Geoeducation, geotourism, and geoconservation of the Timaderouine Ediacaran-Ordovician geosites, western Tinghir (Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

The Ediacaran-Paleozoic rocks of the Timaderouine area are exposed in the Jbel Saghro domain, which belongs to the Eastern Anti-Atlas Mountain Belt in Southern Morocco. The region contains geosites with significance in structural geology, mineralogy, sedimentology, paleontology, geomorphology, and important mining potential. This study focuses on the inventory and the quantitative assessment of nine Ediacaran-Ordovician geosites in the west of Tinghir city. The global methodology used for assessment is based on evaluating each geosite's scientific, educational, touristic, and degradation risk values. The results indicate that the scientific value is high (scores are ranging from 330 to 370) for seven geosites and moderate for two geosites (290 and 300 respectively). In terms of educational value, all the geosites exhibit high scores, with a maximum of 340. Moreover, the touristic value is high at two geosites (305 and 310 respectively), while the remaining seven geosites exhibit moderate values. Finally, five geosites have a moderate degradation risk, with a maximum score of 225. The other four geosites are categorized, each scoring 130. The moderate degradation risk values are mainly caused by the small extension of geosites, water and wind erosion, mining activity, and illegal and abusive fossil collection. Based on these findings and the significant value of the assessed geosites in the nearby High Atlas and M'Goun Geopark, it is essential to implement protective measures and conservation strategies for the geosites in the Timaderouine area. This would enhance geotourism attractiveness of the Tinghir territory, part of the Draa-Tafilalet region and support the development of future geoconservation, educational, and tourism strategies. Ultimately, the establishment of a new UNESCO Global Geopark (Saghro Geopark) within the Draa-Tafilalet region could contribute to sustainable development and improve the socioeconomic conditions of the local communities, particularly by expanding geotourism-driven economic opportunities in Tinghir province.