Geodiversity, Geoconservation, and Geotourism in Central America

Adolfo Quesada-Román, Lidia Torres-Bernhard, Maynor A. Ruiz-Álvarez, Manuel Rodríguez-Maradiaga, Gema Velázquez-Espinoza, Catalina Espinosa-Vega, Jaime Toral and Hugo Rodríguez-Bolaños
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Adolfo Quesada-Román: Escuela de Geografía, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose 11501-2060, Costa Rica
Lidia Torres-Bernhard: Instituto Hondureño de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa 11101, Honduras
Maynor A. Ruiz-Álvarez: Instituto Hondureño de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa 11101, Honduras
Manuel Rodríguez-Maradiaga: Instituto Hondureño de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa 11101, Honduras
Gema Velázquez-Espinoza: Facultad de Ciencias e Ingenieria, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, Managua 14172, Nicaragua
Catalina Espinosa-Vega: Departamento de Geografía, Facultad de Humanidades, Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí, David 0427, Panama
Jaime Toral: Departamento de Geografía, Facultad de Humanidades, Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí, David 0427, Panama
Hugo Rodríguez-Bolaños: Escuela de Geografía, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose 11501-2060, Costa Rica

Land, 2021, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Central America is located in a dynamic region where tectonics and volcanism together with the tropical climate and its diverse vegetation have shaped the landscapes. Our main objective is to review the status of the geodiversity, geoconservation, and geotourism in Central America. We will identify the region’s geomorphic environments and geodiversity using classic regional geomorphology mapping techniques. Likewise, using touristic maps and webpages, we identify the most prominent geosites of different origin in Central America. Moreover, we will explore the national environmental policies, natural conservation systems, and tourism initiatives to promote their national geoheritage through geotourism. We found that volcanic, coastal, karstic, glacial, and fluvial geomorphic environments are the most common in the region. In addition, we identified 393 geosites of volcanic, coastal, karstic, glacial, fluvial, and archeological origin in Central America. The promotion of geoheritage, geodiversity, geoconservation, and thus the development of geoparks are excellent opportunities to promote sustainable development, sustainable lifestyles, appreciation of natural and cultural diversity, and the promotion of peace. These results may prove important to spread information about geoscience widely to decision makers on geotourism and conservation in each country and the stakeholders of the region. Geoheritage studies in tropical and developing countries such as those in Central America should be improved, and priority should be given to the geomorphological dynamics and strong anthropic pressures on their geo- and biodiversity to increase their income through geotourism, especially among the less favored communities and avoid affecting their already threatened natural resources.

Keywords: geoheritage; geodiversity; geomorphosites; geosites; geotourism; geoconservation; Latin America (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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