Abstract
This study presents the Pearson correlation analyses of the various factors influencing the Chinese National Geoparks. The aim of this contribution is to offer insights on the Chinese National Geoparks by describing its relations with geoheritage and their intrinsic linkages with geological, climatic controls. The results suggest that: 1) Geomorphologic landscape and palaeontology National Geoparks contribute to 81.65% of Chinese National Geoparks. 2) The NNI of geoparks is 0.97 and it belongs to causal distributional patternwhose regional distributional characteristics may be best characterized as’ dispersion in overall and aggregation in local’. 3) Spatial distribution of National Geoparks is wide. The geographic imbalance in their distribution across regions and types of National Geoparks is obvious, with 13 clustered belts, including Tianshan-Altaishan Mountain, Lesser Higgnan-Changbai, Western Bohai Sea, Taihangshan Mountain, Shandong, Qilianshan-Qinling Mountain, Annulus Tibetan Plateau, Dabashan Mountain, Dabieshan Mountain, Chongqing-Western Hunan, Nanling Mountain, Wuyishan Mountain, Southeastern Coastal, of which the National Geoparks number is 180, accounting for 82.57%. 4) Spatial distribution of National Geoparks coincide with latitudinal tectonic zone and longitude tectonic zone of geological structure features, which is consistent with the areas around the Pacific Rim of volcanic tectonic zones. The coupling relationships are obvious between the spatial distributional pattern and the natural and geological conditions.
[1] Barretino D., Wimbledon W. A. P., Gallego E. (Eds), Geological heritage: its conservation and management. Sociedad Geologica de Espana/Instituto Technologico GeoMinero de Espana/ProGEO, Madrid, 2000 Search in Google Scholar
[2] Farsani N. T., Coelho C., Costa C., Geotourism and geoparks as novel strategies for socio-economic development in rural areas, Int. J. Tour. Res., 13(1), 68–81, 2011 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jtr.80010.1002/jtr.800Search in Google Scholar
[3] Frey M. L., Schäfer K., Büchel G., Patzak M., Geoparks: a regional, European and global policy. In: Dowling R.K., Newsome D. (Eds) Geotourism, sustainability, impacts and management, Elsevier Science, Oxford 95–117, 2006 Search in Google Scholar
[4] Hose T. A., Geotourism in Almeria Province, Southeast Spain, Prelim Commun., 55(3), 259–276, 2007 Search in Google Scholar
[5] Kiernan K., Human impacts on geodiversity and associated natural values of bedrock hills in the Mekong Delta, Geoheritage, 2, 101–122, 2010 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12371-010-0015-810.1007/s12371-010-0015-8Search in Google Scholar
[6] Leite Mansur K., de Souza C., Characterization and valuation of the geological heritage identified in the peródune field, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Geoheritage, 3, 97–115, 2011 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12371-011-0036-y10.1007/s12371-011-0036-ySearch in Google Scholar
[7] Zhao T., Zhao X., The geoscientific significance and classification of the national geoparks of China, Acta Geologica Sinica, 78(3), 854–865, 2004 10.1111/j.1755-6724.2004.tb00207.xSearch in Google Scholar
[8] Janice E. Bowers, Robert H. Webb, et al., Succession of desert plants on debris flow terraces, Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA, Journal of arid environments, 36, 67–86, 1997 http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/jare.1996.019710.1006/jare.1996.0197Search in Google Scholar
[9] Cleal C. J., Thomas B.A., Bevins R. E., Wimbledon W. A. P., GEOSITES-an international geoconservation initiative, Geology Today, 3, 64–68, 1999 http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2451.1999.1502006.x10.1046/j.1365-2451.1999.1502006.xSearch in Google Scholar
[10] Glasser N., Conservation and management of the earth heritage resource in Great Britain, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 44(6), 889–906, 2001 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0964056012008762410.1080/09640560120087624Search in Google Scholar
[11] Wolfgang E., Patzak M., Geoparks-geological attractions: tool for public education, recreation and sustainable economic development, Episode, 7(3), 62–164, 2010 Search in Google Scholar
[12] William C.M., Derek E. D., Optical properties of aerosols at Grand Canyon National Park, Atmospheric Environment 34, 3373–3391, 2000 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(00)00108-410.1016/S1352-2310(00)00108-4Search in Google Scholar
[13] Jacob Johannes Smit, Geotourism in South Africa: Problem and Prospects, Rand Afrikaans University 34–39, 2003 Search in Google Scholar
[14] Zouros N., The European Geoparks Network, Geological heritage protection and local development, Episodes 27(3), 165–171, 2004 10.18814/epiiugs/2004/v27i3/002Search in Google Scholar
[15] Mansur K.L., Soares da Silva A., Society’s Response: Assessment of the Performance of the “Caminhos Geológicos” (“Geological Paths”) Project, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Geoheritage, 3(1), 27–39, 2011 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12371-010-0029-210.1007/s12371-010-0029-2Search in Google Scholar
[16] Susan T., Geoheritage and Geoparks: One (Australian) Woman’s Point of View, Geoheritage 5, 249–264, 2014 10.1007/s12371-013-0085-5Search in Google Scholar
[17] Gray M., Geodiversity: valuing and conserving abiotic nature, Wiley, Chichester, 56–59, 2004 Search in Google Scholar
[18] Gordon J. E., Kirkbride V., Rennie A. F., Bruneau P. M. C., Climate change: why geodiversity matters, Earth Heritage, 30, 8–10, 2008 Search in Google Scholar
[19] Prosser C., Murphy M., Larwood J., Geological conservation: a guide to good practice, English Nature, Peterborough, 144–149, 2006 Search in Google Scholar
[20] Colin D. Prosser, Cynthia V. Burek, David H. Evans et al., Conserving Geodiversity Sites in a Changing Climate: Management Challenges and Responses, Geoheritage, 2, 123–136, 2010 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12371-010-0016-710.1007/s12371-010-0016-7Search in Google Scholar
[21] Wang H.Z., Mo X.X., An outline of the tectonic evolution of China, Episodes, 18(1–2), 6–16, 1995 10.18814/epiiugs/1995/v18i1.2/003Search in Google Scholar
[22] Zhang Y.Q., Ma Y.S., Yang N. et al., Cenozoic extensional stress evolution in North China, Journal of Geodynamics, 36, 591–613, 2003 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jog.2003.08.00110.1016/j.jog.2003.08.001Search in Google Scholar
[23] Jiang Y.B., Guo F.S., Liu L.Q. et al., A study on the features of Danxia landform in Longhushan World Geopark and comparing with others in China. Journal of Mountain Science, 27(3), 353–361, 2009 Search in Google Scholar
[24] Zhao T., Zhao X., The basic features and geological setting of the European Geoparks, Geological Bulletin of China 22(8), 637–649, 2003 Search in Google Scholar
[25] Zhao X., Zhao T., Geological background of national geoparks of China and construction of world geoparks. Geological Bulletin of China, 22, 620–630, 2003 Search in Google Scholar
[26] Zhao T., Zhao X., Geological heritage taxonomy and application. Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Development within Geoparks, Geological Publishing House, Beijing, 26–97, 2007 Search in Google Scholar
[27] Wu J. G., Landscape ecology-pattern, process, scale and level, Higher Education Press 99–105, 2000 Search in Google Scholar
[28] Chen A. Z., Some problems about the construction of National geological park of China. Resources & Industries 5(1), 58–64, 2003 Search in Google Scholar
[29] Huang J. H., The spatial structure of national geoparks and its relation with some factors of geography in China, Journal of Mountain Science, 23(5), 527–532, 2005. Search in Google Scholar
[30] Li M. L., Jiang J. J., Geological remains in China and its protection, Chinese Geology, (6), 31–34, 2000 Search in Google Scholar
[31] Xing L. C., On the protection of geological vestige resources and natural and cultural heritage, Journal of Hefei University of Technology, 18(3), 105–108, 2004 Search in Google Scholar
[32] Li X.Q., Zhao X.Y., Construction and development of Geopark, Geography and Geoinformation Science, 19(5), 96–99, 2003 Search in Google Scholar
[33] Wei X., Theories and Practices of National Geopark, Beijing: Peking University 6–13, 2005 Search in Google Scholar
[34] Peng Y. X., Wu C. J., Harmonious relationship between protection and utilization of geological remains: The case of Shanxi Province, Resources Science, 26(1), 69–75, 2004 Search in Google Scholar
[35] Mu G. S., Li D., The problem and countermeasure of the construction of Chinese geopark, Areal Research and Development, 26(4), 79–81, 2007 Search in Google Scholar
[36] Wu M., Fu G., The problem and countermeasure of the management of geopark, Acta Agriculture Jiangxi, 20(5), 141–143, 2008 Search in Google Scholar
[37] Clark P. J., Evans F.C., Distance to nearest neighbor as a measure of spatial relationships in populations, Ecology, 35, 445–453, 1954 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/193103410.2307/1931034Search in Google Scholar
[38] Dacey M. F., A note on the derivation of nearest neighbor distances, Journal of Regional Science, 2, 81–88, 1960 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9787.1960.tb00842.x10.1111/j.1467-9787.1960.tb00842.xSearch in Google Scholar
[39] Li S. G., The main reason of the earth’s surface images changes, Geological Society Records of China, 5, 13–14, 1926 Search in Google Scholar
[40] Pan J., World culture and nature heritage of China, Beijing: Geological Publishing House 88–125, 1995 Search in Google Scholar
[41] Wu S.M., Geological book of China:records from 21 national geoparks, Jinan: Shandong Pictural Publishing House, 25–76, 2005 Search in Google Scholar
[42] Wang F.Y., Wang F.B., Wang X.Y., Geomorphology and Quaternary Geology. Beijing: Higher Education Press 24–130, 1991 Search in Google Scholar
[43] Liu D., Loess and environment, Beijing: Science Press, 231–286, 1985 Search in Google Scholar
[44] Wu C.J., Han L. Y., Tao Y. K. et al., The goordinative operation of National Geoparks based on the protection and utilization of geological remains, Journal of Mountain Science, 22(1), 17–21, 2004 Search in Google Scholar
© 2014 Versita Warsaw
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.
