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- Interpreting Late Pleistocene Paleoenvironments through the geosites of the Estrela Geopark, Central PortugalPublication . Gomes, Hugo; Loureiro, Fábio; Cezar, Lucas; Castro, Emanuel; Vieira, GonçaloThe UNESCO Global Geoparks are territories whose geological relevance is the starting point for a territorial development strategy. As territories of the 21st century, we want them to be places of science, culture and education, through a holistic vision, which intends to establish strong connections between the geological and cultural heritage. In this context, the geodiversity of Estrela, the richness of its geosite’s diversity and the scenic character of its landscapes make this territory a unique geography, whose structured approach allows for a solid interpretation of the paleoenvironmental evolution of the Estrela Mountain. The Estrela Geopark, with 2,216 km2, centered on the highest mountain in mainland Portugal (1993 m), is a reference for glacial geomorphology in the southwest European context. The territory shows the most significant glacial, fluvioglacial and periglacial landforms and deposits in Portugal, some of them of international relevance. The Geopark shows a diversity of granites and metasedimentary formations, with evidences of contact metamorphism. The geological history of the Estrela Geopark dates back to the Neoproterozoic, with ages older than 650 Ma, represented by an extensive sequence of metasediments dominated by schists and greywackes. These were deformed by the Variscan orogeny, during which, intrusions of granite batholiths occurred. At the end of the orogeny, the relief was razed by erosive processes that extended until the Miocene, when Variscan faults were reactivated leading to the uplift of the Estrela as a pop-up structure. The summit plateau, showing an elevation close to 2000 m, was key for the development of Estrela’s glaciers during the Pleistocene. These were responsible for a remarkable set of glacial landforms and deposits that drive the geological relevance of the Estrela Geopark. The interaction of the Pleistocene glaciers with the geoheritage reflecting the long geological history of the territory, together with the current geomorphological dynamics, long history of human settlement resulting in rich land use features and traditions, lead to the high international relevance of the territory of Estrela, a UNESCO Global Geopark candidate. The Estrela Geopark inventoried and classified 124 geosites, 40% of them related to glacial and fluvioglacial phenomena and periglacial processes. These include glacial valleys, cirques, glacial overdeepenings, several types of moraines and till outcrops, glacial erratics, glacial polished surfaces, and fluvioglacial deposits. The joint interpretation of landforms and sediments, including the palinological record has been crucial for a better understanding of the paleoenvironmental evolution and significance of the Estrela and of its high sensitivity to climate variability and change as a consequence of its high plateau-dominated morphology, bounded by steep marginal scarps and deeply carved valleys.
- Geodiversity and geo-education in the construction of tourist and leisure territories: the case of Estrela Aspiring Geopark (AGE)Publication . Fernandes, Magda; Castro, Emanuel; Loureiro, Fábio; Patrocínio, Filipe; Firmino, Gisela; Vieira, Gonçalo; Gomes, HugoGeodiversity has an intrinsic enormous scientific value in allowing us to understand the evolution of our Planet. In this sense, it is necessary to implement strategies to preserve geodiversity, through geoconservation. In order to disseminate and promote geological heritage, some territories seek to develop educational programs that promote direct contact with geoheritage, contributing to the recognition of its importance and consequently of the need for its conservation. In implementing educational promotion strategies, with the use of properly prepared guides and appropriate educational materials, teachers are encouraged to promote field lessons at different levels of education, contributing to increasing the interest in geosciences, as well as for a better understanding of other phenomena occurring on Earth. With the objective of promoting the development of value-added activities, based on geodiversity, we have seen a tourist appropriation of these resources, giving rise to geotourism strategies. We are thus faced with a potential form of sustainable tourism that can contribute to the economic development of many regions, while respecting sustainability criteria. In the Aspiring Geopark Estrela the geoconservation of geological heritage takes place through the implementation of key methods, such as inventories of geosites, with evaluation of its scientific, educational, cultural and touristic value; the implementation of signage, exhibitions, and interpretative panels accessible to all and the establishment of interpretative routes. Will be presented some examples of the different educative programs that are being currently promoted and directed to the disciplinary areas of the Geosciences. Our approach allows an interdisciplinary with other areas of knowledge, such as, Biology, Geography, History and Archaeology.
- Promotion of Education in Geosciences and UNESCO Global GeoparksPublication . Fernandes, Magda; Castro, Emanuel; Loureiro, Fábio; Patrocínio, Filipe; Vieira, Goncalo; Gomes, HugoConsidering that Earth is an active planet and that anthropic action contributes to alter the planet's dynamic equilibrium, through the increase of the natural hazards and depletion or destruction of the geological heritage, often for lack of knowledge of its scientific and didactic value, the dissemination of the work developed in Geosciences as well as Education, is of the utmost importance. In this context, the dissemination and teaching of Geosciences gained another dynamic with the creation of Geoparks because, these geographically well-defined territories that possess a remarkable geological heritage, in association with the other elements of the natural and cultural heritage, have as fundamental pillars Geoconservation, Tourism and Education for Sustainability. In this context, the UNESCO Global Geoparks promote the development of educational programs and interpretive resources, contributing to the dissemination of scientific knowledge enabling a greater visibility to Geosciences among the educational community and the general public. The Estrela Aspiring Geopark, which has an area of approximately 2216 km2 and includes 9 municipalities around Estrela, is a territory where sustainable development is sought in an integrated way, based on its geological and geomorphological heritage, of national and international relevance, its biodiversity and its culture, a reflection of the secular adaptation of its communities to this mountain territory. Here we can find important marks of the last glaciation that occurred about 30,000 years ago. This aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark is promoting multidisciplinary educational programs, which include indoor and outdoor activities, aimed at different levels of education (Basic, Secondary and Higher Education), in order to foster direct contact with the geological heritage, thus contributing to the recognition of its importance and consequently to the need for its conservation, since it is only possible to value and preserve what is truly known. The Estrela Aspiring Geopark has also interpretive routes in the field of non-formal education, aimed at the general public, and thus contributing to the dissemination and preservation of the valuable natural and cultural heritage of Estrela, as well as its use in a sustainable way. This article intends to demonstrate the importance of education in the dissemination of scientific knowledge, especially in the field of Geosciences, and to reveal how UNESCO Global Geoparks can be living laboratories, where multiple didactic and learning experiences are developed.