June 30, 2013
The International Conference "Geosites of Russia: the conservation and recreation potential" took place at A.P. Karpinsky Russian Geological Research Institute (VSEGEI) from 27 to 29 June 2013 in St. Petersburg. The main aims of the conference were to discuss the strategy of conservation and efficient use of Russian geosites, proposals for the geosites use on a regional geological exploration of the territory of the Russian Federation, grounds for attraction of investments in geological tourism.
The term "geosite" is a collective. In accordance with “Conserving our shared geoheritage – a Protocol on geoconservation principles, sustainable site use, management, fieldwork, fossil and mineral collecting” by the European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage (ProGeo) geosite is a key locality (derivation: geo (Greek) + situs (Latin)) or area showing geological features of intrinsic scientific interest, features that allow us to understand the key stages in the evolution of the Earth. Such important geosites normally are, or should be, statutorily protected under national conservation legislation. Geosite is a neutral term for geological sites (without legalistic or ethnic complications), and a geosite can be small (in various country usages; monument, point, site, geotop) or large (park, reserve, protected area). Large or small, they are distinguished by their characteristic interest, and sometimes by great vulnerability combined with their high importance for science.
In Russia information about geosites is an essential part of state geological maps of scale 1:200 000/2 and 1:1000 000/3. It gives a unique opportunity to see the geosite on the geological map in a well-defined geological space a particular region, in some cases to see the significance of the geosite for the various theoretical geological constructs. A large amount of works to select, identify and describe variety unique natural geological features and formations has been completed in Russia. Geosites were selected as part of contextual regional frameworks, selected for the special part they play in understanding a particular interest and of major events in geological history – stratigraphic, palaeobiological, mineral, plate tectonic, volcanic etc.
Created for the 300th anniversary of the Geological Survey the book "Geological Monuments" has already become encyclopedic and rarity. New Information Resource “Geosites of Russia” was created by VSEGEI (http://www.geomem.ru).
Interesting papers on the establishment of Geoparks in Finland and China were heard. Conference participants had a unique opportunity to learn about conservation of the geological heritage in Russian regions. Abstracts and presentations (into Russian) are available on http://geomem.ru/confer_prog.php
At the end of the conference participants exchanged their views on listen reports. Opinions to work out guidelines for the identification, classification and evaluation of geosites were expressed. It was noted that for the 35th Geological Congress to be held in 2016 in South Africa, it is necessary to prepare the publishing layout of the monograph "Geosites of Russia" and to place the information about potential objects of geotourism on the site "Geosites of Russia."
http://www.vsegei.ru/ru/conf/summary/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=95512