Conservation of the palaeontological heritage of Araripe Geopark (Ceará, Brazil) : threats and possible solutions

Abstract

The palaeontological heritage of Araripe Geopark has a worldwide recognition due to the diversity and quality of fossils that occur in the Santana Formation (Lower Cretaceous). Unfortunately, this rich heritage has been under threat due to various reasons: illegal collecting, quarrying, inadequate legislation, and ineffectiveness of authorities. The solution depends on federal, state, and local initiatives. The Araripe Geopark can play an important role in the life of local communities, namely by promoting a better knowledge on the region natural and cultural richness and by enhancing a sense of pride, which in turn can lead to the improvement of fossil conservation.