Approaching geodiversity and geoconservation in Argentina

Abstract

The geodiversity and geoconservation status in Argentina is herein presented considering the geodidactic potential and tourism activity as geosystem services. The Geological Interest Sites (GIS) identified by the geological and mining national survey, the Natural Protected Areas (NPA) supported by the national park administration and the World Heritage Sites (WHS) declared by UNESCO are analysed. The geological periods involved, materials -including minerals, rocks, fossils and soils- and the endogenic and exogenic processes preserved in GIS are highlighted as geodidactic functions. Despite the geodiversity richness, the country does not yet have any Global Geopark. How geodiversity is considered in official descriptions of NPA and their emblems as well as the type of UNESCO's WHS declared in the country is revealed. This analysis demonstrates that Argentinian conservation policies have traditionally been designed on an ecological basis, undervaluing the role of geodiversity for itself while underpinning its supporting geosystem service as habitat for flora and fauna. Only 3 out of the 72 GIS are both NPA and WHS, other 4 are only WHS, 16 are only NPA and 49 are just GIS, which means they are not protected under any national or international conservation category. Geoconservation analyses reveal the urgent need for a federal geoheritage law.