Geoconservation and site monitoring of the geoheritage of Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark

UNESCO Global Geoparks are a comparatively new designation with the focus being clearly on protection of Geoheritage, but also its promotion in the form of Geotourism Geoeducation and sustainable development. Since 2015 some 213 geoparks have been designated including one in Newfoundland Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark, which is based around the fact that it is the home of the earliest animal fossils, and as such of Global significance. The fact that Discovery covers a wide area not within a national or provincial park creates a need to document and address geoconservational challenges that might compromise the designation. The potential threats to the fossil sites relate to climate and climate change as well as human activities. The project aims to survey the sites in Fall 2024 to provide a baseline with which change over the period of intense storm and freeze-thaw activity occurs (Fall through Winter). The methodology involves creating photogrammetric models of the fossil sites and surrounding soils and beaches, we will also install solar powered cameras that will take one photo a minute throughout the day every day to document the extent of wave action but also footfall from visitors to the fossil sites and any other activities (e.g.

Faculty Supervisor:

Duncan McIlroy

Student:

Partner:

Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Public administration

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: