Cumulative global transformations, occurring daily, affect important aspects of our life. Characteristic cultural and natural heritage, including sites of priceless value, is under constant threat. There are growing pressures, of both natural and human origin, such as wars, con icts, natural or technological disasters and the effects of global climate change. These provoke the continuous degradation of many sites included in the World Heritage List. In consequence, immediate strategic measures must be taken. Natural heritage is our legacy from the past, that we inherited from our ancestors and pass on to future generations. It is vital to realize its value and protect it by all possible means, enforcing innovative and sustainable action plans that promote global international co-operation. This book aims to address speci c natural heritage sites in Europe, from West to East. The six countries of study interest are Portugal, Malta, Greece, Italy, Romania and Turkey. For each case, the corresponding current status is presented. This is accompanied by recommended action plans for protection and conservation, tra- ing initiatives that improve the public awareness of natural heritage issues and efforts to estimate the natural/environmental value of the sites. The book is the overall result of an interregional initiative aiming to promote convergence, provoke public interest and recommend action for radical changes in our attitude towards heritage conservation.

1;Foreword;5 2;Acknowledgements;6 3;Contents;7 4;Contributors;10 5;Geomorphological Evolution of Santorini;15 5.1; Palaeogeography;23 5.2;References;27 6;The Petrified Forest of Lesvos A Unique Natural Monument;29 6.1; Introduction;29 6.2; Volcanic Activity and the Creation of the Petrified Forest;31 6.3; Plant Species of the Petrified Forest;33 6.4; The Lesvos Petrified Forest Geopark;34 6.5; A Visit to the Petrified Forest;36 6.6; The Museum;38 6.7;References;40 7;The Lavrion Mines;41 7.1; Introduction;41 7.2; The Ancient Mines;41 7.3; The Slaves;43 7.4; The Ore;43 7.5; Modern Lavrion History;45 7.6; The Lavrion Minerals;45 7.7; The Slag Minerals;46 7.8;References;46 8;Tafoni and Alveole Formation. An Example from Naxos and Tinos Islands;48 8.1;References;54 9;Origin, Geology and Geochemistry of Mpouharia and Nohtaria Landforms, in Mikrovaltos Kozani, NW Macedonia Greece;56 9.1; Introduction;56 9.2; Geographical and Geological Setting;56 9.3; Genesis, Evolution and Characteristics of Mpouharia and Nohtaria Landforms;57 9.4; Conclusions;61 9.5;References;62 10;The Gorge of the Angitis River at Stena Petras Near the Alistrati Cave. A Magnificent Piece of Natural Architecture in Eastern Macedonia, Greece;63 10.1; Introduction of the Study Area;56 10.2; The Formation of Angitis Gorge at Stena Petras;56 10.3; Use of the Angitis Gorge as a Recreation and Education Area;57 10.4;References;69 11;Volcanoes Monuments of Nature;70 11.1; Introduction;56 11.2; Cultural Landscapes: Effects and Forms of Volcanic Activity;56 11.2.1; Volcanoes in the Aegean Region;71 11.2.2; Sousaki Volcano;72 11.2.3; Methana-Aegina-Poros Volcanic Group;73 11.2.4; Milos-Kimolos Volcanic Field;74 11.2.5; Santorini Volcanic Group;76 11.2.6; Nisyros -- Yali and Kos Volcanoes;78 11.3;References;79 12;Amber in Romania;82 12.1; Introduction;82 12.2; Species and Varieties;82 12.3; Resinosis an Uncommon Phenomenon in the Geological Past;83 12.4; The Origin of Amber;84 12.5; Chemical Structure of Amber;84 12.6; Modern Techniques Used to Study the Geological Origin of Amber;85 12.7; The Exploitation of Amber;86 12.8;References;88 13;Muddy Volcanoes;89 13.1;References;95 14;Post-volcanic Phenomena in the East Carpathians;96 14.1; Introduction;82 14.2; Location;82 14.3; Geological Background;83 14.4; Post-volcanic Phenomena and Features;84 14.5; Exploitation of Post-volcanic Phenomena as a Natural Resource;84 14.6; Conservation Status;85 14.7;References;101 15;Ancient Gold Mining in Rosia Montana (Apuseni Mts, Romania);103 15.1; Historical Background;82 15.2; Ancient Gold Exploitation;82 15.3; Archaeological Finds;83 15.4; Endangered Natural and Cultural Heritage at Rosia Montana;84 15.5;References;107 16;Rupestrian Settlements in the Alunis Area;108 16.1; Introduction;82 16.2; Geological Setting;82 16.3; Rupestrian Inhabitants in History;83 16.4;References;111 17;Salt Karst in Manzalesti Romania;112 17.1; Salt Formation in Manzalesti;82 17.2; Karst Developed on Salt;82 17.3; Meledic Plateau;83 17.4; Piatra Alba;84 17.5;References;116 18;Montesinho and the Mountains of Northern Portugal;117 18.1; Photos By;123 18.2;References;123 19;Montesinho Natural Park: General Description and Natural Values;125 19.1; The Physical Environment;82 19.2; Man and Land Use;82 19.3; Major Natural Values;83 19.4; Fauna and Flora Values Formally Recognized in the PNM;84 19.5; Photos By;123 19.6;References;137 20;The Geological Heritage of Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal);139 20.1;References;146 21;Ultramafics of Bragana Massif: Soils, Flora and Vegetation;148 21.1; Introduction;148 21.2; Soils;148 21.3; Flora and Vegetation;150 21.4;References;153 22;Land Use, Landscape and Sustainability: Examples from Montesinho;155 22.1; Photos By;158 22.2;References;158 23;Alvo-Maro: Preserving Important Natural Resources in a Mountain Range;159 23.1; Introduction;159 23.2; Physical Characterization;160 23.3; Notes on Alvo-Maro Natural Conservation History;160 23.4; Natural Resources;161 23.4.1; Fa