Heritage recognition of active geomorphological processes: The challenges of geoconservation beyond landforms
Details
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_37DB7FBA63E1
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Heritage recognition of active geomorphological processes: The challenges of geoconservation beyond landforms
Journal
Moravian Geographical Reports
Publication state
Published
Issued date
03/04/2025
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
33
Number
1
Pages
7-21
Language
english
Abstract
The recognition of geomorphosites as heritage sites is often based on an assessment of their heritage values conducted by scientists, and many methodological proposals have been published in the last two decades to achieve this evaluation. However, the criteria defined in these methods are primarily designed to assess the heritage values of the landforms themselves, focusing mainly on the static aspects of geomorphosites and often overlooking the dynamic processes that are integral to their formation and ongoing evolution. In this article, we define specific criteria for evaluating the heritage values of active processes and discuss four issues related to their protection: (1) defining the functional perimeter, (2) managing natural hazards, (3) determining the relevance of conserving an active geomorphological system in its current state, and (4) deciding whether it is more important to protect the landforms or the processes. Through three case studies in the Swiss Alps, the results show that an ideal management practice would be to maintain the natural dynamics and rate of change of geomorphological processes, with exceptions when they have a negative impact on landforms of higher heritage value than the processes, or when they threaten human life or infrastructure.
Keywords
Geoheritage, geomorphology, active processes, assessment methodology, geoconservation
Publisher's website
Open Access
Yes
Create date
03/04/2025 14:34
Last modification date
05/04/2025 7:02