Potencial Geoparque de Uberaba (MG): geodiversidade e geoconservação / Geopark potential of Uberaba (MG): geodiversity and geoconservation

Abstract

Uberaba municipality, Western Minas Gerais State, has a great geotouristic potential, regarding itsgeological heritage. The igneous rocks from Serra Geral Formation are found in 12 points, highlightingPonte Alta (40 meters) and Peirópolis III (7 meters) waterfalls. The sedimentary rocks from UberabaFormation were described in 11 points, especially Giovane Cave and Waterfall (12 meters). In MariliaFormation sedimentary rocks, the Caieira outcrop (three-meter cave with stalactites and stalagmites)and Vale Encantado Waterfall (8 meters) can be pointed out, among other 8 spots. After the geodiversityassessment, an environmental diagnosis was conducted throughout the potential geotourism attractions,by using the Visitor Impact Management Method. The results indicate that only Vale Encantado Waterfallpresents a moderate impact, the least when compared to 22 other sites, exhibiting high or worrisomeimpact, and 7 with very high impact. In addition to setting the management strategies, and monitoring theenvironmental impact indicators, this work provides the basis so that activities in the potential Geoparkof Uberaba (MG) can be conducted with environmental responsibility and / or geoconservation.

Keywords

• Environmental characterization. Geotourism. Environmental diagnosis. Environmental responsibility.