A Network Perspective of the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum in the Tourist Trails of UNESCO Global Geoparks: Santo Sepulcro and Riacho do Meio Trails, Araripe UGG (NE of Brazil)

Abstract

In this investigation, we formulated the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum and its centrality indicators, based on the identification of the Ecosystem Health Potentials and Opportunities on the trails of Santo Sepulcro and Riacho do Meio in the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG), establishing a baseline for the promotion of green exercise and geotourism in the territory. Based on the network methodology for complex systems, we analyzed the closeness and strength of biotic, abiotic variables, nature phenomena, infrastructure, and sensory experiences in order to determine the configuration of these associations. In the Santo Sepulcro, regarding the association, two negative relations and two positive relations among the variables were highlighted; as for closeness and strength, Aquatic Diversity with the Scientific Values of Geodiversity stood out. In Riacho do Meio, we highlight three positive associations among the variables; as for connectivity, Biodiversity and Meteorological and Climate Exposure presented the highest values and, as for strength, the variables Biodiversity, Route Classification, and Aquatic Diversity were the most prominent. We conclude, based on the presented configuration, that the variables with greater connectivity act as hubs; if these variables are optimized, the network will present an acceptable theoretical configuration. However, neglecting central strength variables can cause the network to collapse.

1. Introduction

Motivated by the United Nations, hundreds of specialists in a significant global mobilization developed the scientific bases in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (between 2001 and 2005) with the purpose of evaluating the changes in the ecosystem and proposing the fundamental actions in the process of preservation of environmental services and sustainable development in order to ensure human well-being for future generations. From this important conceptual framework, significant advances have been made in the face of scientific production and discussion in political and social forums regarding the evident anthropocentric relationship of man/society to nature and the evident consequences of this unilateral trajectory worsening in the last century [1,2].

The assessment was based on the understanding of the link between ecosystems and their services to human well-being, as well as the interdependence and maintenance of this relationship in a long-lived and sustainable context [3].

In this global macro dimension, the impacts on the maintenance of an industrialized society increasingly require natural resources, and despite the advances, there is an evident distance between the more affluent countries and societies that consume more resources, when compared to the poorest countries and communities with access restricted to basic supplies for the subsistence of life, such as water and food, not to mention more complex advances such as access to health and education, which are fundamental supports to human dignity and the development of prosperous societies [4,5,6,7,8,9].

The conclusion of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was that ecosystem services are vital for human well-being and health, regardless of place or generation, and that this relationship has impacts and consequences on the condition and maintenance of supplies arising from nature [1,2,10]. Understanding this balance, developing a social conscience and a sustainable lifestyle on an ecological scale is the main way to guarantee the health of our planet for generations to come, as laid out and updated in the Sustainable Development Goals of Platform 2030 [11,12,13].

It is in this context that the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), for nearly five decades, has addressed initiatives and programs that seek sustainability in the relationship between man and nature, given the evident transformative capacity of societies and ecosystem resources [14,15,16].

Among the global scope proposal, we highlight the UNESCO Global Geoparks Program (UGGp) that promotes fruitful management strategies for the conservation of landscapes of rarity and scenic beauty and geosites of high scientific relevance, in addition to valuing the status quo of traditional communities and their cultural manifestations in this context [14,15,16,17,18,19].

The program currently involves 161 Global Geoparks in 44 countries, and its main mission is sustainable regional development based on safeguarding tangible and intangible heritage and promoting opportunities for stakeholders in the territory [20,21,22].

The Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG), which was founded in 2006, was the first UNESCO Geopark in the Americas and in 2020, it obtained its third greencard from the Global Geopark Network (GGN)/UNESCO. After 14 years, it is still the only geopark in Brazil and the main reference to the various projects in the continental country [23,24,25,26,27]. The relevance of its history in sustainable development in the Cariri Cearense region justifies scientific investigations in Araripe and with potential contribution to the other geoparks in the global UNESCO network [18,21,28,29].

The Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum and the Green Exercise as a Healthy and Sustainable Strategy

Considering the context presented so far, despite the relevant contributions of researchers, government officials, and development agencies, it is emphasized that the advances in studies regarding the benefits of tangible services are much more expressive; after all, the need for humanity to provide water and food is unquestionable, and there is also a need for raw material such as minerals, wood, fiber, and substrates; areas for pasture and agriculture, among others [7,8,9,30,31,32].

However, regarding the intangible services of the ecosystem, it is necessary to reflect and contribute on the non-material supplies of the green spaces, as characterized in the scope of cultural services, where we can conceptualize them as those that provide salutary, recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits from the multiplicity of cognitive interactions and associated with a sense of well-being and with a significant restorative effect [2,33,34,35,36,37].

Among the multiple possibilities of interactions between man and the ecosystem in the context of a healthy lifestyle, we highlight the opportunity for “green exercise”, which can be defined as physical activity, programmed or incidental, carried out in primitive, rustic, or designed natural areas and with significant sensory experience with the environment [18,38,39,40,41].

Several pieces of scientific evidence demonstrate the therapeutic, prophylactic, and human health properties in contact with green spaces. Therefore, these should be widely included in the development of public health policies related to urban inclusion and mobility and in order to increase green areas accessible to the population [28,29,33,35,36,37,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53].

The geoparks territories, given their unique organization, naturalness, and scenic beauty, demonstrate enormous potential for green exercise and the practice of programmed physical activity (as an end) or incidental (as a means) [40,54].

In this light, the ecosystem’s health provision spectrum reflects both the potentials and opportunities existing in the environment and the various salutogenic benefits of exposure to these indicators by passers-by when traversing nature trails [40,54,55,56,57,58].

These interactions between man and ecosystem present different agents, such as aspects of geodiversity, biodiversity, and experience of well-being, among others; these interactions happen in different contexts, with different characteristics and with different levels of scale. The results of these interactions allow convergent interventions in multiple areas of knowledge. Systems with these characteristics are conceptualized as complex systems [59]. Thus, the measurement of complex systems can be performed from a network perspective, this analysis allows evaluating non-linear systems that are sensitive to initial conditions and with multiple interactions, such as the spectrum of health supply.

Therefore, the measurement of the ecosystem’s health provision spectrum from a network perspective can optimize the production of guiding bases in the identification of the characteristics of the different scenarios of the trails, and the indicators of the intangible supplies of this seek to add value in the offer of visiting experiences and as an alternative for health promotion arising from a healthy and sustainable lifestyle [3,18,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73]. In this sense, the objectives of this investigation are to describe and associate in a network perspective the variables of the ecosystem’s health provision spectrum.

2. Materials and Methods

This was a documentary [74] and exploratory study with a transversal cut, quantitative approach to the data and developed on an ecological scale [75]. The universe of study was the UNESCO Global Network of Geoparks, and the locus was the trails of Riacho do Meio and Santo Sepulcro, both in Araripe UGG as a case study.

The common data were made available by Araripe UGG, which are the Trail Signaling Plan, Strategic Planning, the Master Plan, and periodic reports from the Geoconservation and Geotourism sectors. The complementary data were the speciesLink/CRIA data from Araripe Plateau and National Forest; the climatic and meteorological reports of Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (National Institute of Meteorology, Brazil—INMET).

Field studies were carried out between January 2018 and June 2019 with the participation of a team composed of different specialists and with the support of local guides. The data were tabulated from spreadsheets prepared for this study and using georeferencing and audiovisual equipment and apps: GPS, smartphones, tablets, action cams, and digital cameras.

2.1. Inclusion Criteria and Study Locus—Riacho do Meio and Santo Sepulcro Trails

As for the inclusion criteria, we highlight that from the nine Araripe UGG geosites, five have natural trails as visitation attractions. These were stratified concerning their climatic characterization based on their location in the territory. In the second criterion, the trails were also considered based on the impact vulnerability parameter defined by Guimarães et al. (2018) [18]. Based on these criteria, we selected: (a) Riacho do Meio Trail (tropical humid/vulnerable); and (b) Santo Sepulcro Trail (semi-arid/non-vulnerable).

The Riacho do Meio trail (Riacho do Meio geosite) and the Santo Sepulcro trail (Colina do Horto geosite) are located in two geosites of Araripe Geopark, which is the scenario of this investigation. Araripe UGG is located in the Northeast of Brazil, in the extreme south of the State of Ceará, in the metropolitan region of Cariri Cearense, about 500 km from Fortaleza, capital of the State.

The territory of Araripe UGG was resized in the last UNESCO certification in 2019, presenting an area of 3789 km² distributed over six municipalities: Crato, Juazeiro do Norte, Barbalha, Missão Velha, Nova Olinda, and Santana do Cariri. There are nine geosites in its territory, open to the public for visitation, with relevant geological, paleontological, archaeological, and historical content, combined with a valuable cultural heritage. These trails have notably significant potential for green exercise practicing [18,27,76,77] (see Figure 1).

2.1.1. Riacho do Meio Trail

The Riacho do Meio trail, in the homonymous geosite (see Figure 2), is located 7 km from the city of Barbalha on the margins of the CE-060, under the coordinates 07°21′51″ south latitude and 39°19′49″ west longitude, at the foot of Araripe Plateau. The geosite where the investigated trail is located is inserted in two conservation units, one at the municipal level (city) and the other at the State level [18,77,78,79].

The trail is the main access to the attractions of the geosite, which receives around 3800 visitors a year from various ages and who seek especially bird watching and access to natural springs and water sources. The trail and the geosite appear in the critical second place in the Araripe UGG Management Priority and Visitation Impacts Matrix, which is mainly due to the absence of a permanent management team in the geosite [18].

2.1.2. Santo Sepulcro Trail—Colina do Horto Geosite

The Santo Sepulcro trail at Colina do Horto geosite (see Figure 3) is located 3 km from the city center of Juazeiro do Norte, under the coordinates 07°10′47″ south latitude and 39°19′20″ west longitude. The geosite is one of the most visited spots in Cariri with more than 2.1 million visitors a year, especially on Christian festival dates, which is highlighted in pilgrimages and its devotees. It is a spiritual sanctuary with the famous statue of Father Cícero Romão Batista [18,80,81].

Thousands of people hike the Santo Sepulcro trail every year as an expression of faith, just as Father Cícero did; the trail has a strong cultural appeal and several monuments, chapels, and symbologies along the way. Despite the expressive number of visitors, the trail and the geosite appear among the best positions in the ranking of the Araripe UGG Management Priority and Visitation Impacts Matrix [18]; the low impact is attributed, despite the high demand for visitation, to the permanent presence of a management team in the geosite.

2.2. Analysis Instruments

For the collection and treatment of data diversity and its multidisciplinary specificities in this investigation, we consider methodologies and instruments already referenced and propose others contextualized to the object of this study.

In the light of the conceptual model proposed by Gabriel et al. (2018) [54] and in its materialization, the main contribution of this investigation is in the approach used in order to determine the indicators and their variables and in the treatment of data from the network methodology for complex systems [59,82]. In this sense, we stratified the analysis instruments into two subgroups in order to identify the Ecosystem Health Potential (EHP) and the Ecosystem Health Opportunity (EHO) as variables to determine the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum (EHPS) [54].

2.2.1. Analysis of Ecosystem Health Potential

In the Ecosystem Health Potential (EHP), we identified the propitious and beneficial configurations for physical and mental health in the natural areas of interest; therefore, five indicators were considered: (a) Geodiversity; (b) Biodiversity; (c) Climatic and Meteorological Diversity, (d) Aquatic Diversity; (e) Classification of Routes with emphasis on effort indexes [54].

The Geodiversity assessment was carried out using the System for the Registration and Quantification of Geosites and Geodiversity Sites—GEOSSIT [83], in order to define the risk of degradation, the tourist value (TVG), the educational value (EVG), and the scientific value of geodiversity (SVG) of geosites and their tracks in order to define their relevance in the global scenario. To assess the Biodiversity indicator (BIO), we used the Shannon–Weaver index to measure the diversity in categorical data from a base and, probabilistically, to define the diversity of the territory [84].

In the assessment of Climate and Meteorological Exposure (CME), we propose a psychometric scale model based on climatic and meteorological data published by INMET, where we cross the indicators to define the seasonal changes of the climate cycles in the region considering the impact on the vegetation of the trails and the exposure of passersby to climatic and meteorological conditions [85,86].

In Aquatic Diversity (AD), there are several factors to be considered for human attractiveness; however, in order to identify water as a health resource, we propose a psychometric scale model (0 to 3 scores) using as a reference Recreation Potential Indicator [87] and the degree of interactivity and experiences with nature [33] and tabulated the following indicators: (a) Availability (non-existent, inaccessible, seasonal, and perennial); (b) Type of Interaction (direct, indirect, diverse); (c) Bathing (regarding permission and recommendation); (d) Potability (if suitable for human and animal consumption; (e) Risk (possibility of risk situations and disasters).

For the Routes Classification (RC) and effort indices, we consider the model proposed by Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards—ABNT) in Brazilian Standards (NBR) for Tourism with hiking activities and Classification of Trails (ABNT/NBR 15505-2: 2008) [88,89]. The standard is intended for the classification of hikes on a route without an overnight stay, adopting as a standard model, a non-athlete adult with light luggage. The classification is defined based on the estimated time for transposition of the route analyzing the severity of the environment, the orientation, the conditions of the ground, and the effort index. The horizontal travel time (Th) is the result of the distance covered in the section (Dp) divided by the estimated travel speed (Th = Dp/Vh) [88].

2.2.2. Analysis of Ecosystem Health Opportunities

To determine the Ecosystem Health Opportunities (EHO), two indicators are presented: (a) Infrastructure and (b) Well-Being Experiences with Nature [33]. These indicators are directly related to the management and offer of visitation attractions in the territory and in the area of interest, as well as the supplies regarding the conservation and sustainable use of natural heritage.

For the assessment of the support and accessibility infrastructure, we adapted the guiding model for the classification of the Visiting Zone and Management of the areas proposed by Guimarães et al. (2018) [18]. We assign the score based on a psychometric classification considering the conditions of the visitation zone as Ideal (3 scores), Limited (2 scores), or Fragile (1 score) and the Management profile as Active (3 scores), Responsive (2 scores), and Passive (1 score).

As for the Wellness Experience with nature (WE), in order to identify the non-material benefits of interactions with the ecosystem, we consider the conceptual model proposed by Russel et al. (2013) regarding the type and opportunity of sensory experience in visitation. As a reference for the WE database, we compiled the data to the lists on adventure tourism activities of the Ministry of Tourism of Brazil [90] and of Brazilian Association of Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Companies (ABETA) [91].

2.3. Statistical Procedures

The possible relationships among the variables were calculated using a technique called network analysis, which is a machine learning technique used to measure systems with many variables, of different natures, from a graphic model. Network analysis advances in relation to more classic statistical models in understanding variables as a non-linear and complex system [82].

In the present study, we used the R package “qgraph” [82] to calculate and visualize the network graph. The “Fruchterman–Reingold” algorithm was applied so that the data were presented in the relative space in which variables with the strongest associations remain together, and the less strongly associated variables were repelled from each other [92]. We used the paired Markov random field model to improve the accuracy of the partial correlation network, which was estimated from the L1 regularized neighborhood regression. The less absolute contraction and selection operator was used to obtain regularization and make the model less sparse [93]. The EBIC (Extended Bayesian Information Criterion) parameter was adjusted to 0.5 to create a network with greater parsimony and specificity [94].

The interaction among variables (nodes) can be assessed under two aspects: (1) Closeness estimated from the number of times that a node is part of the shortest path among all other pairs of nodes connected to the network and (2) Strength, which is the sum of all the weights of the paths that connect a node to the others [82]. The positive relationships in the network are expressed by the blue color and the negative ones are expressed by the red color. The thickness of the graph indicates the weight (or association) of the proportion. The qgraph package of the Rstudio program was used to estimate and visualize the graphic.

3. Results and Discussions

3.1. Ecosystem Health Potential (EHP)

3.1.1. Geodiversity at Indicators of the Geosite Trails

Aspects of geodiversity were treated considering specific results for each corresponding trail (see

Table 1. Geodiversity indices of Colina do Horto and Riacho do Meio—Araripe UNESCO Global Geoparks Program (UGGP).

Índexes	Variation Spectrums (Scores)	Colina do Horto Values (Score)	Riacho do Meio Values (Scores)
Scientific Value (SVG)	0–400	240	265
Risk of Degradation	0–400	215	215
Educational Value (EVG)	0–400	375	295
Touristic Value (TVG)	0–400	365	285
Total	0–1600	1195	1060

Source: System for the Registration and Quantification of Geosites and Geodiversity Sites (GEOSSIT) platform [83]; adapted for the study.

). The trails of Santo Sepulcro and Riacho de Meio are inserted in geosites of national interest in scientific value (200–400), educational value (200–400), and tourist value (200–400). As for the risk of degradation, both fall into medium risk (200–300). In practice, the values are interrelated, although we can emphasize the scientific value in Figure 4A,E; the educational value in Figure 4B,D and the tourist value in Figure 4C,F.

3.1.2. Biodiversity at Indicators of the Geosite Trails

Araripe UGG has Araripe Plateau as a major landscape highlight, which is an area of extreme biological importance and environmental heterogeneity [77,95]. Considering this scenario, the results of the Shannon–Weaver index (H′) for the Riacho do Meio trail was 3.8 (see Figure 5A–C), whereas that for the Santo Sepulcro trail was 2.3. Generally, these indexes (H′) are between 1.5 and 3.5, rarely exceeding 5.5 [96] (see Figure 5D–F).

3.1.3. Aquatic Diversity at Indicators of the Geosite Trails

In the values of aquatic diversity, as seen in

Table 2. Diversity and Aquatic interaction, Santo Sepulcro and Riacho do Meio trails.

Colina do Horto	Santo Sepulcro Trail	Riacho do Meio	Main Trail
(a) Disponibility	1	(a) Disponibility	3
(b) Interaction	0	(b) Interaction	2
(c) Bathing	0	(c) Bathing	1
(d) Potability	0	(d) Potability	2
(e) Risk	0	(e) Risk	2
Total	1 score	Total	10 scores

Subtitle: (a) Availability: 1 Inaccessible; 2 Seasonal; 3 Perennial; (b) Interaction: 1 Indirect: see, hear, smell; 2 Direct: Consumption, bath; 3 Diverse: swimming, fishing; nautical practice; (c) Bathing: 1 Prohibited/Improper; 2 Satisfactory; 3 Good/Excellent; (d) Potability: 1 Does not apply; 2 Requires Purification; 3 Drinking; (e) Risk: 1 High; 2 Medium; 3 Low.

, we present the evaluated indicators, according to the proposal of this study, assuming the salutogenic effects of the interaction with water.

In the Santo Sepulcro trail, there is only the “Availability” indicator scored, being classified as “inaccessible” (1 score). In Riacho do Meio, “Availability” obtained the highest score “3” (perennial), and the lowest value in Balneability, “1” which is considered as “prohibited/inappropriate. The other values by indicator can be seen in Table 2.

In the Riacho do Meio trail, there are three springs and water sources, rustic pools, waterhole, streams, and paths [18,77,79]. As for the interaction, it is possible to hear the sound of water on practically the entire trail, in addition to the smell of wet earth near the springs. It is possible to get wet with the water in the springs and pools; however, bathing and entering the pools is not allowed. As for potability, some studies demonstrate variability in the analysis of water quality, indicating, in some analyses, the need for purification for consumption [97,98,99,100,101]. Regarding the risk, although rare, there are reports of occurrences of water runoff in the area, including warning signs placed; although unlikely, these signs should be considered mainly in the rainy season.

On the Santo Sepulcro trail, water is a practically unavailable natural resource. At the end of the trail, there is a spring of water on a stone, but it is not signposted and is also not accessible to visitors. In the viewpoints of the stones of the Senhora Santana chapel, it is possible to observe a distant dam that stands out in the middle of the forest; this bluespace is evident in the rainy season and characterizes its visual interaction in the evaluated environment.

3.1.4. Climate and Meteorological Characterization of Araripe UGG Territory and Implications

The analysis of the results of the meteorological and climatic variations of the Araripe UGG territory presented in

Table 3. Meteorological indicators in the 1981–2010 period in the Cariri Cearense region.

IND	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
INS h/d	212	193.5	205.8	223.1	231.6	240.7	254.8	282.7	285.1	285.6	267.9	244.6	2927.4
TEM °C	26.10	25.40	25.30	25.10	24.70	24.40	24.40	25.50	26.70	27.80	27.80	27.40	25.90
RH %	71.3	77.9	80.7	79.5	74.9	67.3	62.3	56.5	49.7	51.6	55.6	60.0	65.6
PRE mm	190.9	202.1	231.7	188.5	64.6	12.1	20.6	2.9	2.9	15.1	29.5	99.0	1059.9
WIN m s−1	1.6	1.6	1.5	1.6	1.9	2.3	2.7	2.8	2.7	2.3	2.1	2.0	2.1

Data Source: Climatological Normals in Brazil/Barbalha Station/CE—INMET [86]; Adapted for the Study. INS: Insolation; TEM: Temperature; RH: Relative Humidity; PRE: Precipitation, WIN: Winds. Milder Indicators ■; More Extreme Indicators ■.

and in Figure 6 and Figure 7 shows that the months of December to July present the mildest indicators of exposure to bad weather. The periods are marked with the lowest accumulated insolation volume, the highest relative humidity rates, and the lowest incidence of winds.

Regarding temperatures, the period from February to July (25.4 to 24.4 °C) presents the lowest values in the region, with emphasis on the milder months from May to July below 24.7 °C. Precipitations present the highest rainfall volume between the months of January to April (190.9 to 188.5 mm), while the months of December and May, which precede and follow the rainy season, still show average rainfall in the period [86].

The periods of greatest exposure to extreme weather are between the months of August and November with the highest incidences of sunlight and the lowest relative humidity; the highest temperatures of the year are between September and December (26.7 to 27.4 °C); precipitation has the lowest rainfall volumes between the months of June and October, with an emphasis on the months of August and September due to the scarcity of rain (2.9 mm) and the highest wind rates, increasing the drought in the environment (see Figure 6 and Figure 7) [86].

Table 4. Classification of climate and meteorological exposure in the Araripe UGG trails.

Colina do Horto	Santo Sepulcro Trail				Riacho do Meio	Main Trail
Indicator	Seasonal Cycle				Indicator	Seasonal Cycle
	I	II	III	IV		I	II	III	IV
(a) Insolation	3	2	1	1	(a) Insolation	3	2	1	1
(b) Temperature	2	3	1	1	(b) Temperature	2	3	1	1
(c) Rains	3	2	1	2	(c) Rains	3	2	1	2
(d) Relative Humidity	3	2	1	2	(d) Relative Humidity	3	2	1	2
(e) Winds	1	2	3	2	(e) Winds	1	2	3	2
(f) Green Tunnel	3	2	1	1	(f) Green Tunnel	3	3	3	3
Total: 45 scores	15	13	8	9	Total: 50 scores	15	14	10	11

Subtitle: Seasonal Cycle I: December to April; II: May to July; III: August to September, IV: October to November. (a) Insolation: 3. Ideal, 2. Average, 1. Worse; (b) Temperature: 3. Ideal, 2. Medium, 1. Worse; (c) Rain: 3. Ideal, 2. Average, 1. Worse; (d) Relative Humidity: 3. Ideal, 2. Average, 1. Worse; (e) Winds: 3. Ideal, 2. Average, 1. Worse; (f) Green Tunnel: 3. Ideal, 2. Average, 1. Worse.

establishes the score and ranking of exposure and severity for the practice of physical activity on the investigated trails (from the mildest to the most extreme) and classifies the trails based on meteorological variables and seasonal climatic characterization of the territory [86,102].

Of the indicators present in Table 4, the “Green Tunnel” stands out, which was conceptualized in this investigation and characterized as areas with floors with biotic material (partial or total) of dry or humid soil, lawn, vegetation, or litter (leaves, branches, bark, fruits, etc.); green walls of trees, sub-shrubs and shrubs; green cover (roof) due to vegetation and tree tops (see Figure 8A,B) [103,104,105,106].

In this context, the Riacho do Meio trail had the highest total score with 50 scores. The indicators show that the trail is less influenced by climatic factors specifically because of the perennial green tunnels (rainforest), thus being characterized as a milder trail throughout the year for the practice of physical activity in different degrees of intensity.

The Santo Sepulcro trail, with 45 accumulated scores, has a strong seasonal influence due to the alteration of the caatinga vegetation (green tunnel) and all the dynamic landscape exposure conditions evident in cycle 3 and 4 from August to November, the driest period and most extreme exposure (see Table 4). The seasonal cycles from December to April (1st place, with 15 scores) and from May to July (2nd place, with 14 and 13 scores) stand out as the periods with the mildest climate for practicing hiking on the trails (among other physical activities). The periods from October to November (3rd place, 11 and 9 scores) and August and September (4th place, 8 and 9 scores) are the most extreme.

The analysis of the results of the meteorological indicators show that the periods from January to April are the most susceptible to high levels of relative humidity (RH) due to the greater precipitation in the period (see Figure 4). Considering that the territory is a warm region throughout the year, with average temperatures between 24 and 28 °C (see Table 3) and with peaks above 30 °C [107,108], we consider the indicators as absolute factors in the characterization of extreme and mild weather conditions throughout the year.

3.2. Ecosystem Health Opportunities (EHO)

3.2.1. Trails and Geosites Infrastructure

Riacho do Meio Trail and Geosite Riacho do Meio—Infrastructure

For the results regarding Infrastructure, Riacho do Meio geosite was classified with Limited Zone (2 scores) and Responsive Management (2 scores) obtaining 4 scores, which is equivalent to 66.7% of the total score [18].

This geosite has parking and a guardhouse (see Figure 9A) projected stone and wood trails (see Figure 9B), viewpoints, signaling, and internal communication (see Figure 9E,F), rest areas (see Figure 9H), anti-fauna waste baskets (see Figure 9G), rustic swimming pools (see Figure 9I), and springs with drinking water (see Figure 9J) and a relevant designed infrastructure, with restaurant and picnic lounge (see Figure 9C), auditorium (see Figure 9D), and bathrooms.

The geosite is on the edge of the CE-060 highway in front of residents’ houses and a small emporium; easy access is another important point, it is possible to access the geosite with public transport and taxis from the center of Barbalha. The mobile phone signal is variable with signal in parts of the track.

Santo Sepulcro Trail and Colina do Horto Geosite—Infrastructure

For Infrastructure results, the Santo Sepulcro trail and Colina do Horto geosite were classified with the Ideal Zone (3 scores) and Active Management (3 scores) totaling 6 scores, reaching the maximum expected score [18].

As it is a place of significant visitation, it is natural to find groups of hikers on the trail, especially on weekends and holidays. The trail allows visitors to hike through the Father Cicero’s path (see Figure 10A), visit Pedra do Pecado (Stone of the Sin), Pedra Oca (Hollow Stone), among others, in addition to the “magic trees” (see Figure 10G) and the various “miraculous” chapels (see Figure 10H) in his journey always associated with sacred figures and popular saints [77,109].

On the trail, there are seven support points selling regional products, water, coffee, and non-alcoholic drinks (see Figure 10B,D,E); there are kiosks with a rest area along the route (see Figure 10C) and viewpoints (see Figure 10F). The trail can be made without the support of accredited guides, yet, just like the trail of Riacho do Meio, guidance is recommended in order to optimize the experience. The best period to hike the trail is in the morning, just at dawn, especially in the dry season.

Easy access to the geosite is a relevant point. Public transport is available from the city center and from various points in other surrounding cities. It has extensive parking and services for taxis, motorbike taxis, and transportation by apps. The mobile phone signal generally works on practically the whole track.

3.2.2. Visiting Experience

As for the experience of well-being, the Riacho do Meio trail presents greater diversity in terms of biodiversity, and this is reflected in the greater potential for interaction justifying its 30 scores. Even so, the peculiarities in the experiments stand out, given the evident cultural and spiritual experience on the Santo Sepulcro trail and its 28 scores (see

Table 5. Wellness experiences and health opportunities; Santo Sepulcro and Riacho do Meio trails.

Experience	Santo Sepulcro Trail	Riacho do Meio Trail
Views of Nature, paths with:	1. Trees and vegetation of different colors; 2. Geoforms; 3. Cultural elements; 4. Viewpoints; 5. Various birds; 6. Wild animals	1. Trees and vegetation of different colors; 2. Geoforms, 3. Cultural elements; 4. Viewpoints; 5. Water sources; 6. Araripe Manakin; 7. Various birds; 8. Wild animals
Sounds on the environment, paths with:	1. Birds; 2. Insects; 3. Songs and prayers; 4. Voice; 5. Silence, 7. Sound of the wind	1. Araripe Manakin singing; 2. Birds; 3. Insects; 4. Running water; 5. Voice; 6. Silence
Smells of the environment, paths with:	1. Vegetation and flowers; 2. Wax candles (in the chapels); 3. Wild animals	1. Wet land; 2. Native fruits; 3. Vegetation and flowers; 4. Wild animals
Interaction and opportunity	1. Flora; 2. Bird Watching; Trail: 3. Hiking; 4. Trail Run; 5. Mountain bike; 6. Free flight (paragliding); 7. Meditation; 8. Prayers; Interaction with: 9. Hikers (alone) or 10. Groups; 11. Study; 12. Research.	1. Flora; 2. Bird watching; Trail: 3. Hiking; 4. Trail Run, 5. Orienteering races; 6. Meditation; Interaction with: 7. Hikers (alone) 8. Groups; 9. Waterscape (contact with water), 10. Study; 11. Research; 12. Camping.
Score Total	28 scores	30 scores

Source: RUSSEL et al. (2013) [33]; Adapted for the study.

).

3.3. Characterization and Classification of Araripe UGG Trails—ABNT/NBR 15055.2

3.3.1. Characterization and Classification of the Riacho do Meio Trail, Geosite Riacho do Meio

I. Severity of the Environment: Severity received a 01 score, which was classified as “easy” (see

Table 6. Scoring of the Riacho do Meio and Santo Sepulcro trail classification indicators.

Indicators	Santo Sepulcro	Riacho do Meio
Severity of the Environment	2	1
Directions	1	1
Ground	2	2
Effort	2	1
Route Classification (RC)	7 scores (out of 20)	5 scores (out of 20)

). The route has sections of single track (one person at a time) limited by vegetation and streams (see Figure 11C, but without risk of falls); the green tunnels are perennial throughout the year due to the rainforest characteristic (see Figure 11A).

II. Directions on the Route: The orientation received a 01 score, which was classified as “easy” (see Table 6). The trail has good internal signs for guidance in addition to signs referring to geodiversity, biodiversity, cultural diversity, and environmental education signs.

III. Ground Conditions: The ground received a 02 score, which was classified as “moderate” (see Table 6). The main track of compacted sand will extend along the entire route (see Figure 11A), which is interspersed with wooden stairs suitable for hiking; however, it is limited for locomotion on wheels such as wheelchairs, baby carriages, or bicycles (see Figure 11B); Along the sand trails, several paths appear (see Figure 11C). The route has no technical requirements as long as you can hike without severe restrictions on mobility.

IV. Intensity of Effort: The trail received a 01 score, which was classified as “easy” (see Table 6). As for the distance, the main trail is 880 m, considering the route access and bifurcations, and the total route is around 2 km (round trip). During the trail, the positive slope was 169 m, and the negative slope of 124 m (see Figure 12). The average time to travel the route is 46 min. Considering the average of 30 min of stopping at cultural attractions, we have an accumulated total of approximately 1 h and 16 min. Based on these indicators, the stretch was classified as having little effort.

3.3.2. Characterization and Classification of the Santo Sepulcro Trail, Colina do Horto Geosite

I. Severity of the Environment: Severity received a 02 score, which was classified as “moderate” (see Table 6). The main adversity for hikers is related to exposure to climatic factors, alteration of seasonal vegetation, and the absence of water sources (highlighted in Section 3.1.3 and Section 3.1.4). At the end of the route, there is a circuit with rocky stretches and viewpoints where there is a risk of falls. The trail is located in an urban area, with frequent groups of hikers and the presence of local patrol.

II. Directions on the Route: There is an “Easy” level guidance with a 01 score in the classification. The route has good signage and internal communication for guidance and does not have complex bifurcations.

III. Ground Conditions: The indicator was classified as “without obstacles” and received a score of 02. As for the type of floor, most of the path is compacted earth; there are stretches with stone pavement and even floors with rocky surfaces (see Figure 13A,B). In the rocky circuit at the end of the trail, there is a need to use your hands to overcome obstacles, especially on the projected staircases and on the access rocks to the viewpoints, featuring sections such as vertical climbs without special material (see Figure 13C).

IV. Intensity of Effort: As for the distance, considering the official start of the trail at the first bifurcation (highlighted red circle in Figure 3), the Santo Sepulcro trail is 2.1 km long and a 400 m stretch in circuit at its end; the total route is around 5 km (round trip). During the trail, the positive slope was 56.2 m and the negative slope was 46.1 m (see Figure 14). The average time to travel the route is 1 h and 45 min. Considering about 45 min of accumulated stop at cultural attractions and contemplation of the landscape, we have the total, for transposition of the trail, of approximately 2 h 30 min; based on these indicators, the stretch was classified as “moderate effort” obtaining 02 scores in the effort index classification (see Table 6).

Based on the psychometric classification of the indicators, we attribute the results in Table 6.

3.4. Association—Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum

3.4.1. Network Perspective: Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum

The data of the discriminating prevalence indicators presented in

Table 7. Prevalence of indicators in the Santo Sepulcro and Riacho do Meio trails.

Reference	Cases		Sample	Prevalence (PT %)
Indicator	SS	RM	Total	SS (%)	RM (%)
(A) Geodiversity (SVG, EVG, TVG)	1195	1060	1600	74.7	66.2
(B) Biodiversity (BIO)	2.3	3.8	5.5	41.9	69.1
(C) Climatic and Meteorological Exposure (CME)	45	50	72	62.5	69.5
(D) Aquatic Diversity (AD)	1	10	15	6.7	66.7
(E) Infrastructure (INF)	6	4	6	100	66.7
(F) Wellness Experience (WE)	28	30	60	46.7	50.0
(G) Route Classification (RC)	7	5	20	35	25
Total	1284.3	1162.8	1778.5	72.21	65.38

Subtitle: SVG: Scientific Value of Geodiversity; EVG: Educational Value of Geodiversity; TVG: Touristic Value of Geodiversity. SS (Santo Sepulcro); RM (Riacho do Meio).

, in the comparative analysis between the trails, were used as the base date and fed the primary matrix for analysis in networks. However, indicators without statistical variability and discrimination among values were disregarded in this analysis. It should be noted that both the reference sample values and the cases are not absolute and should be readjusted based on the characteristics of the assessed territory.

3.4.2. Association Matrix of Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum of the Araripe UGG Trails

The Association Matrix, shown in

Table 8. Association matrix of network analysis Ecosystem’s Health Provision; Araripe UGG.

	Santo Sepulcro Trail—Colina do Horto								Riacho do Meio Trail
Variable	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
1. RC	0.00								0.00
2. BIO	0.17	0.00							−0.15	0.00
3. SVG	0.26	0.20	0.00						−0.07	0.22	0.00
4. EVG	0.23	0.05	0.19	0.00					−0.15	0.18	0.15	0.00
5. TVG	0.04	−0.18	−0.23	0.00	0.00				−0.03	0.13	−0.04	0.09	0.00
6. AD	0.17	0.39	0.47	0.30	−0.45	0.00			−0.20	0.15	0.35	0.23	−0.02	0.00
7. CME	0.18	−0.03	−0.03	0.15	0.03	−0.11	0.00		−0.08	0.29	0.06	−0.03	−0.19	0.05	0.00
8. WE	−0.04	0.00	0.13	−0.06	−0.14	−0.08	0.08	0.00	0.37	−0.12	0.01	−0.02	0.08	−0.06	0.18	0.00

Subtitle—RC: Route Classification; BIO: Biodiversity; SVG: Scientific Value of Geodiversity; EVG: Educational Value of Geodiversity; TVG: Touristic Value of Geodiversity; AD: Aquatic Diversity; CME: Climatic and Meteorological Exposure; WE: Wellness Experience. Highlights Backgrounds: Blue—Positive Relations; Red—Negative Relations. Note: The variation in the intensity of the colors in the gradient represents the strength of the relationship.

, expresses the results of positive and negative relationships among variables. We highlight in the results and discussions the positive relations above 0.23 and the negative ones above −0.23.

Network Analysis Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum of the Santo Sepulcro Trail

Figure 15 shows the network of Santo Sepulcro trail in Colina do Horto geosite. In the main results, we highlight the negative relations of Touristic Value of Geodiversity (TVG) with Aquatic Diversity (AD, −0.45) and Scientific Value of Geodiversity (SVG) with TVG, (−0.23). Furthermore, the positive relationships of AD with the variables SVG (0.47) and Biodiversity (BIO, 0.39) (see Table 8).

Network Analysis Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum of the Riacho do Meio Trail

In the network configuration in Figure 16 of the Riacho do Meio trail, the main associations were found between the variables Biodiversity (BIO) and Climatic and Meteorological Exposure (CME, 0.29), Route Classification (RC) and Wellness Experience (WE, 0.37), and Scientific Value of Geodiversity (SVG) and Aquatic Diversity (AD, 0.35), all of which were positive. The weight of the other associations of the two geosites can be seen in Table 8.

3.4.3. Centrality Indicators: Closeness and Strength

In order to optimize the territory management process, based on the results of the network, the observance is highlighted especially in the connectivity and strength indicators (centrality indicators) presented by the variables in Figure 17.

4. Discussions

This investigation, along its methodological trajectory, proposed characterizing, from the perspective of networks, the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum on the identification of the health potential and opportunities of the ecosystem on the trails of Santo Sepulcro and Riacho do Meio in Araripe UGG, establishing a baseline for several purposes, among them, the promotion of healthy lifestyle and geotourism in the territory.

As for the results of biodiversity, limitations are highlighted regarding the estimate of diversity on the trails. More detailed field studies, with standardization of the sampling effort, are urgently needed to get a better understanding of the biodiversity of the Araripe UGG territory, especially of its geosites.

Regarding the meteorological and climatic exposure of the trails, given the ecological nature of this investigation, we consider the seasonal characteristics of the territory’s climate and vegetation given its correlation in the potential microclimate of the trails and in the exposure to bad weather. The climatic results of a territory, despite being classified in their own dimension, can be suitable for other territories, especially those with characteristics similar to Araripe. The results of the meteorological and climatic indicators of the Araripe territory can be used for several purposes, including health benefits from outdoor physical practice.

Based on the results presented and in the context of the review referenced in this study, it should be noted that in relation to meteorological and climatic indicators, environments with central values are less stressful risk factors for organic homeostasis when compared to extreme values that tend to overload the cycle of body thermoregulation, especially in situations of overload and effort, as in enduring physical activities [102,110,111,112,113].

As for outdoor areas, the characteristics of green environments, especially with the presence of green tunnels, as proposed in this study, are configured as a factor of climatic and meteorological protection to passers-by exposed to incidental or programmed physical practice, thus optimizing the benefits of the endured physical activity [102,104,105,106,113,114].

The climatic and meteorological indicators in the territory of Araripe are relevant data regarding the seasonal exposure of hikers on the trails and also to consider other physical activities of greater overload such as trail running and mountain biking, which are very popular sports in the region. Such results are shown as an important tool for professionals in the sport, education, and health areas, tourism guides, and other professionals in the tourist trade, among others.

The on-site analysis of weather conditions and the feeling of thermal comfort [107,113,115,116,117,118,119,120,121] and microclimates on the trails were not investigated in this study. Therefore, understanding the limitation of the nature of this investigation and the contribution of the results with more specificity, we recommend the relevance of these data in future investigations.

As for aquatic diversity, the synthesis of the results on the possibilities of interaction with water and its salutogenic effects presented in this study sought to objectively translate this condition as a positive factor for the well-being of hikers. In this sense, we recommend that the local infrastructure, as an opportunity for the health of the ecosystem, should adopt strategies to provide the resource for the consumption of passers-by.

As for attractions, infrastructure, and provisions, the investigated trails demonstrated landscapes of relevant added value in the historical and cultural context.

The Santo Sepulcro trail is an example where it is impossible to disassociate material and immaterial heritage, such as their relevance as a geomorphological representation of magmatic rocks and cultural expression evident on the route. The trail, surrounded by caatinga vegetation, tells the teachings of Father Cícero; it is filled with stones with “magical” attributes and chapels with sacred figures sculpted and built in the rocks that give the place a transcendental experience. The Santo Sepulcro trail and Colina do Horto geosite have the best support infrastructure and experience for visitors, which is classified with high demand for visits and low impact [18].

The Riacho do Meio trail is still an underutilized area due to the permanent absence of a management team; the place is classified as a priority in terms of the management of visitation impacts [18]. Even so, the geosite and its trails have a high score in terms of biodiversity, projected structure, contact with springs, and perennial water sources in addition to leafy vegetation all year round.

Regarding the classification of routes based on NBR-15055.2, it is noteworthy that the results of the investigated conditions generate relevant information about the trails as a tourist product and standardized by the Brazilian consumer protection code [89,122,123]. It should also be noted that the trails are the most important means of accessing the health provisions of the ecosystem and geosites visitation.

Both trails showed mild conditions, given the indicators classified between 1 and 2 scores (out of 5 most extreme), showing themselves as alternatives and aggregating visitation experiences for different audiences and with different interests from contemplation to nature to the exercise of faith and spirituality, all passing through the hike as a means of access and the various benefits of this physical practice.

In order to optimize the specificities regarding physical overload, as recommended by Gabriel et al. (2018), it is recommended to analyze biomechanical and physiological variables regarding the effort during the transposition in order to establish more detailed indicators for the different types of hikers. In this sense, future investigations with this purpose are suggested, given the need for more discriminating data in addition to the analysis of the effort index of the ABNT/NBR 15055.2 model used in this investigation.

4.1. Network Perspective of the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum of the Santo Sepulcro Trail

On the Santo Sepulcro trail, the positive association (0.47) between Scientific Value of Geodiversity (SVG) and Aquatic Diversity (AD) translates into the sense that the processes that value geological events, from a scientific point of view, can occur both in abundance and in scarcity of water. In the case of the trail in question, the geological characterization and scientific valuation processes of the theme have an important relationship with the scarcity of water, which is largely caused by these characterizations [77].

In turn, it is possible to observe a negative association (−0.45) between Touristic Value of Geodiversity (TVG) and Aquatic Diversity (AD), which reinforces the association of water scarcity with the geological aspects that justify the existence of geotouristic values in the place, representing, therefore, an inverse relationship [77]. Likewise, we note the negative association (−0.23) between Scientific Value of Geodiversity (SVG) and Touristic Value of Geodiversity, which is intrinsic to the fact that the latter develops mostly due to historical and cultural aspects. Thus, it is necessary to reframe the geological aspects by inserting them in the historical–cultural contexts, in order to modify this association between the indicators [21] (see Table 6).

Still on the Santo Sepulcro trail, the evident association of Biodiversity (BIO) with Aquatic Diversity (AD) represents the intimate interdependence in the construction of the landscape and the semi-arid trail, which explains the seasonality of the milder or more rigorous exposure depending on the green tunnels along the route, given the remarkable presence of xerophilous species—that is, vegetation well adapted to live in dry environments, as is the case of the geosite.

It should be noted that the Aquatic Diversity indicator on the Santo Sepulcro trail received a single score, because it is only possible to see a bluespace of the viewpoints at the end of the trail, this being a practically inaccessible resource.

4.2. Network Perspective of the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum of the Riacho do Meio Trail

On the Riacho do Meio trail, the main associations were found among the variables Biodiversity (BIO) and Climatic and Meteorological Exposure (CME) 0.29; Route Classification (RC) and Wellness Experience (WE) 0.37; and Scientific Value of Geodiversity (SVG) and Aquatic Diversity (AD) 0.35, all of which were positive (see Table 6).

The environmental conditions of the green tunnels of the Riacho do Meio trail, with denser vegetation and partially vegetated soils due to the humid forest present on the trail, reflect less radiation and reduce exposure to other indicators, presenting a milder environment, which contributes in the process of human thermoregulation during physical effort and in the comfortable experience of well-being in the transposition of the trail [103,104,105,106,110,111,124,125], as shown in the strong connection between the variables Route Classification and Wellness Experience.

The strong association between Scientific Value of Geodiversity and Aquatic Diversity highlights the importance of geological knowledge and geodiversity [126] in the development of a sub-humid environment with differentiated vegetation and the occurrence of crystalline water sources in the general context of the semi-arid region.

In this sense, we recommend, for the optimization of the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum, the commitment to management and actions that strengthen the link of geodiversity with the local fauna and flora, as well as with the occurrence of springs [77,78]. Therefore, we note all the interdependence and integrality among geodiversity, biodiversity, and aquatic diversity [79] demonstrated in the network of this study.

4.3. Centrality Indicators

Based on the results presented for the network, the variables with the highest closeness act as hubs; if these variables are optimized, the network will present an acceptable theoretical configuration. In this way, centrality indicators are useful to guide where managers should prioritize their actions. In a practical context, neglecting central variables, as pillars (or nodes) of the network’s support, potentially means leading to a breakdown in the relationship of the variables presented before.

In the Santo Sepulcro trail, Aquatic Diversity (AD) and Scientific Value of Geodiversity (SVG) had the highest scores in the indicators of closeness and strength. The high connectivity of Aquatic Diversity is explained by the fact that the presence of water is a positive factor for natural areas, especially those with tourist potential [78]. Therefore, we suggest, in the case of tourist trails, availability and infrastructure adjustments such as wells, fountains, or drinking fountains for places that do not have the supply of water for human consumption (as in the Santo Sepulcro trail) as well as periodic studies and analyses regarding the bathing and potability of water as in the case of the Riacho do Meio trail.

Investing in Scientific Value of Geodiversity (SVG) strategies would imply ensuring the preservation of relevant outcrops and the popularization of geological knowledge with visitors [26]. This reinforces the need for investments in geo-educational communication that are more didactic and accessible to the general public and not just with technical–scientific emphasis, as it is provided in the geosite [26], and that was highlighted by the UNESCO/GGN evaluators in the revalidation of the green seal in 2019.

In Riacho do Meio, Biodiversity (BIO) and Climatic and Meteorological Exposure (CME) presented the highest closeness values. In the strength indicator, the variables Biodiversity, Route Classification (RC), and Aquatic Diversity (AD) have the highest values.

Observing the high closeness of Biodiversity and Climatic and Meteorological Exposure, the importance of preserving and maintaining native vegetation is highlighted, which has a direct influence on the relative humidity of the air, on the ambient temperature due to the dissipation of heat by conduction (from the ground), in radiation due to exposure to sunlight (insolation), and also the influence on drafts (winds) and heat exchange by convection, creating milder microclimates and consequently a more pleasant and aggregating sensory and well-being experience to different audiences [103,104,105,106,110,111,124,125].

The priority of management actions in the central variables ensures that the strongest and most determinant indicators that characterize the assessed area are maintained or endured, giving time for decision making on indicators that can be gradually improved.

5. Conclusions

This study in question, in the materialization of the proposed conceptual model, sought to contribute with guiding and resolute approaches of applicability, both in geopark territories and in natural and related areas, with the purpose of optimizing the sustainable management of resources and health potentials of natural trails.

The Araripe UGG territory and the generations over time present their own narratives with different experiences and that lead the visitor to see, hear, and feel the aromas and finally, interact with the environment. This multisensory experience brings us closer to nature and its stories; when stepping on the territory, we can also become part of it.

The biggest challenge of this investigation, besides establishing isolated indicators, was the composition of these in the reading of the nuances of the territory and in the context of health and healthy lifestyle, based on the non-linear assessment of complex systems translating the holistic concept, which, although fundamental, proves difficult to actually measure and interpret.

The Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum represents a purposeful action in order to develop new methodologies for integral assessment of the environment, with particular regard to geoparks and natural areas. The idea is to materialize results with a holistic, interdisciplinary, and associative approach, following this trend of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Program and getting closer, in fact, to its complex praxis.

The identification of the health resources of the trails demonstrated the need for multiple interpretations in order to answer how much access to biotic and abiotic elements, as well as the dimensioning of the forces of nature, intangible heritage, experiences of well-being and management can contribute to the physical, mental, and spiritual health of the subjects exposed to them.

Considering also the resilience of the human being to face extreme conditions, we understand that the characterization of a trail or territory generates information about the confrontation and the challenge to be overcome. Therefore, it is not the intention of this investigation to categorize milder environments as better and more extreme as worse; this type of classification tends to stigmatize territories as less recommended or indicated and to overestimate territories considered ideal. The UNESCO Geoparks Program, in its concept, highlights unique territories and experiences; it is up to the visitor to choose his challenge. Extreme achievements generate unique experiences, remarkable memories, and spectacular stories.

The results of this investigation, given its quantitative approach and network analysis, sought to propose an instrument that presents relevant potential for replication among the various UNESCO geopark territories and related areas, in order to generate relevant data for optimized management.

Still, not everything can be quantified; when traveling a trail in Araripe and its territory, it is necessary to know that the past is relived when experiencing a part of its stories, tales, and its relevant intangible and immeasurable heritage. It is this uniqueness, in the charm of each visitor’s experience, that truly identifies a geopark in the one who is there.

There are narratives of time, land, and people in their multifaceted and inseparable context. Tales, old and new, fulfill their role by enchanting the stories of an enchanted land, for that, a good storyteller is enough.