DIGITAL ITINERARIES FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF GEOTOURISM

Module GEOPETROLOGY

The course “DIGITAL ITINERARIES FOR THE PROMOTION OF GEOTOURISM” (Geoptrology Module), offered as part of the master’s degree program in Sustainable, Cultural, and Nature-Based Tourism Planning, has the overall objective of providing students with the fundamental principles for creating thematic nature maps using computational methods.

Specifically, the course aims to provide students with the basic knowledge needed to interpret the natural landscape by analyzing the dynamic processes of the Earth system, using petrogenetic rock classification as a tool. The course will then move on to interpreting Sicilian landscapes based on the prevailing lithological characteristics in various areas of the region.

Finally, the following outcomes are expected:

Knowledge and comprehension skills on the operational tools proper to apps and thematic geoportals for nature tourism, with particular reference to the operations of georeferencing, digitization, and processing of thematic layouts of geonaturalistic interest.

Capacity in the application of knowledge and understanding to integrate, analyze, process, store, distribute, and make interoperable georeferenced spatial data in both raster and vector formats of geonaturalistic interest.

The course also aims to foster the development of the following transversal skills:

Autonomy of judgement

Students will be stimulated to independently deepen their knowledge on the topics covered and to maintain a constant comparison with other students and with the teacher so that they can critically monitor their own learning process.

Communication skills:

Attending lectures and reading handouts and recommended texts will help the student to acquire an adequate technical-scientific language through the learning of specific terms, definitions, acronyms, and concepts related to the topics covered. Through constant interaction with the lecturer, the student will learn to expound with rigor and clarity the knowledge acquired.

Learning skills:

Students will be guided in the process of perfecting their study methods. In particular, through appropriate guided exercises, students will be able to tackle new topics independently and update their knowledge of the subject through informed research and critical reading of specialist texts and/or scientific articles.

The course consists of 3 CFU of lectures totaling 18 hours, during which students are taught the theoretical concepts necessary for understanding the Earth system from a dynamic perspective through an examination of sedimentary, magmatic, and metamorphic petrogenetic processes.

Additional 3 CFU of laboratory lectures, for a total of additional 18 hours are imparted, in parallel with the theoretical ones, for the acquisition of the basic principles of information technology applied to geotouristic land use. In the second part of the workshop course, the use of ArcGis PRO software will be introduced directly in the computer classroom (equipped with networked PCs that can be managed remotely from a server PC).

Theoretical/practical notions on the use of mobile APPs for geo-touristic fruition of a territory (e.g., Gaia GPS) will also be given during the course.

Basics of the main office automation applications (Word, Excel; Access)

Significant knowledge of the main operating systems for pc (Windows 10 - 11)

At the beginning of the course, a preliminary test will be carried out to verify the basic computer skills useful for the effective attendance of the subject content. The course will subsequently be calibrated on the students' average skills. If necessary, a supplementary ‘0’ course in basic computer skills will be planned in consultation with the study course coordinator.

A basic grounding in the classification principles of rocks and their geological significance will also be tested.

DIGITAL ITINERARIES FOR GEO-TOURISM VALORIZATION 

(GEOPTETROLOGY MODEL)   

Lectures: 6 CFU (36 hours) 

Part 1: Introduction to the Earth System and computer basics for GIS applications

Theoretical content

The Earth system and its geothematic cartographic representation: the petrogenetic cycle, with rocks viewed as a dynamic representation of the Earth system.

The first geological maps and the evolution of the concept of geological mapping up to digital geothematic mapping.

The digitization of cartographic data: raster data, vector data, SHP files, GDB files, and KML files.

Theoretical and practical principles of map reading and geo-orienteering in the age of mobile apps.

The advent of GIS: open-source GIS and proprietary GIS. The advent of WebGIS.

Geoscientific data and the concept of a geosite. Interoperable databases: the INSPIRE protocol and OGC standards.

Practical classroom exercises

Discretization and data storage of cartographic information. The concept of a geological outcrop, geological interpretation, and the digitization of relevant data for geotourism purposes.

Practical exercise on systems and methodologies for georeferencing and the digital use of geosites.

Part 2: Design and implementation of a GIS for geotouristic enhancement 

Theoretical Contents

The ESRI platform. the transition to ArcGIS-PRO. Geological data: basic cartographic data, official geological maps, local detailed cartographies, and specialized geotouristic cartographies. Techniques for geothematic enhancement of a territory (the case of the UNESCO Aspromonte Geopark). The use of mobile apps for geotouristic fruition (Gaia GPS).

Practical classroom exercises

Table of Contents management. Visualization of cartographic data and operations on associated alphanumeric databases. Vectorization and creation of *.shp and *.gdb files. Superimposition of diversified geothematic maps and construction of geotouristic itineraries. Construction of itineraries for geotouristic use of a territory on WebGIS and consultation on mobile media.

The course contributes to the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in particular to achieving the targets:

8.9: Achieve by 2030 to develop and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products;

9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communication technologies and strive to provide universal and low-cost access to information on the Internet in LDCs by 2020

Title: Guida geologica dell’Aspromonte. p. 1-124; Authors: CIRRINCIONE R, FAZIO E, FIANNACCA P, ORTOLANO G, PEZZINO A, PUNTURO R (2016).  Editor: Laruffa Editore, ISBN: 978-88-7221-831-0RO R

Title: Unesco Aspromonte Geopark - Stories of migrant lands.  Authors: CIRRINCIONE R., ORTOLANO G.; Editor: Collana Natura e Paesaggi in Aspromonte. 90pp. 2021.

Title: Capire la Terra. Authors: John P. Grotzinger Thomas H. Jordan. Editor: Zanichelli. Terza edizione italiana condotta sulla settima edizione americana . A cura di Elvidio Lupia Palmieri e Maurizio Parotto. 715 pp. 

THE FINAL TEST WILL BE STRUCTURED IN THE FORM OF A PRESENTATION OF A PROJECT FOR THE GEOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT OF AN AREA AGREED UPON WITH THE TEACHER.

The project must contain at least two of the following elements useful for evaluation:

A) Use of geothematic maps in raster format; B) Digitization of elements of geonaturalistic interest; C) Extraction of thematic data and use of maps in WMS, WCS, and WFS formats; D) Creation of integrated multi-layered geothematic maps that can also be viewed on mobile devices (e.g., *.KML; *.KMZ).

Difference between digital cartographies in raster and vector formats; 

Geoportal WMS, WCS, and WFS: consultation and applications in geotourism; 

Definition, establishment, and mode of sustainable use of a geo-site; 

Difference between GIS, WebGIS, and mobile GIS;

Shp files; mdb; gdb;

The ISPRA form for the establishment of geosites;

The Earth System: How rocks tell the geological evolution of a territory;

How geology influences the development of a territory in time and space.