Coastal Geoheritage and Sustainability: A Study in the Low Coast of Costa Branca, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Fernando Eduardo Borges da Silva, Matheus Dantas das Chagas, Marco Túlio Mendonça Diniz and Paulo Pereira ()
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Fernando Eduardo Borges da Silva: Centre for Humanities, Literature and Arts, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil
Matheus Dantas das Chagas: Centre for Humanities, Literature and Arts, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil
Marco Túlio Mendonça Diniz: Department of Geography, Seridó Higher Education Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Caicó 59300-000, Brazil
Paulo Pereira: Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-29

Abstract: This study assesses the risk of geoheritage degradation along a low-lying coastal stretch Okin the municipalities of Macau, Guamaré, and Galinhos, located in the central portion of Rio Grande do Norte’s northern coastline, Brazil. Twelve geosites, inventoried based on their scientific value, susceptibility to degradation, and representation of diverse coastal processes and landforms, were numerically assessed for their degradation risk. The methodology comprised 11 sub-criteria grouped into three main criteria: natural vulnerability, anthropogenic vulnerability, and public use. The results indicate that all 12 geosites in the study area are subject to moderate to high degradation risk, with the highest levels observed in those with the most evident signs of human use and intervention. To mitigate these impacts, the implementation of access restrictions or protective measures by local authorities is recommended. Furthermore, raising awareness among local communities about the environmental consequences of their activities and the geosites’ role in promoting sustainability is essential. Given the region’s heightened vulnerability to sea level oscillations, future assessments should incorporate climate change implications into the assessment criteria.

Keywords: geoheritage; geosites; coast; degradation; vulnerability; public use; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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