THEORETICAL-METHODOLOGICAL PROPOSAL FOR EVALUATING GEOSITES FROM VIEWPOINTS
observatory; abiotic; landscape; geodiversity;
Aesthetic value plays a fundamental role for geomorphological heritage and especially in the context of viewpoints. This value plays an important role in the protection and conservation of monuments and natural landscapes. Given this, there is a need to develop a specific method for evaluating points of view, with the aim of highlighting and preserving their particularities. The general objective of this thesis is to propose a theoretical-methodological instrument for the quantitative evaluation of viewpoints, based on aesthetic and scientific values, applied in some points in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. This development was only possible through a bibliographical review in the fields of philosophy, geoheritage and geoconservation, which provided criteria and parameters for carrying out the methodology. Partially, it was observed that the method proved to be satisfactory in differentiating different geomorphological contexts, highlighting that not all viewpoints can be considered geosites. Therefore, it is crucial that these results are instrumented, enabling their use as an effective tool for managing and planning these areas.