Techniques for the Monitoring of Geosites in Cabañeros National Park, Spain

Abstract The design and first results of a system for monitoring geoconservation and public use of two national geosites located in Cabaneros National Park (Central-SW Spain) are reported. The system collects data on the frequency and magnitude of three geological processes: effective frost weathering and freeze–thaw cycles with the presence of water in fissures and cracks; flash floods on the Estena River; and flow fluctuations at the Chorro de Los Navalucillos waterfall. In 2013, a thermometer equipped with two sensors inside and outside the trace fossil rock joint, a continuously recording rain gauge and a data logger (flow gauge) that records the water level of the river every 10 min were installed. Later, in 2015, two automatic weather stations and another flow data logger were also installed. From the obtained data, three geoindicators were defined: (1) physical weathering; (2) river floods; and (3) waterfall discharge. These geoindicators are useful for geoheritage management by the park administration, and for the design and adoption of structural actions to ensure geoconservation and public use of geosites. Evaluation and monitoring of geoindicators will provide scientific criteria to support the implementation of any eventual enforcement measures to guarantee the geoheritage conservation.