Nathalie Cayla

An Overview of New Technologies Applied to the Management of Geoheritage

In recent years, as in other spheres of activity, new technologies have gradually entered different phases of geoheritage management. The EDYTEM laboratory has led a technology watch and some experimentation, as part of a European LEADER programme, to better understand, test and develop the uses of these innovative practices in the field of geoheritage. This article presents a review of existing and emerging technologies in the depiction and interpretation of geosites. Three main topics are analysed in particular. First, the georeferencing and mapping of geoheritage, especially with recent developments in web mapping and mobile access to map data. Then, digital imaging (primarily 3D modelling based on techniques of photogrammetry), laser scanning or scan volume and also the real time observation of natural phenomena through a webcam. Finally, some experiments of interpretation of geoheritage using augmented reality, a process which enriches discovery through digital media, or virtual reality technologies that create a virtual universe with which one can engage. This paper shows that the diversity of practices, tools and experiences meets some basic needs: geolocation, geovisualisation, interpretation and understanding of the geosites. Finally, a discussion of the innovations inherent in the development of these practices, their interests and scopes allows us to put them into perspective with respect to their efficiency, reliability and appropriation by different users.

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

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.

Digital Geovisualisation Technologies Applied to Geoheritage Management

Abstract During recent years, a lot of projects using new technologies have been developed in the field of geoheritage. This chapter aims to present how digital technologies can be used for geoconservation and interpretation. While large amounts of digital data (visual, dimensional, locational or environmental) can be recorded to monitor heritage, the emergence of virtual visualisation has been experiencing the greatest development in recent years. Cutting-edge geovisualisation using high-resolution images or 3D representation techniques allows the acquisition of accurate digital models. These virtual models of natural environment can be used to prevent natural hazards in touristic geosites, such as rockfalls in Yosemite National Park, to keep a digital archive of vulnerable sites as in the Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka, to produce cave replicas as for the Chauvet cave in France, or to augment reality for geotourists as in the project GeoGuide. Beyond the quality of virtual models produced, many questions remain concerning production costs, data reliability and longevity, user’s engagement and the ‘sense of place’ of virtual geoheritage.

Volcanic Geotourism in France

France, land of volcanoes! Hard to imagine? Yet metropolitan France and its overseas territories offer traces of various volcanic episodes that have occurred for more than two billion years. More or less spectacular and until a few years ago often travelled only by specialists, many volcanic geotopes are now the subject of tourism development for the wider public.

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.