Muskau Arch Geopark in Poland (Central Europe)-Is it Possible to Integrate Geoconservation and Geoeducation into Biodiversity Conservation?

摘要

The Muskau Arch Geopark, situated on the Polish-German border, belongs to the UNESCO Global Geopark Network and is a model example that allows for the examination of the relationship between geo- and biodiversity as present in preservation, tourism, and management. In this area, there are 31 geotopes representing both natural geological processes as well as remnants of the cultural heritage associated with the region's industrial history. The geodiversity of the area is well-documented, while data on its biodiversity are rudimentary. Attaining a supplement was the one of the aims of this study. In the Polish part of the geopark, besides objects of geological heritage, nine types of natural habitats were found, which contained 634 species of vascular plants; 220 fungi species; 76 lichens; 42 species of amphibians, reptiles and mammals; and 146 species of birds. Spatial analysis revealed that 54.2% and 53.8% of the recognized valuable plant and animal sites, respectively, are located less than 1 km from the nearest geotope and nearly 100 % of these sites are located within 5 km of one. In the area of the Muskau Arch Geopark, geodiversity and biodiversity values are of equal importance, yet they are separated at the landscape scale. The majority of valuable geoheritage geotopes are the result of previous anthropogenic activities. However, contemporary areas of high natural value are parts of previously existing ecosystems of a natural or semi-natural character, coming from the period before the mining of mineral deposits by humans. A more integrated approach to conservation would benefit both the biodiversity and geodiversity of the Muskau Arch Geopark, would be of interest to tourists, and would increase the scientific and educational attractiveness of the region.