The concept of geomorphosites is relatively recent (PANIZZA, 2001), finding application in many European nations, but in Africa much research on geomorphological heritage has still to be done. The research group has started studying landscape units, geomorphology, geomorphosites and geological heritage in different North-African regions, with the aim of drawing thematic geomorphological maps. The choice of these arguments as main objectives of this research is determined by the absolute lack of specific researches on these topics in Morocco. Furthermore, the very interesting landscapes, very rich in geological and geomorphological sites, deserve to be better known, safeguarded and valorised. This research has allowed to realise the first example of Landscape and Geomorphosites Map in Morocco, compiled for the area of Ifrane and Azrou in the Middle Atlas (Central Morocco). This region is already inserted in the classical tourist routes that connect Fes and Meknès with the South of Morocco and this fact, together with its geological and geomorphological variety, has suggested its selection for this type of applied research. The research carried out by means of the analysis of airborne- and satellite images and direct field observations have brought to the recognition of 14 landscape units in which 42 geomorphosites have been selected. These geomorphosites comprise springs, karst landforms (polje, dolines, caves, sinkholes, stone forests, cryptokarstic dolines), carbonate depositional landforms (travertines and waterfalls), fluvial landforms (meanders, canyons, palaeo-valleys, etc.), structural landforms (triangular facets, hogbacks, cuestas, residual outcrops, etc.), volcanic landforms (volcanoes, caldeira, pyroclastic cones, lava tube) and two geo-botanical sites. The results of this research have been summarised in a geomorphological map, representing the various landscape units and the geomorphosites, and comprises a proposal for the valorisation of the geomorphological heritage by means of six itineraries. The Map, constructed upon a Landsat ETM+ image, is completed with some geological sketch maps and sections and several photographs of the geomorphosites with their scientific explanation.
Landscape Units, Geomorphosites and Geodiversity of the Ifrane-Azrou regione (Middle Atlas, Morocco
MELIS, MARIA TERESA;
2009-01-01
Abstract
The concept of geomorphosites is relatively recent (PANIZZA, 2001), finding application in many European nations, but in Africa much research on geomorphological heritage has still to be done. The research group has started studying landscape units, geomorphology, geomorphosites and geological heritage in different North-African regions, with the aim of drawing thematic geomorphological maps. The choice of these arguments as main objectives of this research is determined by the absolute lack of specific researches on these topics in Morocco. Furthermore, the very interesting landscapes, very rich in geological and geomorphological sites, deserve to be better known, safeguarded and valorised. This research has allowed to realise the first example of Landscape and Geomorphosites Map in Morocco, compiled for the area of Ifrane and Azrou in the Middle Atlas (Central Morocco). This region is already inserted in the classical tourist routes that connect Fes and Meknès with the South of Morocco and this fact, together with its geological and geomorphological variety, has suggested its selection for this type of applied research. The research carried out by means of the analysis of airborne- and satellite images and direct field observations have brought to the recognition of 14 landscape units in which 42 geomorphosites have been selected. These geomorphosites comprise springs, karst landforms (polje, dolines, caves, sinkholes, stone forests, cryptokarstic dolines), carbonate depositional landforms (travertines and waterfalls), fluvial landforms (meanders, canyons, palaeo-valleys, etc.), structural landforms (triangular facets, hogbacks, cuestas, residual outcrops, etc.), volcanic landforms (volcanoes, caldeira, pyroclastic cones, lava tube) and two geo-botanical sites. The results of this research have been summarised in a geomorphological map, representing the various landscape units and the geomorphosites, and comprises a proposal for the valorisation of the geomorphological heritage by means of six itineraries. The Map, constructed upon a Landsat ETM+ image, is completed with some geological sketch maps and sections and several photographs of the geomorphosites with their scientific explanation.
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