A Vision on a UNESCO Global Geopark at the Southeastern Dead Sea in Jordan—Geosites and Conceptual Approach

Abstract

A vision for the establishment of a Geopark in Jordan is given in this work, with a subsequent application to the UNESCO Global Geopark programme. The Dead Sea area and its surroundings have suffered strong changes in the last decades, accompanied by a variety of natural hazards related to enhanced erosional processes. The aspiring Geopark will thematically encompass the influence that these changes and related natural hazards, including flash floods and subsidence, have had on the local population, from geological, over historical up to recent times. The hydrogeology and geomorphology, i.e., the connection between erosion by water, dissolution of minerals, and landscape evolution, will be the main guiding theme that connects the Eastern Rim Highlands with the Dead Sea rift valley through ephemeral wadis, vegetated springs areas, and traditionally communities. The creation of the Geopark is aimed at holistic, sustainable development and management of the area by eco-tourism, and includes education on water resource management, hazard awareness and resilience, as well as international research. We here present the conceptual approach to the initial development of a Geopark network in Jordan. In a narrative discourse, we highlight realised and further implementation steps, with an evaluation of the expected timeline, potential partner institutions, regional involvement and the chances for realisation.

A Vision on a UNESCO Global Geopark at the Southeastern Dead Sea in Jordan—How Natural Hazards May Offer Geotourism Opportunities

“…Besides the technical background, and discussion of the expected outcomes regarding a suitable warning system, we also provide essential information for communication planning between the different entities of the territory. In a companion paper [20], we discuss the concepts, general challenges and chances to establish a UGGp in Jordan, southeast of the Dead Sea. The envisioned geopark comprises a major part of the lake and adjacent parts of the Eastern Rim Highlands and extends up to the desertic plateau.…”

“…Panel (a) shows a topographic map with the proposed area of the geopark and the most important geological/ecological and archaeological/human features. A list of these features is given in the companion paper [20]. The The map in Figure 7b shows in detail the features found around and in the main focus area of the proposed geopark.…”

“…Panel (a) shows a topographic map with the pro posed area of the geopark and the most important geological/ecological and archaeologi cal/human features. A list of these features is given in the companion paper [20]. The pro posed location of the UGGp places it almost entirely in the Al-Karak and At-Tafilah gov ernorates.…”

“…From a national touristic point of view, this project will help to link the region to other well-known parts of the country such as the Northern Dead Sea and Petra (cf. companion paper [20]) and will make the planning and development of infrastructure indispensable, i.e., leading to more investment.…”

Establishing a GIS-SMCDA model of sustainable eco-tourism development in Pahang, Malaysia

“…The benefit of ecotourism is that it comes from voluntary performance (Al-Halbouni et al, 2022). Businesses and academics seek to create volunteer resources that are marketed as 'good tourism' or 'conservation holidays' (Novelli et al, 2016).…”