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The Tata region is located in the South Western Anti-Atlas. It consists of Paleoproterozoic to Quaternary age fields. These fields, affected by several geodynamic events, have been exposed to long periods of erosion, adding to climate hostility to make the geology and geomorphology of the Anti-Atlas easier to read and more fascinating to contemplate, compared to other geological domains of Morocco. The superimposition of the different orogeneses is materialized by several geological markers that are clearly observable in several outcrops. The region offers several geomorphological sites, of mainly scientific and landscape interest, which gives them pedagogical and tourist qualities for both professional scientists and the general public. In this work, we have highlighted several previously unknown geomorphosites of the Tata region. These are inventoried, mapped, and described from the point of view of their morphogenetic formation. These are Onion peels from Addana, Foum Zguid, badlands of Akka, hearts of Tata, karsts of Imitek, Issafen's iron flats, and Tadakoust pyramids. These are real masterpieces whose main sculptor is erosion. This potential geomorphological heritage deserves to be valued and protected from degradation and disappearance for several scientific, cultural, educational, and socioeconomic objectives through the development of local eco-geotourism and real regional sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geological heritage is now a main component in the current patterns of socio-economic and sustainable development and is becoming essential in the educational process. Morocco is among the countries with the most fascinating geological diversity in the world. This work presents a result of the proposal for a pedagogical and geotouristic trail in the Errachidia province. The latter is known for its fabulous geological and oasis landscapes as well as its mining wealth. Through this study, we will describe the pedagogical geosites in this region, which is part of the Preafrican Trough between the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas. The fieldwork and assessment of values demonstrate that the studied geosites have substantial scientific significance and remarkable educational and tourism potential. The study area offers pedagogical geosites of different types: structural, stratigraphical, paleontological, geomorphological, hydrological, and ecological. These geosites, which reflect the geological, geomorphological, and environmental history of the region, are doubled with an additional aesthetic value, which provides them with a particular scientific and geotouristic interest. The present approach will be used in the educational process and the promotional activities for tourism, by offering well-illustrated hikes and in situ panels describing the main characteristics of the locations. Accordingly, a total of nine geosites have been selected to serve as a basis for this educational and geotouristic trail. Furthermore, geoconservation through geoeducation, such as fieldwork or museum exhibitions, is discussed along with its role in fostering local socio-economic development through geotourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusive governance is crucial for the development of geotourism and management of geoheritage sites if social sustainability is to be realised. South Africa has three levels of government, state-owned entities, private entities and not-for-profit organisations that can assist in the development of geotourism in South Africa. However, there is no governance model for the development of geotourism and management of geoheritage sites in South Africa because geotourism and geoheritage management is implemented mainly on the basis of geoparks or protected areas. This paper interrogates a range of governance models used for tourism management, including those used by UNESCO Global Geoparks. The reviewed global governance models are then used to explore mechanisms that could be applied in the model development of geotourism and management of geoheritage sites in South Africa. This paper highlights the opportunities for inclusively engaging with South African stakeholders (including local communities) to develop and manage geotourism, and proposes a model that would be suitable for adoption in South Africa. This is the first time that a comprehensive governance model for development of geotourism and management of geoheritage sites has been proposed for South Africa and Africa as a continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region is a touristic region par excellence, containing the capital of Morocco, and given its geological, geomorphological, landscape, cultural heritage, etc. Nevertheless, it is a region little known to the general public, especially if we talk about its rural areas. Its geo-heritage, which we call “geosite” and “geodiversity site,” shows a diversity of exceptional quality depending on the geological units. It is a heritage that must be enhanced to help tourism players diversify their offer. We try to enhance its geo-heritage through the development of a geotourism activity in the region. A general inventory was launched thus valuing 12 relevant geosites, that they can be the object of an exploitation with a view to the creation of a geotourism dynamism. They are Sidi Boulknadel pipes, Carboniferous hills of Korifla river panorama, Lower Devonian carbonate concretion east of Ezzehiliga, Normal fault of El Malha river, Pillow lava of Malha valley, Volcanic flow of Boulhmayl River, Gayville beach potholes, Koudiat Ech- Cherif, Sebt-Merchouch plateau Angular Unconformity, Zaër granite, Jbel Moghrane’s Westphalian Molasse, and Stratotype GSSP Tortonian-Messinian Limit. Scientific research is the main vector of this tourist activity. It aims to put in place one or more appropriate policies for the management, enhancement, and protection of natural and cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this manuscript, we have highlighted the negative impacts of climate change effects on rural tourism activities in a semi-arid climate area. Indigenous populations, tourism investors, ecosystems, and geodiversity suffer from the consequences of increasing temperature during the summer season and flooding in the winter season. Since most of the oases, ecosystems, and populations are located in valleys, we identify management challenges that are likely to arise to shed light on managerial decision-making that will be required. Rural tourism is practically the only activity promoting income in such a territory. The management of natural and cultural heritage products, within a conceptual framework of protection, has proven to be necessary. The best proposal at the moment is the creation of a Global Geopark, offering policies and management plans for conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The late Ordovician glaciation gave birth to tunnel valleys and their filling in the fields that made up Northern Gondwana at that time. A valuable geoheritage value is attributed to these valleys as they constitute an important part of the Earth history evolution. This study focuses on the scientific value of the Hirnantian tunnel valleys through the case study of Foum Larjamme region, in southeastern of Morocco. The region is a key geosite in the Bani Geopark project. In addition, it constitutes a key locality witnessing the major event of the Hirnantian glaciation. However, it is only recognized by the general public for its archaeological and historical heritage. The present paper describes and assesses the significant scientific value of Foum Larjamme paleo-tunnel valleys. Considering its geographical position and its geological diversity, the study decribes the high geo-educational and geotouristic potentials of the geosite. Furthermore, this geosite is considered as a field laboratory to study and teach the geological risk controlled by the natural phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Khibiny mountains are the largest alkaline-rock intrusion of the Kola Peninsula located at its central part and having a considerable impact on local geology. Reaching a height of 1200 m above sea level at its top (the highest point of Kola Peninsula), Khibiny is constructing the regional landscape for tens of kilometers around. Alpine character of the mountains area is unparalleled to any other territories on the Peninsula and is unique with its crags, rock bends, lofty precipices, boulders, crevices, and other landscape rock forms such as the leveling surface in the gable zone, denudation pavement, regoliths, outliers, and samples of physical weathering. In addition, there are numerous thresholds and bends filled with lakes and ponds, underground springs, crevice waterfalls, and other water sources. Such a landscape scenery makes the Khibiny mountain group a popular attraction for tourists and visitors of the region willing to get acquainted with the extraordinary local nature ranging from the taiga forests to the Arctic desert. The area also serves as a habitat for several fauna representatives, including brown bears and various Arctic birds species. The long-lasting human presence in the area manifests itself in the local toponymy of geographical names referring to the Saami language and culture. A particular interest lies in the history of the territory’s colonization and development as well as in numerous artifacts related to the Soviet and Russian imperial past (i.e., US steam engine from the early 1920s). Another option for possible tourist attraction might be found in the unusual substrate of alkaline rocks having a very rare type of mineralization containing eudialyte, lorenzenite, aenigmatite, or arfvedsonite with rare phases particular for only a few places in the world, as well as in a variety of locally discovered minerals that can be observed while hiking in the area. This uniqueness and significance have come to appreciate by establishing a local geological museum serving as a geocenter and by the area itself being acknowledged as a national park. All of this foregrounds the development and formalization of off-road hiking tourist routes. This article aims to meet this need by proposing a tourist trail in the area of western Khibiny while taking the reader on an excursion around this extraordinary area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rabat-Tiflet area (north-western Morocco) has a complex geological setting and a high geodiversity, two reasons that justify the geoheritage inventory done in this work. The inventoried 13 geosites were quantitatively assessed and clearly show that the Tortonian/Messinian Akrech River GSSP Stratotype is the most important geosite in the area due to its high international scientific value. In addition, the majority of the other geosites are characterized by moderate scientific, educational, and touristic values and high degradation risk. Therefore, a geoconservation strategy should be implemented in this area by national and local authorities to protect and conserve this geological heritage. This study may help the development of a new geopark project in Morocco, a country where the geopark concept is still emerging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the geoheritage sites in the Draa valley between Ouarzazate and M'Hamid in south-eastern Morocco. This area is remarkable for its diverse landscapes and very interesting geological, geomorphological, and archeological sites that could be used to explain the history of the earth as well as regional climate changes both to tourists and to the general public. The educational aspects of these sites are highlighted; in order to emphasize their magnificence and their scientific interest, the area includes many sites with the Ordovician Fezouata Biota. Information needs to be provided in various media, as geological and archeological booklets, guidebooks or interpretive panels at the geosites. The approach presented below can serve as a model for sustainable development of geotourism, for preservation of geological and archeological heritage, and also as a contribution toward establishing a geopark in the south-eastern provinces of Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bou Azzer ophiolitic complex (Anti-Atlas, southern Morocco) marks the suture of the Pan-African orogenic belt. This fragment of old oceanic crust (697 ± 8 Ma) obducted onto the continental margin of the West African Craton during a collisional event that occurred between 650 and 580 Ma. Very well exposed desert outcrops display serpentinites associated with chromite pods and clinopyroxenolites, ultrabasic and basic cumulates, quartz diorite, a sheeted-dyke complex, basaltic pillow lavas, and red cherts, i.e., the set of lithologies composing an ophiolitic sequence. Other geological units cropping out in the area are: (1) the underlying continental margin of the West African Craton; (2) a volcanic arc next to the oceanic crust represented by the ophiolite; (3) overlying unconformable volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The unusual character of this Neoproterozoic magmatic and tectonic geoheritage site, together with the excellent quality of the outcrops and the relatively easy access to the area, make this complex attractive from both a scientific and a geotouristic perspective. Its declaration as a geoheritage site will serve as a stimulus for the preservation of this singular area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]