Threats to the karst geoheritage and the loss of Earth’s memory

Abstract

Studies on the patrimonial view of geodiversity seek to understand Earth from a holistic perspective associated with Gaia Theory. One of the milestones of this approach is the Declaration of the Rights of the Memory of the Earth, prepared in 1991 in Digne-le-Bains in France. This Declaration shows the need to preserve the planet’s memory recorded in rocks, soil, relief, fossils, finally, and landscapes. In this context, the article aims to present the impacts of anthropic activities in karst landscapes, especially mining activities. These impacts cause environmental and social damage, and many of them lead to the loss of geoheritage. Karst geosystems have important property values and high economic value, being constant targets of mining activities, not only limestone but also other mineral goods associated with these landscapes. Thus, measures that lead to the sustainable development of activities promoted in the karst are urgent and necessary. The valorisation of these landscapes by diffusion of their importance and meaning-seeking ensures the Earth’s memory conservation.

Keywords: Geodiversity. Geoheritage. Karst