Geodiversity, Geotourism, and Geoconservation Along the Agadir–Ouarzazate Transect (Anti-Atlas, Morocco): From Geodynamics to Scenography

Abstract

The Anti-Atlas mountain range is a region of high geodiversity where geological heritage intersects with fragile socio-economic systems. This study evaluates the Agadir–Ouarzazate transect as a case study of sustainable territorial valorization, combining a standard quantitative geosite assessment framework applied to eleven natural geosites with a novel Geomorphological Scenography Index (GSI) developed to evaluate seven geo-cinematic sites from a broader inventory of eight documented film locations, alongside a survey of eleven vernacular heritage sites—kasbahs, a fortified ksar, city ramparts, and one collective cliff granary (Igoudar). Spatial analysis indicates strong lithological control over the conversion of geodiversity into place-based economic and cultural assets: Protected Designation of Origin Taliouine saffron depends on Siroua volcanic soils and Taznakht carpet production on Precambrian basement pastoralism; earthen Ksour architecture shows close geomorphological adaptation to mountain climates and active geodynamics; and the conversion of geological landscapes into cinematic assets (“geographical surrogacy”) reaches a mean GSI of 3.28/4.00 (SD = 0.48; maximum 3.80, CLA Studios) across the documented inventory. Two roadside geosites reach near-maximum degradation risk (390/400). In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Morocco’s Law No. 33.22 on heritage protection, this study proposes a formalized Geo-Cinematic Route as a data-driven management tool balancing geoconservation with tourism diversification in arid mountain settings.