Identifying the Diversity of Landforms and Fossils Sites in the West of Shotori Mountain Range for the Development of Geotourism in South Khorasan Province

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

2 Dept. of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Birjand. Birjand. Iran

3 Department of Geography, Faculty of Litrture, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

Abstract

Context and Purpose: Today, geotourism is one of the most successful sectors of the tourism industry in the world in terms of expansion and income generation. Due to the special geological, stratigraphic, and fossil conditions, the Shotori mountain range in the east of Tabas city has a very suitable position to attract nature walkers and scientific tourists related to earth sciences.
Design/methodology/approach: Geological, geomorphological, stratigraphic, and paleontological indicators were used in this research. The maps used are the 1/100,000 maps of Boshruyeh and the 1/250,000 maps of Tabas and Boshruyeh. Then, the characteristics of the geotourism of the region were valued using the Reynald method.
Findings: The unique variety of geomorphological and geological phenomena can be a very important and effective factor in attracting tourists. Tourism elements can be important for the development of tourism and the region’s local economy.
Conclusion: Structural phenomenon, diversity of fossils, stratigraphic attractions, including the outcrop of the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary as a global phenomenon (Shishto Formation), the outcrop of the Permian-Triassic boundary between the Jamal and Sorkh Shale formations, representing the global extinction event at the end of the Permian, the Badland in the Baghamshah Formation, and the karst in the Esfandiar Formation are among the interesting phenomena in the outcrop of Jurassic deposits.
Originality/value: These phenomena can be used as a development strategy for tourism and the development of the local economy, especially in the villages of this mountainous region.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Abdi, M. Zandi, E. and Abbas Poor, N. (2013). Investigating the geotourist attractions of Tabas city and its role in tourism development (case study of Tabas block). The fourth regional conference on development challenges and solutions in deprived areas, 23 p. [in Persian].
Aghanabati, A. (1974). Geological quadrangle map of Tabas, 1/250000 scales, Geological Survey of Iran.
Aghanabati, A. (2006). Geology of Iran, Geological Survey of Iran, 709 pages [in Persian].
Ahrari, F. Arezoomandan, R) .2011(. Desert geotourism in South Khorasan province. The first national desert conference, 8 pages [in Persian].
Ansari A. and M. Mohtashami Rad, E. (2015). Evaluating the capabilities of the geotourism of Nahbandan, The first national sustainable tourism conference with the approach of sports tourism, health and environment, 8 pages [in Persian].
Askari, M.S. Ariafar, A. and Javanshir Giv, M.)2010(. Evaluation of the role of geotourism in the sustainable development of South Khorasan province. 29th Symposium of Geosciences, 7 p. [in Persian].
Artugyan, L. (2016(. Geomorphosites assessment in karst terrains: Anina Karst Region (Banat Mountains, Romania). Geoheritage, 9. 153-162 DOI 10.1007/s12371-016-0188-x.
Bâca, I., Schuster, E. (2011(. Listing, evaluation and touristic utilization of geosites with archaeological artefacts. Case study: Ciceu Ridge (Bistrița-Năsăud County, Romania). Revista Geografica Academica, 5(1), 5–20.
Bargi, M. Hossein zadeh, R. and Khanehbad, M. (2012). Investigating the geotourism capabilities of the desert of Boshruyeh city, The first conference of the Quaternary Society of Iran, 6 pages [in Persian].
Bouzekraoui, H. Barakat, A. El Youssi, M. Touhami, F., Mouaddine, A., Hafid, A. and Zwoliński, Z. (2018(. Mapping Geosites as Gateways to The Geotourism Management in Central High-Atlas (Morocco). Quaestiones Geographicae, 37(1), 87-102.
Brandolin, P. Faccini, F. and Piccazzo, M. (2006(. Geomorphological hazard and tourist vulnerability along Portofine Paek trails (Italy). Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 6, 563-571.
Cocean, G. and Cocean, P. (2017(. An assessment of gorges for Purposes of Identifying Geomorphosites of Geotourism Value in the Apuseni Mountains (Romania). Geoheritage 9 (1), 71–81. DOI 10.1007/s12371-016-0180-5.
Comanescu, L. Nedelea, A. Dobre, R. (2011(. Evaluation of geomorphosites in Vistea Valley (Fag aras Mountains-Carpathians, Roma nia), International Journal of the Physical Sciences, 6(5), 1161-1168.
Doktor, M. Mayer, W. (2016(. Department of General Geology and Geotourism. Geology, Geophysics and Environment, 42 (2), 211–217.
Dowling, R. K. (2013). Global Geotourism – An emerging Form of sustainable tourism. Czech Journal of Tourism, 2(2), 59-79. DOi: 10.2478/cjot-2013-0004.
Esmailnejad, M. (2019(. Spatial analysis of geotourism attractions in Deserts of central Iran. The first international conference on Lut desert tourism, 18 pages [in Persian].
Fotoohi Zadeh, M. and Shahbazi, M. (2018(. The geotourism & geomorphosites in tourism development. The first strategic foresight conference in the field of geographic sciences and urban-regional studies, 13 p [in Persian].
Joyce, E. B. (2006). Geological heritage of Australia: selecting the best for Geosites and World Heritage, and telling the story for geotourism and Geoparks.  ASEG Extended Abstracts, (2006): 1, 1-4, DOI:
10.1071/ASEG2006ab078.
Heinz, K. H. (1988(. Crystals in Gels and Liesegang Rings. In Vitro Veritas. Cambridge University Press, New York, xiv, 197 pp.
Ilieș D. C., Josan, N.(2007(. Preliminary contribution to the investigation of the Geosites from Apuseni Mountains (Romania). Revista de Geomorfologie, 9, 53–59.
Ilieş D. C. and Josan, N. (2009(.  Geosites-geomorphosites and relief DC. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites, 3 (1), 78-86.
Maghsudi, M., Nekouie Sadry, B. (2008). Geotourism is a new window towards the development of Iran's tourism industry. Journal of Sepehr, 61-64 [in Persian].
MehrPooya, A. and Morovat, A.A. (2011(. A Royally Sustainable Path toward the Excellence in Beauty. Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences, 21, 81, pp. 217-221 [in Persian].
Mohkhtari, D. (2015). Geotourism. University of Tabriz, 424 p. [in Persia].
Nabavi,M. H.(2008(. Geological Tourism, Rushd Magazine, Geology Education, 13, 53, pp. 4-7 [in Persian].
Najafzadeh, A. and Nekouie Sadry, B. (2010). Geotourism (Translated). (Dowling, R. and Newsome, D. Eds), Aras Free Zone Organization, 540 pp.
Nekouie Sadry, B (2009). Fundamentals of Geotourism: with special emphasis on Iran, SAMT Organization publishers,Tehran, 220 pp. .(English Summary available Online at: https://journals.openedition.org/physio-geo/4873?lang=en
Nekouie Sadry, B. (2021). The Geotourism Industry in the 21st Century the Origin, The Origin, Principles, and Futuristic Approach. Apple Academic Press Inc., 596 pp.
Newsome, D. and Dowling R. (2005). Geotourism. Routledge Publisher, 352 pp.
Ngwira, P. M. (2019). A Review of Geotourism and Geoparks: Is Africa Missing out on this New Mechanism for the Development of Sustainable Tourism?  Geoconservation Research, 2, 1 26-39.
Noori, H. Raisossadat, S.N. Jafari, M. and Zarrinkoob, M. H. )2012(. Introducing geotourism phenomena in Qain city, with emphasis on karst phenomena. The first geological conference of Iran Plateau, 7 pages [in Persian].
Pralong, J. (2005). A Method for assessing the tourist potential and use of geomorphological sites. Geomorphologie, Rrlief, Processus, Environment, 3, 189-196.
Mabvuto Ngwira, P. (2019). A Review of Geotourism and Geoparks: Is Africa missing out on this new mechanism for the development of sustainable tourism? Geoconservation Research, 2(1), 26-39.
Raisossadat, S.N. and Motamedalshariati, M. (2019). Geotourism of Mokhtaran district, south of Birjand. southern Khorasan, The first international conference on Lut desert tourism, 9 pages [in Persian].
Reynard, E. (2008). Scientific research and tourist promotion of geomorphological heritage. Geografic Fisica e Dinamica Quaternaria, 31, 225-230.
Reynard, E. Panizza, M. (2005(. Geomorphosites: definition, assessment and mapping. Geomorphologie, 3, 177- 180.
Reynard, E., Coratza, P. & Regolini-Bissig, G., (Eds) (2009). Geomorphosites. Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, München, 240 pp.
Salmani, M. Faraji Sabokbar, H. Nazemi, M., Orooji, H. (2015(. Evaluation of capabilities and uses of geomorphosites (case study: geomorphosites of Tabas city). Human Geography Research, 47, 1, pp. 177-192 [in Persian].
Salmani, M. Orooji, H. Ausati. A. S. and Herabadi, S. (2018(. Evaluation of geotourism capabilities of geomorphosites in dry areas (case study: desert and desert areas of Tabas). Geography and Regional Urban Planning, 28. pp. 235-265 [in Persian].
Stöcklin, J. Eftekhar-Nezhad, J. and Hushmand-Zadeh, A. (1965(. Geology of the Shotori Range (Taba’s area, East Iran). Geological Survey of Iran, Rep. 3, 69 pp.
Stöcklin, J. Eftekharnezhad, J. and Hushmand Zadeh, A. (1994(. Geological sheet map of Boshruyeh, 1/100000 scales, Geological Survey of Iran.
Stöcklin, J. and Nabavi, M.H. (1969). Geological quadrangle map of Boshruyeh, 1/250000 scales, Geological Survey of Iran.
Štrba, L. Kolaˇckovská, J. Kudelas, D. Kršák, B. Sidor, C. (2020(. Geoheritage and Geotourism Contribution to Tourism Development in Protected Areas of Slovakia-Theoretical Considerations. Sustainability, 12 (7), 2979, https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072979.
Vujici, M.D. Vasiljevic, Dj. A. Markovic, S.B. Hose, T.A. Lukic, T. Hadic, O. Janicevic, S. (2011(. Preliminary Geosite Assessment Model (GAM) and its application on Fruska Gora mountain, potential geotourism destination of Serbia. Acta Geographica Slovenica 51-2. Ljubljana. DOI: 10.3986/AGS51303.
Yahya Sheibani, V. (2012(. Investigation and assesment of mineral geosites of Tabas County as a mining-centred geopark in east of central Iran. Journal of Geography and Regional Development, No. 33, pp. 191-215 [in Persian].
Yahya Sheibani, V. and Khanehbad, M. (2015). Morphological pattern of Sardar and Tafto River valleys in the east and southeast of Tabas. Quantitative geomorphology Research, 4, 2, pp. 179-167 [in Persian].
Yahya Sheibani, V. (2021). Geological Heritage Atlas of Tabas City. Birjand University Press, 318 pages [in Persian].
Journal of Tourism Planning and Development
Volume 13, Issue 50
September 2024
Pages 181-205

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics