Banca de DEFESA: JOANDERSON FERNANDES SIMÕES

The Geodiversity of Currais Novos Geosites: element of territorial (re)knowledge of local communities

Geodiversity; Popularization of knowledge; Technosols; New Corrals.

The Seridó World Geopark of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) comprises six municipalities in the northeastern semi-arid region, namely: Acari, Carnaúba dos Dantas, Cerro Corá, Currais Novos, Lagoa Nova and Parelhas, covering a total area of 2,800 km². It is a true testimony of the last 600 million years and tells the history of the planet Earth, being represented by various physical and human elements that, together, present to the community (and to the world) a geological heritage of unique beauty. This research focuses on the municipality of Currais Novos, considered a hub city and gateway to the Seridó Geopark, offering a vast tourist, historical and natural potential. Its five Geosites (Logoa do Santo, Pico do Totoró, Morro do Cruzeiro, Mina Brejuí and Cânions dos Apertados) are graced with elements of Geodiversity and are inhabited by residents who, in a popular way, attribute value to these spaces, being active agents of Geotourism and who keep knowledge of their territory. Thus, the objective is to value the geodiversity of the territory of the Seridó Geopark, in the municipality of Currais Novos, from the perspective of non-geoscientists (local population), in order to identify the places with the greatest contribution to local development and those who need new contributions of incentives. Methodologically, this work will be divided into office activities – with studies and theoretical-conceptual foundations; and field actions – carrying out geoscientific dissemination and popularization workshops, as well as the application of questionnaires for the local population. Along with the help of social cartography and other geoprocessing techniques, the aim is to deliver a geotouristic route to the territory of Currais Novos (indicated and produced by the communities themselves) that fit Geodiversity practices and actions in the municipality.