Karst features and related social processes in the region of the Vikos Gorge and Tymphi Mountain (Northern Pindos National Park, Greece)

Abstract

Due to unfavourable natural conditions (poor soils, lack of water, special relief conditions), karst terrains have always been relatively sparsely populated, and they have been seriously affected by recent depopulation processes. However, the creation of national parks on karst terrains and the recent increase of (geo)tourism may influence and even turn these population trends. Our study examines the validity of this statement in the context of Vikos Gorge and Tymphi Mountain (NW Greece). Geological and geomorphological values are presented first, including Vikos Gorge, the glaciokarst landscape of Tymphi and the particular spherical rock concretions. Digital terrain analysis is used to obtain scientifically based, reliable morphometric parameters about Vikos Gorge, and it is found that the maximum gorge depth is 1144 m, the maximum width is 2420 m, and the maximum of depth/width ratio is 0.76. Thereafter, rural depopulation trends are examined and it is found that this region (Zagori) is seriously affected by depopulation. It is observed that there are differences among settlements, and a relative stabilization of population is sensible in only few settlements around Vikos Gorge, which are linked to tourism. As for nature protection, while at the beginning conflicts were perceptible among management and local people, now new conflicts are emerging between growing tourism and nature protection goals.

Karst Geoheritage of Tara National Park (Serbia) and Its Geotouristic Potential

“…Analyses were performed using ArcMap 10.3 software. Regarding the morphometric analysis of dolines, we used the methods described in Telbisz et al (2007Telbisz et al ( , 2015Telbisz et al ( , 2016, and for gorges, the method presented in Telbisz et al (2019). Doline morphometry was completed by a validation field survey, during which the dimensions of 70 dolines in three selected sample areas were measured by GPS.…”

Exploring the Preferences of Iranian Geotourists: Case Study of Shadows Canyon and Canyon of Jinns

“…Tourism interest in these and similar geological formations and landscapes has been rapidly increasing in the last decade. Consequently, geoheritage and geosites now have a much bigger role and greater importance in the overall tourism offer in most countries [3][4][5][6]. Evidence of this can be found especially in less developed countries where mass tourism is still not present [1].…”

Defining Evolutionary Conservation Units in the Macedonian Crested Newt, Triturus macedonicus (Amphibia; Salamandridae), in a Biodiversity Hotspot

“…In contrast, Clade 2 shows long demographic stability, and the populations probably survived in an independent refugium during the Last Glacial Maximum. Central Zagori was a suitable area that was absent of glaciers compared with the rest of the Northern Pindos area [81,82]. However, the recent expansion model is supported for Sub-Clade 2A.…”