Geoheritage of tropical regions: An overview

Abstract

Tropical geoheritage represents a rich and diverse array of geological and geomorphological features with significant scientific, cultural, and aesthetic value. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current state of tropical geoheritage research based on systematic literature review of common science databases such as Web of Science. This work also highlights the unique geological formations, such as inselbergs, volcanoes, and karst landscapes, that characterize tropical regions from arid to humid realms. A bibliometric analysis of 484 studies published between 2000 and 2023 is conducted, identifying key contributors, countries, and thematic trends in selected evidence, promotion, and future challenges of geodiversity and geoheritage in the tropics. The review underscores the importance of geoconservation and geotourism as tools for preserving geoheritage in tropical regions, which are under increasing threat from climate change, deforestation, and resource exploitation. Various geoconservation strategies, including the creation of geoparks, national tourism promotion, and public education campaigns, are discussed as effective measures for enhancing the benefits of tropical geoheritage conservation. This study highlights the need for transdisciplinary approaches to protect these natural treasures and suggests future research directions focused on sustainable management and the integration of geoheritage into broader environmental conservation frameworks.