A comprehensive assessment of geomorphosites in relation to both natural hazards and tourist fruition and activities

In the framework of the relationships between geomorphological heritage and natural hazards, the studies carried on by the members of the AIGeo Working Group on “Geomorphosites and cultural landscape”, focuses mainly on monitoring evolution rates of active geomorphosites in different morphoclimatic contexts, in order to evaluate risk scenarios in the context of tourism, and on the analysis of climate trends and quantification of rates of climate-related processes in areas of scientific and landscape interest. These lines of research are fundamental for forecasting evolutionary scenarios, especially regarding hazards and impacts on natural and cultural assets. There has been a growing interest in the mutability of geomorphological heritage (e.g. geomorphosites), as a consequence of both natural-climate and human pressure. Recent research has allowed inventories to be made for evaluating and analyzing geomorphosites not only in term of their geoheritage value but also for providing information on geohazards related to the intensity and frequency variation of climate-related superficial processes. Within the framework of a comprehensive assessment of geomorphosites in relation both to natural morphodynamics and tourist fruition and activities, some main lines of research are developed: • Assessment of natural hazard in tourist context interested by geomorphological active processes. The increasing interest in the natural environment has lead a growing presence of man in areas of active morphodynamics, thus increasing possible risk situations. Understanding the natural phenomena, also related to climate variability, and the potential consequences on tourist activities, is necessary for preventing risk situations. • Investigations on active geomorphosites (sensu Reynard, 2004), interested by natural dynamic and climate-related processes that are able to induce changes in terms of hazards, impacts and global value. The problem of dealing with active geomorphosites is twofold: a) changes in geomorphological processes may directly influence the value of sites of geomorphological interest; b) active geomorphological processes may represent natural hazards and be a source of risk where tourist trails and activities are present. • Contributions to the studies of interconnections between geomorphology and tourism in areas where natural processes and untouched environment are prevailing. Here possible risks are related to the environmental dynamics and the activities themselves. Researches on assessment of the natural risk for “extreme” sports like climbing or canyoning, are carried on, concerning dynamic processes, geotechnical conditions, and so on. • Creation of geotourist maps to guide hikers through the most spectacular geomorphosites and to help tourists to better understand what they are looking at, using a simplified symbology, modified in order to highlight the landforms, which are then described with an easy scientific language. This kind of map will emphasize only the landscape elements that the tourist can recognize and observe as well as the possible hazards that could interfere with the hiking paths. A mapping campaign directed to identify and outline all geomorphological forms and processes, assessing their genesis and their state of activity: this represents the core for all further analyses and representations, functional to different purposes. • Planning activities for sustainable management of risks related to the increasing interaction between geomorphological dynamics and human activities have their best test sites within Natural Parks. Here, risk monitoring and management activities can been performed by researchers in collaboration with territorial administration and environmental management institutions. As a first step, main hazards sectors have to be individualized along preferred alpinist routes and/or hiking tracks. For the field surveys, geomorphological maps can be coupled with digital track network. Visual monitoring of the unstable sectors is then developed by means of digital instrumentation, in collaboration with Park rangers. Finally, results on the hazards and risks studies can be used as teaching material for Park rangers and be popularized for the general public. Valorization of technical and scientific data associated with the study of geomorphosites is crucial for enhancing geoconservation and dissemination of Earth Sciences contents. Development of innovative educational strategies within areas of high geoheritage value, can support the dissemination of scientific research results on geomorphosites and their response to climate change, favouring an easy understanding and comprehension of the landscape and of its hazards. By defining risk as the consequences of a particular phenomenon of geomorphological instability on a particular human, social, economic condition of vulnerability, we envisage the role of scientific knowledge also in the management of natural hazards in touristic areas.