GEODIVERSIDADE E GEOSSÍTIOS NA SERRA NEGRA, ZONA DA MATA MINEIRA: A IMPORTÂNCIA DOS ASPECTOS ABIÓTICOS PARA O GEOTURISMO EM MONTANHAS TROPICAIS

This article aims to discuss the role of geodiversity for geotouristic activities within the Serra Negra da Mantiqueira State Park (Brazil), through the mapping of geodiversity and associated geosites. Cartographic expedients permeated the quantification of attributes of the physical environment (relief, river characteristics, number of channels, lithotypes, structural aspects) from squares arranged in 1 km × 1 km cells, with data interpolation using the IDW protocol. The results showed tendentially low geodiversity, but with enclaves of higher values that are related to the four geosites found in the area and described from the thematic cartographic results and field control. It was also found that geosites are the main tourist attractions in the study area, underlining the importance of abiotic elements in establishing visitation plans for this recently created protected area.