Study On Geoheritage Resources And Protection In Hong Kong National Geopark

Geoheritage is an important part of natural cultural heritage, constituting a core of natural tourism resources. Nowadays, in the world, the attentions have been paid to the eco-environmental and sustainable development, which is increasely emphasing on geoheritage conservation. The geopark construction is the most effective way to protect geoheritage resources and environment, which is a homeland for both human being and other organisms. A geopark is an unique natural area with special geological significance and natural and cultural landscapes, and is a great place for people to appreciate nature and learn science. It serves the three objectives of geoheritage conservation, education and sustainable development.Hong Kong Geopark is made up of eight Geo-Areas distributed across the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region and Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region, each having its own unique geological attractions, covers a total area of about 48.96 square kilometers. The Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region includes another four geo-areas: Tung Ping Chau, Double Haven, Tolo Channel and Port Island– Bluff Head.This region represents the most comprehensive stratigraphyof sedimentary rocks in Hong Kong. The Sai Kung VolcanicRock Region includes four geo-areas: High Island, Sharp Island, Ninepin Group and Ung Kong Group. This region mainly showcases the spectacular hexagonal volcanic columns.There are plenty of geoheritage resources in Hong Kong Geopark. Over the years based on the use of the existing Country Parks Ordinance and Marine Parks Ordinance for the protection, which play an important protective role on the ecological environment resources and cultural heritage of Hong Kong. However, the concept of geological heritage protection has been developed at its beginning, the geopark is in the stage of initial development, so some problems exist in the aspect of valuable geological relics.The main content of this study is studying the geodiversities in the geopark, the analysis of natural situation and regional geological baekground, the types of geosites are systemaically divided.On the base of this, this thesis analyzes the problems and protective situation of geoheritage resources in Hong Kong Geopark, at last, some preliminary measures are put forward.The whole thesis is divided into five parts.Part 1, the part presents the background, purpose, significance and context of the study.Theories of geopark on protective plan and geoheritage resources are pointed out.Part 2, introduces the general situation of the study area, including geographic location, strata, geological background, landforms, hydrological, ecological environmental and climatic conditions.Part 3, according to relevant requirements, this part analyzes the types and basic features of geoheritage resources, including complicated coastal landform, rock formations, hexagonal volcanic columns, etc. and summarize and conclude the causes.Part four, summarizes existing problems by analyzing the current protective situation of Hong Kong National Geopark, and the development of ecotourism, pointing out these problems. Aiming at the problems and with the actual situation in Hong Kong, some measures are put forward.Part five, summery of the whole paper, pointing out the new ideas and deficiencies of the thesis.