Geomorphosites Assessment Methods: Comparative Analysis and Typology

Due to the increase in geoconservation studies, several methods of qualitative and quantitative assessment of geosites have been published since the 1990s. However, the criteria and parameters used in the methods are often unclear and ambiguous. Thus, the aims of this study were to analyse how methods of qualitative and quantitative evaluation of geomorphological heritage developed and to compare them. The analysis resulted in a typology of the works published until now. A literature review was conducted based on three criteria, the papers had to be (i) written in English, (ii) published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and (iii) include at least one of the following keywords in the title: geomorphological heritage, geomorphological site and geomorphosite. Based on these criteria, 71 papers were analysed. Five categories are proposed: (i) application of previous methods, (ii) creation of new methods, (iii) application of previous methods combined with new methods, (iv) comparison of methods and (v) no description of method. The outcomes show that the qualitative evaluation should be more systematic and explicit according to the criteria applied and the main purpose of the evaluation. Quantitative methods should focus on reducing weaknesses associated with the overlapping and lack of clarity of some criteria. The proposed typology allowed us to summarise the papers published so far and to highlight the need to focus on improving existing methods rather than proposing new ones.