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.

Geomorphological Evolution of Santorini.- The Petrified Forest of Lesvos A Unique Natural Monument.- The Lavrion Mines.- Tafoni and Alveole Formation. An Example from Naxos and Tinos Islands.- Origin, Geology and Geochemistry of Mpouharia and Nohtaria Landforms, in Mikrovaltos Kozani, NW Macedonia Greece.- The Gorge of the Angitis River at Stena Petras Near the Alistrati Cave. A Magnificent Piece of Natural Architecture in Eastern Macedonia, Greece.- Volcanoes Monuments of Nature.- Amber in Romania.- Muddy Volcanoes.- Post-volcanic Phenomena in the East Carpathians.- Ancient Gold Mining in Rosia Montana (Apuseni Mts, Romania).- Rupestrian Settlements in the Alunis Area.- Salt Karst in Manzalesti Romania.- Montesinho and the Mountains of Northern Portugal.- Montesinho Natural Park: General Description and Natural Values.- The Geological Heritage of Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal).- Ultramafics of Bragança Massif: Soils, Flora and Vegetation.- Land Use, Landscape and Sustainability: Examples from Montesinho.- Alvão-Marão: Preserving Important Natural Resources in a Mountain Range.- A Groundwater System in a Mountain Environment (Serra da Estrela, Portugal).- Northwest Beira Highlands Freita and Caramulo Hills (Portugal).- Ecological and Cultural Consequences of Agricultural Abandonment in the Peneda-Gerês National Park (Portugal).- The Cyclops Islands.- The Gate of Hades: The Phlegraean Fields.- Val dOrcia, a Renaissance Agricultural Landscape.- Vallo di Diano: A Highland in South Italy.- Valnerina: The High Valley of Hermits, Friars and Saints.- Volcanoes and Crater Lakes in Latium: Nature and History of Rome.- The Natural Heritage of the Island of Gozo, Malta.- The Geomorphological Cave Features of G?ar il-Friefet.- Our AncestralCountry Allies: The Rubble Walls.- Cappadocia (Kapadokya).- Caves of Turkey.- Dalyan Paradise.- Damlatas Cave, Alanya.- The Dilek Peninsula: Büyük Menderes Delta.- Halfeti Rumkale.- Kekova.- Mt. Nemrud (Nemrut) Kommagene (Commagene).- Mt. Nemrud Caldera.- Oludeniz Lagoon Fethiye.- Pamukkale (Hierapolis).