Inventorying geodiversity to geoconserve: the case of chart Santa Rita, Paraíba

Abstract

The abiotic portion of Natural Heritage is represented by Geoheritage. All components of the physical environment that, due to their value, must be studied and conserved for future generations are considered part of natural heritage. The aim of this work is to present an overview of the geodiversity of the Santa Rita Chart (scale 1:25,000), which covers the municipalities of Santa Rita, Conde, and João Pessoa, with a focus on the geoconservation of the abiotic environment. To achieve this, a mapping of this geodiversity was carried out by inventorying sites of significant value. This area is part of a sedimentary basin that developed on a faulted crystalline basement. A detailed study of the geoscientific literature of the area was necessary, along with extensive fieldwork, where the focus on the physical substrate highlighted its importance as a patrimonial element of the region. Noteworthy geodiversity elements identified include the outcrops of the Gramame and Beberibe Formations, the Gruta das Marés, the Barreiras sandization, and the Três Lagoas. Therefore, linking these elements to geoconservation is relevant, as it is necessary to instill an environmental consciousness specifically directed towards abiotic heritage.