Geodiversity beyond material evidence: a Geosite Type based interpretation of geological heritage

Geosites can be organized in Geosite Types based on genetic, compositional and structural characteristics, with each Geosite Type (e.g. geomorphological, paleogeographical, structural) being defined and identified by a corresponding feature or set of features as evidence of geological processes. This evidence must be accessible and well-conserved for a Type to be considered interpretable and must be meaningful and suitable for wider correlations for a geosite to be considered an expressive example of a particular Type. The quantitative assessment of geodiversity provides a general overview of an area's potential heritage for research and education by measuring the number of geosites, Geosite Types, geosites per Geosite Type and geodiversity loci (i.e. areas with high concentrations of geosites). The qualitative assessment considers each geosite as actual heritage. The Interpretation Score (IS) establishes how accessible and meaningful in situ geological evidence is and whether wider geological connections are possible. The Heritage Value (HV) measures how common or unique geosites are in a particular area. The Bucegi Natural Park in Romania's Southern Carpathians hosts a high number of geosites, but proper use of geological resources is overshadowed by economic interests. Some geological heritage sites hold valuable evidence of pre-glacial conditions and glacial stages having occurred on both a local and regional scale. These geosites could be successfully used for geotourism purposes and could help increase knowledge and appreciation of the park's geological history among national and international visitors.