Approaching geodiversity and geoconservation in Argentina

CORONATO, ANDREA; SCHWARZ, SOLEDAD

Internationa Journal of Geoheritage and Parks

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2022 vol. 10 p. 597 - 615

2577-4441

The geodiversity and geoconservation status in Argentina is herein presented considering thegeodidactic potential and tourism activity as geosystem services. The Geological Interest Sites(GIS) identified by the geological and mining national survey, the Natural Protected Areas(NPA) supported by the national park administration and the World Heritage Sites (WHS) declaredby UNESCO are analysed. The geological periods involved, materials -including minerals,rocks, fossils and soils- and the endogenic and exogenic processes preserved in GIS are highlighted as geodidactic functions. Despite the geodiversity richness, the country does not yethave any Global Geopark. How geodiversity is considered in official descriptions of NPA andtheir emblems as well as the type of UNESCO's WHS declared in the country is revealed.This analysis demonstrates that Argentinian conservation policies have traditionally been designedon an ecological basis, undervaluing the role of geodiversity for itself while underpinningits supporting geosystem service as habitat for flora and fauna. Only 3 out of the 72 GISare both NPA and WHS, other 4 are only WHS, 16 are only NPA and 49 are just GIS, whichmeans they are not protected under any national or international conservation category.Geoconservation analyses reveal the urgent need for a federal geoheritage law.