The geological heritage is made up of all those places or points of geological interest that have a particular value, which makes them stand out from the surrounding environment. This value is of particular scientific and / or educational relevance in explaining the history of the Earth, so its conservation and management must be a priority of the global society. In today’s society, there has been a significant increase in concern about the problems related to the conservation of our natural heritage and our biodiversity. In this sense, the study of geological heritage is among the most recent areas of research incorporated in the field of Geology and Nature Conservation. Over time, this new perception has crept into society, which already considers it a right, a need and a duty to protect the environment, promote sustainable development and leave for future generations a well-preserved environment, including geological elements of exceptional interest. In order to highlight the geological heritage, a non-renewable asset, it is necessary to develop a communication strategy capable of conveying to the population and the authorities the importance of its conservation. In addition, geological heritage can be an important resource for sustainable development in rural areas and boost the local economy through eco-tourism activities (geotourism). However, the dissemination and conservation of geological heritage cannot be done efficiently without relying on solid scientific knowledge. This is crucial to identify those unique geological elements that tell us the history of our geological past and help to understand the present and future of our planet. Therefore, it is in scientific knowledge where we must lay the foundations for the dissemination and conservation of geological heritage.

Peer reviewed