent. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships between these communication tools and their effectiveness, confirming that social media and social network significantly influenced urban green space protection. These results highlight the importance of improving communication strategies and encourage further research to explore their implications in different urban contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36117,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks","volume":"13 3","pages":"Pages 350-359"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144887382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancements towards developing sustainable practices for desert regions: Evaluating the geotourism potential of Punta Willard, Ensenada, Baja California, México","authors":"Ángel Raúl Herrera-Gutiérrez ,&nbsp;Cesar Mosso ,&nbsp;Ronald M. Spelz ,&nbsp;Usama Ismael Yarbuh Lugo ,&nbsp;Miguel Agustín Téllez Duarte ,&nbsp;Rigoberto Guardado France ,&nbsp;Miguel Ángel Santa Rosa del Río","doi":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research examined the geoheritage potential of Punta Willard, a coastal area in the northwestern region of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, with the purpose of identifying and assessing sites of geological, geographical, historical, and archaeological relevance for sustainable geotourism initiatives. A total of thirteen natural features were surveyed and evaluated using a structured methodology that considered criteria such as scientific interest, educational potential, aesthetic appeal, and accessibility. Data collection involved on-site observations, background literature analysis, and expert judgment. The results revealed a broad diversity of features, including marine terraces, fossiliferous outcrops, sedimentary formations, and cultural remains, several of which ranked highly in scientific and educational categories. The richness and variety of these features suggested strong potential for developing low-impact, interpretive geotourism in line with conservation goals. Given the rising demand for nature-based and educational tourism, Punta Willard emerged as a promising destination where tourism could support heritage preservation while fostering local development. This study emphasizes the value of applying geoheritage assessment frameworks to inform land-use planning and tourism management, particularly in regions that are not formally protected but possess significant geoscientific and cultural resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36117,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks","volume":"13 3","pages":"Pages 440-452"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144916473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Removal notice to ‘Inventory and quantitative assessment of geosites and geodiversity sites of the Tinghir-Dades-Imilchil area (Morocco)’ [International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks 13 (2025) 166–187]","authors":"Mohamed El Ouali ,&nbsp;Lahcen Kabiri ,&nbsp;Badre Essafraoui ,&nbsp;Mohamed Ben Bammou ,&nbsp;Ismail Ait Lahssaine ,&nbsp;Badre Messaoudi ,&nbsp;Rowan Martindale","doi":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.08.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36117,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks","volume":"13 3","pages":"Page 489"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145117769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to ‘The geodiversity of Lefo and Santa-Mbu calderas (Bamenda Mountains, Cameroon volcanic line): Factor for socioeconomic activities’ [International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, Volume 10, Issue 4, 491–506]","authors":"Ghislain Zangmo Tefogoum ,&nbsp;Armand Kagou Dongmo ,&nbsp;David Guimolaire Nkouathio ,&nbsp;Merlin Gountié Dedzo","doi":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.09.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.09.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36117,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks","volume":"13 3","pages":"Page 491"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145117767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum regarding incorrect Declaration Conflict-of-Interests statements in previously published articles","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.09.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.09.003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36117,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks","volume":"13 3","pages":"Page 492"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145117768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of geodiversity in Kalimpong District, India: A geospatial assessment using geodiversity index and multi-criterion decision analysis approach","authors":"Alok Sarkar ,&nbsp;Sarfaraz Alam ,&nbsp;Prasanya Sarkar ,&nbsp;Pulak Barman ,&nbsp;Shasanka Kumar Gayen","doi":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.06.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijgeop.2025.06.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The evaluation of geodiversity assessment is essential for preserving geoheritage, enhancing sustainable geotourism, and supporting conservation efforts in ecologically fragile regions. This research aims to analyse and explore the geodiversity of Kalimpong District, India, utilising a comprehensive geospatial analysis to identify areas of major geological importance for strategic planning for geotourism. This study conducts a thorough geospatial evaluation of geodiversity in India's Kalimpong District using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the geodiversity index. Analysing diverse geospatial datasets, including energy of relief diversity, relief fragmentation diversity, geological diversity, drainage density diversity, topography roughness index, trekking routes diversity, waterfalls, lakes diversity, and soil diversity, it systematically characterizes the district's geodiversity. The analytical hierarchy process has been used to determine the main criterion's weight. We also grade the sub-criterion rank supplied by Zwoliński. The geodiversity index identifies areas with geodiversity potential. The geodiversity index aids in identifying and categorizing geodiversity zones into five levels: very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. The findings depict a varied landscape abundant in geological features, with distinct zones reflecting differing levels of geological richness. Notably, the presence of very high geodiversity zones around Neora Valley National Park highlights rugged terrains and dense forests. These zones not only allure tourists but also safeguard valuable geoheritage. This study accentuates the Kalimpong District's potential for geotourism development and stresses the significance of conservation endeavors to preserve its geological diversity. Leveraging its unique geological attributes, the district can establish sustainable geotourism destinations, fostering economic growth, cultural enrichment, and environmental preservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36117,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks","volume":"13 3","pages":"Pages 372-387"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144889794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}