GEODIVERSITY AND GEOTOURISM OF POTIGUAR SEMI-ARID: MAPPING OF GEOSITES IN ALEXANDRIA-RN, BRAZIL

• Autor(a) principal: da Silva Henriques, Diógenys
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: de Medeiros Alves, Agassiel
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista Geographia (Niterói. Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.uff.br/geographia/article/view/49065
• topic: paisagem; afloramentos; geopatrimônio; geoturismo; Alexandria

The objective of the present study is to recognize geodiversity in a mountain complex in the city of Alexandria-RN, Brazil, through the mapping of geological sites. In general, the inventory phase of the area is stopped, in the search to relate information about the geoenvironmental aspects and other particularities that substantiate geotourism. Thus, it is methodologically, a research with a qualitative approach and descriptive contextualization of the characteristics referring to the municipality and the mountain environment. To this end, bibliographic reviews on the theme and area of ​​study were used, as well as the geosystemic method for integrated landscape analysis, fieldwork and the elaboration of cartographic products. Furthermore, it should be noted that the on-site observations were carried out with the help of field cards, adapted from ProGEO-Portugal, which made it possible to identify three points to be designated as geosites, namely: (a) natural tanks in Lagoa das Lajes, ( b) Olho D'água do Timbu and (c) rupestrian inscriptions from the Archaeological Site in the vicinity of Conjunto Santana. They are areas of expressive natural, archaeological and paleontological framework that should be instituted as preservation areas. There were aptitudes linked to geotourism, with spaces useful to educational activities, contemplation tourism, sports tourism, among others. However, there were also limitations. It reports to areas of fragile geosystems, where there are no protection measures applied to the environment. In addition, it lacks recognition of its potentialities linked to the outcropping geodiversity, on the part of the population, so that the environment is preserved and valued primarily by its hosts.