Sara Biolchi, Stefano Devoto, Stefano Furlani, Igor Belamarić, Franco Cucchi, Radoslav Dodig, Goran Glamuzina, Jernej Jež, Bogdan Jurkovšek, Tea Kolar-Jurkovšek, Karmen Peternelj, Fabiana Pieri, Luca Zini, Gordana Zwicker Kompar, Irina Žeger Pleše
Geology is a fundamental aspect of nature, and geoheritage is a key part of global natural heritage, because it features certain special sites and objects that play a key role in understanding the earth’s history (Wimbledon and Smith-Meyer, 2012). These localities and objects provide special insights into the evolution of the earth. Their conservation, protection and management for purpose of scientific research, education and training represent a key challenge for the future. Such localities are also called geosites (geo, gr. earth + lat, situs, site) and are sites or areas that enable a better understanding of evolution and similar (Wimbledon and Smith-Meyer, 2012). They are generally distinguished in their own rite by their particular features and characteristics of interest, and sometimes by their particular vulnerability, combined with their fundamental importance for earth sciences.
After careful analyses and consideration, some examples of possible geosites, as models for future protection, are proposed for each country. They have been selected according and owing to their outstanding geological, paleontological and geomorphological characteristics; their definitive common denominator, however, is the occurrence of platy limestone.
The site of Villaggio del Pescatore is an important example of protection of natural heritage, owing to the presence of a dinosaur fossil, a Hadrosaurus of the species Tethyshadros insularis. The complete skeleton of the dinosaur was found together with other similar bones, from crocodiles and fish, in a platy limestone outcrop of late Cretaceous age. The site is located in the north-west of Trieste county (Duino-Aurisina/Devin Nabrežina municipality). The site has already been declared a geosite and is protected by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cultural Heritage Authority (Soprintendenza Archeologia del Friuli Venezia Giulia).
In the Slovenian part of the eligible area, high-value fossils are abundant in the platy limestone horizons. Due to their scientific importance, two geosites have been proposed. The first is located in Kazlje (Zaleškovje), and is characterized by Tomaj limestone, whereas the second consists of Komen limestone materials, located at Mrtvaški hrib hill. The latter, owing to its high potentiality for platy limestone quarrying and the good quality of the stone, is also suggested as a possible exploitation site. It is a good example of exploitation activities and natural protection coexisting side by side in good balance. This variance or conflict of interests could be satisfactorily solved by quarrying only limited quantities of stone in pre-determined parts of the quarry/outcrop with paleontological monitoring of all fossil finds.
As the result of desk- and fieldwork, five significant geosites located along the Croatian coast have been proposed. These sites feature important fossils, spectacular landscapes and/or outstanding sedimentological features:
Three geosites have been selected for protection as geosites: Raška gora, Kolojanj, and Grabova draga. Beside valuable macrofossils, interesting sedimentological profiles are also present at these sites, the most valuable profile appearing at Grabova draga. The Raška gora and Kolojanj sites contain limestones of Cretaceous age, while the Grabova draga site contains Eocene platy limestones.
The suggested geosites are proposed for protection as natural monuments, with restrictions connected with the conservation of natural heritage.
The discovery of fossils, minerals or caves and other geomorphological structures is always possible during exploitation. Therefore, it is mandatory that the government authority responsible for nature protection be notified of the any findings that could represent protected natural value, and measures taken to protect such from damage, destruction or theft.
Nevertheless, the existence of such must not be kept a secret, and should serve as good motivation for scientists and the interested public as both an object of further research and as a source for an enhanced wider multidisciplinary knowledge of the territory.
This is why it is suggested that a visitor center be created, together with educational panels and similar in areas designated for protection, in order to communicate and document the most interesting natural and cultural values of the site, and to connect them with the sustainable use of platy limestone. In closing, we suggest conducting further research (geological, paleontological, geomorphological etc.) in order to gain more extensive data related to the rich store of natural values involved.
