@conference {29104, title = {Showcaves: A modern geo-conservation approach utilizing geoethics and heritage management principles through sustainable monitoring technology}, booktitle = {EGU General Assembly 2022}, year = {2022}, publisher = {Copernicus Meetings}, organization = {Copernicus Meetings}, address = {Vienna, Austria}, abstract = {

The complexity of show caves and the problems arising through human interaction with them, require interdisciplinary approaches capable of synthesizing a range of parameters such as knowledge, methods and provided tools to promote geo-ethical thinking and geoscientists contribution for sustainable management. Show caves are tourist/commercial caves which have been accessible to the public with artificial lighting, shaped paths, guided tours, open hours and they are considered as heritage sites. The concept of heritage is a complex idea, controversial and culturally constructed, depending on the personal and collective background and experiences of the members of a society. Heritage is often artificially divided into natural and cultural, but regarding the {\textquotedblleft}show caves{\textquotedblright} as entities, the boundaries are indistinguishable. Moreover, show caves suffer successive degradation for several interconnected reasons. This work analyzes proposals for compilation of protocols and general management that may involve educational institutes, management agencies, policy makers and stakeholders based on remotely monitored parameters and scientific data collection, for feeding assessment and evaluation tools. The main scope is to arouse a wider dialogue of the interested parts with the aim to form the basis for the creation of a European legislation for protecting these sensitive but also complex environments through geo-conservation and geo-ethics approaches.

}, url = {https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu22-10296}, author = {Kontostavlos, G. and Vassilakis, E and Triantafyllou, M. and Konsolaki, A.} }