Environment of Viewpoint Geosites: Evidence from the Western Caucasus

Viewpoint geosites, which offer panoramic views of unique geological features and landscapes, are significantly influenced by their environmental context. This study introduces a new framework to evaluate the environment of such sites using three components: standpoint environment, transitional environment, and target environment. Each component is assessed based on criteria like the presence of geological elements, vegetation cover, anthropogenic intervention, fragmentation, and contrast. Analyzing three geosites in the Western Caucasus, researchers found that environmental differences between these sites had a more substantial impact than variations in their displayed geoheritage features. This innovative approach to evaluating viewpoint geosites provides a broader application and justification for future environmental assessments.

Mikhailenko, A. V., & Ruban, D. A. (2019). Environment of Viewpoint Geosites: Evidence from the Western Caucasus. Land, 8(6), 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/land8060093