The research centered on geoconservation and geotourism stressed qualitative methods focusing on the definition, identification, study and development of geosites. Although the excellent results achieved by scientific international research, the topic of quantitative evaluation of geodiversity is still an open field. To define a quantitative index of geodiversity is the next step required in order to quantify this parameter. Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and remote sensing imageries are the new instruments available to develop specific tools in order to obtain quantitative indexes. The formula proposed in this abstract takes into account abiotic factors, contributing to the geodiversity definition, with intrinsic characteristics of spatial continuity (geological substrate, soil cover, land use) or spatial discontinuity (morphogenetic processes). Moreover the topographic parameter is strongly stressed out, modeled through the roughness or an index that measures how irregular an area is from a topographic point of view. The relevance of topography is a consequence of two points: 1. the roughness is strictly related to efficiency of geomorphological processes and generally is corresponding to a greater variability of the abiotic component. 2. The great availability of new DEMs with advanced characteristics of vertical accuracy and horizontal resolution. These models allow to manage the topographic attributes obtaining promising results and highlighting the energy relief role in the geodiversity comprehension. The study area is the Umbria region (central Italy) and covers many lithological and morphological units, becoming an ideal representation of the conditions of geodiversity in central Italy. The results of this approach could be not only an advance in the quantitative approach of geodiversity assessment but also a valid instrument for landscape management and geotourism and geoparks evaluation, promotion and management.
Quantitative Geodiversity Index: GIS & spatial analysis for assessment and selection of geomorphosites
MELELLI, Laura
2013
Abstract
The research centered on geoconservation and geotourism stressed qualitative methods focusing on the definition, identification, study and development of geosites. Although the excellent results achieved by scientific international research, the topic of quantitative evaluation of geodiversity is still an open field. To define a quantitative index of geodiversity is the next step required in order to quantify this parameter. Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and remote sensing imageries are the new instruments available to develop specific tools in order to obtain quantitative indexes. The formula proposed in this abstract takes into account abiotic factors, contributing to the geodiversity definition, with intrinsic characteristics of spatial continuity (geological substrate, soil cover, land use) or spatial discontinuity (morphogenetic processes). Moreover the topographic parameter is strongly stressed out, modeled through the roughness or an index that measures how irregular an area is from a topographic point of view. The relevance of topography is a consequence of two points: 1. the roughness is strictly related to efficiency of geomorphological processes and generally is corresponding to a greater variability of the abiotic component. 2. The great availability of new DEMs with advanced characteristics of vertical accuracy and horizontal resolution. These models allow to manage the topographic attributes obtaining promising results and highlighting the energy relief role in the geodiversity comprehension. The study area is the Umbria region (central Italy) and covers many lithological and morphological units, becoming an ideal representation of the conditions of geodiversity in central Italy. The results of this approach could be not only an advance in the quantitative approach of geodiversity assessment but also a valid instrument for landscape management and geotourism and geoparks evaluation, promotion and management.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
