Geoconservação no Domínio Ceará Central, Nordeste do Brasil: Métodos para Seleção, Proteção e Uso dos Sítios Geológicos.

Abstract

The Ceará Central Domain (CCD) is the most expressive geotectonic unit in the northern block of Borborema Province, northeast Brazil. The amalgamation of West Gondwana supercontinent during the Brazilian/Pan-African Cycle in the Neoproterozoic is the major evolutionary event in the CCD. This area is also characterised by low socioeconomic conditions, partially due to a harsh semiarid climate. In this scenario, this work aimed to build up geoconservation strategies for the central-northern portion of this Domain in order to promote the conservation of geoheritage and the use of exceptional geodiversity elements as sustainable development alternatives. This work was developed by applying a method for geoheritage inventory in large areas based on geological frameworks, legal framework evaluation and quantitative assessment concerning the scientific value, the degradation risk, the educational and touristic potential use and the protection priorities. The quantitative evaluation was performed by the method available in the GEOSSIT platform developed by the Brazilian Geological Survey. The inventory resulted in eight geological frameworks represented by 52 geological sites. The quantitative assessment resulted in 44 sites classified as geosites, whereas 8 sites were classified as geodiversity sites. The results indicated sites with high scientific value, the predominance of moderate degradation risk and moderate values for educational and touristic potential use. Adjusting the GEOSSIT method, three sorted lists of geological sites were obtained concerning the scientific, educational and tourism protection priority. Herewith, four territories were defined and one of them was selected to a pilot geoconservation management plan. The Sertão Central territory was chosen and then, six new geodiversity sites were inventoried. The diagnosis of geological sites in Sertão Central offered subsidies to define places with restrictions in use, to identify the social actors, to propose protective and legal measures - regarding fragility and vulnerability - and measures for divulgation and valorisation. Two geological routes for geotourism and educational activities were proposed considering the major results from this diagnosis. For guiding the conservation and use of geological sites, a descriptive guide was developed intending for non-specialist managers in geoconservation. The geoconservation strategies here presented constitute guidelines for geoheritage conservation and represent alternatives for promotion of sustainable development in the semiarid region of Ceará.