A study on geodiversity and geoconservation’s impact on the management of natural resources in the Alto Ricaurte Region, Boyacá, Colombia

Abstract

The profound interdependence between geodiversity, biodiversity and cultural assets is the foundation for numerous recent studies on geodiversity. Given the need to incorporate this angle into research on the subject in Colombia, we propose a geodiversity characterisation which aims at its inclusion as an integrating part of the management of natural resources. The subject of this study is the Alto Ricaurte region, situated in central Colombia, approximately 160 km northeast of the capital, renowned for its internationally significant paleontological heritage and rich cultural and archaeological elements. To understand the interaction between society, geodiversity and the biotic nature, our methodology builds upon the Guide- lines for geoconservation in protected and conserved areas by the IUCN, an international framework. For this, we have established three key stages. The first stage entails an overview of the region’s geodiversity, providing a comprehensive description of the geodiversity elements. The second stage deepens our understanding of geodiversity as an integral part of the landscape, as well as its connections with people and culture, by describing the values of geodiversity and the geosystem services it provides to the local population. Finally, the geoconservation diagnosis enables us to identify the main threats and conservation issues that may hinder effective management and geoconservation actions on geodiversity. Our findings include a classification of geodiversity into seven thematic areas, an inventory of 19 geological sites and the identification of several geoconservation issues. The major challenges to geoconservation in the area are land ownership, land development and expansion, quarrying of construction material, tourism pressure and lack of awareness. Overall, this approach provided a solid foundation for characterising the geodiversity of the territory and offered insights for natural resource management and land use planning. This study also demonstrates that the geodiversity in the Alto Ricaurte region extends beyond its well-known palaeontological and stratigraphic sites of scientific interest. It is important to note that this characterisation is based on scientific information but is vigorously supported by local knowledge acquired through surveys, interviews and informal conversations with the inhabitants. We hope that the results presented in this publication will motivate a responsible and planned use of geodiversity resources in the study area, as well as the development of geoconservation and manage- ment strategies that acknowledge its complex integration with the broader natural diversity and with the cultural and socio- economic dimensions of this territory.