Current Trends and Future Directions for Geoheritage Assessment Methodology in Morocco

Introduction

Since the late 1990s, there has been growing interest worldwide in the study of geoheritage sites. Geoheritage sites are objects belonging to abiotic nature, associated with the concept of geodiversity (Gray et al 2013; Hobléa et al. 2017; Bétard et al. 2018; Brilha et al. 2018), and are an integral part of natural heritage. These geoheritage sites have been broadly defined by scientists and international organizations, most notably UNESCO, which considers them to be "all natural geological sites possessing, considerable value to humans including their scientific, educational, aesthetic, cultural significance and humanity's sense of belonging" (Kubalíková 2013). Geoheritage can be defined as geological facts of global, national or local importance, and geological sites that represent phenomena (volcanism, magmatic segregation, metamorphism, weathering, sedimentation, etc.) and/or bear witness to the Earth's history (paleontology, global tectonics, climate, sea level, etc.).

The first proposals of quantitative methodologies for assessing geosites date back to the early 1990s (Grandgirard 1997; Panizza 2001; Bruschi and Cendrero 2005; Reynard and Panizza 2005; Pralong 2006; Pereira and Pereira 2007; Reynard et al. 2007). These initiatives aimed to demonstrate the importance of geoheritage for science and society, and specialists (geographers, geomorphologists, and geologists) took steps to develop scientific methods for the enhancement of these geoheritage sites through a precise popularization process (Cayla 2009; Sellier 2009). Diagnostic and landscape mediation tools were proposed to enhance geomorphosites and make them known to the general public. Mediation targets different categories: specialists, geographers, geologists, geomorphologists, non-specialists, tourists, residents, land managers, etc. Surveys are one of the most interesting tools in landscape mediation in helping to guide measures for the protection and enhancement of geomorphological heritage by bringing together all the players who benefit from and exploit these major elements of nature (Martin 2013).

In Western countries, geoheritage (geosites or geomorphosites) inventory work has been carried out, along with actions and programs to enhance them (Hobléa et al. 2017) based on scientific methodologies (Fontana 2008; Kubalíková 2013). Other research has been devoted to geoheritage mapping using different cartographic representation methods: geomorphological maps, thematic maps of scientific and additional values, and geotourism maps (Reynard and Lambiel 2015, Fox et al. 2022). Geotourism tours have also been proposed, as a means of enhancing geoheritage, for example, the Danube Gorge guide in Romania (Iosif 2014). Finally, there is research dealing with the perception of local stakeholders towards geoheritage.

In the countries of the greater Maghreb and Africa, on the other hand, interest in geoheritage is relatively absent, and no State inventory initiatives have been carried out to date, despite their often remarkable and unique geological and geomorphological wealth. However, initiatives are beginning in some countries as part of university research groups on geoheritage (Errami et al. 2013, 2015a). The African Association of Women in Geosciences (AAWG), for example, has developed an "African Geoparks Network (AGN)" project, which has organized, in collaboration with other partners, several activities to promote geoheritage and the geoparks concept in sub-Saharan Africa (Errami et al. 2009, 2013, 2015a).

Morocco, situated between the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean to the north, is known for the diversity of its landforms, alternating Saharan reliefs, high Atlas Mountains, high plateaus, and vast plains drained by water basins and river systems, fostering an important ecological and agricultural life. However, despite the enormous importance of its geodiversity, Morocco has not yet made its protection a priority in its heritage policies (El Hamidy et al. 2024a, Errami et al. 2024). The absence of specific legislation leaves emblematic sites, including world-renowned dinosaur tracks and ancient rock engravings, vulnerable to degradation and exploitation. The absence of a national strategy for cataloging and preserving geoheritage exacerbates this problem, jeopardizing invaluable scientific and cultural resources. Urgent action is needed to implement comprehensive protection measures and raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding Morocco's geodiversity for future generations (El Hamidy et al. 2024c).

On the other hand, national and regional recognition of the importance of geoheritage is growing, notably with the establishment of the M'Goun Geopark in 2004, located in the Béni Mellal Khénifra region. It was the first geopark in the Maghreb to be designated by UNESCO in 2014 and approved in 2018, confirming the remarkable geodiversity represented by the central High Atlas in which the geopark is located.

In parallel with this regional dynamic around geoheritage, several university initiatives have led to the production of a series of geological guides covering the whole of Morocco, and other initiatives led by geologists and geographers with the inventory and evaluation of around 100 geosites as part of research groups associated with universities (Fig. 1, 2; Table 1). There is growing interested in the inventory, protection, and enhancement of these geoheritage sites, in line with Morocco's new ambition to become one of the world's 20 top tourist destinations, according to the 2020 tourism development strategy. This focuses on diversifying the tourism offer, in particular by exploiting and enhancing natural, cultural, and human assets.

Table 1. Publications related to geoheritage in Morocco

Figure 1. Map illustrating the geographic distribution of studies related to geoheritage across Morocco from 2008 to 2022.

Figure 2. Examples of geoheritage sites: A) Jbel Irhoud Geosite, the Cradle of Humanity,Youssoufia Province (El Hamidy et al. 2024b); B) Source of Ain Sebou in BouIblane (Baadi et al. 2020); (C) Issafen’s flatirons in SW of the Issafen city (Berred et al. 2019b); D) Ras El Oued cave in the Northern Middle Atlas (Baadi et al. 2021a); E) Giant trilobite specimens from the locality of Ouled Slimane (Zagora) (Beraaouz et al. 2019), Examples of one of the landscape paintings performed by the Belgian artist Jean Verame in granitic landforms near Tafraoute, known as the “Roches Peintes”(Druguet et al. 2015).

The main objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of geoheritage and geosite evaluations in Morocco. By synthesizing the relevant literature, the study aims to elucidate the main methodological approaches employed in the evaluation of geoheritage sites in the Moroccan context. In addition, it seeks to identify gaps and challenges in existing methodologies, paving the way for future research directions and the development of more objective and universally applicable evaluation criteria.

Materials and Methods

Geoconservation cannot be successful without the development of a geosite inventory and assessment as a first step. Several methodologies have been proposed (Grandgirard 1995, 1996, 1999; Cendrero 1996; Wimbledon 1995, 1996; Alexandrowicz and Kozlowski 1999; Panizza 2001; Bruschi and Cendrero, 2005; Coratza and Giusti 2005; Pralong, 2005; Pralong and Reynard 2005; Zouros 2007; De Wever et al. 2006; Pereira et al. 2007; Reynard et al. 2007, 2016; Panizza and Piacente 2008; Bruschi and Cendrero 2009; García-Cortés and Carcavilla 2009; Erhartič 2010; Fuertes-Gutiérrez  &  Fernández-Martínez 2010; Lima et al. 2010; Pereira and Pereira 2010; Ruban 2010; Pereira et al. 2010; Bâca & Schuster 2011; Poirier and Daigneault 2011; Bruschi et al. 2011; Feuillet and Sourp 2011; Vujičić et al. 2011; Wimbledon et al. 2011; Bollati et al. 2012, 2013, 2016; Fassoulas et al. 2012; Doktor et al. 2015; Brilha 2016, 2018; Sellier 2016).

These proposals for quantifying elements of geodiversity attempt to establish criteria for assessment and to define priorities for site conservation and enhancement. Researchers have attempted to minimize, if not eliminate, the subjectivity inherent in quantifying elements of geodiversity. Most methodologies present a set of values that are subdivided into a set of criteria to be scored and assessed through a formula that enables geosites to be compared.

In our study, we carry out a literature review to provide a framework for future research efforts through a comprehensive review of the literature, data and subsequent evaluation. There are three phases: (1) an exhaustive search, (2) a selection of relevant publications related to Morocco, and (3) a review and analysis of the selected literature (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. Methodology adopted for the study.

We used three online scientific literature databases: Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar, searching articles, conference papers, editorials, commentaries, and book chapters. These three databases were chosen to guarantee the quality of the literature selected. The keywords used for the search were (ALL = ("Inventory" OR "Geosites" OR "Geomorphosite" OR "Geoheritage assessment" OR "Geosite assessment" OR "Geoconservation" OR "Geotourism" OR "Geoeducation")), examining the title, abstract, and keywords of each. The literature identified was then fed into the second phase of the study, in which we extracted information on the inventory and assessment of Moroccan geoheritage sites.

Figure 4. Type of sites.

Figure 5. Methodologies used in Moroccan papers.

Results

We identified 84 relevant documents published since 2008(Table. 1). In these, different authors have tried to inventory and present geosites and areas with geological heritage, where 50 papers (59.5%) focus on geosites, 18 (21.5%) on geomorphosites, and 16 (19%) on both (Fig. 4).

In the papers, different approaches are used to identify geosites and evaluate them: 55 (65.5%) used the descriptive method, 16 (19%) used the Reynard et al. (2016) method, 6 (7.5%) used the Brilha (2016) method, and 7 (8%) proposed new approaches (Fig. 5). These results suggest that the literature in general is insufficient as most use only the descriptive method.

Figure 6. The focus of Moroccan paper.

In further detail, 24 (28.5%) of the papers focused on inventory, 29 (34.5%) on presentation of a geosite or an area containing geological and/or geomorphological heritage, 28 (33.4%) on inventory and quantitative assessment, and only 3 (3.6%) presented a geosite with a quantitative assessment (Fig. 6).

Figure 7. Trends in the assessment method used in publications from 2008 to 2022.

We identify two distinct periods in the study of Moroccan geoheritage: the introductory phases (2008–2015) and the growth phase (2016–2022) (Fig. 7).

·         During the introductory phases, there was limited growth in publications focusing on Morocco's geological heritage. The authors relied mainly on descriptive methods to describe aspects of the geological inventory and the presentation of specific regions of the country.

·         In contrast, the growth phase saw a remarkable increase in scientific output, indicating growing interest and commitment within the Moroccan scientific community. Researchers employed a range of methodological approaches to quantify, assess, and manage geosites and geomorphosites, including those of Reynard et al. (2016) and Brilha (2016). In addition, some new methods adapted to the inventory and assessment of Moroccan geosites and geomorphosites were proposed (Ait Omar et al. 2019: Baadi et al. 2020; Ech-charay et al. 2022).

Discussion

Geoheritage assessments based on qualitative methods in Morocco range from very general studies, such as the inventory of geosites in a given area, to detailed studies, such as the presentation of a single geosite or geomorphosite. In Morocco, two quantitative methodologies are commonly employed:

·         Brilha (2016): the method evaluates geoheritage according to four criteria: scientific value, educational value, tourist value, and risk of degradation. Each criterion is divided into sub-indices (from 5 to 13), and the scores are then added together. The maximum possible score is 400 points.

·         Reynard et al. (2016): the procedure includes four steps. First, a comprehensive description of the site under consideration is provided, detailing its geological and geomorphological features. Second, the assessment examines the intrinsic value of the site, considering its scientific significance alongside additional values such as cultural, ecological, and aesthetic attributes. Third is documentation of the current use and management status of the site, including evaluation of the site's protection measures, ownership, existing damage, and potential threats. Fourth is synthesis of the collected data and observations to provide a comprehensive overview of the site's characteristics and suitability for various purposes, such as conservation, tourism, and education.

The methodologies proposed by Ait Omar et al. (2019), Baadi et al. (2020), and Ech-charay et al. (2022) are built upon previously established evaluation criteria, combined to enable their application to various types of sites to provide a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of a geomorphosite or geosite's value in Morocco.

For the geoheritage inventory of a large area with many geosites, the presentation of the results of the assessment (tables, graphs, thematic map...) is an important step in securing and supporting the next steps in the geoconservation strategy, as it helps managers to prioritize protection and management. It is recommended that sites with a high potential for a particular type of use and a high risk of degradation be given higher priority in management and planning. However, it should be noted that such a presentation is not necessary for the assessment of a single geosite.

The results of the quantitative assessment of geoheritage sites constitute an invaluable tool for the effective management of these sites, which is a fundamental aspect of any action plan for geoconservation (Prosser et al. 2018) and geotourism development (Newsome and Dowling 2018).

In general, inventories are based on the researcher's perspective, retaining only those geosites that the researcher is aware of or has previously visited, while other geosites that have scientific value are ignored, which means they will also be ignored during the legal protection process. The inventory must be systematic and include all geosites within the region.

It is essential to recognise the lack of clarity surrounding the application of geoconservation strategies, particularly in the context of geosite evaluation methodologies. This lack of clarity could potentially lead to the unintentional exclusion of important sites or the inclusion of less significant sites. Awareness-raising and training can help to address this issue and ensure more effective conservation efforts.

Conclusion

Morocco is home to a multitude of areas that are of significant scientific, cultural, touristic, and educational value. However, the development of these sites has been constrained by the lack of adequate identification and documentation. Consequently, a significant proportion of the population is unaware of the aesthetic, cultural, geological, and economic importance of these sites. Recognizing and understanding the diversity of these sites is crucial. Comprehensive studies aimed at identifying and documenting these sites in Morocco are essential to provide detailed insights into the significance of geoheritage sites, thereby empowering local communities and government officials at both the state and central levels to manage them effectively and responsibly. By gaining insights into the value and potential uses of these sites, stakeholders can make informed decisions regarding conservation, tourism development, and educational initiatives. Ultimately, effective management and promotion of these sites will not only preserve Morocco's rich heritage but also contribute to local economies and promote cultural appreciation and awareness.

The study of geoheritage is an important field of geographical and geological research in environmental protection. Preserving the natural creations of the past is the key to preserving the present for the future. Researchers are currently at the scientific research stage, as no general methodology for evaluating geoheritage sites has yet developed.

The diversity of methods for evaluating geoheritage sites is due to the particularities of their structure and conditions of formation in different parts of the world. There are three groups of assessment methods for geoheritage sites: qualitative, quantitative, and quantitative-qualitative. Qualitative evaluation methods consist of a general scientific description and justification of the objects in terms of their conformity with the criteria for belonging to the geological heritage. These methods are not precise, as they rely mainly on the subjective opinion of the researcher. Quantitative assessment involves defining clear criteria, classifying them, and assigning them a corresponding weight. These methods are more reasonable, but they do not exclude the subjective evaluation factor.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interest

Acknowledgments

We greatly thank the Editor Prof. Michael Benton and anonymous reviewers for the useful comments, suggestions, and remarks to improve the manuscript

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