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- Granite geomorphology and its geological controls, Serra da Estrela, PortugalPublication . Migon, Piotr; Vieira, GoncaloSerra da Estrela is an elevated granite massif in central Portugal, characterized by extensive plateau surfaces incised by deep valleys affected by Quaternary glaciation, bounded by steep fault-generated escarpments. The presence of seven major textural variants of granite provides an opportunity to study the relationships between lithology and relief, whereas DEM analysis helped to show the relationships between lithology and topography objectively. The higher ground is associated with fine- to medium-grained granites and is typified by planar surfaces of low gradient, with occasional angular tors and rock pedestals. Block fields built by angular material are common in the parts that were not previously glaciated. Less elevated parts of the plateau are supported by medium- to coarse-grained granites and show more varied topography, with an abundance of tors, boulder piles, and depressions. Lithological boundaries locally coincide with slope breaks but this is not the rule. In the northern part of the massif a deep topographic basin has evolved in biotite granite, whereas deeply incised valleys follow major fault lines. Geological controls show a hierarchy, in that gross relief reflects the pattern of tectonic uplift and subsidence, whereas lithology and then fracture patterns become more and more important if one focuses on smaller and smaller landforms.
- Communicating Science In UNESCO Global GeoparksPublication . Patrocínio, Filipe; Castro, Emanuel; Loureiro, Fábio; Firmino, Gisela; Vieira, Goncalo; Gomes, Hugo; Fernandes, MagdaUNESCO territories are spaces of Education, Science and Culture, but also of Communication. Today, communication is an imperative of these territories, both as dissemination strategies and as a way of positioning in different development domains. In any case, knowing how to communicate its resources, differentiating elements or defining strategies, constitutes a competitive advantage that cannot be neglected at the present time. In other perspective, communication translates a strategy defined by the territories, visible in the way it communicates and in what is communicated. However, it’s not always easy to convey the values we want, much less when we speak about Science. The UNESCO Global Geoparks, as well-defined spaces where a community development strategy based on geology is built, are also areas of science. As such, communicating scientific knowledge, heritage resources, tangible and intangible values and culture itself are part of the daily life of a Geopark. Assuming the old maxim that we can only value what we know, the development of instruments, strategies and processes is fundamental, allowing the interpretation and dissemination of the geological heritage, but also of what is intended to be achieved with its valorisation, not only promoting greater attractiveness, but also a greater involvement of their communities, leading them to contribute in their own development. At Estrela Geopark, an aspirant to the UNESCO Global Geoparks network, communication plays a prominent role in its transverse development strategy. In each of its vital axes, tourism, science, education and sustainability, communication seeks to achieve three essential objectives: first, greater awareness of the Geopark brand and its own concept; secondly, greater dissemination of the territory; and thirdly, greater attractiveness, with more tourists, residents and investors. However, it`s not always easy to communicate science and scientific research. How to convey knowledge in an accessible, interesting and appealing way to the general public, whether visitors or residents? Aware of this difficulty, the Estrela Geopark betted early on interpretation as a central strategy for the whole communicative process. To interpret is the sine quo non condition for spreading knowledge, promoting geoconservation, achieving new forms of education and fostering our sense of belonging and pride. Throughout the last four years, several communication measures have been adopted, among which we highlight the "Portas do Geopark ", which are points of information and dissemination of heritage, and provide an entry into the territory. These "Portas" are the materialization of a dissemination strategy for the values of the Geopark throughout the 9 municipalities that compose this Aspiring with more than 2 thousand km2. Thus, 9 "Portas" and a tenth in the highest point of Continental Portugal, the Torre of Serra da Estrela, a place that receives approximately 2 million visitors per year, were created. In fact, communicating is much more than a simple way of transmitting knowledge, it`s a methodology that leverages the whole strategy of the Geopark, so that Estrela truly becomes a territory of Science, Education, Culture and Communication.
- 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.
- Evaluation of water resources in a high-mountain basin in Serra da Estrela, Central Portugal, using a semi-distributed hydrological modelPublication . Marques, Jorge Manuel Espinha; Samper, Javier; Pisani, B.; Alvares, D.; Carvalho, José Martins; Chaminé, Helder I.; Marques, José Manuel V. Barbosa; Vieira, Goncalo; Mora, Carla; Borges, Frederico SodréHigh-mountain basins provide a source of valuable water resources. This paper presents hydrological models for the evaluation of water resources in the highmountain Zezere river basin in Serra da Estrela, Central Portugal. Models are solved with VISUAL BALAN v2.0, a code which performs daily water balances in the root zone, the unsaturated zone and the aquifer and requires a small number of parameters. A lumped hydrological model failsto fit measured stream flows. Its limitations are overcome by considering the dependence of the temperature and precipitation data with elevation and the spatial variability in hydrogeomorphological variables with nine sub-basins of uniform parameters. Model parameters are calibrated by fitting stream flow measurements in the Zezere river. Computed stream flows are highly sensitive to soil thickness, whereas computed groundwater recharge is most sensitive to the interflow and percolation recession coefficients. Interflow is the main component of total runoff, ranging from 41 to 55% of annual precipitation. High interflows are favored by the steep relief of the basin, by the presence of a high permeability soil overlying the fractured low permeability granitic bedrock and by the extensive subhorizontal fracturing at shallow depths. Mean annual groundwater recharge ranges from 11 to 15% of annual precipitation. It has a significant uncertainty due to uncertainties in soil parameters. This methodology proves to be useful to handle the research difficulties regarding a complex mountain basin in a context of data scarcity.
- Managing the Estrela Aspiring Geopark: A framework for Promoting geoheritage conservationPublication . Castro, Emanuel; Vieira, Gonçalo; Loureiro, Fábio; Patrocínio, Filipe; Firmino, Gisela; Gomes, Hugo; Fernandes, MagdaThe serra da Estrela (1,993 m asl) is the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal and is part of the Iberian Central Cordillera. Bounded by fault scarps, a granite massif occupies the central area forming a summit plateau between ci. 1,400 and 2,000 m, while surrounding the core area, there is an interplay with schists and greywackes. During the Last Glacial a plateau ice-field and five radiating valley glaciers occupied the highest parts of the mountain with an estimated equilibrium line altitude at 1,650 m asl. The plateau style of the glaciation and the ELA just below the plateau edge made the Estrela very sensitive to climate fluctuations, having resulted in several terminal moraine complexes that reveal several glacial stages. The central plateau area shows widespread glacial erosion features and an almost complete stripping of the Cenozoic weathering mantle. The non-glaciated plateaus show a rich landscape dominated by granite weathering landforms. The remarkable glacial landscape of the serra da Estrela when considering its setting in SW Europe, together with other relevant geoheritage such as periglacial, weathering and mass wasting phenomena, tectonic, petrological and hydrogeological features, are at the core of Estrela’s application to become a UNESCO Global Geopark.
- A Geodiversidade do Aspiring Geopark Estrela, Portugal como Factor de Desenvolvimento TerritorialPublication . Gomes, Hugo; Castro, Emanuel; Fernandes, Magda; Firmino, Gisela; Patrocínio, Filipe; Vieira, Gonçalo; Fernandes, Gonçalo
- 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.
- Metodologias de análise e de classificação das paisagensPublication . Ferreira, António Brum; Alcoforado, Maria João; Vieira, Goncalo; Mora, Carla; Jansen, JanAssiste-se actualmente ao renascimento dos estudos de «Ecologia da Paisagem», mas continua a verificar-se uma grande dispersão, não só nos métodos, mas também no próprio objecto e nas escalas espacial e temporal de análise. Os progressos dos métodos quantitativos e dos sistemas de informação geográfica têm conduzido muitas vezes a uma excessiva preocupação pelos padrões fisionómicos, em detrimento da dinâmica da paisagem. Por sua vez, o entendimento da paisagem como um «geossistema» tem enfrentado a dificuldade do cálculo dos fluxos de matéria e energia, que exige meios poderosos só ao alcance de alguns laboratórios. O estudo integrado do ambiente físico, mesmo num plano mais modesto, de análise mais descritiva e cartográfica do que quantitativa, exige uma investigação pluridisciplinar, defendida por muitos mas raramente posta em prática. O projecto de investigação ESTRELA tem como objectivo o estudo das relações entre a fisionomia e a dinâmica da paisagem, num ambiente de montanha, através da análise geomorfológica, climatológica e da vegetação, utilizando três escalas espaciais de análise. Referem-se os trabalhos efectuados em cada um desses domínios, dá-se um exemplo de tentativa de integração de pesquisas sectoriais e remata-se com uma perspectiva temporal da transformação da paisagem na Serra da Estrela. Um dos problemas ainda não resolvidos consiste nos critérios a adoptar na definição das unidades de paisagem
- Aspiring Geopark Estrela: A Strategy for Sustainable DevelopmentPublication . Castro, Emanuel; Vieira, Goncalo; Loureiro, Fábio; Patrocínio, Filipe; Firmino, Gisela; Gomes, Hugo; Fernandes, Magda
- Tourism as a Link between Estrela Geopark and Serra da Estrela Natural ParkPublication . Loureiro, Fábio; Castro, Emanuel; Patrocínio, Filipe; Firmino, Gisela; Vieira, Goncalo; Gomes, Hugo; Fernandes, MagdaTo look at the Estrela Geopark territory is to find a mosaic of huge natural and cultural values as well as a unique scenic beauty, factors that contribute to its tourist attractiveness. As such, a synchronous work by local agents is required, making best use of these values and actively contributing to the sustainable development of populations, a strategy that can be supported by the patrimonialisation of existing Estrela`s resources. Regarding tourism as an economic activity and social phenomenon, it functions as an agent for development, especially in regions where the economy is not very competitive, as is the case of rural areas in mainland Portugal. Based on this, it`s possible to identify two entities with a very important role in the future of the region of Serra da Estrela. The Institute for Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), which is responsible for the protected area corresponding to the Serra da Estrela Natural Park (SENP), and the Associação Geopark Estrela (AGE), responsible for the UNESCO Global Geopark application. As such, the existence of common objectives for heritage conservation and valorisation allow a complementary work by these entities. On the one hand, through its laws and directives, the existence of a protected area (SENP) in the territory of the Geopark allows the more effective conservation of this heritage. On the other hand, the Geopark can add to its greater valorisation and interpretation, contributing to the populations` involvement in the conservation process, something that has sometimes been difficult for the SENP. The focus on nature tourism has increasingly been one of the focuses of both entities, with the realization of interpreted routes, educational programs, as well as the installation of interpretive infrastructures being examples that intend to constructively raise the awareness of resident populations and tourists who visit this territory. In addition to these, during this year, this partnership will also result in the organization of the ObservaEstrela. Coordinated by the AGE, this event will be part of the “Observa” network promoted by ICNF, and will consist of a nature tourism fair, with lectures and workshops, shows, and field trips with observation and interpretation of biotic and abiotic heritage. The objective is to promote, in an integrated way, the relationship between science and tourism, further strengthening this partnership between these two entities and valuing a territory that has long deserved an event of this nature. Based on these experiences, the objective will be to demonstrate how tourism can strengthen this link between the Estrela Geopark and the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, working common vertices together that allow the implementation of a sustainable development strategy, and thus, helping the populations of this territory for which this future UNESCO Global Geopark classification is intended.