Evaluating the Capabilities of Tourism Geomorphosites (Case Study: Taft)

Extended Abstract :The geomorphosites are the key concepts for geotourism development which can bring about some accurate assessments from the spatial distribution of specifications and also from the scientific, cultural, historical, social and economic values. So they are the base for designing and management the geoparks beneficially. In this study, we have assessed the potentials of main geomorphosites in the Taft by the usage of both geosite assessment method (GAM) and field studies. The geosite assessment model is a graph which contains 9 fields. in the zone; The geomorphosite 6 is suitable for geotourism development on the basis of their main values (scientific/educational, aesthetic /scenic and protection as market appeal and conservation) and additional values (functional and tourism use as current stage of development) would have been placed at the Z22 field which indicates an average level of both main and additional values. According to the results, the upmost score from among the main values is belonged to the Tezerjan snow accumulation site (7/75) and the upmost score from among the additional values is relevant to the Oghab mountain (8/75). Generally, the Oghab mountain has the most score of 14/25 and the Tamehr spring geosite has the shading score of 14 which would be placed as the next preference choice for programming the sustainable development and also conservation programs. So the administrators must pay their attention on it, spacially for managing the natural and cultural heritages. Geomorphosites are the index which determines value of natural forms based on different geomorphological, geological, hydrological features, animal features, ecosystem, dendrology, and landscape design and landscape value. In fact, special value of geomorphosites is determined considering perception and productivity of human. This value is different based on focus on each of the scientific, environmental, cultural, aesthetic or economic values. Assessment of geomorphosite is necessary in effective management process of land heritage capitals though some features are different in assessment models and uniform methods have not been developed. Values of geomorphosite have two main components: scientific value and additional values (cultural –historical, environmental, economic, cultural and aesthetic value). Identification of sites with the highest value makes possible planning and operationalization of suitable protective design, general actions and also expansion of tourism infrastructures. Goal of this paper is to study main and additional values of their charismas with Geosite Assessment Model (GAM) which is based on the previous methods while identifying main geomorphosites of Taft. After studying and identifying geomorphological features of sites based on field and library studies, Geosite Assessment Model was used to assess them. GAM was used in 2011 to assess geotouristic potential in FRUKA GORA Mountains of Serbia. In this model, there are 12 subcriteria of main values (Table 1) and 15 subcriteria of additional values (Table 2) which have been ranked from 0 to 1(Table 3) though there are some differences between this model and other methods. GAM method is defined as a simple equation: GAM = Main Values (VSE+VSA+VPr) + Additional Values (VFn+VTr) Based on results of assessment, a matrix of main and additional values is formed (Figure 1). These values are presented through X and Y axes. The matrix is divided into 9 fields (zones) which are expressed with Z(i and j) and (i and j=1,2,3) based on the rank which each geosite has received in the previous assessment stages. Main lines which created each field have been determined in X axis with value of 4 units and in Y axis with value of 5 units. In fact, condition of each field indicates suitable general development of tourism, market demand and special protection management policy. Discussion and Considering assessment results of main values (MV), Taft geomorphosites (Shirkooh Mountains, Tazarjan Snow Accumulation Site, Dareh Gahan Waterfall, Tamehr Spring, Sakhavid Basin, Oghab Mountain). The highest total rank of subcriteria of scientific and educational value (VSE) is given to Shir Kooh Site (2.25). The highest total rank of subcriteria of scientific and educational value (VSE) is given to Shir Kooh Site (2.25). The highest total rank of subcriteria of scientific and educational value (VSA) is given to Tazarjan snow accumulation site (3.25). The highest total rank of subcriteria of protection value (VPr) is given to two Tazarjan Snow Accumulation Site and Sakhoid Basin with equal score (2.5). Additional value (AV) assessment of geomorphosites shows that the highest total score of subcriteria of Functional value (VFn) is related to Oghab Mountain Site (4.25). The highest total rank of subcriteria of Tourism value (VTr) is related to two sites of Tamehr Spring and Oghab Mountain with equal score of 4.25. Then, total scores of subcriteria of main value and additional value were determined according to GAM equation for the said geomorphosites (Table 4). Total scores of all sites show numbers with very little difference. Therefore, all of them were included in Z22 field (Figure 1) indicating their average condition. Geosites of Oghab Mountain (14.25) and then Tamehr Spring (14) with little difference and the highest score have high priority for planning in the zone. Of course, total scores of additional value of these two geomorphosites are higher than other geomorphological sites of the zone due to easier access with score of 1, adjacency to propagation centers with score of 1, Additional functional values with scores of 0.75 and 0.5. The tourism values include adjacency to Eslamieh Touristic center with very short distance, higher number of visitors of geomorphosite of Oghab Site due to location beside Yazd-Shiraz Road, round-the-clock services and restaurant near them in these two geomorphosites which have higher score than other geomorphological sites of the zone.