Interpretative panels as a resource to value and disclosure the geosities of Pau Furado State Park, MG, Brazil

Abstract

The geodiversity comprises the geological diversity (abiotic aspects) including the testimonials derived from a geological past, as well as the current processes which will give origin to new testimonials. However, the planet’s geodiversity is sometimes affected by anthrophic actions due to, mainly, the lack of knowledge of people about its importance as sustenance of biodiversity. The environmental interpretation is one of the tools which can help in the understanding of the phenomena related to geodiversity and consequently in its propagation and valorization. The Parque Estadual do Pau Furado (Pau Furado State Park) located between the municipalities of Araguari and Uberlândia in Minas Gerais is a preservation unity that was created in the year of 2007, through a compensatory measure by the construction of the hydroelectric plants of Amador Aguiar Energetic Complex. With about 2.186 hectares the park presents several examples of biodiversity and geodiversity, which can be appreciated along the way of the five tracks opened for visitors. The objectives of this paper is using strategies of environmental interpretation, in particular, the interpretative panels, at different points of the tracks, selected through quantitative evaluation, seeking to value and disseminate knowledge about local geodiversity, bringing visitors closer to the geosites, aiming at the conservation of these sites.

Keywords:
qualitative evaluation; geodiversity; environmental interpretation; geological patrimony