The sustainability of Komodo protection efforts is closely linked to tourism development. To achieve this, it is important to have a deep understanding of local community behaviors and adaptation strategies. This study focuses on the complex relationships between sociodemographic factors, attitudes towards forest conservation, participation in adaptive management programs, and willingness of local communities in the Komodo district to engage in sustainable tourism practices. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we analyze the connections that either support or hinder the conservation of Komodo habitats while promoting responsible tourism growth. The results show that sociodemographic characteristics have a significant impact on conservation attitudes, leading to increased participation in adaptive programs that are crucial for sustainable tourism. Additionally, the willingness to adapt is a key factor that influences the level of community involvement in sustainable tourism initiatives. This study emphasizes the importance of developing behavioral and adaptive forest protection programs that cater to both Komodo conservation and the sustainable growth of tourism. Policy recommendations focus on community-centered conservation strategies, education on sustainable practices, and the implementation of adaptive management to ensure the long-term viability of Komodo habitats. Overall, this research provides a nuanced understanding of conservation behavior in regions with rich biodiversity. It highlights the pivotal role of community engagement and adaptive strategies in achieving sustainable tourism and conservation goals.

Urbanization and population growth present significant challenges to environmental sustainability, necessitating the effective management and protection of urban green spaces. Communication tools and social innovation play a vital role in protecting urban green spaces and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. This study analyzed the effectiveness of various communication methods in promoting urban green space protection in Karaj, Iran. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 135 participants with expertise in green space management. The results showed that about 69.63% of respondents viewed the current status of urban green space protection as neutral to very unfavorable. The results revealed that social media was the most effective communication tool for enhancing awareness and engagement, followed closely by social network. Other methods, such as campaign activities and traditional media, also contributed positively, although to a lesser extent. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships between these communication tools and their effectiveness, confirming that social media and social network significantly influenced urban green space protection. These results highlight the importance of improving communication strategies and encourage further research to explore their implications in different urban contexts.

The purpose of this work was to quantitatively assess the Haidamatskyi Iar canyon as a geotourism site, draw attention to geotourism development outside of the Carpathian Mountains region in Ukraine, and further contribute to the assessment methods choice and application debate. We based our analysis on field observations and combined three evaluation algorithms, namely the Kubalikova's method, the geosite assessment model, and the Brilha's method. For each algorithm, we presented results as a percentage of the maximum for easier comparison. Our assessment concluded that the Haidamatskyi Iar canyon received rather high scores with all three approaches (86.11% with the Kubalikova's method, 76.88% with Brilha's method, and 62.96% with the geosite assessment model), revealing its strong potential as a geological and geomorphological research and education site. Poor tourist infrastructure (due to the area's peripheral location) and lack of specialized promotional products highlighting geoeducational attractions of the area explained lower scores by the geosite assessment model. Overall, we concluded that the Haidamatskyi Iar canyon was a unique geomorphosite of regional and even national significance. It displayed a wide range of geological features, especially those related to weathering, fluvial, and Aeolian erosion. Its location next to a historical and cultural destination (the village of Busha) made it valuable for geotourism promotion. In the wider context of similar geoattractions in Central and Eastern Europe, our analysis demonstrated the benefits of choosing methods, which were previously applied to comparable geosites. Variation in assessment scores confirmed better reliability of simultaneous application of several assessment methods.

The evaluation of geodiversity assessment is essential for preserving geoheritage, enhancing sustainable geotourism, and supporting conservation efforts in ecologically fragile regions. This research aims to analyse and explore the geodiversity of Kalimpong District, India, utilising a comprehensive geospatial analysis to identify areas of major geological importance for strategic planning for geotourism. This study conducts a thorough geospatial evaluation of geodiversity in India's Kalimpong District using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the geodiversity index. Analysing diverse geospatial datasets, including energy of relief diversity, relief fragmentation diversity, geological diversity, drainage density diversity, topography roughness index, trekking routes diversity, waterfalls, lakes diversity, and soil diversity, it systematically characterizes the district's geodiversity. The analytical hierarchy process has been used to determine the main criterion's weight. We also grade the sub-criterion rank supplied by Zwoliński. The geodiversity index identifies areas with geodiversity potential. The geodiversity index aids in identifying and categorizing geodiversity zones into five levels: very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. The findings depict a varied landscape abundant in geological features, with distinct zones reflecting differing levels of geological richness. Notably, the presence of very high geodiversity zones around Neora Valley National Park highlights rugged terrains and dense forests. These zones not only allure tourists but also safeguard valuable geoheritage. This study accentuates the Kalimpong District's potential for geotourism development and stresses the significance of conservation endeavors to preserve its geological diversity. Leveraging its unique geological attributes, the district can establish sustainable geotourism destinations, fostering economic growth, cultural enrichment, and environmental preservation.

Geodiversity concept implies the diversity of natural and physical components of geology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, and soil, including their characters, assemblage, interpretation, relationship, and systems. This concept serves as an effective tool for land-use planning, integrating the physical environment in which both biodiversity and human societies coexist. This contribution presents a quantitative approach for mapping geodiversity indices at a landscape scale in the Jodhpur region of western Rajasthan, India, utilizing various spatial techniques and procedures. The selected method under the present study is based on the overlay of a grid over different maps to calculate the sum of four partial indices. The partial indices represent the main components of geodiversity in the created maps including geology (stratigraphy, lithology, minerals, and structures), geomorphology (relief and landforms), hydrogeology (hydrography and water bodies), and soil. All the partial indices are integrated to create final geodiversity index (GI) map showing the richness of elements of geodiversity and their distribution throughout the territory. The resultant GI maps can be used as a tool in land management and can also be used for recognizing the rich geodiversity areas for their geoconservation and protection. Since geodiversity is the foundation of geoheritage, two geodiversity-rich hotspots have been identified, especially for geopark and geotourism initiatives for environmental conservation, social, and economic benefits in the Jodhpur region.

This study examined the state of glacial geosites in Montenegro and evaluated their potential for geotourism development. The findings were based on a newly developed methodology—the glacial geosite assessment model (G-GAM)—which was specifically designed to assess glacial geosites. Seven key geosites were identified in this study due to their existing touristic value. The results showed that the analyzed sites had significant potential for geotourism development and could be enhanced with relatively modest financial investment. Furthermore, the glacial geosites offered notable environmental, leisure, and recreational value, as well as considerable scientific importance and educational potential. Given that most of these sites were in rural areas, the development of geotourism was expected to deliver positive economic impacts for local communities, potentially helping to mitigate depopulation trends. While geotourism may not have represented Montenegro's primary tourism offering, its integration with other tourism activities could have yielded mutual benefits for all stakeholders. The mountains of Montenegro had already become a major draw for international tourists, and the recognition and promotion of the importance of glacial geosites were expected to further enhance the market appeal of the country's natural landscape.

This research examined the geoheritage potential of Punta Willard, a coastal area in the northwestern region of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, with the purpose of identifying and assessing sites of geological, geographical, historical, and archaeological relevance for sustainable geotourism initiatives. A total of thirteen natural features were surveyed and evaluated using a structured methodology that considered criteria such as scientific interest, educational potential, aesthetic appeal, and accessibility. Data collection involved on-site observations, background literature analysis, and expert judgment. The results revealed a broad diversity of features, including marine terraces, fossiliferous outcrops, sedimentary formations, and cultural remains, several of which ranked highly in scientific and educational categories. The richness and variety of these features suggested strong potential for developing low-impact, interpretive geotourism in line with conservation goals. Given the rising demand for nature-based and educational tourism, Punta Willard emerged as a promising destination where tourism could support heritage preservation while fostering local development. This study emphasizes the value of applying geoheritage assessment frameworks to inform land-use planning and tourism management, particularly in regions that are not formally protected but possess significant geoscientific and cultural resources.

This study aims to systematically analyze the role and trends of digitalization in geoheritage and geopark management, identifying research gaps and future opportunities to support sustainable development and policy-making. It examines the growing trend of leveraging digitalization in geoheritage and geopark management to drive economic growth, cultural education, and sustainability, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Utilizing a systematic literature review (SLR) guided by PRISMA 2020 and bibliometric analysis with VOS viewer, it identifies key research trends and gaps. A major novelty of this study lies in the first-time application of the antecedents, decisions, outcomes-theories, contexts, methods(ADO-TCM) framework to analyze digitalization in geoheritage and geoparks. The findings, derived from 138 scholarly articles, reveal that while digital tools are increasingly explored in tourism and heritage management, their specific role in geoheritage and geopark settings remains underexamined. The study highlights digitalization's potential to promote sustainability, enhance economic development, and improve educational outcomes. It offers actionable insights for various stakeholders. Managers can leverage digital tools for operational efficiency and visitor engagement. Governments can align policies to support digital transformation. Society can benefit from digital platforms to increase awareness and participation in geoheritage conservation. By addressing the underexplored intersection of digital technologies and geoheritage management, this research bridges gaps in the literature and provides a roadmap for future studies. It emphasizes digitalization as a transformative tool for advancing sustainability and fostering informed, engaged communities.

This study assesses the potential for nature-based tourism (NBT) in Mavrovo National Park and Šar Planina National Park in North Macedonia, utilizing the Geosite Potential (G-P) method to evaluate geosites. The research incorporates methodologies from key researchers, and integrates a range of criteria to assess scientific value (SV), educational potential use (EPU), touristic potential use (TPU), and degradation risk (DR). Results indicate that high-scoring geosites possess significant scientific, educational, and touristic values, making them prime candidates for conservation and development. Conversely, some sites exhibit moderate values and suggest areas for improvement. Geospatial analyses facilitate a comprehensive spatial evaluation, emphasizing variations in geosite attributes across the parks. The study reveals that while most geosites face moderate to low risks, some are more vulnerable and require enhanced protection measures. The research also identifies gaps in infrastructure and accommodation that limit the full realization of tourism potential. A SWOT analysis underscores the need for strategic improvements to capitalize on NBT opportunities while addressing infrastructure deficiencies. The findings provide a framework for targeted conservation and development efforts, aiming to preserve the geological integrity of these valuable geosites while promoting their scientific and touristic potential.