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Pollution, 4(3): 381-394, Summer 2018 DOI: 10.22059/poll.2018.240018.302 Print ISSN: 2383-451X Online ISSN: 2383-4501 Web Page: https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir, Email: [email protected] Potential Assessment of Geomorphological Landforms of the Mountainous Highland Region, Haraz Watershed, Mazandaran, Iran, Using the Pralong Method Amiri, M. J*., Nohegar, A. and Bouzari, S. Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Received: 18.08.2017 Accepted: 31.01.2018 ABSTRACT: As the largest service industry in the world, tourism plays a special role in sustainable development. Geomorphic tourism is known to be a segment of this industry with lower environmental impact and underlying causes that explain lower demand; therefore, it is essential to study, identify, assess, plan, and manage natural tourist attractions. As such, the present study assesses the ability of geomorphological landforms of Haraz watershed, one of the major tourism areas of Iran. In this regard, the features of geomorphologic landforms, including Mount Damavand, the Damavand Icefall, Shahandasht Waterfall, Larijan Spa, and Deryouk Rock Waterfall in different parts of the Haraz watershed have been compared from the standpoint of geotourism features. To assess these landforms, geological maps, topographic and aerial photos, satellite imagery, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and data field have been used as research tools. Evaluation results demonstrate that the average of scientific values in these landforms’ catchment (with 0.76 points) has been greater than the average of other values. These high ratings show the landforms’ potentials to be informative to those examining them for the purpose of education as well as tourist attraction. Through proper planning and understanding of its both merits and demerits, this type of tourism can play an important role in national development and diversify regional economies. Keywords: Geomorphic Tourism, Geomorphological Landforms, Pralong method, Haraz watershed INTRODUCTION & Marrocu, 2014; Marrocu, Paci and Zara Tourism, being a type of development or 2015). As a matter of fact, tourism is one of “rite of passage”, is one of the most the largest income sources in the world, encouraged and enjoyable worldwide injecting a great amount of currency (from activities. Taking advantage of tourism’s many different countries) into worldwide potentials and capabilities along with the use circulation. Additionally, tourism creates of ecotourism can provide a dynamic and new job opportunities and provides many energetic foundation (Jalani, 2012 and valuable socio-cultural interactions (Sariisik, Mirsanjari et al., 2013), leading to economic et al., 2011). growth at both national (Brida & Pulina, Geomorphic tourism is a novel 2010; Figini & Vici, 2010; Lee & Chang, subdivision of tourism that has been 2008; Marrocu; Paci and Zara, 2015) and developed around the world (Ekinci, 2010). regional levels (Cortes-Jimenez, 2008; Paci Lately, geomorphic tourism (“geotourism” for short) has been defined as tourism that Corresponding author, Email: [email protected] accounts for or improves the geographical 381 Amiri, M. J et al. character of a place and can include the Today, geomorphosites, geomorphoheritage, environment, culture, aesthetics, and and geomorphic tourism are commonplace heritage. Especially, it focuses on concepts in many nations. The value of the landscape and geology (Newsome and geomorphosites has been introduced and Dowling 2010; Hose 2012; Newsome and defined both to communities and to scientists Johnson 2013). The term is regularly used from other fields in an inappropriate manner to refer to a particular form of nature-based (Ekinci, 2010), and attention to geotourism is tourism, mainly emphasizing geosystems developing worldwide (Dowling & (Newsome & Dowling, 2010; Gray, 2011 Newsome, 2010; Newsome & Dowling, and Newsome et al. 2012). 2010 and Dowling, 2011). According to the With respect to international standards, statistics, Iran is among top-five countries of geotourism specifically introduces geological the world in terms of biodiversity and natural and geomorphological phenomena to attractions (mountains, caves, forests, desert, tourists, while maintaining their local sea, etc.), yet when it comes to tourist identity. By preventing destruction of these attraction Iran is considered one of the lowest geological treasures at the hands of humans, rated countries (Mostofi, 2000). geotourism organizes observation of these Several studies have been conducted structures while simultaneously making them based on geomorphological landform meaningful. Additionally, it can provide the Pralong. Pereira et al. (2007) assessed the basis for development of a region (Ghorbani ability of tourist geomorphosites of et al., 2011). A type of especially interesting Montesinho Natural Park in Portugal. In this tourism that emphasizes morphological study, they nominated 154 sites, then to phenomena and landscapes of geomorphic select 26 sites as able to draw more tourists tourism, is sustainable tourism with a focus via investment in tourism sector. The highest on helping tourists experience landform score was 15/37 and the lowest score, 9/55, types in ways that promote out of a maximum of 20 points. The authors geomorphological and cultural apprehension, classified these sites into specific categories appreciation, and conservation, while being to set the value of each criterion (Pereira et locally advantageous (Dowling, 2008). al., 2007). Reynard et al. (2007) presented a The concept of geomorphological new method of geomorphosites assessment. heritage can refer to a collection of sites, Somehow similar to other techniques in this which is then referred to as a set of area of study, this method deals with the geomorphological sites, or “geomorphosites” scientific value and value-added features of for short (Panizza, 2001). In fact, the geomorphosites. Their research differed geomorphosites are geomorphologic systems from that of Pereira’s in that the former with a specific value based on how humans (Reynald) considered economic, ecological, understand them (Comanescu and Dobre, and aesthetic values as independent criteria, 2009). Such places may include one or more giving two main criteria (scientific and geomorphologic phenomena or an extensive cultural value) their own subindex. Finally, landscape that can be altered, damaged, or the potential geomorphosites were selected destroyed by human activities (Mokhtari, and introduced (ibid.). Yamani et al. 2010). Panizza and Piacente (2003) believe performed research on geomorphosites and that geomorphosites are important not only comparison methods of assessment (Pereira because of their “scientific value”, which is and Pralong) in order to describe and spur related to the knowledge of Earth’s history, tourism development in Hormozgan but also due to the fact that their value can be province. In Perevira’s method, the related to other potential fields and to geomorphologic and management criteria economic, ecological, or cultural values. were assessed, while the productivity criteria 382 Pollution, 4(3): 381-394, Summer 2018 and tourism were evaluated, using the the climatic point of view, this watershed is Pralong method. The results indicated that located in semi-steppe zone of the Iranian the grade zone of geomorphosites was and Turanian region. The ecological attributable to high scientific criterion and characteristics of the pastures inside the educational aspects. As a matter of fact, this study area include high mountainous areas, value influenced other parameters. upper slopes of mountain land, the middle- Generally, obtaining such a low grade could land mountain ranges, and land be attributed to a variety of factors. In this predominantly composed of mounds and case, the authors attributed it to difficulty in hills. From the viewpoint of geomorphology, accessing the site, lack of accommodations the watershed is based on the hills, which and facilities, lack of organization (especially include deposits of Tertiary and Caspian in connection with tourism), and so forth coastal plain, and are delineated by ancient (Yamani, Negahban and et al., 2012). Tethys seaway, the existence of which has The present study, however, tests a been caused by collision of Alborz potential assessment method for geomorphic lithosphere and Turan lithosphere during late tourism in a mountainous highland region by Triassic. The various natural attractions, means of vast geomorphological features and present in this area, has created the potentials tendencies at each geomorphological for its development into a strong tourist landform in two parts—scientific/educational draw. The mountainous highland region of and public tourism. Haraz watershed is one of the most important touristic areas in Iran, being rich in natural MATERIALS AND METHODS resources such as caves, springs, mineral Haraz watershed is located in Mazandaran bodies of water, glaciers, lakes and rivers, Province, north of Iran (Fig.1) and extends valleys, waterfalls, and numerous mountain from 51° 56' to 52° 36' longitude and 35° 45' peaks. For this reason, landforms of the to 36° 22' latitude, giving a total area of watershed are selected to evaluate its 2 about 2000 km . The minimum height of geomorphic tourism ability. Haraz watershed is 200 meters and the maximum height, about 5600 meters. From Fig. 1. Location of Haraz watershed in Iran 383 Amiri, M. J et al. This research aims at evaluating the such as rarity, educational