DIVULGAÇÃO DE GEOPATRIMÓNIO ENTRE CASCAIS E O GUINCHO

DISCOVERING THE GEOHERITAGE BETWEEN CASCAIS AND GUINCHO

Referência bibliográfica: 
Azevedo, R. & Meneses, B.M. (2013) - Discovering the Geoheritage between Cascais and Guincho. Livro de Atas do Congresso de Comunicação de Ciência “SciCom PT 2013”, Lisboa. http://comunicacaodeciencia.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/livro_abstracts_scicom_final.pdf

O Geopatrimónio corresponde ao conjunto de valores que representam a Geodiversidade do território, compreendendo o património geomorfológico, geológico, hidrológico, pedológico, entre outros (Rodrigues, 2008). Os geomorfossítios integram o Geopatrimónio. Estes conjugam elementos naturais e elementos geomorfológicos singulares e são reconhecidos como uma das fontes de riqueza natural de determinados territórios, emergindo actualmente como fontes de potencial retorno económico enquanto atracões geoturísticas. Ainda de oferta limitada em Portugal, o geoturismo adivinha-se um sector de franco futuro crescimento, dado o vasto e riquíssimo património geológico e geomorfológico disponível.

http://comunicacaodeciencia.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/livro_abstracts_scicom_final.pdf

Authors: Rita Melo Azevedo, Instituto Superior de Agronomia; Bruno M. Meneses, Instituto Superior de Agronomia.

Topic: Public Involvement

DISCOVERING THE GEOHERITAGE BETWEEN CASCAIS AND GUINCHO

Geomorphosites and geosites are a combination of natural elements with geomorphologic and geologic singular elements, respectively. Recognized as natural resources in some territories, these currently emerge as potential sources of economic return due to their geotouristic interest. Although still a limited market in Portugal, geotourism is expected to grow in the near future because of the vast and rich geologic and geomorphologic heritage available in the country.

A 9 Km long bicycle track, running along the seaside, has been built between the Marina of Cascais and the Guincho Beach by the City Hall of Cascais. Along the route various geomorphosites can be found. Though widely studied by the scientific community, they haven’t been publicized as geotouristic attractions amongst cyclists or walkers, who use the track.

Building on a previous project, in which geomorphologic points of attraction were identified and classified along the track, new work was developed to identify and classify new elements, and a map was produced with the location and detailed description of each geosite and geomorphosite. It is our intention to disseminate the findings of these projects and share with the general public the geomorphologic richness of this waterfront.

Being fully aware that the involvement of different stakeholders is of crucial importance to the preservation of geosites and geomorphosites, from their identification and classification to their disclosure, we wish to engage Cascais City Hall and local cycling and walking groups in spreading the word on the geotouristic route Cascais-Guincho.

Brochures will be produced and made available to the public at key locations at the beginning of the route. The information will also be freely displayed on a community-based web platform and the geomorphosites will be signaled along the route. The initiative will, furthermore, be published on the local media.

The geotouristic route allows the visitor to enjoy a total of eight geomorphosites (e.g. Boca do Inferno, Matacães, Chaminé Vulcânica) and two geosites (Guia’s fossil cliff and cliff dykes and sills), either by walk or cycling.

Finally, this work in progress aims at analyzing the difficulties faced during the implementation of a project such as this one, dependent on the contribution of several social partners and the involvement of different science communication agents.