Les géosites karstiques, fondements du Geopark Famenne-Ardenne

Abstract

The Walloon territory is very rich in natural sites wich are attracting more and more tourists. This economic resource has a counterpart: increasing pressure on geo-heritage, with its attendant possible pollution. That motivated the commitment to a "UNESCO Global Geopark" labelling process, crowned with success in 2018 under the name "UNESCO Global Geopark Famenne-Ardenne". To this end, politicians provided most of the funding for the Geopark Famenne-Ardenne, while tourism professionals played the role of transmitting the objectives of the Geopark to stakeholders in the field.This Geopark owes its label above all to its karst sites. A sinking of epigenetic rivers into an Appalachian relief where limestone ridges alternate with shale depressions has resulted in the structuring of underground karst systems intersecting the meanders of these rivers. On the plateaus, streams coming from impermeable areas sink underground as they pass over the limestone strip where their confluence forms subterranean rivers leading to their resurgence in epigenetic valleys. These surface and underground landscapes have been the subject of many scientific studies covering all the specificities of this karst.The work on the geopark concept has highlighted, sometimes clearly, sometimes in an underlying way, the difficulty of reconciling tourism, economic activity and respect for the environment. The emphasis was therefore placed on close collaboration with tourism stakeholders, politicians and companies, as reflected in the composition of the Geopark board of directors, so that actions undertaken reconcile the economic imperatives of the region and those of the protection and enhancement of the environment. The geopark concept as now promoted by UNESCO does not only include geological, geomorphological and biological wealth. It is part of the global objectives of sustainable development, concerning regions on the fringes of centres of economic activity as well as populated and prosperous regions. Businesses, lodges and traders are invited to become partners of the Geopark by signing the UNESCO charter, which assures of respect for the environment and responsible business conduct.In this context, the actions undertaken within the framework of the Geopark Famenne-Ardenne are carried out taking into account the specificities of the territory, in particular its karst nature. (1) The scientific research carried out in the Geopark karst sites are not only continued but also amplified thanks to agreements scientific institutions. (2) The result of this research is communicated to the general public, in a simplified form, but without distorting the message. (3) Constant attention is paid to the protection of the environment. With this in mind, regular meetings are held with the political, tourist and economic actors who act in the Geopark. (4) Educational actions are carried out for schoolchildren and students (presentations, practical work and excursions). (5) Particularly interesting and original sites (caves, reliefs, historic buildings, etc.) are presented on the Geopark website. In the field, educational equipment is being installed (panels, QR codes). (6) Geobalades for each municipality of the Geopark are available on the WEB site and soon in the form of booklets on sale in the Tourist Offices and Syndicates of Initiative. They indicate characteristic landscapes and focus on particular geological, geomorphological and historical objects.

Keywords

• karstic phenomena
• UNESCO global Geopark
• Famenne-Ardenne