Mem. Descr. Carta Geol. d’It. LXXXVII (2009), pp. 63-76 figg. 7 - tabb. 2

Landscape units, Geomorphosites and Geodiversity of the - region (, ) Unità di paesaggio, Geomorfositi e Geodiversità della regione Ifrane-Azrou (Medio Atlante, Marocco)

DE WAELE J. (*), DI GREGORIO F. (**), MELIS M.T. (**), EL WARTITI M. (***)

ABSTRACT – The concept of geomorphosites is relatively re- KEY WORDS: Geomorphosites, Karst, Geotourism, Map- cent (PANIZZA, 2001), finding application in many European ping, Middle Atlas, Morocco. nations, but in much research on geomorphological her- itage has still to be done. The research group has started study- RIASSUNTO – Il concetto di geomorfosito è relativamente re- ing landscape units, geomorphology, geomorphosites and cente (PANIZZA, 2001) ed ha trovato applicazione in molti geological heritage in different North-African regions, with the paesi europei, ma quasi tutto resta da fare sulla ricerca sui aim of drawing thematic geomorphological maps. The choice geomorfositi nel continente africano. Il Gruppo di Ricerca ha of these arguments as main objectives of this research is de- iniziato a studiare le unità di paesaggio, la geomorfologia, i termined by the absolute lack of specific researches on these geomorfositi e il patrimonio geologico in alcune regioni del topics in Morocco. Furthermore, the very interesting land- Nord Africa, con lo scopo di redigere delle Carte Geomor- scapes, very rich in geological and geomorphological sites, de- fologiche tematiche. La scelta di questi argomenti come prin- serve to be better known, safeguarded and valorised. This cipali obiettivi delle ricerche fu determinata dalla quasi research has allowed to realise the first example of Landscape completa assenza di tali studi in Marocco. Inoltre, i paesaggi and Geomorphosites Map in Morocco, compiled for the area molto interessanti, in cui abbondano siti di interesse sia geo- of Ifrane and Azrou in the Middle Atlas (Central Morocco). logico sia geomorfologico, meritano di essere meglio cono- This region is already inserted in the classical tourist routes that sciuti, salvaguardati e valorizzati. Questa ricerca ha consentito connect Fes and Meknès with the South of Morocco and this di realizzare il primo esempio di Carta dei Paesaggi e dei fact, together with its geological and geomorphological variety, Geomorfositi per il Marocco, comprendendo l’area di Ifrane has suggested its selection for this type of applied research. The ed Azrou nel Medio Atlante (Marocco centrale). research carried out by means of the analysis of airborne- and Questa regione si trova attualmente già inserita in uno dei satellite images and direct field observations have brought to the classici itinerari che collegano le città imperiali di Fès e Mek- recognition of 14 landscape units in which 42 geomorphosites nès con il Sud del Marocco. È proprio questa sua caratteri- have been selected. These geomorphosites comprise springs, karst stica, insieme all’abbondanza di siti di interesse geologico e landforms (polje, dolines, caves, sinkholes, stone forests, cryp- geomorfologico, ad averne determinato la selezione per que- tokarstic dolines), carbonate depositional landforms (travertines sto tipo di ricerca applicata. and waterfalls), fluvial landforms (meanders, canyons, palaeo-val- La ricerca, svolta attraverso l’uso di immagini aeree e satelli- leys, etc.), structural landforms (triangular facets, hogbacks, cues- tari ed alcune campagne geologiche sul terreno, ha portato al- tas, residual outcrops, etc.), volcanic landforms (volcanoes, l’individuazione di 14 unità di paesaggio in cui 42 caldeira, pyroclastic cones, lava tube) and two geo-botanical sites. geomorfositi sono stati descritti e catalogati. Questi siti com- The results of this research have been summarised in a geomor- prendono sorgenti, morfologie carsiche (polje, doline, in- phological map, representing the various landscape units and the ghiottitoi, paesaggi ruiniformi, doline criptocarsiche), geomorphosites, and comprises a proposal for the valorisation of morfologie carbonatiche di deposizione (travertini e cascate), the geomorphological heritage by means of six itineraries. The forme fluviali (meandri, gole, paleovalli, ecc.), forme strut- Map, constructed upon a Landsat ETM+ image, is completed turali (facette triangolari, hogbacks, cuestas, forme residuali, with some geological sketch maps and sections and several pho- ecc.), forme vulcaniche (coni vulcanici, caldeira, coni piro- tographs of the geomorphosites with their scientific explanation. clastici, grotte di lava) e due località di interesse geobotanico.

(*) Istituto Italiano di Speleologia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geologico-Ambientali, Via Zamboni 67, 40126 Bologna - E-mail: [email protected] (**) Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Via Trentino 51, 09127 Cagliari - E-mail: [email protected] (***) Département des Sciences de la Terre, Faculté des Sciences, Université Mohammed V Rabat, Avenue Ibn Battouta, B.P. 1014 Rabat (Marocco) - E-mail: [email protected] 64 DE WAELE J. - DI GREGORIO F. - MELIS M.T. - EL WARTITI M.

I risultati di questa ricerca sono stati riassunti in una Carta entific communities. The extraordinary geological geomorfologica che rappresenta le varie unità di paesaggio ed succession, characterised by rocks of all sorts of i geomorfositi, e comprende una proposta di valorizzazione di questo patrimonio geomorfologico attraverso sei itinerari types (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) dat- tematici. La Carta ha come base un’immagine Landsat ing from Precambrian up to Holocene, spread over ETM+, ed è completata da alcuni schemi geologici e diverse a latitude range of 22-36° North and altitudes from fotografie dei geomorfositi con loro spiegazione scientifica. sea level up to 4165 m a.s.l. at Mount Toubkal, have lead to a very rich geomorphological and geological PAROLE CHIAVE: Geomorfositi, Carsismo, Geoturismo, Car- tografia, Medio Atlante, Marocco. landscape and a very high degree in geodiversity. For this reason our research team has decided to start a scientific campaign on the Geomorphosites and the Geodiversity of Morocco choosing as a first test 1. – INTRODUCTION site the Middle Atlas of Ifrane-Azrou (EL WARTITI et alii, 2008; DE WAELE & MELIS, 2009) (fig. 1). This re- Geoconservation and Geological Heritage are search has been carried out by the Laboratories of En- well-known in Europe since the first debates held vironmental Geology and of Remote Sensing in the late 80’s and especially since the birth in (TeleGis) of the Department of Earth Sciences 1993 of ProGEO (European Association for the (Cagliari University - Italy) in collaboration with the Conservation of the Geological Heritage) from Laboratory of Applied Geology of the Science Fac- the previously instituted European Working ulty of the University Mohammed V-Agdal of Rabat Group for Earth Science Conservation. The Eu- (Morocco). This Project has benefited of the financial ropean Project GEOSITES, promoted by the In- aid of the Sardinian Government (Regional ternational Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) Law 19/1996, cooperation with developing countries). has induced many European countries and regions to evaluate their geological heritage (AA.VV., 1998; WIMBLEDON et alii, 1995). 2. – GEOGRAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL Also the term Geomorphological heritage or SETTING Geomorphological asset, even though much less common in scientific literature, has also been used The Middle Atlas is a SW-NE elongated moun- since about ten years (BARCA & DI GREGORIO, tainous chain located between the Atlantic Mo- 1999; CARTON et alii, 1994; PANIZZA & PIACENTE, rocco to the West and the Moulouya plains to the 1993), while the term “Geomorphosite” has been East and forming a physical barrier that separates coined only recently as “a landform with attributes the Atlantic regions from the eastern parts of Mo- which qualify it as a component of the cultural rocco. Towards the South it is bordered by the high heritage” (PANIZZA, 2001; PANIZZA & PIACENTE, mountain ranges of the High Atlas, while to the 2003). In practice, however, many previously de- scribed Geosites can often also be defined as Ge- ological Monuments or Geomorphosites. The whole of this cultural geological revolution has lead to the introduction of the term “Geodi- versity” defined as “the range (or diversity) of ge- ological (bedrock), geomorphological (landform) and soil features, assemblages, systems and processes” (GRAY, 2003; SHARPLES, 1995). Geoconservation, Geological Heritage, Geosites, Geomorphosites and Geodiversity, however, are terms that are not yet properly developed in the African con- tinent, although the first attempts are starting to obtain some preliminary results especially in South Africa (REIMOLD, 1999) and much more recently in some North African countries (DE WAELE et alii, 2005a; DE WAELE et alii, 2005b; OUANAIMI et alii, 2005). One of the most interesting North-African coun- tries from this point of view is Morocco, a country with a very rich geology, studied by several genera- tions of earth scientists and recognised as one of the most interesting geological regions of the Mediter- Fig 1 – Geographical location of the study area. ranean area by most of the modern geological sci- – Ubicazione dell’area di studio. LANDSCAPE UNITS, GEOMORPHOSITES AND GEODIVERSITY OF THE IFRANE AZROU REGION 65

North it passes to the Saïss plain and the roads used by foreign visitors to go from North to mountains. From a morphological point of view South Morocco. Furthermore, the area is already the Middle Atlas can be subdivided in two main well-known for its Cedar forests and ski stations sectors: the northern and western parts are called close to the tourist resort of Ifrane. the Middle Atlas Causses, while in the South and Climate is of Mediterranean type and is charac- Southwest the “Atlas Moyen Plissé” (or Folded Mid- terised by rainy winters and springs and a long period dle Atlas) is located. of drought with intense precipitation during late The Middle Atlas Causses are characterised by a summer storms. Mean annual rainfall exceeds 900 series of high plains at altitudes ranging from 1800 mm (from 655 mm at – 1050 m a.s.l., over m a.s.l. North of Oum Er Rbia to little over 1000 827 mm at Azrou – 1250 m a.s.l. up to 1122 mm at close to El Hajeb, more or less cut by valleys. In the Ifrane at 1635 m a.s.l.) and mean annual temperature Folded Middle Atlas the landscape is controlled by is about 12 °C with very great differences between more or less broad synclines bordered by narrow winter and summer (Ifrane: -4 - 30 °C, El Hajeb: 3- ridges that can reach altitudes of more than 2000 32 °C). Snow is present above 1500 meters of alti- meters, with a maximum of 2794 at Jbel Tichoukt. tude during winter giving sometimes possibility of The study area is almost entirely located in the Mid- skiing (stations of Mischliffen and Jbel Hebri). dle Atlas Causses and comprises the villages of From a geological viewpoint the outcropping Ifrane, El Hajeb, , and Azrou. rocks are of metamorphic, sedimentary and vol- This area is located not far South of the impe- canic origin and cover a lapse of time ranging from rial cities of Fès and Meknès and covers a surface Silurian to Holocene (MARTIN, 1981; MICHARD, of more than 3500 square km. It is crossed by the 1976; PIQUÉ, 1994) (fig. 2). The oldest rocks of the national roads P21 connecting Meknès to area crop out in a vast territory West of the na- and Ar-Rachidia and the P24 that links Fès to Beni tional road P21 between El Hajeb and Azrou in an Mellal and Marrakech and is thus one of the cross- erosion window. This interesting and scenographic

Fig. 2 – Geological sketch map of the study area (modified from MARTIN J., 1981). – Carta geologica semplificata dell’area di studio (modificata da MARTIN J., 1981). 66 DE WAELE J. - DI GREGORIO F. - MELIS M.T. - EL WARTITI M. panorama on Palaeozoic rocks can be observed CANTAGREL, 1984; HARMAND & MOUKADIRI, from the well-known Balcon d’Ito, one of the fa- 1986). K-Ar Age of these basalts ranges between mous tourist stops of this part of Morocco. The 0.6 and 1.8 Ma (EL AZZAB & EL WARTITI, 1998), Palaeozoic sequences are characterised by an al- but the fresh landforms suggest an even younger ternation of soft (shales and phyllites) and hard age for some of these volcanoes. rocks (marbles, sandstones and quartzites) inten- sively folded in typical Variscan NE-SW directions and ranging in age from Ordovician to Lower Per- 3. – GEOMORPHOLOGY mian. The structural control is clearly visible in the landscape with sharp and long rectilinear ridges The overall geomorphology of the Middle and a subdendritic drainage pattern with valleys Atlas Causses is the product of a combination of mainly directed NE-SW (AA.VV., 1975). mostly inherited and some active landforms. The first sediments deposited upon this base- The topography of the summits of the Causses ment complex are Triassic sandstones and red designates an important palaeo-surface (denuda- clays followed by weathered doleritic basalts that tion plain) that has been dated back to Eocene. can be traced along the entire western margin of This testifies a long period of tectonic stability, the Causses (PIQUÉ & LAVILLE, 1993). These out- with the Eocene sea submerging most of the crops, clearly recognisable by their colours, from Mesozoic carbonates. Subsequently tectonic activ- the reddish of the clays to the dark brownish of ity reactivated during Oligocene and dislocated the the volcanic rocks, have been eroded by surface different plateaus of the Causses. Another period drainage forming a concave and gentle slope to- of tectonic stability occurred during Middle wards the underlying Palaeozoic rocks (MARTIN, Miocene producing another denudation plain that 1981). But the most important rock types that did however leave the higher summits and the characterise more than 50 % of the study area are Eocene palaeo-surface in place (MARTIN, 1981). the Jurassic carbonate rocks of the Causses. These During this continental period karst corrosion are composed of dolostones, calcareous dolo- processes begin to play an important role. stones and limestones that have been deposited in During Late Miocene-Pliocene erosion processes a more or less shallow sea from Sinemurian up to start building up the present landscapes, with the slow Bathonian (COLO, 1964; MARTIN, 1981). The en- uplift of the Causses and the formation of the North- tire series is easily distinguishable in two major fa- ern and Western tectonic escarpments: the first clearly cies: a lower dolomitic one easily recognisable for divides the Saïss plain and Rif from the Middle Atlas its greyish colour and ruin-like morphologies, and Causses while the second separates the Causses from an upper facies where limestone is predominant. the Palaeozoic outcrops (BEAUDET & MARTIN, 1967). Towards the end of the Middle Jurassic the The presence of important deposits of travertines in whole area emerged from the sea giving rise to a the Saïss plain and along the north-western border long and intense erosion period that lasted from of the Causses testifies important karst corrosion of Upper Jurassic until part of Lower Cretaceous. the Liassic dolo- and limestones during this period. The first post-Jurassic sediments are composed of Erosion processes accelerate with the rapid incision red marls and clays with conglomerate intercala- of the Oued Sebou gorge on the Pliocene-Quater- tions attributed with some doubts to the Ceno- nary boundary leading to the final shaping of the manian. These sediments crop out on the border present landforms and landscapes. of the large syncline of Bekrite-Timahdite. These During Quaternary this landscape is disrupted are followed by pure and marly limestones of by volcanic activity that give rise to several edifices Upper Cretaceous, followed by a thick sequence of and lava flows. The volcanic landforms appear sandstones, gypsum and claystones of Palaeocene very fresh and unaltered, especially on the Azrou and ending with the fossiliferous limestones of plain, and comprise lava flows (pahoehoe lava), Eocene age that form a platform and cliffs near the lava tubes, hornitos, spatter cones, caldera, explo- village of Timahdite (RAHHALI, 1970). sion craters etc. The fact that these lava flows The sedimentary sequence of the study area cover a karst topography has led to a convergence ends with the lacustrine limestones, sands and con- of forms with big collapse cryptokarstic dolines glomerates of Plio-Quaternary age that have infilled sometimes due to the presence of underlying lava the Saïss plain and travertines that locally crop out tubes, but generally related to the collapse in depth of along the border of the Causses (e.g. El Hajeb). karst tunnels in limestones of Lias (MARTIN, 1981). During Pleistocene also an important alkaline The present landscape of the Causses is dis- volcanic phase has taken place leaving over 400 seminated with more or less active karst land- square km of basalts with beautiful cones and forms, mainly present on the dolo- and limestone calderas on the plateau d’Azrou (HARMAND & outcrops at different altitudes, but minor forms LANDSCAPE UNITS, GEOMORPHOSITES AND GEODIVERSITY OF THE IFRANE AZROU REGION 67 have also been observed in the Palaeozoic marbles deposition of travertines and alluvial sediments of the Tizra hogback. Many of the bigger land- during periods with diminished flow rate and forms, such as poljes, macrodolines and uvalas, are higher temperatures. Now these valleys are mostly related to the intense karst phases of Mio-Pliocene dry, except from the ones fed by springs (e.g. and are now almost completely inactive. They are Oum-Er-Rbia) and are the relict of the drainage generally located in structurally favourable areas network of the pluvial periods. such as intersection of faults or synclines. Some Present morphodynamics is mainly correlated of these (Dayet Ifrah, Aguelmam Azigza etc.) still to karst denudation processes, weathering of the contain temporary lakes but lack springs and alkaline basalts and slope dynamics (especially on ponors. Their base level, very close to the aquifer, soft rock-types, e.g. Triassic marls and altered do- is slowly filling up with sediments and corrosion lerites), enhanced by heavy sheep-breeding activi- is no more active on their bottoms and their flanks. ties, with formation of badlands, gullies, creep and The very large macrodolines such as Moutfer- solifluction phenomena etc. raoun (1.5 km wide and 110 m deep) and Trou de la Panthère are big collapse structures in the Lower Lias dolostones that do not appear to be related to 4. – METHODS faults. Their origin is most probably due to the dis- solution of salt in the underlying Trias, leading to The adopted methodology is based on the ex- relatively fast collapse (EL KHALKI & AKDIM, 2001; perience acquired during the past couple of years MARTIN, 1981). in two National Research Projects (PRIN 2001- The same dolostones display a wide variety of 2003 on Geosites in the Italian Landscape and ruin-like forms, creating strange landscapes of PRIN 2004-2006 on Geotourism in Italy) and es- rocky mushrooms, pinnacles and towers of several pecially during a Co-operation Project, financed by meters high, cut by rectilinear troughs and the Sardinian Regional Government, in which our trenches. Very beautiful examples are located at team has collaborated with the Institute des Re- Tidrine, near Ifrane, and at Tisfoula, along the road gions Arides of Medenine (Tunisia) aiming to de- to the springs of Oum-Er-Rbia. fine the geological heritage of the region of Karren landforms are widely represented espe- Tozeur in South Tunisia (DE WAELE et alii, 2005b; cially in the dolostone facies in association with DI GREGORIO et alii, 2002). This method is based these ruin like landforms, but also occur in lime- on the preliminary consultation of scientific and stones of the Causses and in the marbles of Tizra. geographic literature and topographical, geologi- In some places, at high altitudes and on the north- cal and tourist maps that have lead to a first selec- ern slopes, their rounded forms probably reflect tion of sites and landscapes of geological and their corrosion under snow or beneath a soil cover. geomorphological interest. For this purpose the Besides all kinds of normal and rounded clints also detailed and magnificent PhD work of Jacques solution pans (kamenitze) are well represented. Martin, presented in 1977 at the Université de Paris The influence of snow on the karst forms is VII (MARTIN, 1981), has been of enormous value, also well displayed above 1,700 m of altitude in the giving lots of suggestions on sites and landscapes asymmetric shape of the dolines, with a preferen- of possible geo-tourist attraction. tial dissolution of their protected inner slopes. A Several field campaigns have been organised to similar phenomenon also occurs in the High Atlas study more in detail the selected geosites and geo- karst of Ait Abdi (PERRITAZ, 1996). morphosites, to verify the collected bibliographical Despite the well developed surface karst only data and to make detailed observations and gather few caves are known in the Middle Atlas moun- further documentation (e.g. geological sketches, tains. This is due to the scarceness of thick pure geomorphological processes, photographs). Dur- limestone beds, often intercalated with marly lime- ing these trips several other geomorphosites, pre- stones, and the abundance of highly fractured viously ignored, have been added to the list and dolostones that convey surface waters directly to have also been studied in detail. the underlying Trias through cracks and fissures For the description of these sites in the field a (MARTIN, 1981). One of the best examples of true sheet file has been compiled in which, together karst caves is Ifri-ou-Berrid, a sinkhole located at with the data of identification of the site (e.g. com- the end of a blind valley and with an underground mune, locality, co-ordinates, altitude) also data on development of approximately 100 meters, ending accessibility, visibility, geology and geomorphol- in a drowned passage. ogy, use and state of conservation are reported. Landscape development during Quaternary is Contents of such a sheet file, similar to the one characterised by the mechanical and chemical cut- adopted by our research team in Tunisia, is re- ting of valleys during the wetter periods and the ported in figure 3. 68 DE WAELE J. - DI GREGORIO F. - MELIS M.T. - EL WARTITI M.

scape units based on a complex geomorphologi- cal and environmental analysis of the different parts of the study area. This landscape analysis al- lows to subdivide the territory in homogeneous units, differing in morphology, lithology or land- use and classified according to a hierarchic scheme. Subsequently, the singles sites have been posi- tioned on the satellite image and the links between the single geomorphosites and geosites (intrinsic values) and the surrounding landscape (overall value) have been defined in order to have a com- plete perception of the importance of geological heritage in the region. This applied geomorphological interpretation of the Middle Atlas of Ifrane-Azrou allows to summarise the geological and geomorphological heritage of the area in which the single sites, be- cause of their easy perception (recognisability), their characteristic form (completeness), their state of conservation (exemplarity) and their effective possibility of visit (accessibility) (POLI, 2003), are integrated in a global landscape and constitute the foundation for a sustainable geotouristic develop- ment. For a more direct understanding of this ge- omorphological heritage the geomorphosites and geosites are grouped in networks, according to Fig. 3 – Example of the sheet file, in French, used in the field for the cata- similar geomorphological processes and differen- loguing of the Geomorphosites. – Esempio di una scheda da rilevamento, in lingua francese, utilizzata in campagna per tiated by colours. This distinction in thematic net- l’inventariazione dei geomorfositi. works of geosites and geomorphosites makes it also easier to define coherent actions of planning, valorisation and conservation. For the identification, classification and the graphical representation of the geomorphosites a Landsat ETM+ Image has been used. The differ- 5. – LANDSCAPE UNITS ent lithological units outcropping in the area have been recognised by means of the creation of in- Landscape units are territorial ambits with spe- terpretation keys based on field surveys using the cific, distinctive and homogeneous characteristics medium-infrared band combinations. Lithology, regarding their genesis, constitution and evolution tectonics, drainage pattern, land cover and topog- due to both natural and human interactions raphy have then been analysed to characterise the (BERTRAND, 1970; DI GREGORIO, 1987; ROMANI, general morphology of the study area. The use of 1986). In general a Landscape Unit is a geograph- satellite images has proven to be an ideal instru- ically distinct portion of an area that has a partic- ment for the recognition of the main landforms, ular visual character. guiding the field campaigns in a remarkable way. The identification of the single Landscape Where the vegetation is lacking or relatively scarce Units has been carried out by means of the analy- the spectral response of the different lithologies sis and the classification of a complex series of can easily be observed, while the distinction of to- characterising and significant elements (geological pography has been enhanced introducing shadow constitution, geomorphological elements, altitude, analysis. Directional filters associated with spectral climate and microclimate and other physical and analysis have allowed to recognise the general geographical elements, vegetation, material ex- structure of the area and the most important faults pressions of the human presence etc.). These ele- and alignments. ments also allow to define the originality, the All the bibliographical, field and remote sensing scientific interest and the perceptive quality of the data have been summarised in a geomorphological landscape according to the European Landscape map superimposed on the satellite image (fig. 4). Convention (ECC Treaty n° 176, October 20th The next step was to define the different land- 2000) (DI GREGORIO, 2003). LANDSCAPE UNITS, GEOMORPHOSITES AND GEODIVERSITY OF THE IFRANE AZROU REGION 69

Fig. 4 – Extract of the map of Landscape Units and Geomorphosites of the Ifrane-Azrou region. The represented area is the basaltic plateau of Azrou, one of the landscape units with the highest geodiversity. For the legend see attached Map. – Stralcio della Carta delle Unità di Paesaggio e dei Geomorfositi della Regione di Ifrane-Azrou. L’area rappresentata è l’altopiano basaltico di Azrou, una delle unità di pae- saggio con la più alta geodiversità. Per la legenda si rimanda alla Carta allegata in tasca di copertina.

This subdivision of the study area in Landscape Landscape Units has been carried out using sev- Units allows to: eral types of thematic maps (topographical, geo- - construct a territorial matrix useful as a spa- logical, geomorphological) at different scales tial reference for the identified elements (natural (from 1:50.000 to 1:250.000), interpreting aerial sites, cultural heritage, human settlements and in- photographs and satellite images (Landsat frastructures, vegetation etc.); ETM+) and carrying out surveys and controls in - to interconnect in an organic way the differ- the field. Landscape units differ in terms of geo- ent components in categories, classes and types morphology, with different landforms in relation and to better understand the relationships between with the geological and structural settings, and the single sites and the surrounding landscape; land-use. Sheep-breeding is abundant on the steep - to describe the determinant characters of slopes, on the Causses and on the basaltic plateaus more or less extensive homogeneous areas; while agriculture characterises the lower plains - to classify, plan and manage together the sin- where irrigation is practiced since a long time. The gle components of the landscape, orienting the ac- recognised Landscape Units could be subdivided tions and interventions towards a shared goal – in smaller landscape facies with a detailed analysis conservation or transformation – respecting the at larger scales (TRICART & KILIAN, 1985), ac- principles of sustainability. cording to different natural and/or human com- The subdivision of the Ifrane-Azrou region in ponents. Several Landscape Units can also be 70 DE WAELE J. - DI GREGORIOBINI F. M.- MELIS M.T. - EL WARTITI M. grouped together to form Landscape Systems that 6. - GEOSITES, GEOMORPHOSITES, LAND- describe the territory in a much more general but SCAPES AND ITINERARIES nevertheless characterising way. In the study area a total of five Landscape Systems have been A total of 42 sites of geological and/or geo- recognised: the carbonatic Causses, the sedimen- morphological interest have been identified, stud- tary and agricultural Lower Plains, the Plio-Qua- ied and classified and represent the essential ternary Volcanic landscape system, the Palaeozoic reference for the construction of the thematic itin- Central Massif and the Transitional systems. The eraries (tab. 2). Geomorphosites have been classi- landscape has then further been subdivided in fied according to their genesis in volcanic, fourteen easily recognisable different Landscape dissolution karst, deposition karst, fluvial, struc- Units. The main characteristics of the Landscape tural and polygenetic landforms, at which two geo- Systems and Units are resumed in table 1. botanical sites have been added. The same genetic

Tab. 1 – Landscape systems and units of the Azrou-Ifrane area and their main characteristics. – Sistemi ed Unità di Paesaggio dell’area di Ifrane-Azrou e loro principali caratteristiche. Landscape Description Acrony Landscape System (main characteristics) General morphology Main lithologies m Unit (LS) Tabular carbonate plateaus Sub-horizontal bedded Liassic dolostones, Causses Tabular (Causses) of El Hajeb, dolo- and limestone Pc dolomitic limestones Causses Immouzer, Ifrane, Guigou, plateaus with typical & limestones Ain-Leuh karst features Slightly Folded dolo- and Folded Middle Atlas SE Liassic dolostones Pcp folded limestones with karst of Timahdite & limestones Causses features and cuestas Causse Slightly NW-tilted Liassic dolostones Pca Causse d’ d’Agourai carbonate plateau & limestones Timahdite Large syncline with Cretaceous limestones Ps (Bekrite) Syncline W of Timahdite Cretaceous core and and Plio-Pleist. basalts Syncline basalt infilling Eocene limestone Timahdite Eocene limestone plateau Pt balcony eroded Eocene limestones balcony of Timahdite by Oued Agricultural plains and human Low plains N of Plio-Quat. lacustrine Lower Plains Ptq Saïss plain landscape with the cities Middle Atlas Causses sediments of Fès and Meknès Pv Lavaflows Plio-Pleistocene lava flows Lava flows up to 40 km long Plio.Quaternary basalts Volcanic plateau Plateau basalt with various Pv Plateau d’Azrou Plio.Quaternary basalts Volcanic types of volcanoes

Pv Single volcanoes El Koudiate, Jbel Outgui Single volcanoes Plio.Quaternary basalts

Structural Wide lower complex plain W Palaeozoic marbles Pes Hogbacks and syncline valleys landscape of Causses d’El Hajeb and quartzites Hills with dentri- Smooth and rounded hills Palaeozoic shales Ped Azrou plain Central tic drainage in mostly tender rocks and phyllites Massif Western border of the Causses Reddish altered Concave slopes Triassic sandstones, clays Pev d’Agourai, El Hajeb slopes in tender rocktypes & altered basalts & Ain-Leuh Plio-Quaternary Pd Piedmonts Slope deposits More or less steep slopes slope debris Transitional systems Travertine terraces Step-like travertine terraces Plio-Quaternary Pdt Travertines and balconies along or plateaus travertines the borders of the Causses LANDSCAPE UNITS, GEOMORPHOSITES AND GEODIVERSITY OF THE IFRANE AZROU REGION 71

Tab. 2 – Geosites, geomorphosites and geological landscapes of the Azrou-Ifrane area. – Geositi, geomorfositi e paesaggi geologici della area di Ifrane-Azrou.

relationships have lead to the definition of the six map is the graphical summary and is the final itineraries that are based on genetic relationships product of this research. An extract of the Map between the different geomorphosites and exem- is shown in figure 4. plify the major genetic concepts of the landscape: This thematic map has been designed upon a volcanic, karst (dissolution and deposition), fluvial, Landsat ETM+ image and also reports infrastruc- structural and geobotanical. tural information (roads, villages etc.) and the main The geomorphosites, in different colours ac- landforms and morphologies. cording to their genetic relationships, the net- The geographical distribution of the geomor- works (grouping the geomorphosites of the phosites in this map shows a greater concentration same colours) and the landscape units are repre- of sites of geomorphological and/or geological in- sented in the Geomorphosites Map of the re- terest in the Landscape Units of the Tabular Causses gion of Ifrane-Azrou, in scale 1:100.000. This (Pc) and on the volcanic Plateau d’Azrou (Pv). These 72 DE WAELE J. - DI GREGORIO F. - MELIS M.T. - EL WARTITI M.

Landscape Units are the ones with the greatest de- rocks) comprising the 4 travertine sites, L’eau con- gree in Geodiversity (GRAY, 2003). structrice des paysages (the water that sculpts the land- The six itineraries, reported in different colours, scapes) comprising 4 fluvial geomorphosites, La group the geomorphosites with similar genetic char- Terre vivante (the Living Earth) connecting 7 struc- acteristics and have been given the following names: tural and tectonic landscapes and, finally, the 2 geob- La petite Auvergne (small Auvergne), connecting 11 otanic sites. These networks have been reported in a volcanic sites and named after the famous French miniature extract of the Map (bottom left) and re- volcanic region, L’eau qui dissoud les roches (the water ports, besides the geomorphosites (in different that dissolves the rocks) grouping the 14 karst sites, colours) also the landscape units and the road net- L’eau constructrice des roches (the water that builds the work. This extract is shown in figure 5.

Fig. 5 – The itinerary map, in French, with the pro- posal of six thematic itiner- aries (left upper corner). In this miniature map all geo- morphosites (circled num- bers), the landscape units (in black italic letters) and the main roads are also summarised. – La Carta degli Itinerari, in lingua francese, con la proposta di sei itinerari tematici (angolo superiore sinistro). In questa pic- cola mappa sono segnalati tutti i geomorfositi (numeri cerchiati), le unità di paesaggio (in lettere nere corsive) e le strade principali. LANDSCAPE UNITS, GEOMORPHOSITES AND GEODIVERSITY OF THE IFRANE AZROU REGION 73

For every itinerary a series of photographs of the Middle Atlas, High Atlas, Anti-Atlas), a wide vari- most important geomorphosites with exhaustive ex- ety of ecosystems ranging from Mediterranean planations are given on the right side of the Map, two forests over high mountain meadows to plain examples of which is given in figures 6 and 7. deserts and plenty of other geo-ecosystems. This paper is one of the first attempts of pop- ularising geology and geomorphology to the local 7. - CONCLUSIONS communities by means of a Geo-tourist Map that reports the essential sites of geomorphological Research on geological and geomorphological sites and landscapes and also gives information on sites is a completely new branch of earth science geology, geomorphology and geodiversity of the in Morocco, despite the fact that it is one of the region of Ifrane and Azrou in the Middle Atlas. most important North African countries for what The Map, designed on a Landsat ETM+ image concerns geology, geomorphology and landscape. and written in French, describes this region in a Morocco, in fact, has both Atlantic and Mediter- scientific way but in the meantime uses a simple ranean coastlines, several mountain chains (Rif, and direct language that has the purpose of bring-

Fig. 6 – The “Water that dissolves the rocks” itinerary, in original French language, shows 5 of the most important karstic geomorphosites of the Causses region. – L’itinerario “L’acqua che dissolve le rocce”, in lingua originale francese, comprende 5 dei più importanti geomorfositi carsici della regione dei Causses. 74 DE WAELE J. - DI GREGORIO F. - MELIS M.T. - EL WARTITI M.

Fig. 7 – The “Small Auvergne” itinerary, in original French language, illustrates typical landforms related to volcanic processes of the Azrou Plateau. – L’itinerario “Piccola Alvergna”, in lingua originale francese, illustra alcuni dei più tipici geomorfositi legati all’attività vulcanica dell’Altopiano di Azrou. ing also local people, unfamiliar with science, especially the local stakeholders that manage the closer to the geological and geomorphological sig- geomorphological heritage in order to raise aware- nificance of the landscape in which they live. The ness on the uniqueness of their landscape and the Map is particularly designed for tourists, that often geosites and geomorphosites contained in it. The rush through this area in their travel to South Mo- understanding that this heritage is an important rocco, in the hope that they will decide to stay a part of the cultural identity of their territory while in the region to visit the geomorphosites (PANIZZA, 2003) should make conservation and suggested and described in the map. The use of valorisation much easier. photographs, showing the remarkable geological and geomorphological heritage of this region, is Acknowledgements aimed to attract people to visit these sites. This research has been carried out in the framework of the PhD the- The quantitative evaluation of the geological sis of Ms. Amina Malaki (University of Mohammed V-Agdal, Rabat, and geomorphological heritage of the region, fol- Morocco) and has benefited from the financial support of the Autonomous lowing the guidelines proposed by several authors Region of Sardinia (RAS) inside a Cooperation Project entitled “Geosites (BARCA & DI GREGORIO, 1991; BRUSCHI & CEN- and Geomorphosites of the Middle Atlas (Morocco)” (Regional Law DRERO, 2005; CORATZA & GIUSTI, 2005), in order 19/1996) supervised by Prof. Felice Di Gregorio and Prof. Mohamed El Wartiti. Many thanks to the many Moroccon colleagues who have ac- to give a valuable tool for Environmental Impact companied us in our trips to the Middle Atlas, especially Prof. Driss Assessment studies (BONACHEA et alii, 2005) could Fadli, Prof. M. Zahraoui, Dr. Tarek Bahaj and Dr. Nezha El Mah- be a further development of this research. moudi. The Map has been printed by Selca (Florence). Finally, it must be stressed that the implemen- tation of tourist pressure on some of these geo- morphosites, representing a logical consequence REFERENCES of the publication of geo-tourist maps such as the AA.VV. (1975) – Carte Géologique du Maroc au 1/100000, Feuille one presented in this paper, could compromise El Hajeb. Service Géologique du Maroc, Nantes. their integrity. Therefore it is becoming increas- AA.VV. (1998) – A first attempt at a Geosites framework for Eu- ingly important to inform the local population and rope-an IUGS initiative to support recognition of world heritage and LANDSCAPE UNITS, GEOMORPHOSITES AND GEODIVERSITY OF THE IFRANE AZROU REGION 75

European Geodiversity. Geologica Balcanica, 48 (3-4), 5-32. ture.London, John Wiley & Sons, pp. 448. BARCA S. & DI GREGORIO F. (1991) – Proposta metodologica per HARMAND C. & CANTAGREL J. M. (1984) – Le volcanisme alca- il rilevamento dei monumenti geologici e geomorfologici. Bollettino lin tertiaire et quaternaire du Moyen Atlas (Maroc): Chronologie dell’Associazione Italiana di Cartografia, 83, 25-31. K/Ar et cadre géodynamique. J. Afric. Earth Sci., 2 (1), 51-55. BARCA S. & DI GREGORIO F. (1999) – Paesaggi e monumenti geo- HARMAND C. & MOUKADIRI A. (1986) – Synchronisme entre tec- logici della Provincia di Cagliari. Cagliari, Saredit, pp. 421. tonique compressive et volcanisme alcalin : exemple de la province BEAUDET G. & MARTIN J. (1967) – Observations morphologiques quaternaire du Moyen Atlas (Maroc). Bull. Soc. géol. France, sur les bordures nord-ouest et ouest du Moyen Atlas. Revue de 2 (4), 595-603. Géographie du Maroc, 12, 113-142. MARTIN J. (1981) – Le Moyen Atlas central, étude géomorpholo- BERTRAND J. (1970) – Ecologie de l’espace géographique. Recherche gique. Notes et Mém. Serv. géol. Maroc, 258bis, 445 pp. pour une science du Paysage. Comptes-Rendus de la Societé MICHARD A. (1976) – Eléments de géologie marocaine. Notes et de Biogéographie, 195-205. Mém.Serv. Géol. Maroc, 252, pp. 408. BONACHEA J., BRUSCHI V. M., REMONDO J., GONZALEZ-DIEZ OUANAIMI H., TAJ-EDDINE K., WITAM O., AABIR S., EL A., SALAS L., BERTENS J., CENDRERO A., OTERO C., AKLAA M., ZAHRI K., ABDELLATIF K. & RABITAT ED- GIUSTI C., FABBRI A., GONZALEZ-LASTRA J. R. & ARAM- DINE M. (2005) – L’Ourika Haut-Atlas-Haouz de Marra- BURU J. M. (2005) – An approach for quantifying geomorpholo- kech Maroc 1:60.000. S.EL.CA., Florence. gical impacts for EIA of transportation infrastructures: a case PANIZZA M. (2001) – Geomorphosites: concepts, methods and examples study in northern Spain. Geomorphology, 66 (1-4), 95-117. of geomorphological survey. Chinese Science Bulletin, 46, 4-6. BRUSCHI V. M. & CENDRERO A. (2005) – Geosite evaluation; can PANIZZA M. (2003) – I geomorfositi in un paesaggio culturale inte- we measure intangible values? Il Quaternario, 18 (1), 293-306. grato. In: PIACENTE S. & POLI G. (Eds.); La Memoria della CARTON A., CAVALLIN M., FRANCAVILLA F., MANTOVANI F., Terra la Terra della Memoria, Regione Emilia Romagna - PANIZZA M., PELLEGRINI G. B. & TELLINI C. (1994) – Ri- Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Bolo- cerche ambientali per l’individuazione dei beni geomorfologici. Me- gna, 23-27. todi e esempi. Il Quaternario, 7 (2), 365-372. PANIZZA M. & PIACENTE S. (1993) – Geomorphological asset eva- COLO G. (1964) – Contribution à l’étude du Jurassique du Moyen Atlas luation. Zeitschrift fur Geomorphologie, 87, 13-18. septentrional. Notes et Mém. Sérv. Géol. Maroc, 139, 226 pp. PANIZZA M. & PIACENTE S. (2003) – Geomorfologia culturale. CORATZA P. & GIUSTI C. (2005) – Methodological proposal for the Bologna, Pitagora, pp. 350. assessment of the scientific quality of geomorphosites. Il Quater- PERRITAZ L. (1996) – Le “karst en vagues” des Ait Abdi (Haut- nario, 18 (1), 307-313. Atlas central, Maroc). Karstologia, 28 (2), 1-12. DE WAELE J., DI GREGORIO F., EL WARTITI M., MALAKI A. PIQUÉ A. (1994) – Géologie du Maroc. Les domaines régionaux et & MELIS M. T. (2005a) – Carta dei geomorfositi e della geodi- leur évolution structurale, Editions Pumag, pp. 239. versità d’Ifrane-Azrou (Medio Atlante, Marocco). In: AA.VV. PIQUÉ A. & LAVILLE E. (1993) – Les séries triasiques du Maroc, (Eds.): 9° Conferenza ASITA, Catania, 939-944. marqueurs du rifting atlantique. Comptes Rendus de l’Aca- DE WAELE J., DI GREGORIO F., GASMI N., MELIS M. T. & demie des Sciences, Serie 2, Sciences de la Terre et des TALBI M. (2005b) – Geomorphosites of Tozeur Region (South- Planetes, Earth and Planetary Sciences, 317, 1215-1220. West Tunisia). Il Quaternario, 18 (1), 221-230. POLI G. (2003) – Dalla stanza delle meraviglie alle meraviglie della DI GREGORIO F. (1987) – Criteri e metodi per la conservazione at- Terra. In: Piacente S. & Poli G. (Eds.): La Memoria della tiva dell’ambiente. In: CLEMENTE F. (Ed.): Cultura del pae- Terra la Terra della Memoria, Regione Emilia Romagna - saggio e metodi del territorio, Janus, Cagliari, 89-101. Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Bolo- DI GREGORIO F. (2003) – I principi ispiratori, i contenuti e le fi- gna, 28-40. nalità della Convenzione Europea del Paesaggio. In: MANIAS M. RAHHALI I. (1970) – Foraminifères benthoniques et pélagiques du (Eds.): L’ossidiana del Monte Arci nel Mediterraneo, Edizioni Crétacé supérieur du synclinal d’El Koubbat (Moyen Atlas, AV, Pau (Oristano), 27-37. Maroc). Notes Serv. géol. Maroc, 30 (225), 51-98. DI GREGORIO F., TALBI M., MELIS M. T., PIRAS G., GASMI N., REIMOLD W. U. (1999) – Geoconservation - a southern African and MARINI A., DE WAELE J. & FOLLESA R. (2002) – Progetto African perspective. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 29 di Ricerca per l’inventario, la tutela e la valorizzazione dei geositi (3), 469-483. in ambiente arido e semiarido nella regione di Tozeur e di Gafsa ROMANI V. (1986) – Il Paesaggio teoria e pianificazione.Milano, (Tunisia). Geologia dell’Ambiente, 11 (1), 198-203. Franco Angeli Editore, 240 pp. EL AZZAB D. & EL WARTITI M. (1998) – Paléomagnétisme des SHARPLES C. (1995) – Geoconservation in forest management - prin- laves du Moyen Atlas (Maroc): rotations récentes. Comptes Ren- ciples and procedures. Tasforests (Tasmania), 7, 37-50. dus de l’Academie des Sciences, Serie 2, Sciences de la TRICART J. & KILIAN J. (1985) – L’ecogeografia e la pianificazione del- Terre et des Planetes, Earth and Planetary Sciences, 327, l’ambiente naturale. Milano, Franco Angeli Editore, 310 pp. 509-512. WIMBLEDON W., BENTOS M. J., BEVINS R. E., BLACK G. P., EL KHALKI Y. & AKDIM B. (2001) – Les dolines d’effondrement BRIDGLAND D. R., CLEAL C. J., COOPER R. G. & MAY V. et les dolines-lacs des Causses du SW du Moyen Atlas (Maroc). J. (1995) – The development of a methodology for the selection of Karstologia, 38 (2), 19-24. British geological Sites for Conservation: Part 1. Modern Geol- GRAY M. (2003) – Geodiversity: valuing and conserving abiotic na- ogy, 20, 159-202.