A Network Perspective of the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum in the Tourist Trails of UNESCO Global Geoparks: Santo Sepulcro and Riacho do Meio Trails, Araripe UGG (NE of Brazil)

Abstract

In this investigation, we formulated the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum and its centrality indicators, based on the identification of the Ecosystem Health Potentials and Opportunities on the trails of Santo Sepulcro and Riacho do Meio in the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG), establishing a baseline for the promotion of green exercise and geotourism in the territory. Based on the network methodology for complex systems, we analyzed the closeness and strength of biotic, abiotic variables, nature phenomena, infrastructure, and sensory experiences in order to determine the configuration of these associations. In the Santo Sepulcro, regarding the association, two negative relations and two positive relations among the variables were highlighted; as for closeness and strength, Aquatic Diversity with the Scientific Values of Geodiversity stood out. In Riacho do Meio, we highlight three positive associations among the variables; as for connectivity, Biodiversity and Meteorological and Climate Exposure presented the highest values and, as for strength, the variables Biodiversity, Route Classification, and Aquatic Diversity were the most prominent. We conclude, based on the presented configuration, that the variables with greater connectivity act as hubs; if these variables are optimized, the network will present an acceptable theoretical configuration. However, neglecting central strength variables can cause the network to collapse.

Keywords

• geoparks
• UNESCO
• network analysis
• welfare
• ecosystem
• nature trails