Inventory and Assessment of Geosites from the Broader Area of Eleftheri-Livadari, Epirus, Greece

Abstract

Identifying and assessing sites of geological interest can contribute to the promotion, as well as the conservation of an area’s geological heritage. This can act as the basis for sustainable and alternative tourism development and also for geo-education. For this reason, it is important to create an inventory of geosites and perform a quantitative assessment of their scientific (geological) value, as well as additional values (e.g. educational, cultural and aesthetic). In this work, the broader area of Eleftheri and Livadari villages was studied (Epirus, NW Greece). Upon detailed and multiannual fieldwork, combined with literature review, a total of 46 geosites were identified. These geosites were quantitively assessed following (Brilha, Geoheritage 8:119 2016). The aims of this study include: (i) to create an inventory of geosites and perform their assessment, using objective quantitative criteria; (ii) to contribute to the promotion of the rich geological heritage of the study area; and (iii) to identify prone areas to either natural degradation or human activities, with a view to contributing to their protection and preservation.