Inventory of geosites and assessment of the geotourism and educational potential of geodiversity on the Casca d’Anta trail in Serra da Canastra National Park (MG)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5016/geografia.v51i1.19063

Abstract

The Casca d’Anta trail, located on the S/SW escarpment of the Chapadão da Canastra within the Serra da Canastra National Park (PNSC), presents unique geological and geomorphological features. However, a lack of infrastructure for geodiversity appreciation has been identified, including the absence of interpretive panels, which limits its potential for geoeducation and geotourism. This study conducted a detailed inventory of geodiversity elements along the Casca d’Anta trail, interpreting its geological and geomorphological history and the plateaus that make up the park. The evaluation in the GEOSSIT - SGB platform assigned the trail a scientific value of 175, an educational value of 300, and a touristic value of 270, emphasizing its national relevance. The inventory reinforces the importance of the trail and highlights ways to enhance its appreciation and recognition. Furthermore, adopting participatory management policies could integrate the local community into this process, and a key step to maximizing this potential would be the structuring of a Geopark Project for the PNSC, promoting conservation and sustainable development.

Author Biographies

  • João Paulo Silva dos Santos, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil.

    Geógrafo e Professor de Geografia da educação básica, atualmente lecionando como professor contratado no município de Santa Gertrudes – SP (2026). É pesquisador bolsista pela Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), atuando no projeto Modern Endangered Archives Program (MEAP – 06154), pela Universidade da Califórnia - UCLA (2025 – 2026). Possui experiência nas áreas de geoeducação e geoconservação, nomeadamente na Serra da Canastra, e outros locais com interesse da geodiversidade. Estagiou no Museu Histórico e Pedagógico Amador Bueno da Veiga em Rio Claro – SP (2019 – 2021), e atuou como monitor ambiental pela Fundação Florestal, na Floresta Estadual Edmundo Navarro de Andrade – FEENA (2023 - 2024). Graduado em Geografia, licenciatura e bacharelado pela Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Campus – Rio Claro (2022).

  • Nuno Manuel Martinho Vieira, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de Geociências, Campus Ondina, Bahia, Brasil.

    He holds a degree in Geology and Natural Resources from the Faculty of Sciences of
    the University of Lisbon (FCUL), Portugal, completed in 2013. He has experience in
    the field of Speleology, having worked as a guide for the Portuguese Speleology
    Society (SPE) during the Ciência Viva no Verão activities from 2008 to 2014, in central
    Portugal.
    He holds a Master's degree in Geosciences and Environment from São Paulo State
    University (UNESP) – Rio Claro (SP), completed in 2017, with an emphasis on
    Petrology and Geochemistry of magmatic rocks. His research focused on the detailed
    study of petrography, mineral chemistry, and lithochemical aspects of acidic rocks
    (rhyolites and dacites) from the Paraná Magmatic Province (SE Brazil).
    Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), in
    Salvador, researching Archean and Paleoproterozoic basement rocks (TTGs and
    granitoids) in the area surrounding the Guajeru Greenstone Belt, in the southern portion
    of the Gavião Block, within the geotectonic context of the São Francisco Craton (Bahia,
    NE Brazil).

  • Maria Bernadete Sarti da Silva Carvalho, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil.

    She holds a degree in Geography from São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (1989), a master's degree in Geography from São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (1996), and a doctorate in Geography from São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (2004). Currently, she is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Rio Claro Campus, working in undergraduate and graduate teaching as well as extension activities.

    She leads the research group "Coletivo de Pesquisas e Estudos em Ensino de Geografia" and participates in the research group "A temática ambiental e o processo educativo," both registered with CNPq. She is also part of the research team for the EArte Project, which investigates academic production in Environmental Education.

    She coordinated two PIBID Geography subprojects at UNESP, Rio Claro Campus, from 2011 to 2017, and coordinated the Rio Claro branch of the Pedagogical Residency Program in Geography at UNESP from 2018 to 2024.

    She currently coordinates the Metamorfose Popular Pre-University Course, an extension project of the Institute of Biosciences, Rio Claro Campus, and the Espaço Com_Ciência Extension Project, carried out in partnership with the Municipality of Rio Claro.

    She has experience in the field of Geography, with an emphasis on teaching, mainly working with Teaching Practices and the following themes: teacher training, school cartography, and environmental education.

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Published

2026-05-06

Issue

Vol. 51 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Article

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Geography, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil - eISSN 1983-8700 is licensed under the Creative Commons BY 4.0 License.

How to Cite

Inventory of geosites and assessment of the geotourism and educational potential of geodiversity on the Casca d’Anta trail in Serra da Canastra National Park (MG). GEOGRAFIA, v. 51, n. 1, p. e-19063, 6 May2026.