Geoheritage and Threats to Geodiversity in Central Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais – Brazil

The geological record of the Espinhaço Range enables the comprehension of Earth processes from its remote past to present day alterations induced by climate change. Also, geodiversity provides conditions to flourishing one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, the rupestrian grasslands (campos rupestres). This works aims at inventorying the geological events recorded in the Central Espinhaço Range, north of Minas Gerais, southeast Brazil, and to discuss the threats to geodiversity. 28 geosites and geodiversity sites representative of the geological evolution of Central Espinhaço were selected and quantitatively assessed. The records comprise crust generation in the Archean, the assembly of the São Francisco Congo paleocontinent in the Paleoproterozoic, several rifting events from the Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic, the tectonic convergence related to the Araçuaí Orogen edification, and recent events of the Cenozoic. The quantitative assessment indicates a geoheritage of national relevance and a high potential for educational activities. Although the potential touristic use is lower, geotourism could benefit local communities if investments in infrastructure are made. The threats to geodiversity were assessed both at site and surrounding area levels, and may be regarded as: mining, renewable energy projects, poor land use management and climate change. The iron mining projects in the Rio Peixe Bravo Valley Ferruginous Geosystem are considered the main threat, for the possible impact over the paleontological heritage, habitat provision and aquifer suppression.