Inventory and assessment of geomorphosites for geotourism development: A case study of Aït Bou Oulli valley (Central High-Atlas, Morocco)
Corresponding Author
Hicham Bouzekraoui
Team of Geotourism and Desertic Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Rabat, Morocco and Georesources and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Beni-Mellal, Morocco
Correspondence
Hicham Bouzekraoui
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAhmed Barakat
Georesources and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Beni Mellal, Morocco
Search for more papers by this authorFatima Touhami
Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Research in Sciences and Technologies, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Beni Mellal, Morocco
Search for more papers by this authorAtika Mouaddine
Laboratory of Biology Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Beni Mellal, Morocco
Search for more papers by this authorMohammed El Youssi
Team of Geotourism and Desertic Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Rabat, Morocco
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Hicham Bouzekraoui
Team of Geotourism and Desertic Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Rabat, Morocco and Georesources and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Beni-Mellal, Morocco
Correspondence
Hicham Bouzekraoui
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAhmed Barakat
Georesources and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Beni Mellal, Morocco
Search for more papers by this authorFatima Touhami
Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Research in Sciences and Technologies, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Beni Mellal, Morocco
Search for more papers by this authorAtika Mouaddine
Laboratory of Biology Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Beni Mellal, Morocco
Search for more papers by this authorMohammed El Youssi
Team of Geotourism and Desertic Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Rabat, Morocco
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Aït Bou Oulli valley is located in the heart of the Moroccan central High-Atlas, with a height of 4,068 metres in Ighil M'goun and 3,800 metres in Rat Mountain. Mountain areas are characterised by higher geodiversity compared with other areas. The valley possesses a geoheritage that is very rich and diverse, has an exceptional landscape of high mountains and attracts tourists every year. However, the number of visitors is still restricted because of a lack of tools for promotion, valorisation and mediation of this heritage. It is with the aim to promote this rich heritage that the present work was performed. The work focuses on the inventory, selection and quantitative evaluation of the remarkable geomorphosites in order to classify them. The results reveal the presence of 81 potential sites, of which 24 are conducive to geotourism. These conducive sites included: nine fluvial landforms of which five are enviable panoramic viewpoints and four are karstic forms; four structural landforms; three glacial landforms: two gravitatives landforms; one anthropic landform; and one lake landform. Rich information provided by this study and knowledge of these new geomorphosites are important for promotion of tourism activities in the Aït Bou Oulli region and can assist planners and authorities to formulate suitable plans for sustained development of the region.
Supporting Information
| Filename | Description |
|---|---|
| area12380-sup-0001-Supinfo.docxWord document, 21.7 KB |
Table S1 Criteria used and meaning of the scientific value assessment scores (based on Kozlik, 2006; Pereira et al., 2007; Reynard, 2006). Table S2 Criteria used and meaning of the additional values assessment scores (based on Kozlik, 2006; Pereira et al., 2007; Reynard, 2006). |
Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
REFERENCES
- Anon (1991). Earth science conservation in Great Britain: A strategy. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough.
- Bailey, H., & Hill, W. (2010). The future of North American Geoparks. The George Wright Forum, 27, 52–59. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/43598135
- Bollati, I., Smiraglia, C., & Pelfini, M. (2013). Assessment and selection of geomorphosites and trails in the Miage Glacier area (Western Italian Alps). Environmental Management, 51, 951–967.
- Bouzekraoui, H., El Khalki, Y., Mouaddine, A., Lhissou, R., El Youssi, M., & Barakat, A. (2016). Characterization and dynamics of agroforestry landscape using geospatial techniques and field survey: A case study in central High-Atlas (Morocco). Agroforestry Systems, 90, 965–978.
- Bruschi, V. M., & Cendréro, A. (2005). Geosite evaluation. Can we measure intangible values? Il Quaternario. Italian Journal of Quaternary Sciences, 18, 293–307.
- Burek, C. V., & Prosser, C. D. (2008). The history of geoconservation: An introduction. London, UK: Geological Society.
- Chenorkian, R. (1988). Les armes métalliques dans l'art protohistorique de l'Occident méditerranéen. Paris, France: Éditions du CNRS.
- Clottes, J. (2011). International newsletter on rock art. 59 International Federation of Rock Art Organisations (http://bradshawfoundation.com/inora.php) Accessed July 2017.
- Coratza, P., Galve, J. P., Soldati, M., & Tonelli, C. (2012). Recognition and assessment of sinkholes as geosites: Lessons from the Island of Gozo (Malta). Quaestones Geographicae, 31, 25–35.
- Coratza, P., & Giusti, C. (2005). Methodological proposal for the assessment of the scientific quality of geomorphosites. Il Quaternario. Italian Journal of Quaternary Sciences, 18, 307–313.
- Couvreur, G. (1988). Essai sur l’évolution morphologique du Haut Atlas central Calcaire (Maroc). Notes et Mémoires du Service Géologique du Maroc, 318, 389.
- DGCL, ADS, & d INDH (2010). Plan Communal de Développement (PCD) de la Commune Aït Bou Oulli Juillet 2010. Direction général des communes locales et Agence de Développement Social et Initiative Nationale pour le Développement Humain.
- Duval, M., & Gauchon, C. (2010). Tourisme, géosciences et enjeux de territoires. Actualités du géotourisme. Téoros, 29, 3–14.
- Eder, W., & Patzak, M. (2004). Geoparks – geological attractions: A tool for public education, recreation and sustainable development. Episodes, 27, 162–164.
- El Wartiti, M., Malaki, A., Zahraoui, M., Di Gregorio, F., & De Waele, J. (2009). Geosites and touristic development of the north-western Tabular Middle Atlas of Morocco. In A. Marini, & M. Talbi (Eds.), Desertification and risk analysis using high and medium resolution satellite data (pp. 143–156). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.
10.1007/978-1-4020-8937-4_13 Google Scholar
- Errami, E., Schneider, G., Ennih, N., Randrianaly, H. N., Bendaoud, A., Norman, N., Allan, M., Vasconcelos, L., Costa, L., Al-Wosabi., Al-Subbary, A., Mabvuto-Ngwira, P., Okunlola, G., Lawal Halliru, S., Andrianaivo, L., Siby, S., Ketchemen, B., Gauly, M., Hassine, M., Azki, F., Juliette, T., Lattrache, K., Omulo, M., Bobrowsky, P., Costa, L. (2015). Geoheritage and geoparks in Africa and the Middle-East: Challenges and perspectives. In E. Errami, M. Brocx, & V. Semeniuk (Eds.), From geoheritage to geoparks: Case studies from Africa and beyond (pp. 3–23). Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
10.1007/978-3-319-10708-0_1 Google Scholar
- Fassoulas, C., Mouriki, D., Dimitriou-Nikolakis, P., & Iliopoulos, G. (2012). Quantitative assessment of geotopes as an effective tool for geoheritage management. Geoheritage, 4, 177–193.
- Fougerolles, A. (1982). Le Haut Atlas Central. Casablanca: Club Alpin Français.
- Garavaglia, V., & Pelfini, M. (2011). Glacial geomorphosites and related landforms: A proposal for a dendrogeomorphological approach and educational trails. Geoheritage, 3, 15–25.
- Gavrilă, I. G., & Anghel, T. (2013). Geomorphosites inventory in the Macin Mountains (south-eastern Romania). GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosits, 1, 42–53.
- Gonzälez-Trueba, J. J. (2007) El matizo central de los Picos de Europa. Geomorfologia y sus implicacionesgeoecolögjcas en la alta montana cantäbrica. Doctoral thesis, Departamento de Geografia, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander.
- Grandgirard, V. (1995). Méthode pour la realization d'un inventaire de géotopes géomorphologiques. UKPIK: Cahiers de l'Institut de Géographie de l'Université de Fribourg, 10, 121–137.
- Grandgirard, V. (1997). Géomorphologie et études de l'impact sur l'environnement. Bulletin de la Société Fribourgeoise des Sciences Naturelles, 86, 65–98.
- Grandgirard, V. (1999). L’évaluation des géotopes. Geologia Insubrica, 4, 59–66.
- M. Gray (Ed.) (2004). Geodiversity: Valuing and conserving abiotic nature. Oxford, UK: Wiley.
- HCP (2014). Monographie de la région Tadla-Azilal. Maroc: Haut Commissariat au Plan.
- HCWFCD (2010). Dossier de base de la forêt d'Azilal. Rapport de synthèse, Maroc développement. High Commission for Water, Forests and Combating Desertification, Morocco.
- Ilies, D., & Josan, I. (2009). The tourist complex spa Baile Felix – Baile 1 Mai – personality, distinctiveness by protection versus depersonalisation and non-specific by globalisation. Conceptual and practical aspects regarding the role of the natural and anthropic setting in tourist fitting (I). GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites, Year II, 4, 179–185.
- Jenny, J. (1988). Carte géologique du Maroc au 1/100000, feuilles d'Azilal, Mémoire explicatif. Edition du Service Géologique du Maroc, Rabat.
- Kozlik, L. (2006). Les géomorphosites culturels des vallées du Trient, de l'Eau Noire, et de Salanfe. Inventaire, évaluation et valorisation. Mémoire de licence, Institut de Géographie Lausanne (http://doc.rero.ch/) Accessed 18 October 2015
- Kozlowski, S. (2004). Geodiversity: The concept and scope of geodiversity. Przeglad Geologiczny, 52.
- Martini, G., & Pagès, J. S. (1994). Actes du premier symposium international sur la protection du patrimoine géologique. France: Mémoires de la Société géologique de France.
- McKeever, P. J., & Zouros, N. (2005). Geoparks: Celebrating Earth heritage, sustaining local communities. Episodes, 28, 274.
- Megerle, H. (2012). Les géomorphosites du Sud-Ouest de l'Allemagne: Un patrimoine naturel et culturel de grande valeur, mais négligé. Géocarrefour, 87, 157–170.
10.4000/geocarrefour.8901 Google Scholar
- MTA (2009). Vision 2020. Stratégie de développement touristique Royaume du Maroc. Département du Tourisme Ministère de Tourisme et d'Artisanat Maroc.
- MTA (2013). Tadla-Azilal: Gerbe d'or et seuil de bonheur, Monographie de la région Tadla-Azilal. Ministère de Tourisme et d'Artisanat Maroc.
- Panizza, M. (2001). Geomorphosites: Concepts, methods and examples of geomorphological survey. Chinese Science Bulletin, 46, 4–6.
- Panizza, M., & Piacente, S. (1993). Geomorphological assets evaluation. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie NF, 87, 13–18.
- Panizza, M., & Piacente, S. (2003). Geomorfologia culturale. Bologna, Italy: Pitagora Editrice.
- Pelfini, M., & Bollati, I. (2014). Landforms and geomorphosites ongoing changes: Concepts and implications for geoheritage promotion. Quaestiones Geographicae, 33, 131–143.
10.2478/quageo-2014-0009 Google Scholar
- Pereira, P., & Pereira, D. (2010). Methodological guidelines for geomorphosite assessment. Géomorphologie: Relief Processus, Environnement, 2, 215–222.
10.4000/geomorphologie.7942 Google Scholar
- Pereira, P., Pereira, D., & Caetano Alves, M. I. (2007). Geomorphosite assessment in Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal). Geographica Helvetica, 62, 159–168.
10.5194/gh-62-159-2007 Google Scholar
- Pralong, J. P. (2005). A method for assessing the tourist potential and use of geomorphological sites. Géomorphologie: Relief, Processus, Environnement, 3, 189–196.
10.4000/geomorphologie.350 Google Scholar
- Ren, F., Simonson, L., & Pan, Z. (2013). Interpretation of geoheritage for geotourism – a comparison of Chinese geoparks and National Parks in the United States. Czech Journal of Tourism, 2, 105–125.
10.2478/cjot-2013-0006 Google Scholar
- Reynard, E. (2005). Géomorphosites et paysages. Géomorphologie: Relief, Processus, Environnement, 3, 181–188. https://doi.org/10.4000/geomorphologie
10.4000/geomorphologie.338 Google Scholar
- Reynard, E. (2006). Fiche d'inventaire des géomorphosites. Université de Lausanne, Institut de géographie (http://www.unil.ch/igul/page17893.html) Accessed 14 December 2014.
- Reynard, E. (2009). The assessment of geomorphosites. In E. Reynard, P. Coratza, & G. Regolini-Bissig (Eds.), Geomorphosites (pp. 63–72). München, Germany: Pfeil.
- Reynard, E., Fontana, G., Kozlik, L., & Scapozza, C. (2007). A method for assessing the scientific and additional values of geomorphosites. Geographica Helvetica, 62, 148–158.
10.5194/gh-62-148-2007 Google Scholar
- Reynard, E., Perret, A., Bussard, J., Grangier, L., & Martin, S. (2016). Integrated approach for the inventory and management of geomorphological heritage at the regional scale. Geoheritage, 8, 43–60.
- Rivas, V., Rix, K., Frances, E., Cendrero, A., & Brunsden, D. (1997). Geomorphological indicators for environmental impact assessment: Consumable and non-consumable geomorphological resources. Geomorphology, 18, 169–182.
- Rodrigue, A. (1999). L'art rupestre du Haut Atlas marocain. Paris, France: L'Harmattan.
- Serrano, E., & González-Trueba, J. J. (2005). Assessment of geomorphosites in natural protected areas: The Picos de Europa National Park (Spain).. Géomorphologie: Relief, Processus, Environnement, 3, 197–208.
10.4000/geomorphologie.364 Google Scholar
- Serrano, E., & Ruiz-Flaño, P. (2007). Geodiversity: A theoretical and applied concept. Geographica Helvetica, 62, 140–147.
10.5194/gh-62-140-2007 Google Scholar
- Simoneau, A. (1967). L'androgyne et les gravures du Haut Atlas. Bulletin d'Archéologie Marocaine, 7, 91–135.
- Stafford, J. (2005). Le tourisme au Maroc: Entre le temps et les événements. Téoros, 24, 53–54.
- UNESCO (2010). Guidelines and criteria for national geoparks seeking UNESCO's assistance to join the Global Geoparks Network (http://www.globalgeopark.org/portals/1/documents/2008ggn-guidelinesjuneendorsed.pdf) Accessed July 2017.
- Waele, J. D., & Melis, M. T. (2009). Geomorphology and geomorphological heritage of the Ifrane-Azrou region (Middle Atlas, Morocco). Environmental Geology, 58, 587–599.
- Zouros, N. (2007). Geomorphosite assessment and management in protected areas of Greece. Case study of the Lesvos Island-coastal geomorphosites. Geographica Helvetica, 62, 69–180.
10.5194/gh-62-169-2007 Google Scholar
- Zwoliński, Z., & Stachowiak, J. (2012). Geodiversity map of the Tatra National Park for geotourism. Quaestiones Geographicae, 31, 99–107.
10.2478/v10117-012-0012-x Google Scholar
