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Application of methodological process for the geotouristic inventory of natural cavities in Napo Province – Ecuador

Abstract:

The Ecuadorian Amazon, is knowning worldwide for its exuberant biodiversity, landscapes and cultural manifestations, nevertheless encloses in the subsoil geological elements of great value, capable of interacting with biological systems, physiography and the human being. The caves in the province of Napo have been poor studied and their knowledge is limited. As part of the present work we have considered the inventory of natural caves that could have some geotouristic use value. Therefore, a systematic process for the collection of information was proposed, based on the characteristics of difficulty, vulnerability and geotouristic potential of each cave. The primary information for cavities location was provided by local actors and needed to be checked in the field. This information was processed through the application of the data matrix that showed the potentials of each cavity, as well as the conservation needs that any may require. This instrument aims to create a standard among the evaluated cavities, having the best prospects for geotourism activities. However, despite the presence of caves in the sector, speleotourism is still limited and cave conservation rest on the owners of the land.