The UNESCO Chair on Geoparks and Sustainable Development of Insular and Coastal Areas aims to contribute in the development of innovative methodologies on Geoconservation and Geodiversity management in Geoparks.
Geoconservation in Geoparks is the conservation of geosites, the basic units of the geological heritage of international importance, through the implementation of geosite recognition and mapping, evaluation, protection, conservation and monitoring procedures.
Geoconservation aims to preserve the natural diversity of significant geological, geomorphological and soil features and processes, and to maintain natural rates and magnitudes of change in those features and processes .
UNESCO Global Geoparks implement and demonstrate methods for conserving and enhancing geological heritage.
Geodiversity management in Geoparks includes the implementation of a comprehensive management and action plan including geosite protection, conservation, interpretation, geo-education, geo-tourism and sustainable local development activities.