A geodiversidade dos Geossítios de Currais Novos: elemento de (re)conhecimento territorial das comunidades locais

Abstract

The Seridó World Geopark of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) comprises a territory with six municipalities, in the semi-arid region of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, namely: Acari, Carnaúba dos Dantas, Cerro Corá, Currais Novos, Lagoa Nova and Parelhas, covering a total area of 2,800 km². It is a true testimony of the last 600 million years and tells the story of the Earth, being represented by various physical and human elements that, together, present to the community (and the world) a geological heritage of singular beauty. This research focuses on the municipality of Currais Novos/RN, which has a vast scientific, natural, historical and cultural potential. Its five geosites (Lagoa do Santo, Pico do Totoró, Morro do Cruzeiro, Mina Brejuí and Cânions dos Aperdados) are blessed with elements of Geodiversity and, in their surroundings, are inhabited by communities and their unique knowledge. In this way, the objective is to disseminate geoscientific knowledge of the territory of Geopark Seridó, in the municipality of Currais Novos, based on the perspective and participation of the local population, as well as pointing out a possible pedosite that presents rare characteristics in its territory. Methodologically, the work was the result of office activities – with theoretical-conceptual basis studies; field activities – holding workshops to disseminate and popularize geoscientific knowledge, as well as applying questionnaires to the local population; and post-field activities, involving analysis and correlation of data and acquired experiences. The results highlight the potential of the municipality of Currais Novos in the theme of Geodiversity, as well as the enhancing role played by residents who live close to the Geosites in research in the areas of Geosciences. Furthermore, it points out that the Seridó Geopark presents rare sites from a scientific and pedological heritage point of view, as is the case of the Technosols that are being formed in the Mina Brejuí Geosite.