Fabien Hoblea

Current Research on Geomorphosites

Geomorphosites are landforms of special interest for society. Their recognition as such by increasingly larger sectors—including political, educational, tourism and nature conservation—is the result of a process of ‘heritage making’ in which different groups (Earth scientists, conservationists, tourism providers, etc.) are involved. The recognition of geological structures and geomorphological landforms as heritage, however, is relatively ancient (Reynard et al. 2011a), but over the last 20 years, or so, this view has been influenced by a renewed interest in Earth sciences sites led mainly by geoscientists. This new development necessitates conceptual and methodological improvements in various domains of the Earth sciences. In the field of Geomorphology, it is the Working Group on Geomorphosites created by the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG) at the 5th International Conference on Geomorphology held in Tokyo in 2001 that has acted as the principal arena for the development of a specific field of research on geomorphological heritage within the community of geomorphologists (for a review of the scientific production of the Working Group’s members, see Reynard and Coratza 2013). Research results have been published in various special issues of journals (e.g. in a volume of Il Quaternario (Piacente and Coratza, 2005) on geomorphosites and geodiversity; thematic issues on geomorphosite assessment in Geomorphologie (Reynard and Panizza, 2005) and Geographica Helvetica (Reynard and Coratza 2007); a volume on geomorphosites and culture in the Memorie Descrittive della Carta Geologica d’Italia (Coratza and Panizza, 2010); a second volume of Geomorphologie (Giusti, 2010); a special issue on geomorphosites and geotourism in Geoheritage (Reynard et al., 2011b); the Collection EDYTEM volume (Hoblea et al. 2013) on the management of geoheritage in protected areas; a second special issue of Geoheritage on digital technologies applied to geoheritage studies (Cayla et al., 2014); and a book on geomorphosites by Reynard et al (2009). Currently, the research on geomorphosites is developing in the following directions: 1. Methodological issues that were at the centre of the activities of the Working Group during the years 2001–2009 continue to remain an important research field, in particular concerning geoheritage assessment and inventories (Brilha 2015) and digital technologies applied to geoheritage management (Cayla 2014); 2. A focus on specific geomorphological contexts such as mountain environments (Reynard and Coratza 2015) and urban contexts (Pica 2014) aims at exploring the challenges concerning particular types of landforms; 3. Finally, the community of researchers working on geomorphological heritage is collaborating with others working on other fields of geoheritage studies, in particular geodiversity and geotourism research, and with other specialised fields of geomorphological research such as geoarchaeology, geohazards and process geomorphology. The Working Group on Geomorphosites organised a thematic session on geomorphosites during the 8th International Conference on Geomorphology held in Paris on August 27–31, 2013. Emmanuel Reynard (University of Lausanne), Paola Coratza (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia) and Dominique Sellier (University of Nantes) chaired the session that included 22 oral presentations and 34 posters covering three main topics (methodological issues—scale and assessment; characterisation and dissemination of geomorphological value; cultural and urban geomorphological heritage). This issue of Geoheritage presents seven papers from the Paris Conference session. The first two texts deal with methodological issues. Dominique Sellier proposes a method that can be used for the selection of sites used for the popularisation of geomorphological heritage in educational and tourist contexts. This methodology is divided in two stages: the first is a comprehensive geomorphological analysis that allows the definition of different geomorphotypes that are the basic geomorphological units representative of the regional geomorphology; the second stage comprises the selection of the geosites that should represent each geomorphotype and that can then be used for popularising the regional geomorphology. The proposed method is applied to Mont Ventoux in Southern France. The issue of the pre-selection of potential geomorphosites is also discussed in the paper by Emmanuel Reynard et al., which proposes an integrative approach for the selection and assessment of geomorphological heritage at the regional scale. The article not only extensively describes the various steps of the assessment method; it also discusses cartographic issues concerning the management of geomorphosites. The main improvement proposed by these two contributions to methodological debates concerning geomorphosite inventories is the focus on the pre-selection of potential geomorphosites, a process that was appeared almost as a ‘black box’ in numerous methods proposed previously. Two papers relate to integrative approaches aimed at inventorying geomorphological heritage at a regional scale in a context of geotourism development in the Czech Republic and in Malta, respectively. Lucie Kubalikova and Karel Kirchner carried out a geosite and geomorphosite inventory in the Vizovicka vrchovina region in the Eastern Czech Republic. Based on the assessment of various values (scientific, educational, economical and conservation values), six geosites were assessed using a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats). The assessment and the SWOT analysis serve as a basis for the geotourism promotion of the selected sites. In Malta, Paola Coratza et al. discuss the issues of linking natural and cultural heritage on sites considered worthy to be inserted into the World Heritage List. The paper shows the interest of bridging the cultural and natural values of the outstanding scenery of the Dwejra area in Gozo Island (Malta) and focuses on the threats the landforms are suffering and their geotourism potential. The three remaining papers are case studies focusing on specific contexts and approaches that are currently at the core of research on geomorphosites, as summarised above. The study by Irene Bollati et al. aims at measuring the evolution of active geomorphosites. Indeed, it is a specific requirement for geomorphological heritage, when compared to most other types of geoheritage, that this is taken into account when there are a large number of active sites, especially in mountainous contexts. Until now, the study of these sites has mainly focused on the evaluation of their quality; the use of process geomorphological approaches, as it is the example here using dendrogeomorphological methods, is an encouraging and significant development within geomorphosite studies, in particular on active geomorphological contexts such as coastal and mountain environments. The paper by Alessia Pica et al. proposes an original approach for the analysis of geomorphological heritage in urban contexts (in this case, Rome). This approach combines ‘classical’ geomorphological survey—in particular geomorphological mapping (for which specific labels for anthropogenic landforms had to be created)—with geohistorical approaches (diachronic analysis of historical maps), as well as geomorphosite assessment methods and the creation of geotourist itineraries. The final aim is to propose geomorphological interpretive tools that could be used by cultural guides. Finally, in line with the work presented in the special issue on the use of new digital technologies in geomorphosite studies (Cayla et al 2014), Barbara Aldighieri et al. propose a tool for the development of virtual tours within 3D digital environments. The tool—Openalp 3D—allows the visualisation of impressive mesoscale landforms and the preparation of virtual field trips and is tested within the Dolomites World Heritage Site. This selection of papers shows how research on geomorphosites continues to develop. After a first phase dedicated to methodological developments, particularly for the evaluation and the cartography of geomorphosites, the researchers explore new methods for the selection, monitoring and visualisation of geomorphosites, leading to new approaches specifically aimed at integration with other fields of research (culture, tourism, education) and new contexts, in particular urban and virtual environments.

Digital Tools for Managing and Promoting Karst Geosites in Southeast France

This article provides an overview of the various digital tools we have used and developed to study and promote a range of karst geosites. Our work focused on the very high heritage value endokarst sites (caves or karst networks) in France’s Ardèche département (Chauvet Cave, Aven d’Orgnac) and Chartreuse (Granier cave network), Vercors (Choranche Caves) and Bauges (Prérouge Cave) Regional Parks. These tools were developed using innovative, high-tech digital monitoring and 3D modelling technologies and combined laser scanners, digital cameras and sensors with specialised software. The resulting tools are now being used in the management and promotion of these sites, which are important territorial and heritage resources in areas where geotourism is increasing and being integrated into local planning strategies.

New Digital Technologies Applied to the Management of Geoheritage

During the last decade, the development of new digital technologies has strongly influenced the customs and practice of geoheritage and geotourism research. Digital tools, such as geoinformation, geovisualisation, digital monitoring and GIS systems have played an important role in the development of newmethods of assessment andmapping, as well as aiding the development of geosites for tourism and education. In September 2011, the University of Savoie and University of Lausanne co-organised an intensive course on the use of digital tools for geoheritage management activities (including geosite selection, geoheritage and geodiversity mapping, geotourism promotion and education about geoheritage) within the International Symposium on Geosite Management (ISGM) and under the auspices of the Working Group on Geomorphosites of the International Association of Geomorphologits (IAG) (Reynard and Coratza 2013). The course was held in the Chablais Geopark (Evian, France) and was financially supported by the HINT project (Heritage Interpretation through New Technologies) (Cayla 2012; Barton et al. 2014). This 2-year international project was funded by the European Leader programme and involved four partners: Geopark Shetland (Scotland), Chablais Geopark (France), North Pennines AONB (England) and Geopark de Hondsrug (The Netherlands). This special issue of the journal Geoheritage contains a selection of the papers presented during the symposium (including both on the intensive course and during the conference), as well as some additional papers dealing with this topic. The papers included focus on different digital technologies used for the assessment, monitoring and the promotion of geosites. Nathalie Cayla proposes a review of existing and emerging technologies for the depiction and interpretation of geosites. Three main topics in particular are analysed: Georeferencing and mapping of geoheritage, 3D digital imaging (including photogrammetry and laser scanning) and experiments in the promotion of geoheritage using augmented reality (a process which enriches discovery through digital media, or provides a virtual reality with which one can engage). The three following papers are case studies using new digital technologies applied to the management of geoheritage in specific geomorphological contexts. Luca Ghiraldi and colleagues present a comprehensive methodology for identifying, cataloguing, assessing, visualizing and promoting geoscientific data relevant to geological heritage, using geomatic tools, such as digital photogrammetry, GIS, GNSS, terrestrial laser scanner and web mapping. The case study was carried out in the Seguret Valley (Oulx, Turin Province) in the Italian Western Alps. This area was selected as it forms a part of the European “Cottian Alps Geopark project” which aims to develop a transboundary area between Italy and France. Fabien Hoblea and colleagues give an overview of various digital tools (including high-tech digital monitoring and 3Dmodelling technologies combining laser scanners, digital cameras and sensors) developed and used to study and promote a range of karst geosites. The paper focuses on the very high heritage value of endokarst sites (caves or karst networks) in the French Ardeche department (e.g. Chauvet Cave, Aven d’Orgnac), Chartreuse (e.g. Granier cave network), Vercors (e.g. Choranche Caves) and Bauges (e.g. Prerouge Cave) regional parks. High-alpine geomorphosites are a geoheritage which is extremely vulnerable to global warming. From the beginning of the 2000s, Ludovic Ravanel and colleagues have been N. Cayla (*) : F. Hoblea University of Savoie, Chambery, France e-mail: nathalie.cayla@univ-savoie.fr

The Specificities of Geomorphological Heritage

Abstract The geomorphological heritage embraces landforms and processes playing a key role in the understanding of the history of Earth and having a strict relationship with both the biological and the cultural heritage. Due to its specific characteristics – the aesthetic dimension, the dynamic dimension and the imbrication of scales – the geomorphological heritage is unique and distinctive within the geoheritage and has promoted great interest over time from a touristic viewpoint. Geomorphological heritage is more than ever in a position to become a significant sustainable territorial resource, enhanced through geotourism and environmental education. The specificities of geomorphological heritage induce particular methods of study and practices, adapted from classical geomorphology and borrowing from other related disciplines, essentially geographical. Thus, alongside cultural geomorphology and social geomorphology, a heritage geomorphology emerges, the main purposes of which are not only the characterization of the geomorphological heritage, but also methods of protection and management.

From tourism to geotourism: a few historical cases from the French Alpine foreland

Abstract This paper traces the touristic trajectories of three spectacular gorges located in the Alpine foreland and the southern Jura: the gorges of the upper Rhône (Ain/Haute-Savoie), the Sierroz (Savoie) and the Fier (Haute-Savoie). All three are located within a distance of 50 km from each other. The upper Rhône gorge, already famous at the end of the eighteenth century, was drowned under the floodwaters of the Génissiat dam in 1948; only a significant iconography remains of two centuries of (geo)tourism. The Sierroz gorge, close to the spa resort of Aix-les-Bains, became famous after the dramatic and tragic death in 1810 of a young noblewoman. Following that event many tourists staying on the shore of the lake Bourget visited the gorge until 1970 when it was closed to the public. Since then, the gorge has gradually become a touristic wasteland. The Fier gorge near Annecy became a tourist attraction in 1869 with the opening of the nearby railway station of Lovagny; since then, visitors have been attracted to it in increasing numbers. The history of these three gorges illustrates how tourism and heritage are in constant interaction; however, the development of the one will not always ensure the protection of the other. Today, geoheritage assessment is based upon criteria that are as objective as is possible. The intrinsic geological and geomorphological characteristics are the initial geoheritage values, to which can be added the cultural value elements. Associated with the development of geotourism and geoparks, this new approach should ensure a better and sustainable use of these sites in the long term.

In the Folds of the Earth: French Prealpine Geomorphological Landscapes

The French Prealps constitute the Western margin of the Alpine range. They are composed of about 20 distinct massifs. Their geomorphological landscapes are typical of sedimentary folded relief, but the combination of several physical and human factors introduces nuances and diversity between the Northern and Southern Prealps as well as between the Prealpine s.s. and Subalpine massifs. In 2012, the Prealps host the four French members of the European and Global Geoparks Network. One of them, the Bauges Massif Regional Nature Park, is taken as the example of archetypal subalpine folded and karstified relief, famous for its perched synclines, its caves, and its karst waters which supply the two largest natural lakes in France. At last, Mont Granier, in the Chartreuse Massif, is presented as one of the major geomorphosites of the Northern Prealps, which offers many scientific interests regarding the rock failure of 1248, karst development, and associated paleontological remains of cave bears.

InterGEO. A digital platform for university education on geomorphological heritage.

The project InterGEO was carried out with the objective to disseminate knowledge on geomorphological heritage by developing a digital learning platform. It aims at improving students’ autonomy by the reduction of face-to-face teaching and increasing autonomous learning as well as promoting international interactions between students interested in geomorphological heritage. A completely free-access virtual course on geomorphosites was developed with the Learning Management System Moodle. The course is divided into 24 thematic chapters, each of them containing a short description, a list of references and selected publications, as well as other educational material (videos, virtual fieldtrips, etc.). In particular, several videos allow presenting in a dynamic way concepts and examples. The paper presents the tool and its use in academic programmes in six European universities, where it was tested, in various contexts (Bachelors’ and Masters’ programmes; students in geography or geology; general courses in geomorphology and specific courses on geoheritage and geoconservation), before discussing the advantages and challenges the tool is facing. The InterGEO platform is an easy-to-use and friendly educational tool, which allows developing blended learning activities; it is flexible and adaptable in various learning contexts.