Researching geomorphological heritage of the Marecchia River valley

Knowledge about geosites in the Marecchia River valley and Montefeltro historical region (among Emilia-Romagna, Marche, and Toscana regions and the Republic of San Marino, Northern Italy) has been put into the context of a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the geomorphological features in the study area, under the concept of Geomorphological Heritage, aiming to promote the landscape values of this region through its geomorphosites. Along with researching the most distinctive geological and geomorphological aspects of the Marecchia valley, time has been devoted to studying different approaches and ways of transmitting the values of geological and geomorphological heritage. In fact, Valmarecchia and Montefeltro territories can be seen as an emblematic expression of a dynamic landscape that constantly changes through time and consequentially to human activities, and geosites scattered throughout the study area represent different activity levels and periods. The basic knowledge and the approach elaborated in the framework of this thesis aims to get the public closer to geological, geomorphological and geoheritage concepts and may be helpful in the formulation of tourism promotion strategies based on geological heritage. The geomorphological knowledge has become the foundation for an integrated geotourism offer at the basin level and can be used to implement services in these territories. The experimentation of innovative methodologies has enabled to reach a broad public, enhancing the geological and geomorphological heritage without any distinction based on social origin and age.