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Volume 7, Issue 2 (072401)
Geoconservation Research (GCR)
https://doi.org/10.57647/gcr-2024-si-b330
Michael J. Benton1
, Sarah King2
School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen’s Road, Bristol, BS8 1RJ, UK.
Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens, Museum Street, York YO1 7FR, UK.
Corresponding Author’s E-mail: [email protected] ; [email protected]
While museums have long been associated with the protection and interpretation of cultural, histor- ical, and natural heritage, their role in geoconser- vation has only become more prominent in recent decades. Geoconservation focuses on the conser- vation of geological features, processes, and land- scapes, and has gained recognition as an important area of environmental protection, particularly in the context of climate change and anthropogenic pressures on natural resources. Importantly, geo- conservation is based on the fundamental scien- tific evaluation of those locations, such as open landscapes, coastlines, and quarries in terms of their regional and international significance.
Therefore, there are two roles for museums in connection with geoconservation, namely scien- tific and educational. Museums promote geocon- servation through their collections, exhibitions, research, and public outreach. Different papers in the volume address questions of proper collecting practice and making links from the conserved geo- logical sites to the curated collections in a muse- um, largely in the context of their scientific worth. Collecting on the land can be a fraught topic in the context of moving specimens from place to place, especially in moving them from one nation to an- other. What was once done without thought is now
an important area of ethical debate. Such consid- erations are important also in education, where the choice of language and terminology can matter. Further, museums, like geoparks, rely on the sup- port of visitors and it is important for all audiences to be considered in planning the educational and engagement activities in museums and integrating with nearby geosites. Partnerships between muse- ums and geosites can present benefits for both.
Museums, particularly natural history museums, have long been custodians of knowledge about the Earth’s history and its geological processes. The key to their significance lies in their collections, and the value of the collections of the great mu- seums of the world depends on the thoroughness of curatorial care over the decades. Museums may contain specimens from 200 years ago or more, documenting the work of some of the founders of geology. Everyone can agree on the value of the perpetual curation of rocks and fossils collected by such great early researchers as Hutton, Cuvier, Murchison, Humboldt, or Darwin. Such historical materials of course provide a buzz of excitement when they are shown to visitors, even to non-ex- perts; ‘this is a rock that Darwin collected, and It proved for the first time that the Pacific islands were formed from recent lava’.
This long-term care is particularly true of fossils, where the crucial type specimens – the name-bear- ers to which all modern researchers refer - must be preserved forever. This is a high demand, re- quiring protection from the ten agents of deterio- ration (physical forces, fire, pests, light, incorrect relative humidity, thieves and vandals, water, pol- lutants, incorrect temperature, and dissociation). High-grade, secure storage cabinets that maintain a constant environment are costly. In addition, the record-keeping must be punctilious. Labels and catalogs require care so that paper records are full and detailed and are also protected from deterio- ration, and digital copies are backed up. Import- ant historical materials are living records, and as new waves of experts study the older specimens and add their new interpretations, new knowledge must be added to the documentation. Continuity of comprehension and funding is also massively important: can we ensure that all museums are thoroughly appreciated by their funders through the generations, and that curators of sufficient knowledge and care are in constant control of the materials? One slip in one generation, and all can be lost.
Local and regional museums have important addi- tional roles in the conservation of research mate- rials. Their collection policies generally focus on acquiring specimens from the local area, and this meshes with their role as civic spaces in their lo- cal communities. Alignment with the interests of local people can build loyalty and pride in their area, and the museum can communicate the scien- tifically important collections they hold, explain- ing their significance at national and internation- al levels. Smaller museums can struggle to find funding to maintain high standards of curation and to provide the appropriate facilities for visiting re- searchers, such as microscopes and photographic facilities. They may also be located far from any university which limits their options in fostering student research projects, or student volunteers to
help with curation and explanation tasks. Howev- er, sector organizations, such as Museum Devel- opment, and Subject Specialist Networks in the UK, can help here, as well as the increasing use of social media and online tools to access a wider pool of resources.
Museums have always had a key role in education, but the nature of that role has changed through the years. Whereas museums before 1870 were of- ten seen as the preserve of the educated (richer) classes, they have since then been opened step-by- step to a wider clientele. In the nineteenth century, ‘working men’ might be admitted on certain days for a small fee, but this small concession illustrat- ed that the museum was still seen as a somewhat exclusive temple of knowledge. Many museums were in private hands or were fostered by a small group of fee-paying supporters.
Now, museums have generally democratized, and they are often at least partly funded through local and national governments. Modern museums are expected to demonstrate efforts to bring in under- served audiences - people who think museums are not for them. This sets challenges for curators and education staff to find ways to communicate their collections in new ways.
In the case of education, local and regional muse- ums need not be disadvantaged in the ways they may be in supporting research activity. In terms of outreach and education, a local museum has an immediate focus, which is their city or county. Museums can strengthen civic cohesion and iden- tity. Building from that pride, the curator or edu- cator can develop stories for exhibits and learning materials that focus on a location that is known to many people, or a person or historical episode. Telling the story of a local person can engage peo- ple to see their environment through the eyes of the named individual, and they can follow their
story of discovery alongside them.
The endeavor to connect people emotionally to their part of the natural world can be massively enabled through links between museums and geo- sites. Placing the local natural world in a wider context can be validated by these means. Natu- ralists have always known the best places locally to see birds or collect fossils, but designation of biosites and geosites by a national or internation- al agency can help validate these locations. The museum curator can use the information from the designation documents, such as ‘a key site to un- derstand karst development’ or ‘the type locality for a particular fossil fish’ as a means to strengthen their explanations to local people, both adults and children. Who in Lyme Regis is not thrilled to hear stories about Mary Anning and how she brought the local fossils to the attention of the world over 200 years ago?
In recent years, there has been an increasing rec- ognition within the museum sector of the impor- tance of integrating geoconservation principles into museum practice. This includes not only the conservation of geological specimens but also the development of exhibitions and programs that em- phasize the importance of protecting geological landscapes and processes.
Museums often develop exhibitions that explore the Earth’s geological history, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped the planet over billions of years. These ex- hibitions can be powerful tools for communicating the value of geological features and the need for their conservation. For example, exhibitions on fossils or rock formations often explain how these features can offer insights into past environments, while also addressing the potential threats they face from human development or climate change.
In addition to their educational role, museums are also involved in scientific research that supports geoconservation efforts. Many museums employ geologists, paleontologists, and other experts who conduct research on topics such as mineral conser- vation, fossil preservation, and landscape change. This research is often published in scientific jour- nals or shared through conferences and seminars, contributing to the growing body of knowledge about the Earth’s geological heritage.
Collaboration between museums and other stake- holders, such as universities, environmental NGOs, and governmental bodies, is also a key aspect of geoconservation. Museums often work in partnership with these organizations to con- duct field surveys, monitor geological sites, and promote policies that support geoconservation ef- forts. The UNESCO Global Geoparks programme places a combined focus on geological signifi- cance of locations together with conservation and community engagement. These partnerships can help bridge the gap between scientific research, public education, and conservation practice, cre- ating a holistic approach to protecting the Earth’s geological heritage.
Museums can have a crucial role in providing a venue for citizen science initiatives in geocon-
servation. Ballard et al. (2017) investigated 44 citizen science programs across three museums (one U.K., two U.S.) to assess whether and how they contribute to conservation-relevant out- comes. They found that these initiatives support conservation both directly, through site and spe- cies management, and indirectly through research, education and policy impacts. The strength of the museum-geosite link is that they provide a venue for people to conduct their work, see specimens and receive training, report results, and see the outcomes of their communal efforts. Many of these studies were in the realm of biological con- servation, where citizen scientists reported plants, insects, or birds they encountered. But citizen science can extend to rocks and fossils found in much-visited coastal locations, or literature- and web-based studies, where the citizen researchers measure features from photographs or drawings made available on websites or seek out informa- tion to build documentation of local and regional sites.
Museums face many challenges. One of the pri- mary obstacles is the lack of funding for geocon- servation initiatives, especially in an era of eco- nomic constraints and shifting priorities in the museum sector. Many museums struggle to allo- cate resources for large-scale conservation proj- ects or for developing new exhibitions focused on geology and conservation.
Another challenge is the need for specialized ex- pertise in geology and conservation science. While museums traditionally focus on cultural and nat- ural history, the integration of geoconservation requires a deep understanding of geological pro- cesses and conservation techniques that may not be present among a museum’s existing staff. This gap in expertise can hinder the development of ef- fective geoconservation programs and exhibitions.
Finally, museums must also address the challenges posed by climate change, which has the potential to damage geological sites and collections. Ris- ing temperatures, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and the degradation of ecosystems all pose risks to the integrity of geological heri- tage. Museums must find ways to adapt their con- servation strategies to these changing conditions, while also educating the public about the impact of climate change on geological features and land- scapes.
Despite the challenges, there are significant op- portunities for museums to expand their role in geoconservation. One promising direction is the increased use of digital technology to enhance the conservation and research of geological sites and specimens. Digital tools such as 3D scanning, vir- tual reality, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be used to create digital models of geo- logical features, allowing for more detailed anal- ysis and monitoring of these sites. For example, aerial drone-based Lidar surveys can show how sites are affected by wind and weather, especial- ly for example sites showing dinosaur trackways (Bates et al. 2008; Petti et al. 2008). These tech- nologies can also be used to create virtual exhibi- tions that bring geological sites and specimens to a wider audience, making geoconservation more accessible.
Another important area for growth is the develop- ment of interdisciplinary collaborations between museums, universities, and conservation organi- zations. By working together, these institutions can create more effective conservation strategies, raise public awareness, and advocate for stronger policies to protect geological heritage. Museums could also play a key role in influencing policy de- cisions related to land use and resource extraction, advocating for the protection of significant geo-
logical sites from human encroachment.
Finally, museums can continue to expand their role in public engagement by developing more in- teractive and participatory programming focused on geoconservation. This could include citizen science projects, community-based conservation initiatives, and educational campaigns that em- power individuals to take action in protecting geo- logical heritage.
We publish 11 papers in this Special Issue, ad- dressing different topics in the relationship of museums with geoconservation sites and objec- tives. Our authors come from many countries (UK, Germany, France, Morocco, Australia, and China) and reflect specific examples from each of these nations.
In two articles, the authors explore practical, le- gal, and ethical issues between geological sites and museums. Van Geert (2024) compares the presentation of geology in geopark museums and natural history museums, focusing on the French and Spanish Catalan region of Europe. He notes how the expansion of the geoheritage concept has led to profound changes in museums and the wider heritage sector as these institutions adapt to strengthening the link between natural and cultur- al heritage. He also sees real impacts from increas- ing awareness among professionals and the public for issues associated with decolonization issues and the climate crisis.
In their paper, Reedman et al. (2024) explore fossil collecting along parts of the Dorset and East Dev- on Coast World Heritage Site. Fossil collecting is managed through codes of conduct rather than laws. The codes operate on rapidly eroding coast- lines where fossils may be found at any time and if they are not collected might be lost to erosion. This makes it impractical to mandate official col- lecting by licensed authorities only because they
do not have the time to monitor many kilometers of coastline every few days. On the other hand, the hundreds of thousands of visitors could cause great harm by over-collecting and dispersing the fossils. A balance is struck, whereby visitors may collect common fossils such as ammonites, but are encouraged to report any particularly impressive specimens or marine reptile bones. It is unknown how many remarkable fossils are removed with- out being recorded, but sufficient specimens are recorded by the local museums along the coast that the authors conclude the codes of good prac- tice are at least substantially effective.
Two papers, respectively from the UK and Aus- tralia, explore issues of decolonization and current issues between occupants of the land. Gelsthor- pe (2024) provides a thoughtful consideration of decolonization as it affects a museum, in his case the Manchester Museum, that acquired specimens from all over the world in times when few ques- tions were asked about ethical matters. He argues that ‘the repatriation of geological specimens can be regarded as a barometer of the progress of de- colonization’. He provides an example of how the Manchester Museum returned a Cretaceous fossil bird specimen that had been purchased illegally to China and uses this as a wake-up call to encour- age other museums to be proactive in contacting authorities in other nations to offer the return of specimens.
Hurst et al. (2024) explore live situations in Aus- tralia where scientists and museums have up to now often ignored the wishes and interests of the First Nations peoples. They note that museums in Australia, and more widely, exhibit numerous examples of First Nations art, and ethical consid- erations about how those artifacts were obtained and how they are exhibited and explained can be enormous. There are also major concerns ignored to a large extent hitherto about the land through- out Australia and how we approach and talk about
it. Every geological site is on the ancestral lands of a First Nations group, and Hurst et al. present ideas about proper engagement between West- ern-trained scientists and First Nations peoples. Sally Hurst pioneered an engagement scheme throughout Australia called ‘Found a Fossil’ sur- vey, and the authors present results and examples of further outcomes between museums and geo- sites concerning dinosaur tracks, stone tools, and a film project that have brought together disparate interests and cultures around important geological themes.
We then present five articles that provide exam- ples of different means of illustrating and dissem- inating information about geosites through muse- ums. El Hamidy et al. (2024) show the National Ceramics Museum in Safi, Morocco (NCMSM) helps to promote geotourism and protect geosites through a variety of activities, including geosite visits, educational programs, interpretive panels, geotours, awareness campaigns, souvenir offers, and interactive applications. Lincoln and Colley (2024) provide an account of how a small geo- logical museum in northern England, the Kendal Museum, used stories around some ‘local heroes’ to interest the local people and visitors in how ge- ologists work and to make connections from the museum displays to local geosites that tourists can visit. In a similar way, Munt (2024) reports the history of a newer museum, the Dinosaur Isle Museum on the Isle of Wight, southern England, founded in 2001, and how it exhibits dinosaur fos- sils all found within at most a few kilometers of the museum. He argues that place is important in the location of this museum, allowing visitors and local people to realize the remarkable specimens on show are very local to the museum itself, and inspiring some at least to walk or drive on to see some of the original find spots of dinosaur skele- tons and footprints. The fourth case study is from the IVPP museum in Beijing, China, where Wang et al. (2024) present a detailed account of the great
wall murals that act as a backdrop to the collec- tions on all three floors of the galleries. They show how they are a good representation of the state of knowledge of Chinese palaeontology in the early 1990s, and how the life restorations of animals can help visitors interpret the fossils they see in front of them and connect those back to the sites from which they came, many of them now incorporat- ed into geoparks that are open to visitors. Finally, in this section, Schütrumpf et al. (2024) describe the ‘Ask a Geologist’ service at the Warwick Mar- ket Hall Museum in central England, where staff of the museum and volunteers from the county geoconservation group meet the public to answer questions and identify rocks and fossils.
The final two articles are about one of the lon- gest-studied geological areas in the world, the Dorset coast in southern England. Davis (2024) describes the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival which has happened each year since 2005, attracting 15–20,000 people each time to the variety of stalls, scientific lectures, circus shows, and other events designed to link people to the geology and palaeontology and especially the geoconservation aspects of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site. It all began with Mary Anning (1799–1847), and Pearson (2024) presents an evocative account of her involvement in the campaign to establish a statue in honor of the great fossil collector. In par- ticular, she describes how Mary Anning has be- come a hero worldwide for her contributions and acts as an inspiration for young people, especially girls, to become scientists, but also to take an in- terest in geology, palaeontology, and geoconser- vation.
Ballard HL, Robinson LD, Young AN, Pauly GB, Higgins LM, Johnson RF, Tweddle JC (2017). Contributions to conservation out- comes by natural history museum-led citi- zen science: Examining evidence and next
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Bates KT, Rarity F, Manning PL, Hodgetts D, Vila B, Oms O, Galobart A, Gawthorpe RL (2008). High-resolution LiDAR and photo- grammetric survey of the Fumanya dinosaur tracksites (Catalonia): implications for the conservation and interpretation of geological heritage sites. Journal of the Geological Soci- ety. 165: 115–127.
Davis PG (2024). The Lyme Regis Fossil Fes- tival – public engagement in the birthplace of palaeontology. Geoconservation Research. 7(2): 072411. https://doi.org/10.57647/gcr- 2024-si-5a58
El Hamidy M, Errami E, Ghani M (2024). Mu- seal activity to promote geotourism and geosite protection: The case of the National Ceramics Museum, Safi, Morocco. Geoconservation Re- search. 7(2): 072406. https://doi.org/10.57647/ gcr-2024-si-k4g1
Gelsthorpe D (2024). Repatriation and decol- onization of geology collections in an evolv- ing sector. Geoconservation Research. 7(2): 072404. https://doi.org/10.57647/gcr-2024-si- 9wch
Gray M (2021). Geodiversity: a significant, multi-faceted and evolving, geoscientific para- digm rather than a redundant term. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association. 132: 605–619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2021.09.001
Hurst S, Moore MW, Simpson A, Salisbury SW, Ahoy S, Kitchener C, Betts MJ (2024). More than Museums: Care for Natural and Cultural Heritage in Australia. Geoconservation Re- search.7(2): 072405. https://doi.org/10.57647/ gcr-2024-si-sy25
Lincoln PC, Colley I (2024). A new view of Lake District geology, past and present, at Kendal Museum, England: A case study in community involvement. Geoconservation Re- search.7(2): 072407. https://doi.org/10.57647/
Munt M (2024). Being in the right place, Di- nosaur Isle Museum, Isle of Wight. Geocon- servation Research. 7(2): 072408. https://doi. org/10.57647/gcr-2024-si-ev55
Pearson A (2024). Mary Anning Rocks and its outreach impacts. Geoconservation Research. 7(2): 072412.
Petti FM, Avanzini M, Belvedere M, De Gas- peri M, Ferretti P, Girardi S, Remondino F, Tomasoni R (2008). Digital 3D modelling of dinosaur footprints by photogrammetry and la- ser scanning techniques: integrated approach at the Coste dell’Anglone tracksite (Lower Juras- sic, Southern Alps, Northern Italy). Acta Geo- logica. 83: 303–315.
Reedman C, Larwood J, Scriven S, Sole D (2024). Fossil collecting codes of conduct on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site - prac- tical management connecting fossil collectors, land owners / managers, researchers and mu- seums with the needs of the Site. Geoconser- vation Research. 7(2): 072403. https://doi. org/10.57647/gcr-2024-si-wx71
Schütrumpf K, Jenkins G, Harrald J (2024). ‘Ask a Geologist’ at Market Hall Warwick Mu- seum, Warwick. Geoconservation Research. 7(2):072410.https://doi.org/10.57647/gcr- 2024-si-pq93
Van Geert F (2024). Differences and conver- gence in the interpretation of geoheritage, inside and outside geoparks. Geoconser- vation Research. 7(2): 072402. https://doi. org/10.57647/gcr-2024-si-ct61
Wang Q, Wang Y, Smith AS (2024). Atmo- spheric palaeoart: A case study of the murals in the Paleozoological Museum of China. Geo- conservation Research. 7(2): 072411.