Collaborative Cartography as a Tool for Inventory of Waterfalls in Municipalities in Southern Brazil

We investigate collaborative cartography as a tool for inventorying waterfalls in the municipalities of Pelotas and Arroio do Padre in southern Brazil. We aim to identify and catalog waterfalls through community participation to support the development of geotourism itineraries and promote the dissemination and environmental interpretation of these geodiversity elements. We employed a two-phase approach through online questionnaires distributed through social media platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first phase (December 2020–March 2021) involved 70 collaborators who identified 17 waterfalls, while the second phase (September–October 2021) engaged 36 additional participants who contributed three new waterfall identifications. The survey instrument, titled "Cachoeiras Costa Doce Form," collected data on waterfall names, locations, and optional photographic documentation. Field validation was conducted in February 2022 using GPS technology and aerial imagery to verify collaborative mapping results and assess waterfall characteristics. Respondents identified 18 waterfalls, with four receiving the highest recognition: Imigrante (25 mentions), Arco-Íris (18 mentions), Paraíso (14 mentions), and Camboatá (14 mentions). Of the five criteria, eight waterfalls demonstrated high accessibility values, seven exhibited significant cultural connections, and eleven maintained excellent environmental preservation status. The study demonstrates that collaborative cartography effectively leverages local community knowledge to identify geoheritage elements, particularly in areas with geological-geomorphological significance. However, limitations include potential selection bias due to digital divide constraints affecting rural populations with limited internet access. The methodology has potential for international replication and contributes to sustainable geotourism development while supporting geoconservation initiatives through community engagement and scientific assessment integration.