DISTRIBUTION, PROTECTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE GEOHERITAGES IN HUNAN PROVINCE

Hunan Province is rich in geoheritages, with 951 identified sites, of which 518 are significant geoheritages. The geoheritages in Hunan are widely distributed and comparatively centralized with distinctive features for different types. The distribution of the geoheritages can be divided into 6 areas including Wulingshan, Xuefengshan, Nanling, Luoxiaoshan, Central Hunan hills and Dongtinghu Plain, among which Wulingshan area is the most important. The major problem of geoheritage protection in Hunan lies in the poor coordination between protection and development. In order to effectively protect and rationally develop the geoheritages in Hunan, this paper suggests that the protection and development type, form and mode be identified scientifically to improve the protection and development management mode.