Assessment and prioritization of geosites degradation risk in the Tazekka Massif (Morocco)
Więcej
Ukryj
1
Geo-Biodiversity and Natural Patrimony Laboratory (GEOBIO), Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Avenue Ibn Batouta, P.B. 703, 10106 Rabat-Agdal, Morocco
2
Geosciences and Natural Resources Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofaïl University, P.B. 133, 14000 Kenitra, Morocco
3
Geosciences, Water and Environment Laboratory, Department of geology, Faculty of Sciences Mohammed V University in Rabat, Av. Ibn Batouta, P.B. 1014, Rabat, Morocco
Autor do korespondencji
Saida Bouazza
Geo-Biodiversity and Natural Patrimony Laboratory (GEOBIO), Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Avenue Ibn Batouta, P.B. 703, 10106 Rabat-Agdal, Morocco
SŁOWA KLUCZOWE
DZIEDZINY
STRESZCZENIE
Geosites are increasingly exposed to natural and anthropogenic pressures that may compromise their scientific, educational, and geotouristic values. This study presents an AHP-based quantitative assessment and prioritization of geosite degradation risk in the Tazekka Massif, northeastern Morocco. Fourteen representative geosites were evaluated using six degradation-related criteria: anthropogenic activity, uncontrolled tourism, proximity to roads, lack of site-specific protection, lithological sensitivity, and natural erosion. Field observations were combined with geological and environmental data, and the relative importance of the criteria was determined using an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) pairwise comparison matrix. Anthropogenic activity received the highest weight (0.361), followed by uncontrolled tourism (0.227) and proximity to roads (0.149). The consistency ratio (CR = 0.0197), well below the commonly accepted threshold of 0.10, confirmed the internal consistency of the pairwise judgments. Final degradation-risk scores ranged from 1.94 to 3.72. The Crenulation Structure (GS02; 3.72), Purplish Schist (GS03; 3.60), and Quartz Vein (GS06; 3.40) recorded the highest degradation risk and were therefore identified as priority sites for geoconservation. Seven geosites were classified as moderate risk, whereas four were classified as low risk. The results highlight the importance of integrating field-based observations with multi-criteria analysis to identify geoconservation priorities.The proposed approach provides a preliminary, semi-quantitative decision-support framework for identifying conservation priorities, while highlighting the need for further empirical validation of field-based assessments.