Instauration of Geopark Pilot: Preliminary Approach in Implementation Process of Geoconservation at Isalo National Park,  Madagascar

Hasina Nirina Randrianaly; Tsilavo Raharimahefa; Aroniaina Rajaonarivo; Andrea Di Cencio; Daniel Haja Tolimasy

doi:10.4236/gep.2015.37004

Home > Journals > Earth & Environmental Sciences > GEP

Journal of Geoscience and Environment Pr... > Vol.3 No.7, September 2015

Instauration of Geopark Pilot: Preliminary Approach in Implementation Process of Geoconservation at Isalo National Park, Madagascar ()

Hasina Nirina Randrianaly^1*, Tsilavo Raharimahefa², Aroniaina Rajaonarivo³, Andrea Di Cencio⁴, Daniel Haja Tolimasy⁵

¹Département de Paléontologie et d’Anthropologie Biologique, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
²Department of Geology, University of Regina, Regina, Canada.
³Isalo National Parks, Ihorombe, Madagascar.
⁴Geology & Paleontology Technical Studio, San Casciano, Italy.
⁵Institut Supérieur de Géologie de l’Ingénieur et de l’Environement Madagasikara, Antananarivo, Madagascar.

DOI: 10.4236/gep.2015.37004 PDF HTML 2,690 Downloads 3,290 Views Citations

Abstract

Although Madagascar has long been recognized as a biodiversity hotspot for conservation, very little is yet known about its diverse endemic fossils and the original beauty of its geotopes. The richness and endemicity of geodiversity constitute nonrenewable natural resources, which deserve to be valorized and protected. Protection of natural heritage resources, aligned with geotourism, can provide a sustainable way for the population to rise out of poverty. The main purpose of this work is the instauration of Geopark, a long-term project in Madagascar National Parks to support geotourism and sustainable development. Given its outstanding landscape and its unique bio- and geo-diversity, we adopt Isalo Park as a pilot site, and suggest that this specific area is suitable for a Geopark. Following our field investigation, inventory and geodiversity assessments within the park are now underway, which will contribute to the implementation of Isalo Geopark.

Keywords

Geoconservation, Geotourism, Geosites Value, Isalo National Park, Madagascar

Share and Cite:

Randrianaly, H. , Raharimahefa, T. , Rajaonarivo, A. , Di Cencio, A. and Tolimasy, D. (2015) Instauration of Geopark Pilot: Preliminary Approach in Implementation Process of Geoconservation at Isalo National Park, Madagascar. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 3, 25-40. doi: 10.4236/gep.2015.37004.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Raharimahefa, T. (2012) Geoconservation and Geodiversity for Sustainable Development in Madagascar. Madagascar Conservation & Development, 7, 126-134.
[2]	Dunbar, P.K. (2007) Increasing Public Awareness of Natural Hazards via the Internet. Nat Hazards, 42, 529-536. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11069-006-9072-3
[3]	Coratza, P. and De Waele, J. (2012) Geomorphosites and Natural Hazards: Teaching the Importance of Geomorphology in Society. Geoheritage, 4, 195-203. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12371-012-0058-0
[4]	Duff, K. (1994) Natural Areas: An Holistic Approach to Conservation Based on Geology. In: O’Halloran, D., et al., Eds., Geological and Landscape Conservation, Geological Society, London, 121-126.
[5]	Sharples, C. (1995) Geoconservation in Forest Management—Principles and Procedures. Tasforests Forestry Tasmania, Hobart, 7, 37-50.
[6]	Black, G.P. (1988) Geological Conservation: A Review of Past Problems and Future Promise. Vol. 40, In: Crowther, P.R. and Wimbledon, W.A., Eds., The Use and Conservation of Palaeontological Sites—Special Paper in Palaeontology, Paleontological Association, London, 105-111.
[7]	Wimbledon, W.A.P., Benton, M.J., Bevins, R.E., Black, G.P., Bridgland, D.R., Cleal, C.J., Cooper, R.G. and May, V.J. (1995) The Development of a Methodology for the Selection of British Sites for Conservation. Part 1. Modern Geology, 20, 159-202.
[8]	Panizza, M. (2001) Géomorphosites: Concepts, Methods and Example of Geomorphological Survey. Chinese Science Bulletin, 46, 4-6.
[9]	Perret, A. (2008) Inventaire de Géomorphosites du Parc jurassiens vaudois : Essai d’intégration des géotopes spéléo-logiques et valorisation géomorphologique des réserves naturelles. Maitrise universitaire ès Lettres, Institut de géographie, Université de Lausanne, Suisse.
[10]	Reynard, E. and Panizza, M. (2005) Geomorphosites: Definition, Assessment and Mapping. Géomorphologie: Relief, Processus, Environnement, 3, 177-180.
[11]	De Waele, J., Di Gregorio, F., Melis, M.T. and El Wartiti, M. (2009) Landscape Units, Geomorphosites and Geodiversity of the Ifrane-Azrou Region (Middle Atlas, Morocco). Memoria Descrittive della Carta Geologica d’Italia, 87, 63-76.
[12]	Lugon, R. and Reynard, E. (2003) Pour un inventaire des géotopes du canton du Valais. Bulletin de la Murithienne, 121, 83-97.
[13]	Pagano, L. (2008) Inventaire des géotopes géomorphologiques du Val Bavona et du Val Rovana Sélection, évaluation et perspectives. Institut de géographie Université de Lausanne, Lausanne.
[14]	Wimbledon, W.A.P. (1996) Geosites—A New Conservation Initiative. Episodes, 19, 87-88.
[15]	Wimbledon, W.A.P., Ishchenko, A.A., Gerasimenko, N.P., Karis, L.O., Suominen, V., Johansson, C.E. and Freden, C. (2001) Geosites—An IUGS Initiative: Science Supported by Conservation. In: Barettino, D., Wimbledon, W.A.P. and Gallego, E., Eds., Proceedings of the Madrid 3rd International Symposium on the Conservation of the Geological Heritage, Madrid, 69-94.
[16]	Ilies, D.C. and Josan, N. (2009) Geosites-Geomorphosites and Relief. GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites, 3, 78-85.
[17]	Hose, A.T. (2011) The English Origins of Geotourism (As a Vehicle for Geoconservation) and Their Relevance to Current Studies. Acta Geographica Slovenica, 51, 343-359. http://dx.doi.org/10.3986/AGS51302
[18]	Gray, M. (2004) Geodiversity: Valuing and Conserving Abiotic Nature. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Chichester.
[19]	Schlueter, T. (2008) Women and the International Year of Planet Earth. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference of the Association of African Women Geoscientists (AAWG), Cairo, 14-16 April 2008, 14-15.
[20]	Errami, E. (2006) Third Conference of the Association of African Women Geoscientists “Women, Geosciences and Development”. Episodes, 29, 293-294.
[21]	Errami, E., Schneider, G., Ennih, N., Randrianaly, H.N., Bendaoud, A., Noubhani, A., Norman, N., Allan, M., Vasconcelos, L., Costa, L., Al-Wosabi, M., Al-Subbary, A., Mabvuto-Ngwira, P., Okunlola, G., Halliru, S.L., Andrianaivo, L., Siby, S., Ketchem, B., Gauly, M., Hassine, M., Azki, F., Juliette, T., Lattrache, K., Omulo, M. and Bobrowsky, P. (2015) Geoheritage and Geoparks in Africa and the Middle-East: Challenges and Perspectives. In: Errami, E., Brocx, M. and Semeniuk, V., Eds., From Geoheritage to Geopark: Case Studies from Anfrica and Beyond, Springer, Dordrecht, 3-23.
[22]	Schneider, G.I.C. and Schneider, M.B. (2005) Gondwanaland Geopark, UNESCO Consultancy. Windhoek/Namibia.
[23]	Schandelmeier, H., Bremer, F. and Holl, H.-G. (2004) Kinematic Evolution of the Morondava Rift Basin of SW Madagascar: From Wrench Tectonics to Normal Extension. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 38, 321-330. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2003.11.002
[24]	Wescott, W.A. and Diggens, J.N. (1998) Depositional History and Stratigraphical Evolution of the Sakamena Group (Middle Karoo Supergroup) in the Southern Morondava Basin, Madagascar. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 27, 461-479. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0899-5362(98)00073-6
[25]	Bradt, H. (2011) Madagascar. British Library.
[26]	Sourdat, M. (1970) Sur l’evolution du massif de l’Isalo et du bassin de l’Onilahy (Sud—Ouest de Madagascar). Madagascar: Revue de géographie, 16, 105-118.
[27]	Harmon, D. (2004) Intangible Values of Protected Areas: What Are They? Why Do They Matter? The George Wright Forum, 21, 9-22.
[28]	Gray, M. (2005) Geodiversity and Geoconservation: What, Why and How? The George Wright Forum, 22, 4-12.
[29]	Reynard, E. (2008) Scientific Research and Tourist Promotion of Geomorphological Heritage. Geografia Fisica e Dinammica, 31, 225-230.
[30]	Henriques, M.H., Dos Reis, R.P., Brilha, J. and Mota, T. (2011) Geoconservation as an Emerging Geoscience. Geoheritage, 3, 117-128. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12371-011-0039-8
[31]	Geological Society of America (GSA) (2012) Geoheritage. http://www.geosociety.org/positions/pos20_Geoheritage.pdf
[32]	Gray, M., Gordon, J.E. and Brown, E.J. (2013) Geodiversity and the Ecosystem Approach: The Contribution of Geoscience in Delivering Integrated Environmental Management. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, Geoconservation for Science and Society, 124, 659-730.
[33]	Madagascar National Parks (2011) http://www.parcsmadagascar.com
[34]	Ferrero, E., Giardino, M., Lozar, F., Giordano, E., Belluso, E. and Perotti, L. (2012) Geodiversity Action Plans for the Enhancement of Geoheritage in the Piemonte Region (North-Western Italy). Annals of Geophisics, 55, 485-497.
[35]	Pereira, P. (2006) Património geomorfológico: Conceptualizacao, avaliacao e divulgacao. Aplicacao ao Parque Natural de Montesinho. PhD Thesis, Departmento de Ciências da Terra, universidade do Minho, Minho.
[36]	Pereira, P. and Pereira, D. (2010) Methodological Guidelines for Geomorphosite Assessment. Géomorphologie: Relief, Processus, Environnement, 2, 215-222.
[37]	Hughes, K. and Ballantyne, R. (2010) Interpretation Rocks! Designing Signs for Geotourism Sites. In: Newsome, D. and Dowling, R.K., Eds., Geotourism: The Tourism of Geology and Landscape, Goodfellow Publishers Limited, Oxford, 184-199.
[38]	De Lima, F.F., Brilha, J.B. and Salamuni, E. (2010) Inventorying Geological Heritage in Large Territories: A Methodological Proposal Applied to Brazil. Geoheritage, 2, 91-99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12371-010-0014-9
[39]	Monks, N. and Palmer, P. (2002) Ammonites. Smithsonian Institutes Press, Washington DC, 1-159.
[40]	Venturi, F. (1972) Evoluzione dei gusci in Hildoceratidae e biostratigrafia del Toarciano al M. Serano (Umbria). Bollettino Società Geologica Italiana, 91, 25-35.
[41]	Venturi, F. (1973) La zona a Falcifer—Toarciano inferiore—Del Monte dell’Eremita (Monteleone di Spoleto, Umbria sud) e riflessi sulla biostratigrafia del Rosso Ammonitico umbro. Bollettino Società Geologica Italian, 92, 581-603.
[42]	Venturi, F. (1981) Le “Rosso Ammonitico” du Toarcien inferieur dans quelques localités de l’Apennin de Marche-Ombrie. Conséquences sur la stratigraphie et la taxonomie des Ammonitina. Rosso Ammonitico Symposium Proceedings, Roma, 581-602
[43]	Gabill, J. (1973) Le Toarcien du Poitou. Université de Poitiers, Poitiers.
[44]	Di Cencio, A. (2007) Aspetti sedimentologici e paleontologici dei sedimenti toarciani nell’area del bacino umbro-marchigiano-sabino: Cause dei cambiamenti dell’ambiente deposizionale ai passaggi Pliensbachiano-Toarciano e Toarciano-Aaleniano. PhD Thesis, University of Chieti, Chieti.