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Amina Malaki, Faculté des Sciences de Rabat (Morocco)
Mohamed El Wartiti, Faculté des Sciences de Rabat (Morocco)
Felice Di Gregorio, Université de Cagliari (Italie) (Jamaica)
Mohamed Zahraoui, Faculté des Sciences de Rabat (Morocco)
Fatima Kharbouch, Faculté des Sciences de Rabat (Morocco)
Benacer El Mahi, Faculté des Sciences de Rabat (Morocco)
Driss Fadli, Faculté des Sciences de Rabat (Morocco)
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Although concepts such as "geological heritage", "geosite", "geopark", and geotop have been widely used over the past few years, the level of understanding the significance and implications of these concepts in practice is open to discussion. Geosites can be defined as sites coming from a natural history which relates the story of the Universe, the Earth and the Humans. They are also opened to the tourists. The Heritage Interpretation of these geosites can help people to understand the story of the Earth and can actually provoke the awareness of their necessary preservation. The tourist opening of these geosites takes part in the sustainable development of their territories. The area of study (Tabular Middle Atlas) wich forms part of the Middle atlasic chain is particulary rich in volcanic geosites of great importance for the study of the geological heritage and geoscientific landscape of Morocco. Recently, an inventory was published, which includes many valuable volcanic geosites covering this area, but a legal recognition of this is still lacking. It now seems possible to create and implement sustainable development strategies within territories, based on or including heritage. Still, it is necessary to agree on a determined heritage approach and on how it can be mobilised as regards to regional and local development. The results on the identification, and promotion of volcanic geosites in the Tabular Middle Atlas show that geoparks can become the appropriate tool to heighten public awareness of the values of geological and geomorphological heritage. The successful operation of such structures will ensure the protection and promotion of the volcanic geosite and has the potential to add significantly to local development.
KEY WORDS : Volcanic geosites, Tabular Middle Atlas, Inventory, Sustainable development, Geopark.
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