TITLE:
A Proposed Geoheritage Inventory System: Case Study of Isalo National Park, Madagascar
AUTHORS:
Hasina N. Randrianaly, Andrea Di Cencio, Aroniaina Rajaonarivo, Tsilavo Raharimahefa
KEYWORDS:
Inventory Sheets, Geoheritage, Geosites, Paleosites, Geomorphosites, Park National, Isalo Park, Madagascar
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.4 No.5,
May
25,
2016
ABSTRACT: Geological
heritage inventory procedures and templates have been principally emerged from
European countries. Each of these countries has developed its proper method of
inventory based on its natural heritage, recognized on local and/or regional
scales. Natural sites were mainly identified and characterized in a particular
geological context, which is usually very unique, valuable and impressive;
resulting in the protection of the sites. Madagascar is known internationally
as a beautifully landscaped island, but the impressive sites were not
cataloged. We carried out a series of field inventory of potential geological
sites within the Isalo National Park in southern Madagascar. We invented
several inventory sheets in order to record the most detailed information about
the sites identified within the park. This is to aid in organizing the park and
to establish a sustainable base for the creation of a geopark, and also they help
us to build a database for geosites and their classifications. This article
suggests a prototype model for inventorying intangible geosites, paleosites and
geomorphosites. Our inventory sheets help to identify and to promote geological
importance of any sites, not only for academia but also for other sectors such
as tourism and conservation.