Geomorphological Landscape Assessment in the Hismah Desert: A Possible Geopark in Link with NEOM Project

IF 2.3 2区地球科学 Q2 GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Geoheritage Pub Date : 2024-05-07 DOI:10.1007/s12371-024-00956-8

Subhajit Sen, Mohamed O. Abouelresh, Ali Almusabeh, Fahad S. Al-Ismail, Bruno Pulido, Thadickal V. Joydas

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Abstract

NEOM is a new regional development in Saudi Arabia with a strong focus on the environment and sustainable development. In the cultural aspect, NEOM represents an opportunity for urban development that considers the protection of natural heritage assets. The Hismah desert in the northeast part of NEOM is characterised by sandstone and aeolian landscapes which are important in terms of scientific, educational, tourism, archaeological, ecological, and cultural value. This paper aims to assess the geomorphological landscape in the Hismah desert and provides a sustainable development plan for geoconservation and geotourism. The assessment method considers the landscape’s scientific and economic value, mainly derived from fieldwork. Economic value is calculated from ecological, aesthetic, and cultural value. Scientific and economic value for the whole landscape is high. The prolonged weathering and denudation process leads to mesa, butte, pinnacle, scarp, yardang, wadi, and rock pedestal formation. Key aeolian features are nebkha, sand and gravel sheets. The geological features are honeycomb structures, sandstone crossbed, and sedimentary deformation. Historical and cultural features enhance economic value. Considering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, geoconservation and geotourism can be developed sustainably to support regional development in an arid region. Therefore, in link with the NEOM Project, this paper proposes Hismah Desert as a geopark for conserving geomorphological landscape, geotourism and regional development.

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希斯玛沙漠地貌景观评估：与 NEOM 项目相关联的可能地质公园

NEOM 是沙特阿拉伯一个新的区域发展项目，重点关注环境和可持续发展。在文化方面，NEOM 为考虑保护自然遗产资产的城市发展提供了机遇。位于 NEOM 东北部的 Hismah 沙漠以砂岩和风蚀地貌为特征，在科学、教育、旅游、考古、生态和文化价值方面具有重要意义。本文旨在评估希斯马沙漠的地貌景观，并为地质保护和地质旅游提供可持续发展计划。评估方法考虑了地貌景观的科学价值和经济价值，这些价值主要来自实地考察。经济价值由生态、美学和文化价值计算得出。整个景观的科学和经济价值较高。长期的风化和剥蚀过程形成了台地、山丘、尖峰、陡崖、码塘、洼地和岩座。主要的风化地貌是nebkha、沙和砾石片。地质特征为蜂窝状结构、砂岩横床和沉积变形。历史和文化特征提升了经济价值。考虑到联合国可持续发展目标，地质保护和地质旅游可持续发展，以支持干旱地区的区域发展。因此，结合 NEOM 项目，本文建议将希斯玛沙漠作为保护地貌景观、发展地质旅游和地区发展的地质公园。

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来源期刊

Geoheritage GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY-

CiteScore

5.10

自引率

34.50%

发文量

107

期刊介绍： The Geoheritage journal is an international journal dedicated to discussing all aspects of our global geoheritage, both in situ and portable. The journal will invite all contributions on the conservation of sites and materials - use, protection and practical heritage management - as well as its interpretation through education, training and tourism. The journal wishes to cover all aspects of geoheritage and its protection. Key topics are: - Identification, characterisation, quantification and management of geoheritage; - Geodiversity and geosites; - On-site science, geological and geomorphological research: - Global scientific heritage - key scientific geosites, GSSPs, stratotype conservation and management; - Scientific research and education, and the promotion of the geosciences thereby; - Conventions, statute and legal instruments, national and international; - Integration of biodiversity and geodiversity in nature conservation and land-use policies; - Geological heritage and Environmental Impact Assessment studies; - Geological heritage, sustainable development, community action, practical initiatives and tourism; - Geoparks: creation, management and outputs; - Conservation in the natural world, Man-made and natural impacts, climate change; - Geotourism definitions, methodologies, and case studies; - International mechanisms for conservation and popularisation - World Heritage Sites, National Parks etc.; - Materials, data and people important in the history of science, museums, collections and all portable geoheritage; - Education and training of geoheritage specialists; - Pedagogical use of geological heritage - publications, teaching media, trails, centres, on-site museums; - Linking the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005- 2014) with geoconservation.