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Geo-Heritage and Geo-Tourism Potential of the Saoura Valley: A Field Geology Museum in the Ougarta Range (SW Algeria)

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Abstract

The geo-heritage of the Saoura Valley in Southwest Algeria is particularly rich and of undeniable scientific value for studying the Palaeozoic, Neogene and Quaternary strata inherited from the Ougarta chain. Although Algeria has always been highly ranked among the most fascinating geodiversity countries, its geological heritage has been seldom described and presented to the African and international community. Subsequently its geodiversity and geo-resources are under-recognized. The Saoura Valley is renowned for its gorgeous geological, oasian and geomorphological landscapes, as well as for its archaeological wealth. In the present paper, we intend to briefly describe the main lithostratigraphic units of the Devonian series exposed in the Saoura Valley and to give an overview of the Quaternary outcrops. Several geo-sites were observed and inventoried, showing a highly significative scientific value and also some remarkable educational and tourism potential as evidenced by their huge historical, archaeological, geological, and cultural heritage. Additionally, the Saoura Valley displays pedagogical geo-sites of cardinal interest for different geological disciplines, among which are stratigraphy, palaeontology, ichnology, geomorphology, geodynamics, structural geology, and ecology, all reflecting the diversified geological record of the area. Besides its aesthetic value, the rich geodiversity of the Saoura Valley displays an obvious scientific and touristic interest. According to the obtained numerical scores using recent quantitative assessment methodology, the Saoura Valley is very promising and can be considered a first-order destination since geo-sites therein score quite a high attraction potential and recreational value for tourism development. These scores ought to be treated with great care by the authorities to effectively promote tourism and to accordingly enhance the local socio-economic development in this remote area. Furthermore, the Saoura Valley area deserves more attention and requires geo-conservation programs and protection strategies right away to make sure that these geo-resources will be preserved for future generations.

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(adapted from Ghienne et al. 2007)

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the General Directorate of Scientific Research and Technological Development (“DGRSDT”), Algeria. The authors are thankful to the anonymous reviewers for their comments and valuable suggestions. Dr Bruno Ferré (Saint Étienne du Rouvray, France) ironed up the preliminary English version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi-Ouzou, Tizi-Ouzou, DZ-15000, Algeria

    Imad Bouchemla

  2. Laboratory of Geomatics, Ecology and Environment, Mustapha Stambouli University of Mascara, Mascara, DZ-29000, Algeria

    Imad Bouchemla & Madani Benyoucef

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  1. Imad Bouchemla
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Imad Bouchemla conceived and designed the study, collected and analyzed data, and wrote the original draft. Madani Benyoucef supervised and performed both the experiment and the field job. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Bouchemla, I., Benyoucef, M. Geo-Heritage and Geo-Tourism Potential of the Saoura Valley: A Field Geology Museum in the Ougarta Range (SW Algeria). Geoheritage 16, 56 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-024-00954-w

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