A SUSTAINABILITY MODEL OF GEOPARKS APPLIED TO THE TUNGURAHUA VOLCANO GEOPARK

The Tungurahua Volcano Geopark (GVT), is located in the center of the Ecuadorian Andes, and comprises an area of 2,397 km2 . The name-giving Tungurahua Volcano, which is one of the most active volcanoes in Ecuador, is only one of many other volcanic complexes to be part of the GVT. All these volcanic edifices are the result of the subduction of the oceanic Nazca plate below the South American continental plate, along the active continental margin. A novel sustainability model of geoparks has been applied to the GVT, of which methods consisted of revising secondary information from documents and interviews with experts and primary data collected and validated during field trips performed in two stages, where twenty Geosites were defined. Furthermore, we structured a scientific committee of seven Universities, two NGOs and other stakeholders. Additional elements of our management and assessment included to describe the evolutionary history of this particular area since the Lower Devonian, and, to elaborate a monitoring and conservation plan that includes the placement of signage, interpretive scripts and tourist mapping. The key has been the joint work and strategic alliances based on local development axes such as geoeducation, geoconservation and geotourism focused on the Sustainable Development Goals. To present a novel sustainability model for geoparks, applied in a case study in Ecuador. Review of information and guide questionnaires that directed the interviews with experts of other geoparks. Validation of obtained data in the field. Inventories of sites where geotourism were performed. A novel sustainability model of geoparks has been applied by the described methods. A scientific committee was structured. A description of the evolutionary history of the study area is given. A monitoring and conservation plan was elaborated and presented. We reached a joint work, focused on the SDG´s. Generation of economic income, creation of strategic alliances and protection of the given heritage; Networking with Global Geoparks; recognition and conservation of geological heritage within the SDG´s. Especially the consolidation of global collaboration networks, the professionalization of staff, and the acquisition of sustainable resources are aspirations that, for the present times, may not allow to be achieved in the short or medium term due to budgetary and management constraints.