Characteristics of map information on the websites of global geoparks and Japanese geoparks

Transcription

1 Characteristics of map information on the websites of global geoparks and Japanese geoparks Daichi Kohmoto School of Tourism, Kobe Shukugawa Gakuin University Abstract: Characteristics of map information on the websites of geoparks are assessed and its challenges and possibilities are discussed. All the contents on the official websites of global geoparks and Japanese geoparks are browsed, and varieties and numbers of maps on these websites are examined. As a consequence, large differences are found in the degree of map information on the websites of each geoparks. s in Asia other than Japan (the majority is China) tend to publish extremely small number of maps on the websites, and introduce the contents by only texts and photos. s in Europe publish many maps of their territory and model courses. Some particular geoparks in Europe have rich maps showing the activities of the Earth. s in Japan are characterized by many maps showing access from outside of the geoparks, model course maps, location maps of museums, restaurants, accommodations and so on. On the other hand, there is still great potential in geological maps and topographic maps as educational materials if they are on the websites of geoparks. Keywords: geopark; geotourism, map, geography, internet 1 Introduction A map is a fundamental tool to describe and analyze geo -related information. Maps are also necessary to promote education, research, and tourism on geoparks. However, less studies have been conducted to analyze the relationships between geoparks and maps. There are two ways to utilize maps on geoparks; on-site utilization and off-site utilization. The latter has introductory roles such as offering to the region and drawing attention to the contents described in the maps. Maps might also have a role as a database which accumulate information. Maps of geoparks have many possibilities for transmission of information if they are on the websites. Most of geoparks have its own websites, because they can update it as needed by themselves and many people who become interested in geoparks or relevant areas can casually browse it. For these reasons, this study aims to assess characteristics of map information on the websites of geoparks and discusses its challenges and possibilities. This paper is Author: Daichi Kohmoto, School of Tourism, Kobe Shukugawa Gakuin University. daichizu@gmail.com

2 Daichi Kohmoto: Characteristics of map information on the websites of global geoparks 101 basically an English version of Kohmoto (2011) with some changes. Data is a bit old considering the increase in the number of geoparks and fast-evolving geotourism (Newsome & Dowling, 2010), but most of the challenges and possibilities mentioned in the paper have not changed until now. 2 Methodology As of December 2011, number of GGN (Global s Network) members was 77 (of which 42 are in Europe, 24 are in China, and 4 are in Japan) in 25 countries, and number of JGN (Japanese s Network) was 14 (of which 4 are also members of GGN). All the contents including files such as PDF and doc on the official websites of these 87 geoparks were browsed, and varieties and numbers of maps on the websites were examined. However, this study deals less qualitative issues in maps. These maps on the websites were classified into location map, access map, map of the territory, map of model courses, and other maps. Location map is a map indicating spatial location of the geopark in wider scale. Access map indicates access such as road and railways to the geopark, but access inside the territory of the geopark is classified as other maps. Map of the territory is a map which has the border of the geopark, and maps which indicate no border but the location of geosites etc. are classified as other maps. Map of model courses indicates model courses by lines on the map, and maps of footpath or trails that connect geosites etc. are included. Languages are classified into and native language (not English), and only both languages are dealt with as objects of this study. English is chosen because global geoparks are expected to have not only domestic visitors but also foreign visitors, and the GGN s application form provided in the website of UESCO is only written in English. But local languages are also important considering the geoparks three-prolonged approach to the goals; conservation, education, and geotourism (Eder & Patzak, 2004). However, if there is a map with native language on English version of the website, it is not dealt with as a map with, although people who does not understand can recognize some icons, contours and so on. Other standards for sorting and counting maps are as follows. If a linked page is other domain, the page is ineligible. Broken link is ineligible. Maps on events guides, news, research papers, and so on are ineligible, but maps on guidebooks and leaflets are eligible. If more than one same maps are on the same website, this map is counted as one. If there are plural number of maps such as enlarged map, location map on one map, each maps are counted respectively. 3 Characteristics of map information on the websites Table 1 shows average number of maps on the websites of Global s and Japanese s by languages, regions, and types. Global s are classified into Global s in total (77 geoparks), Europe (42 geoparks), Asia (not Japan, 28 geoparks of which 24 are in China), and Japan (4 geoparks). s with no official website are excluded from the analysis (Table 1). Table 2 and 3 show number of maps on each websites of Global s and Japanese s (Table2, 3).

3 102 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOHERITAGE Table 1 Average number of maps on the websites of Global/Japanese s Location Access Territory Model courses Others Average Global s (n=77) Europe (n=42) Asia (not Japan) (n=28) Japan (n=4) Japnese s (n=14) Not Global s (n=10) Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Native language (Not English) Location Access Territory Model courses Others Average Global s (n=77) Europe (n=42) Asia (not Japan) (n=28) Japan (n=4) Japnese s (n=14) Not Global s (n=10) As of July 1, Nil indicates no number because relevant websites are only 3 of 10 geoparks. s in Austraria, Brasil, and Canada are only included in "Global s". Table 2 Names of s Number of maps on the websites of Global s Location Territory Model Access courses Others Average Location Native language (Not English) Access Territory courses Model Average Others Ireland Copper Coast Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Marble Arch Caves Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil UK Shetland North Pennines AONB North West Highlands Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Fforest Fawr Lochaber Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil English Riviera Italy Madonie Natural Park Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Parco del Beigua Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Adamello Brenta Rocca Di Cerere Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Austria Nature Park Eisenwurzen Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Greece Lesvos Petrified Forest Psiloritis Natural Park Croatia Papuk Spain Maestrazgo Cultural Park Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Sobrarbe

4 Daichi Kohmoto: Characteristics of map information on the websites of global geoparks 103 Native language (Not English) Names of s Locatiotory courses rage tion tory courses age Terri- Model Ave- Loca- Access Others Access Terri- Model Aver- Others Cabo de Gata Natural Park Chech Bohemian Paradise Germany Nature park Terra Vita Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Bergstasse-Odenwald Vulkaneifel Swabian Albs Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Harz Braunschweiger Land Ostfalen Norway Gea Norvegica Magma Hungary &Slovakia Novohrad-Nógrád France Reserve Geologique de Haute Provence Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Park Natural Regional du Luberon Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Portugal Naturtejo Arouca Romania Hateg Country Dinosaur Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Japan Itoigawa Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Unzen Volcanic Area San'in Kaigan China Huangshan Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Lushan Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Yuntaishan Danxiashan Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Zhangjiajie Sandstone Peak Forest Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Wudalianchi Songshan Yandangshan Taining Hexigten Xingwen Taishan Fangshan Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Jingpohu Funiushan Longhushan Zigong Alxa Desert Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

5 104 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOHERITAGE Native language (Not English) Names of s Locatiotory courses rage tion tory courses age Terri- Model Ave- Loca- Access Others Access Terri- Model Aver- Others Leye-Fengshan Korea Jeju Island Malaysia Langkawi Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Vietnam Dong Van Karst Plateau Iran Qeshm Canada Stonehammer Brasil Araripe Australia Kanawinka As of July 1, means no maps on the official website, and Nil means no official website. "Native language" is blank if the geopark has no official language other than English. Geo Môn (UK), Geological and Mining Park of Sardinia, and Tuscan Mining Park (Italy), Chelmos-Vouraikos, and Vikos-Aoos (Greece), Basque Coast, and Subbeticas (Spain), Rokua (Finland), Stone Forest (Shilin ), Wangwushan-Daimeishan, Leiqiong, Qinling, and Ningde (China) are not indicated on this table because there were no official websites of the geoparks. Table 3 Number of maps on the websites of Japanese s (excluding Global s) Names of s Location Access Territory Model courses Others Average Mt Apoi Shirataki Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Minami Alps Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Izu Oshima Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Dinosaur Vallley Fukui Katsuyama Oki Islands Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Muroto Aso Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Amakusa Goshoura Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Kirishima Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Names of s Japanese language Location Access Territory Model courses Others Average Mt Apoi Shirataki Minami Alps Izu Oshima Dinosaur Vallley Fukui Katsuyama Oki Islands Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Muroto Aso Amakusa Goshoura Kirishima As of July 1, Meaning of 0 and Nil are same as Table 2.

6 Daichi Kohmoto: Characteristics of map information on the websites of global geoparks Differences by languages and regions In Global s, 7.35 maps with are drawn in average, and maps with native language other than English are drawn. In Japanese s, maps with Japanese language are more than 5 times compared with English ones. However, in 4 Global s in Japan, this figure is about 3.7 times. In Global s in Europe, there are English maps in average, but only 1.58 are there in Asia other than Japan. While, Global s in Japan have English maps and this figure is more than Europe. s in China, Malaysia, etc. where less number of maps are placed introduce much contents only by texts and photographs. Regarding maps with native language, maps are placed in Europe, and 3.80 are in Asia other than Japan in average. This difference is more than the English ones. In Japan, websites in s are established in 7 geoparks including 4 Global s. Average number of maps in these websites is at the middle between Europe and Asia other than Japan, and this figure is close to the world average. However, most of the maps in s are posted in Global s. While, the average number of maps on the websites written in native language is more than the ones in the world and Europe. s in Japan are utilizing maps positively from a global perspective, but putting English maps on the websites is a future subject outside of the Global s even in Japan. 3.2 Differences by types of the map Most of the location maps indicate spatial location of the geopark in the country. There is a tendency to place one or more location map in Europe, but most geoparks in other regions have no location maps on the website. Most of the access maps are in Japan. Asian countries other than Japan such as China tend to introduce public transportation and its fee by texts and itemization without maps. Maps of the territory are remarkably distributed only in Europe. Papuk in Croatia provides information of specially protected areas and geological layers on wider area of the geopark and most significant geosites. While, Unzen Volcanic Area in Japan provides maps to understand the location of model courses in the territory through PDF-styled guidebook. There are many cases to put maps of model courses in contrast to above 3 types of maps. In Europe and Japan, the average number is 5.68 and 5.75 respectively in English, and and 9.00 respectively in native languages. Many geoparks attempt visitors use these maps for walking (including hiking and trekking), cycling, driving and so on. However, geoparks in Asian countries other than Japan have no map of model courses in and less numbers in native language. Even in Japan, non-global s have small numbers, although model courses itself are introduced by texts, itemization and photographs in many cases. Much significances are found if model courses are opened not only in situ but in the websites. Visitors can broaden their tourism activities if they get model course information before departure. For example, Bergstrasse-Odenwald in Germany where the number of model courses maps is the most put maps as PDF and each maps have view points, rest places, routes etc. on colorful topographical maps. Back-

7 106 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOHERITAGE sides of the maps have explanatory texts, photographs, and in some cases geological maps and old topographical maps. Visitors can print these maps before departure and consider their plans, and can bring these maps for walking in the geopark. Natur Park Terra Vita in Germany introduces model courses by using Open Street Map. In Japan, a guide book of Unzen Volcanic Area has many maps of model courses. Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano in Japan provides many maps of footpaths, hiking routes, and paths up to mountains. In terms of other maps, more numbers than access maps, maps of the territory, and maps of model courses are seen on any of the average numbers in Europe, Asia other than Japan, Japan, and World. The greatest number is in San in Kaigan in Japan, and it introduces geosites by using Google Maps in the Japanese version. Muroto also uses Google Maps for geosites. This kind of cases are specially seen in Japan because many geoparks in Japan think use of private cars is usual to look around geosites. Geological maps and hazard maps are also included in other maps. Geological maps are actively shown in Europe. For example, Magma in Norway explains scientific viewpoints such as moraines, and landscape of anorthosite, by using many geological maps together with geological cross-sections. Naturtejo in Portugal indicates locations of faults on topographic maps and explains the changes in geological structures by charts of continental movements. Sobrarbe in Spain makes a correlation between maps of continents in the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic and geological maps and columns of each era. It results in easier understanding of geology in the geopark. Website of San in Kaigan in Japan has explanatory maps of the formation of Japan Sea. Stonehammer in Canada provides not only geological maps and maps of continental drift, but maps showing the changes in distribution of glaciers. Hazard maps are only provided by volcanic geoparks in Japan. Good example is provided by Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano. It mentions This Mount Usu Volcanic Hazard Map (Hazard Map, published 2002) includes scientific geological data about past eruptions as well as a predicted estimation of future eruptions based on past disaster records. It is also distributed among regional citizens, lodging establishments etc. In the eruption of Mount Usu in the year 2000, the use of the Hazard Map helped to evacuate inhabitants and tourists of the area quickly prevented any personal damage. Please click below to download. Many geoparks in Japan and some geoparks in Europe have maps showing the locations of museums, accommodations, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Distribution of Global s, European s, geoparks in China etc. are also indicated on the websites of many geoparks for the explanation of geopark concepts. 4 Possibilities for the use of map information In the previous chapter, how each geoparks provide their information by maps on the websites to the society is analyzed. On the contrary, expectations for the use of maps on geoparks are examined in this chapter. 4.1 Analysis by points expected to GGN members GGN has Applicant s self-evaluation form for National s seeking assistance

8 Daichi Kohmoto: Characteristics of map information on the websites of global geoparks 107 of UNESCO to become member of the Global Network of National s (Global s Network, 2010) on the website and it is downloadable. There are five categories in this document; Geology and Landscape, Management Structure, Information and Environmental Education, Geotourism, and Sustainable Regional Economy. Among them, three points relevant to maps are mentioned; 1) Do you have a geosites map? in Geology and Landscape, 2) At least one student final report (mapping etc.) in the Applicant s area per year in Information and Environmental Education, and Special maps and information sheets for hikers, cyclists, etc. in Geotourism. In other words, 1) geosites maps, 2) maps in student final report, and 3) maps of model courses. While based on the results of the previous section, the potential and challenges for the future in the websites of the geopark are explored. Providing geosites maps is already been made in the websites of many geoparks mainly in Europe and Japan. In particular, Global s in Japan, Australia, Portugal, etc., have been comprehensively introduced geosites in the map. However, most of these maps just indicate locations of and access to geosites by points and lines, and have low-information as a region. It would be improved if spatial range is expanded when introducing each geosites, and explain how to look the landscape and topography where geosites are located. Additionally, showing locations of parking lots, toilets, bus stops on the map will make tourists easier to visit the geosites. For the maps in student final report, it is not specifically mentioned here because grasping out graduation thesis etc. in each regions comprehensively is very difficult. Maps of model courses provide opportunities such as behavioral changes and deeper tasting of the region to visitors who tend to be just stop at some geosites by car. However, most of the cases showing as maps on the websites are in Japan and Europe, although many geoparks in other regions also have walking paths and trekking courses. Sobrarbe in Spain is a good example. It has set many MTB (mountain bike) courses in the geopark and anyone interested in it can download GPS positioned information and maps of the courses from the website. 4.2 Proposition of educational use Educational use of maps is examined here based on the results of this study, because geoparks fundamental approach to the goals are conservation, education, and geotourism (Eder & Patzak, 2004). In s of Europe, maps, especially geological maps are effectively and intentionally used for educational purposes such as easing the understanding of geo-scientific phenomena. While, in geoparks of Asia other than Japan, number of maps on the websites is small and it is miles away from effective use of maps. Although understanding geological maps is not easy for non-specialists, geoparks can heighten public concerns in geology, value their geosites and raise visitors graphicacy if they explain how to read geological maps of the territory or geosites on their websites. Topographic maps are seldom seen on the websites of geoparks. However, they are effective to heighten interests in land features and geography and to develop graphycacy as well as geological maps. It seems topographic maps are not used well because less geopark managers recognize the use and value of these maps, and because almost no researchers nor teachers do not position geoparks as educational materials for geographic learning. However, if the website of each geoparks provide data of educational materials that can understand land use and typical terrain using topographic

9 108 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOHERITAGE maps of the local areas, the value of the geopark would be heightened as a great place to learn Geo. Reading topographic maps would change users interests in geo from points like geosites and lines such as courses linking geosites to plane, and lead to understand the region as a whole, including the human and social factors. 5 Conclusions This paper assessed characteristics of map information on the websites of geoparks and discussed its challenges and possibilities. As a consequence, large differences are found in the degree of map information on the websites of each geoparks. s in Asia other than Japan (the majority is China) tend to publish extremely small number of maps on the websites, and introduce the contents by only texts and photos. Moreover, many maps of the territory and model courses maps are published in Europe. Some particular geoparks in Europe have rich maps showing the activities of the Earth such as geological maps. s in Japan are characterized by many maps showing access from outside of the geoparks, model course maps, location maps of museums, restaurants, accommodations and so on. On the other hand, there is still great potential in geological maps and topographic maps as educational materials if they are on the websites of geoparks. Website is a representative of the off-site information. Therefore, while there is a role that interest with the beginners of local geo, and there is also a role that corresponds to the person who want to know more deeply with a database of information. In order to enrich the geopark as a great place for learning geo, roles of map information on the websites can perform crucial functions. However, this study does not clarify why regional differences of map information dissemination in the websites of geoparks occur. In addition, there is no analysis and information gathering of the actual use of the maps in the tourism and education nor qualitative analysis. These are challenges for the future. Numbers of geoparks are increasing. The author hope that the social significance with the geopark is strengthening and further exhibited by quantitative and qualitative enhancement of the map information. References Eder, W. and Patzak, M. (2004). s -geological attractions: a tool for public education, recreation and sustainable economic development. Episodes, 27: Global Geopraks Network (2010). Applicant's self-evaluation form for National s seeking assistance of UNESCO to become member of the Global Network of National s. globalgeopark.org/uploadfiles/2012_5_8/p doc Kohmoto, D. (2011). Sekai Jiopaaku /Nihon Jiopaaku no Website niokeru Chizu Joho Hasshin no Tokucho. Chizu (Map), 49-3, Newsome, D. and Dowling, R. (2010). Setting an agenda for geotourism in Geotourism: the tourism of geology and landscape. Goodfellow Publishers, 1-12.