Tourism potential assessment of selected geomorphosites of Sardasht regionby comparing Brilha and Zouros models

Geomorphosites are defined as Geomorphological landforms and processes that have acquired aesthetic, scientific, cultural- historical and social- economic values due to human perception of geological, geomorphological, historical and social factors. In recent decades, the vulnerability of the geoheritage that includes geological and geomorphological natural elements have been less considered in comparison with the biological and cultural heritage and thus its situation is constantly blurred in the conservation actions. The aim of this study is comparison of geotourism development potential of geomorphological sites in Sardasht region, based on education and tourism potential, through evaluation of them and providing appropriate solutions for protection and promoting of this place as a tourism destination. Study area with 45° 29′  E and 36° 13′ N is located in west Azerbaijan province, in the northwestern of Iran, which forms part of the Zagros folded mountains with trend northwest – southeast.

For this research based on a documentary study, initial data were collected and classified that was related to the research literature (Brilha and Zouros model was selected based on geographic conditions and geotourism attractions of the region). Then the locations of 5 geomorphosites and their topographic and geological information were derived from 1:50000 topographic maps and 1:100000 geological maps and field work. Finally, after selecting 2 geomorphosites (travertine spring of Kanigaravan and Shalmash waterfall), based on inherent value and additional value, identity sheet was prepared for each of them. Then during the field observations, pictures were taken of each geomorphosites and their locations were marked using GPS device and their distributions were drawn in Arc GIS software. Then the evaluation of each criterion was done using special questionnaires for each model that had been completed and ranked by experts (experts in geomorphology, geology, environment, tourism management and natives).The evaluation of geomorphosites according to criteria proposed models; the total value is calculated following the formula:Zouros model:Geomorphosite value = Scientific + Geodiversity + Ecological & aesthetic + Cultural + Potential threats & protection needs + Potential for useBrilha model:Geomorphosite value = Scientific + Geotourism + Educational + Degradation risk /4

In Brilhs model, the highest value are the indicator of degradation risk and the lowest value is the tourism indicator. In terms of the degree of risk of degradation, both geosites are in a moderate position, which if not managed properly, they could be at high risk of degradation in the not-too-distant future. The lowest scores of geosites in Zouros model are indicators related to potential threats & protection needs and ecological & aesthetic. The low tourism value of travertine forms of Kanigravan spring is the according to the model due to the lack of residential infrastructure, security and more suitable access than the geosite of Shalmash waterfalls. The lowest indicator values are related to potential threats & protection needand ecological & aesthetic in Zouros model. The highest rank of the indicators is related to the scientific value. Assessment of geomorphosites using the Zouros model is shown that Shalmash triple waterfall collection with score of 83 the highest rank and travertine forms collection of Kanigaravan spring with score of 71.5 the lowest rank has allocate.

It seems that the selected geomorphosites of Sardasht region have been less visited due to the high scientific score evaluated in the Zouros model and educational score in the Brilha model that it can be due to less recognition, weak scientific content by the international community and rarity at the national level. Due to the weakness of management actions to the geosites conservation of Sardasht region, educational programs should be provide for visitors, especially students for understanding the importance of the region’s geomorphosites and to further influence their insights on geological and geomorphological processes of the region. Programs such as identification of landform, based on global standard scientific methods to maintain the topography integrity and collection of rare samples to restoration and validity, assigning some geosites as geography lab (geomorphology), to a large and independent organization in the country, such as the ministry of science, research and technology. Initiatives schemes based on geomorphological sites assessment in this region sush as Brilha and Zouros model allow the local communities to gain experience and have had active participation in geoconservation and geoheritage management.