Geoconservation: promoting the sustainable use of geodiversity for science, education, and geotourism

In 1991, the 1st International Symposium about the Protection of the Geological Heritage was held in Digne, France, representing the born of a new geoscience domain: the geoconservation. Geoconservation refers to the inventory, conservation and management of special occurrences of geodiversity with great importance for science, education and geotourism. These occurrences, globally known as geological heritage, are particular places (geosites) where rocks, minerals, fossils, soils and landforms have a paramount importance for geosciences. The geological heritage is a non-renewable natural resource. That is why all countries should know and manage this fragile resource. Unfortunately, nature conservation policies during the last decades are neglecting the initiatives towards the conservation of geosites, comparing with strong efforts made for the protection of biodiversity. Nevertheless, this trend is slowly changing. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has recognized, for the very first time, the importance of implement measures to protect the geological heritage. Countries are creating a legal setting to support geoconservation. Geoscientific events are happening all over the world promoting the discussion between experts. Geoparks are being created in all continents fostering geoconservation and local development. The 21st century is promising for geoconservation