Aesthetics is a fundamental value for the evaluation of geoheritage

Abstract Aesthetics, traditionally understood as a subjective value in the evaluation of nature, was historically treated as a secondary criterion in classical studies on the valuation of geoheritage. However, recent advances indicate a paradigmatic shift, in which aesthetics is now recognized as a central value, aligning with the criteria adopted by UNESCO for the recognition of sites of outstanding universal value, such as Criteria vii, which emphasizes natural beauty and the aesthetic importance of landscapes. This article aims to demonstrate the centrality of the aesthetic dimension through a systematic review with a bibliometric approach. The methodology was based on data collection from the Scopus database, from which the most relevant works published between 2021 and 2025 were selected. Focusing on citation metrics, the 10 most cited studies were identified, of which 6 directly address aesthetics as a structuring dimension in geoheritage assessment, highlighting its growing relevance in the field. The findings demonstrate an important theoretical transition, in which aesthetics shifts from a complementary attribute to a central position in evaluation models, particularly in studies related to geotourism and territorial valorisation. Previously marginalized, aesthetics now assumes a strategic role in geoheritage assessment, reinforcing its importance in the conservation and valorisation of geodiversity on a global scale.