Geological Heritage Management in Small Islands: the Example of the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark (Portugal)

The geological heritage management should be integrated in spatial and environmental planning policies. In small islands, the isolation, small size, and anthropogenic pressures reduce the resilience of ecosystems and increase their vulnerability to global changes, requiring different integrated solutions in comparison with other territories. This case study demonstrates that the geological heritage management in small islands should be made at a local scale allowing the effectiveness of its implementation and the protection of natural resources. It is proposed that this management should be carried out at two levels: (i) an island level, in a strategic way, with clear boundaries and a well-identified set of actors and (ii) a geosite level, in an operative perspective. This proposal is being applied to the islands of the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark ("9 Islands – 1 Geopark"), where 121 geosites are identified. Most of the geosites are included in the Natural Parks of the Island and the Marine Park of the Azores, so it is proposed an integrated management of the geosites in these structures. This facilitates the coordination with other classified areas of each the island and integrates all the territorial instruments and planning processes applied to the island.