Vol.:(0123456789)
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Environmental Earth Sciences (2018) 77:413
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7589-x
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Mapping geoheritage for geotourism management, a case study of Aït
Bou Oulli Valley in Central High-Atlas (Morocco)
H. Bouzekraoui
1,2
· A. Barakat
2
· A. Mouaddine
3
· M. El Youssi
1
· F. Touhami
4
· A. Had
5
Received: 20 January 2018 / Accepted: 26 May 2018
© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018
Abstract
Mapping can act as a preliminary tool for the protection of natural areas and for land-use management, as it uses an easily
transmissible international language which cannot be misunderstood. Geoheritage mapping can provide great opportunities
for the transfer of geosciences information to the large public and policy makers. Recently, the geotourism map appears as a
basic tool for the protection and promotion of this geoheritage and as a means to activate and mediate the geotourism image
of the region. Aït Bou Oulli Valley is located in Moroccan Central High-Atlas, precisely within the M’Goun geopark. It is
characterized by a rich geodiversity with respect to other areas of Central High-Atlas Mountains. It harbors a wide-range of
geological and geomorphological heritage, and an exceptional landscape of high Mountains. The valley attracts a number
of tourists whose number is skyrocketing on a yearly basis, but their number remains limited due to the absence of promo-
tion and mediation tools of its geoheritage and to the absence of the cartographic documentation. This study aims, hence to
elaborate a new geotourism map of Aït Bou Oulli Valley using digital mapping tools and fieldwork. The map shows geosites
and high mountain landscapes and offers an overview of the valley’s geoheritage. This map is supported by tourism-related
infrastructure, which will provide useful information for tourists. It also highlights the valley geodiversity with a view to
promoting its geotourism through the establishment of three new geo-hiking trails.
Keywords Central High-Atlas · Geosites · Geoheritage · Geotouristic map · Geo-hiking trail
Introduction
During the last three decades, a substantial advance has
developed to reinforce the value of the geodiversity and
geoheritage as a framework for geoconservation purpose
and geotourism management in various parts of the world
(e.g. Sharples 2002; Reynard et al. 2016; Brilha 2018; Gray
2017). The concept of geodiversity was introduced in the
geoscientific literature after Rio Earth Summit in 1992;
Geologists have derived it from the abiotic equivalent of
biodiversity (Gray 2017). The most integrative definition
of geodiversity is that of Gray (2004, 2013) who states
that geodiversity stands for the natural range of geologi-
cal (rocks, minerals, fossils), geomorphological (landforms,
topography, physical processes), soil and hydrological fea-
tures. It includes their assemblages, structures, systems and
contributions to landscapes. Kozlowski (2004) adds other
elements to geodiversity such as surface waters (springs,
swamps, lakes, rivers). González-Trueba (2007) considers
that seas and oceans and the physical elements and processes
found within them must be included. Hence, geoheritage is
* A. Barakat
a.barakat@usms.ma
1
Team of Geotourism and Desertic Environments, Faculty
of Sciences, Mohammed-V University, P.O. Box 1014 RP,
Rabat, Morocco
2
Georessources and Environment Laboratory, Faculty
of Sciences and Techniques, Sultan My Slimane University,
P.O. Box 523, Beni Mellal, Morocco
3
Laboratory of Biology Engineering, Faculty of Sciences
and Techniques, Sultan My Slimane University,
P.O. Box 523, Beni Mellal, Morocco
4
Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Research in Sciences
and Technologies, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan My
Slimane University, P.O. Box 592, Beni Mellal, Morocco
5
Research Group of Landscapes Dynamic, Risks
and Patrimony, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences,
Sultan May Slimane University, P.O. Box 523, Beni Mellal,
Morocco
@Phil_Robichaud
@deepthiw
@JoseServera