The geodiversity of the Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park (Poland) and its buffer zone – an attempt to quantify geotourism potential

Authors

  • Piotr Gierszewski Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Department of Environmental Resources and Geohazards, Kopernika 19, 87-100 Toruń, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5842-5157
  • Mirosław Błaszkiewicz Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Department of Environmental Resources and Geohazards, Kopernika 19, 87-100 Toruń, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4365-0938
  • Joanna Rychel Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute, Rakowiecka 4, 00-975 Warszawa, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1079-9509
  • Włodzimierz Juśkiewicz Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Department of Environmental Resources and Geohazards, Kopernika 19, 87-100 Toruń, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6755-3975
  • Anna Becker Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute, Rakowiecka 4, 00-975 Warszawa, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6255-4007
  • Leszek Urbankiewicz Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park, Kołłątaja 24, 87-820 Kowal, Poland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7306/gq.1811

Keywords:

evaluation of geotourism potential , Płock Basin , young glacial landscape , geosites

Abstract

Geodiversity, understood as the diversity of abiotic components (geological structures, landforms, rocks and sediments, and hydroclimatic conditions), underpins geotourism development. We employed a standardized expert assessment to compare the geotourism potential of seven geosites located within the Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park and its buffer zone, scoring them for their scientific-educational and tourism values. Six sites: the lakes Gościąż, Rakutowskie, and Lucieńskie; the Goreń Dune; the Włocławek Reservoir; and Zamkowa Hill, show high geotourism potential, whereas the Kresy Nature Reserve (a raised bog) was rated as moderate. The highest scientific-educational scores were achieved by Lake Gościąż, the Włocławek Reservoir, and Zamkowa Hill, reflecting their ability to illustrate Quaternary history, dam-related channel and sedimentary processes, and mass-movement phenomena. Notably, Lake Gościąż and Zamkowa Hill are already listed in the Central Register of Polish Geosites. The results indicate substantial opportunities for geotourism development in the region. To fully realize this potential, targeted actions to improve access, interpretation, and promotion of the geosites are needed.

Downloads

Published

2025-11-24

Issue

Recently accepted paper

Section

Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as this can lead to productive exchanges and earlier and more frequent citation of the published work (See The Effect of Open Access).