PROJECT NUMBER: PN 23 30 04 01
PROJECT MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS IN UNESCO GEOPARKS AND ASPIRING GEOPARKS IN ROMANIA AND DEVELOPMENT OF A CITIZEN SCIENCE PLATFORM
FUNDED BY THE MINISTRY OF RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND DIGITIZATION (HTTPS://WWW.RESEARCH.GOV.RO/)
GEOPARKS & GEOLOGICAL SITES
HATEG COUNTRY GEOPARK
located in the central part of Romania, in an intramontane depression, in a very fertile region.
BUZAU COUNTY GEOPARK
located in the south-east of Romania, in the area of curvature of the Eastern Carpathians and it covers an area of 1036 km2.
CARPATERRA ASPIRING GEOPARK
is located in Braşov county, in the Racoş - Rupea area, and includes the only place in the country where a maar-type volcanism of quaternary age (1.2 million years) is known.
OLTENIA UNDER THE MOUNTAIN ASPIRING GEOPARK
is located in Vâlcea county and covers an area of 635 km2 on the territory of 6 localities (Vaideeni, Horezu, Costești, Bărbătești, Stoenești and Băile Olănești).
CIMMERIAN DOBROGEA ASPIRING GEOPARK
is an area with a unique natural and cultural heritage, west and south of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.
Project Monitoring and evaluation of protected natural areas in UNESCO Geoparks and aspiring Geoparks in Romania and development of a Citizen Science platform
The aim of this project is to increase responsibility for the protection of natural and cultural heritage by directly involving the general public in scientific observations. The project will carry out the monitoring of natural reserves and the evaluation of geosites and archaeological sites in Romania included in sustainable development territories – geoparks, and the characterization of the state of geoconservation and the anthropogenic and natural threats to them with the help of a Citizen Science platform.
The general objective of the project is the holistic approach to the natural and cultural heritage in the UNESCO International Geoparks and UNESCO aspiring Geoparks in Romania with the direct involvement of citizens in geoconservation. The objective will be achieved by using the scientific knowledge obtained through innovative research technologies, to substantiate a long-term strategy for a balanced management of the natural and cultural heritage of each territory.
The project aims to develop tools and products for assessing the pressures and threats to the natural and cultural heritage in Geoparks, enriching the knowledge base on the link between the abiotic/biotic environment and human habits and activities, based on an updated inventory of the cultural heritage, developing the means of monitoring the relations between the natural environment and the cultural heritage elements specific to the territory, as well as the threats to them.
It also aims to create tools and strategies dedicated to science communication, heritage education, awareness of the importance of natural and cultural heritage and a socio-economic environment friendly to natural and cultural values, as well as the development of a strategy for aspiring geoparks, based on the balance between nature management, environmental protection and economic development, based on experience and good practices from UNESCO geoparks in Romania and abroad.
WHAT IS IT?
CITIZEN SCIENCE
Citizen Science is the participation of non-professional citizens in scientific research that helps generate knowledge and information. The concept encompasses scientific activities that use volunteer “citizen researchers” to collect data, analyze it and disseminate science.
GEOLOGICAL RESERVE
A Geological Reserve is a nature conservation area, protected by law, for its geological or paleontological importance. Such reserves are either outcrops rich in fossils (fossiliferous points or places), or rocks or minerals of different types, or natural openings that illustrate different geological processes (plate tectonics, formation of mountains, oceans, volcanism, etc.).
A GEOPARK
A UNESCO international geopark aims to identify, assess, promote and capitalize on local natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of local communities and visitors.
CITIZEN SCIENCE
NEWEST ACTIVITIES
Choose one of the ongoing activities and become an active participant in the scientific process.
Visit the pages dedicated to each geopark, to see all the ongoing activities.
OBSERVATIONS, IMPRESSIONS AND STATUS OF CONSERVATION OF GEOSITES
Directional and explanatory navigation is extremely useful in geoparks and nature reserves. As part of this activity, we are interested in finding out what is the current state of these panels. Choose the geopark that interests you, visit the page specially dedicated to it and fill out the participation form. Thank you for your contribution to the Citizen Science Geoparks platform!
GEOLOGICAL RESERVES FROM GEOPARKS
The geological reserve is a nature conservation area, an area protected by law for its geological or paleontological importance. Such reserves are either outcrops rich in fossils (fossiliferous points or places), or rocks or minerals of different types, or natural openings that illustrate different geological processes (plate tectonics, formation of mountains, oceans, volcanism, etc.). Geological reserves are protected both for conservation and as places of study or research, having, in addition to the scientific value, a great educational value. According to their importance, the reserves are classified in different IUCN categories. IUCN category III includes natural monuments, and category IV includes geological, paleontological or mixed nature reserves. Some reserves are included in larger protected areas, such as various sites of the Natura 2000 network, national parks, natural parks, or in sustainable development territories, such as geoparks.
NEWS - EVENTS
PROJECT NUMBER: PN 23 30 04 01
PROJECT MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS IN UNESCO GEOPARKS AND ASPIRING GEOPARKS IN ROMANIA AND DEVELOPMENT OF A CITIZEN SCIENCE PLATFORM
FUNDED BY THE MINISTRY OF RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND DIGITIZATION (HTTPS://WWW.RESEARCH.GOV.RO/)