POTENCIALIDADES GEOTURÍSTICAS DE LOCAIS DE INTERESSE GEOMORFOLÓGICO DO PARQUE ESTADUAL DO CÂNION CEARENSE DO RIO POTI (CE, BRASIL)

This research had as main objective to identify the Sites of Geomorphological Interest (LIGeom) with geotouristic potential in the State Park of the Ceará Canyon of Poti River, by means of the characterization of the geological, geomorphological, paleontological, and archaeological aspects involved in the scope of the aforementioned area. The methodology was based on bibliographic survey, field trips for data collection in the study area, the use of inventorying, as a kickoff of strategies for geoconservation from the filling of the LIGeom sheets, adapted from the proposal of Pereira (2006), collection of coordinates and photographic record for viewing the scenic beauty provided by the local geomorphological heritage. As a result, three LIGeom were identified, qualitatively evaluated and characterized, namely: 1 - Poço do Sítio Caldeirão, 2 - Lajedo dos Trilobitas and 3 - Cânion Curral de Pedra. The sites reveal beauty with distinct characteristics that enable the understanding of the geology, geomorphology, paleontology, and archeology of the area. One concludes the high scenic potential of the State Park of the Ceará Canyon of the Poti River. In general, one verified, from the proposed methodology, the potentialities, especially in the tourist bias, with the didactic-scientific and cultural exploration. Thus, it is necessary, first of all, to proceed to the tourist planning and create public policies that regulate the activity, especially when dealing with a Conservation Unit. Only this way will it be possible to move towards sustainable tourism and achieve one of the main purposes of geotourism, which is geoconservation.