Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
tourism that enhances the qualities of a place, including its
environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being
of its residents (Boley et al.
2011
), or more strictly con-
cerning to tourism that is based on sites of geological interest
(Hose
2000
; Dowling and Newsome
2006
; Newsome et al.
2012
). It seems then obvious that different public or private
organizations or institutions and individuals that are in
charge of management of the geotouristic activities in this
region are aware of its geological heritage and of geocon-
servation strategies. Geotourism and geo-education are
therefore also directly linked, and together with geoconser-
vation they form a
The governmental organizations should be able to con-
tribute through, for instance:
strengthening the co-operation with scienti
c interna-
tional organizations and institutions working on the
eld
of the geoheritage conservation.
ensitizing and educating people and organizations on the
geoheritage values and their capabilities for social, cul-
tural and touristic development of the country;
6
Conclusions
“
”
of interlinked and interdepen-
dent strategies. In the case of the Kerdous inlier, we believe
that geoeduction, geoconservation and geotourism should be
integrated and mutually considered in any development plan.
In light of these principles and of the specicities of the
Kerdous inlier, we consider that this area meets the condi-
tions suitable for being a Global Geopark, as this initiative is
speci
triangle
Through this work, we have tried to demonstrate the out-
standing geological values of the Kerdous inlier in the
Western Anti-Atlas of Morocco. The region contains at least
four large geozones of international scienti
c interest which,
in addition, include many unique geomorphological features
and a variety of scenic geological landscapes. These prin-
cipal geozones are the granite landforms of Tafraoute (south
of Tafraoute village), the Ameln valley (north of Tafraoute),
the A
cally targeted to stimulate sustainable economic and
cultural development of a region based on the presence of
signi
t-Mansour gorges (southeast of Tafraoute) and the
Izerbi plain (south of the Kerdous inlier).
This geological heritage of the Kerdous inlier is vulner-
able to certain types of human activities. Consequently, it is
recommended that regional and local strategies should rec-
oncile the need for economic development and the geocon-
servational duties. Moreover, it is crucial that any land
management activities considers the interdependency
between geotourism, geo-education and geoconservation,
and the need for coordinating actions among individuals,
local associations and regional or national initiatives.
Because of its extraordinary geological heritage, the
Kerdous area deserves protection as a natural-cultural site,
and it is worthy of acquiring a
ï
cant geological sites.
A series of stepped actions have to be carried out in order
to reach the Geopark tag or any other status that can be
satisfactory for the social and cultural development of the
Kerdous area and compatible with conservation of its geo-
logical heritage. Such actions require intercommunication
and coordination between individual geoscientist, scienti
c
or academic institutions (i.e. universities and research cen-
tres), industrial developers and local, regional and national
authorities and institutions responsible for land management.
The scienti
c community may take part in these activities
through:
the development of inventories and creation of databases
of sites of geological and geomorphological interest;
status.
A Geopark in this area will enhance its social, cultural and
economic development.
Tafraoute is strategically located and has the potentials to
become the
'
Global Geopark
'
evaluating the state of the conservation of the different
geosites, the present and potential threats, and suggesting
possible solutions to mitigate negative impacts;
of the aspiring Kerdous Geopark. The
Painted Rocks site near Tafraoute, if regulated and managed
under geoconservation criteria, could even become a para-
digm for geocultural tourism.
“
capital
”
the promotion of geoconservationist and geo-educational
values.
Within the framework of these action plans, the regional
and local authorities (e.g. municipalities) should consider:
the geoheritage of this region when implementing rural
and urban development plans;
Acknowledgments
This work was funded by the
'
Agencia Espa
ñ
ola
de Cooperaci
ó
n Internacional
'—
AECI (project A/6943/06).
contributing to geo-education through giving support to
information and educational programs
(e.g. at
the
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