ProGeo 2009 - Objectives and themes

ProGEO, the European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage

ProGEO - WG 3 meeting and workshop Drenthe, The Netherlands 19 - 23 April 2009

The next meeting and workshop of the ProGEO working group 3 - Northern Europe will be held in Drenthe, The Netherlands from 19 - 23 April 2009.

The objective of the April 2009 ProGEO meeting is to promote national and combined activities related to the conservation of geoheritage and to sustainable management of geodiversity. The meeting will focus on seven themes.

Selected themes  

Theme 1 - Climate change and nature development, peat-land and water management: challenges for geoheritage and geodiversity

Geoheritage is not only about conservation of our past Earth heritage and history but also about using the opportunities available to create new geoheritage and geodiversity, and its related biodiversity and landscapes. Sea level rise and climate change are seen as threats but can be seen as opportunities to create a sustainable geodiversity as a basis of new landscapes that are rich in geoheritage. The same is true for nature development, river and water management. Persons or teams who have generated ideas or worked out plans are invited to submit abstracts for this session.

Theme 2 - Geodiversity - Biodiversity

The interactions between geology, geomorphology, soil and biodiversity are still poorly understood and only a limited amount of research has ever been done into these interactions. Yet, understanding these interactions is a prerequisite for the proper management of our ecosystems. General ecosystem theories are often used in daily management. If these theories are examined, these often turn out to be false; interactions differ from those assumed. Results of treatments do not produce the sustainable biodiversity expected and thus ecosystems have been destroyed and will take centuries to re-establish. Earth sciences for nature management purposes need to be developed. Earth scientists are, however, reluctant to take up this issue. Soil science traditionally focused on improving agricultural production, now adjustments are needed for nature management and other modern soil functions. In a few countries, Natura-2000 areas have a solid earth scientific basis, but this basis is totally lacking in other countries. This session intends to address these issues.

Theme 3 - Geoheritage, archeological and cultural heritage

We all know sites where remnants of our geological, archaeological and cultural heritage are found together, at the same location. Generally these heritage gems are recorded and presented in separate reports by scientists of these disciplines. Only very little research has ever been done on how and why these values are interlinked and systems of valorization are lacking. For this thematic session we invite posters, papers and discussions with a more integrated perspective.

Theme 4 - Geodiversity, landscape & spatial planning

The application of earth-science knowledge in spatial planning could be better in many European countries. Earth sciences still play a small role in spatial planning and rural development. For this session we would like to invite speakers who can show modern examples of geoheritage- and geodiversity-based spatial planning and development. An important part of  this session will be a discussion on the issue of professional certification.

Theme 5 - Geoheritage and geodiversity, education and tourism

The session on education and tourism also concerns itself with cases: good, bad and interesting new examples of presenting geological heritage and geodiversity to the general public and to children. In this session we would like to discuss who to address when we write an information panel or brochure? What lessons have been learned, what experiences gained? Should we aim for standardisation in describing geosites and developing geopark information packages, or welcome a lack of rules? Should we, as earth scientists, present information or let text professionals rewrite the texts? Should we make special educational courses in science writing or journalism? Are pictures and photographs more important than text? Two persons of  the European Geopark Network are invited to lead the discussion in this session.

Theme 6 - Geoheritage, geodiversity, cross-border and regional cooperation

In modern society communication with the region and stimulating cross-border cooperation are key issues. We are looking for interesting examples. Items addressed in the work group discussion: How to involve a region in geoheritage and geodiversity issues? What possibilities are created by the Aarhus convention and other EU and European legislation such as the Landscape Convention? How can we overcome cross-border problems in legislation and approach?

Theme 7 - Geoconservation in lakes, seas and subsurface

Few people have studied geoconservation in lakes and seas and gthe eoheritage values of the subsurface. These subsurface values do not seem to be in immediate danger. But is this really so and should we not to start research in this field? Certainly, attention should be given to the issue of geoconservation in lakes, seas and ocean and its relationship with biological values. Recently, cold coral reefs were discovered in Norwegian waters. In twenty years time, national sea parks might be normal features and a visit to the bottom of the sea part of our education and tourism. Geodiversity is probably as important for managing lakes, seas and oceans as it is on-shore. Who can and should make a start?

Prospective participants are invited to submit abstracts for one of the seven themes selected for meeting and workshops. A selection of the presentations will be asked to write a paper for a Special Issue of the Journal Geological Heritage.