Geological Heritage and Geotourism Potential of Adıyaman Province

Öz

This study aims to establish a geological heritage (geosite) inventory for Adıyaman Province and to evaluate the geotourism potential of this heritage. Within the scope of the study, geosites throughout the province were systematically cataloged based on the ProGEO (1998) and Kazancı et al. (2015) classifications, their geographical distribution was mapped, and they were categorised according to their scientific, educational, and visual/aesthetic values. Adıyaman is located on complex tectonic structures of the Bitlis-Zagros Orogeny, formed by the collision of the African, Arabian, and Eurasian plates. This geological history has led to the emergence of numerous geological heritage features with national and international importance. The findings reveal that despite its geographically small area, Adıyaman possesses extraordinary geodiversity. This rich accumulation of geological and natural assets indicates that the region holds significant, yet untapped, geotourism potential. In particular, integrating the identified geological heritage with the archaeological wealth of Mount Nemrut offers a strategic opportunity for sustainable regional development. However, anthropogenic threats such as quarrying, vandalism, and legal gaps endanger this heritage. The study proposes comprehensive geoconservation and geotourism strategies against these threats, including site protection, buffer zone establishment, local employment, development of thematic georoutes, and the establishment of a UNESCO global geopark. In conclusion, interdisciplinary cooperation, scientific research, and enhancing public awareness are crucial for the sustainable conservation of Adıyaman's geological heritage and its transformation into regional development through geotourism.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Natural heritage
• geological heritage
• geosite
• geoconservation
• geotourism
• Adıyaman

Adıyaman İlinin Jeolojik Miras ve Jeoturizm Potansiyeli / Geological Heritage and Geotourism Potential of Adıyaman Province

Öz

Bu çalışma, Adıyaman ilinin jeolojik miras (jeosit) envanterini oluşturmayı ve bu mirasın jeoturizm potansiyelini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma kapsamında, ProGEO (1998) ve Kazancı vd. (2015) sınıflandırmaları temel alınarak il genelindeki jeositler sistematik olarak kataloglanmış, coğrafi dağılımları haritalanmış ve bilimsel, eğitimsel, görsel/estetik değerleri açısından sınıflandırılmıştır. Adıyaman, Afrika, Arap ve Avrasya levhalarının çarpışmasıyla oluşan Bitlis-Zagros Orojenezi'nin karmaşık tektonik yapıları üzerinde yer almaktadır. Bu jeolojik geçmiş, ulusal ve uluslararası öneme sahip çok sayıda jeolojik miras unsurunun ortaya çıkmasını sağlamıştır. Bulgular, Adıyaman'ın coğrafi olarak küçük yüzölçümüne rağmen, olağanüstü bir jeoçeşitliliğe sahip olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Bu zengin jeolojik ve doğal varlık birikimi, bölgenin henüz değerlendirilmemiş önemli bir jeoturizm potansiyeli taşıdığını ortaya koymaktadır. Özellikle, tespit edilen jeolojik mirasın Nemrut Dağı’nın arkeolojik zenginliği ile bütünleştirilmesi, sürdürülebilir bölgesel kalkınma için stratejik bir fırsat sunmaktadır. Ancak, taş ocakçılığı, vandalizm ve yasal boşluklar gibi antropojenik tehditler bu mirası risk altına sokmaktadır. Çalışma, bu tehditlere karşı alan koruma, tampon bölge oluşturma, yerel istihdam, tematik jeorotaların geliştirilmesi ve bir UNESCO Küresel Jeopark'ı kurulmasına yönelik kapsamlı jeokoruma ve jeoturizm stratejileri önermektedir. Sonuç olarak, Adıyaman'ın jeolojik mirasının sürdürülebilir bir şekilde korunması ve jeoturizm yoluyla bölgesel kalkınmaya dönüştürülmesi için kurumlar arası iş birliği, bilimsel araştırmalar ve toplumsal farkındalığın artırılması kritik öneme sahiptir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Doğal miras
• Jeolojik miras
• Jeosit
• Jeokoruma
• Jeoturizm
• Adıyaman

Kaynakça

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