Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Inventory and Assessment of Geosites for Geotourism Development in the Eastern and Southeastern Lake Tana Region, Ethiopia

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Geoheritage Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Geotourism is a niche form of sustainable tourism that focuses on the geological and geomorphological features of an area, and the associated culture and biodiversity. Geosites are important resources for geotourism development. The eastern and southeastern Lake Tana region in Ethiopia has several geosites with a potential for geotourism development. Despite the diversity of potential geosites and the strategic location of the area in the Northern Tourist Circuit of Ethiopia, only a few attractions such as Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls are currently being visited. The objective of this paper is twofold: to inventory geosites in the eastern and southeastern Lake Tana region and assess their potential for geotourism development; and to propose a geosite inventory and assessment methodology for geotourism purposes with adaptations from previous studies. Several studies were reviewed and finally nine of them used as the main references to prepare the criteria, indicators, and sub-indicators for this study. The indicators used for assessing the potential of geosites relate to scientific, educational, scenic, recreational, protection, functional, and ecological values. This research presents the first inventory of geosites in the Lake Tana basin. A first list of 120 geosites has been inventoried. Further screening and clustering resulted in 61 geosites, of which 17 are viewpoints. Among the major geosites are waterfalls, a lake with islands and island monasteries, a flood plain, caves and cave churches, lava tubes, a mountain (shield volcano), volcanic plugs, volcanic cones, rock-hewn churches, and viewpoints. Quantitative assessment of the geotouristic potential of these geosites revealed that clustered (complex area) geosites received higher scientific, scenic, and recreational value scores.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Asrat A (2018) Potential Geoheritage Sites in Ethiopia: Challenges of their Promotion and Conservation. In: Reynard E, Brilha J (eds) Geoheritage: assessment, protection and management. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 339–353

  • Asrat A, Demissie M, Mogessie A (2008) Geotourism in Ethiopia: archaeological and ancient cities, religious and cultural centres: Yeha, Axum, Wukro, and Lalibela. Shama Books, Addis Ababa

    Google Scholar 

  • Asrat A, Demissie M, Mogessie A (2012) Geoheritage conservation in Ethiopia: the case of the Simien Mountains. Quaest Geogr 31:1–17. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10117-012-0001-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atnafu N, Dejen E, Vijverberg J (2011) Assessment of the ecological status and threats of Welala and Shesher Wetlands, Lake Tana sub-basin (Ethiopia). J Water Res Prot 3:540–547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aynalem S, Nowald G, Schroder W (2011) Observation on the biology and ecology of cranes: wattled cranes (grus carunculatus), black-crowned cranes (balearica pavonina), and eurasian cranes (grus grus) at Lake Tana, Ethiopia. INDWA, J Afr Crane Res Conserv 7:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Billi P (2015) (ed) Landscapes and landforms of Ethiopia. Springer, Dordrecht

  • Bollati I, Zucali M, Giovenco C, Pelfini M (2014) Geoheritage and sport climbing activities: using the Montestrutto cliff (Austroalpine domain, Western Alps) as an example of scientific and educational representativeness. Ital J Geosci 133(2):187–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brilha J (2016) Inventory and quantitative assessment of geosites and geodiversity sites: a review. Geoheritage 8(2):119–134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-014-0139-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brilha JB, Reynard E (2018) Geoheritage and geoconservation: the challenges. In: Reynard E, Brilha J (eds) Geoheritage: Assessment, Protection, and Management. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 433–438

  • Bruce J (1804) Travels to discover the source of the Nile: in the years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, & 1773, in Five Volumes. J. Ruthven, Edinburgh

  • Bruschi VM, Cendrero A (2005) Geosite evaluation; can we measure intangible values? II Quaternario. Ital J Quarternary Sci 18(1):293–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruschi VM, Cendrero A, Albertos JAC (2011) A statistical approach to the validation and optimisation of geoheritage assessment procedures. Geoheritage 3(3):131–149. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-011-0038-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chebud YA, Melesse AM (2009) Modeling lake stage and water balance of Lake Tana, Ethiopia. Hydrol Process 23(25):3534–3544. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.7416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chorowicz J, Collet B, Bonavia FF, Mohr P, Parrot JF, Korme T (1998) The Tana basin, Ethiopia: Intra-plateau uplift, rifting and subsidence. Tectonophysics 295(3–4):351–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-1951(98)00128-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cigna AA, Forti P (2013) Caves: The most important geotouristic feature in the world. Campinas, SeTur/ SBE, Tourism and Karst Areas 6(1):7–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Damtie B, Boersma E, Stave K (2017) Introduction: regional challenges and policy questions. In: Stave K, Goshu G, Aynalem S (eds) Social and Ecological System Dynamics: Characteristics, Trends, and Integration in the Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 3–8

  • Daniel TC (2001) Whither scenic beauty? Visual landscape quality assessment in the 21st century. Landsc Urban Plan 54:267–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Desta AA (2018) Petrogenesis of Tana area Volcanic Rocks: Implications to Magmatic Evolution of Tana Basin. Thesis, Addis Ababa University

  • Dombrowski J (1970) Preliminary report on excavations in Lalibela and Natchabiet Caves, Begemeder. Annales d'Ethiopie 8(1):21–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowling RK (2009) Geotourism’s Contribution to Local and Regional Development. In: De Carvalho C, Rodrigues J (eds) Geotourism and Local Development. Proceedings of the VIII European Geoparks Conference, Idanha-a-Nova, pp 15–37

  • Dowling RK (2013) Global geotourism – an emerging form of sustainable tourism. Czech J Tour 2(2):59–79. https://doi.org/10.2478/cjot-2013-0004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fassoulas C, Mouriki D, Dimitriou-Nikolakis P, Iliopoulos G (2012) Quantitative assessment of geotopes as an effective tool for geoheritage management. Geoheritage 4(3):177–193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-011-0046-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fetene B, Hailesilasse Y, Alemu B, Kassahun A, Ashagrie Y and Alem A (2012) Socioeconomic situation, Tourism Potentials and Biodiversities StudyReport for Mount Guna Proposed Community Conservation Area. Amhara National Regional State Culture, Tourism and Parks Development Bureau incollaboration with Organization for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara

  • Firew GA (2014) Archaeological fieldwork around Lake Tana Area of Northwest Ethiopia and the implication for an understanding of aquatic adaptation. Dissertation, University of Bergen

    Google Scholar 

  • Formica S (2000) Destination attractiveness as a function of supply and demand interaction. Dissertation, Virginia Tech

  • Fuertes-Gutiérrez I, Fernández-Martínez E (2010) Geosites inventory in the Leon Province (Northwestern Spain): a tool to introduce geoheritage into regional environmental management. Geoheritage 2(1-2):57–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garofano M (2018) Developing and managing show caves in Italy. In: Dowling R, Newsome D (eds) Handbook of Geotourism. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, pp 126–138

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Goshu G, Aynalem S (2017) Problem Overview of the Lake Tana Basin. In: Stave K, Goshu G, Aynalem S (eds) Social and Ecological System Dynamics: Characteristics, Trends, and Integration in the Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 9–24

  • Goshu G, Koelmans AA, de Klein JJM (2017) Water Quality of Lake Tana Basin, Upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia: a Review of Available Data. In: Stave K, Goshu G, Aynalem S (eds) Social and Ecological System Dynamics: Characteristics, Trends, and Integration in the Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 127–142

  • Hose TA (2011) The English origins of geotourism (as a vehicle for geoconservation) and their relevance to current studies. Acta Geogr Slov 51(2):343–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hose TA (2012) 3G’s for modern geotourism. Geoheritage 4:7–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-011-0052-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kebede S (2013) Groundwater in Ethiopia: features, numbers and opportunities. Springer, Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

  • Kieffer B, Arndt N, Bastien F, Bosch D, Pecher A, Yirgu G, Meugniot C (2004) Flood and shield basalts from Ethiopia: magmas from the African superswell. J Petrol 45(4):793–834. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egg112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirillova K, Fu X, Lehto X, Cai L (2014) What makes a destination beautiful? Dimensions of tourist aesthetic judgment. Tour Manag 42:282–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kubalíková L (2013) Geomorphosite assessment for geotourism purposes. Czech J Tour 2(2):80–104. https://doi.org/10.2478/cjot-2013-0005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamb HF, Bates CR, Coombes PV, Marshall MH, Umer M, Davies SJ, Dejen E (2007) Late Pleistocene desiccation of Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile. Quat Sci Rev 26(3–4):287–299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2006.11.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamb HF, Bates CR, Bryant CL, Davies SJ, Huws DG, Marshall MH, Toland H (2018) 150,000-year palaeoclimate record from northern Ethiopia supports early, multiple dispersals of modern humans from Africa. Sci Rep 8(1):1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemma H, Admasu T, Dessie M, Fentie D, Deckers J, Frankl A, Poesen J, Adgo E, Nyssen J (2018) Revisiting lake sediment budgets: how the calculation of lake lifetime is strongly data and method dependent. Earth Surf Process Landf 43(3):593–607. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lima FF, Brilha J, Salamuni E (2010) Inventorying geological heritage in large territories: a methodological proposal applied to Brazil. Geoheritage 2(3):91–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-010-0014-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lothian A (1999) Landscape and the philosophy of aesthetics: is landscape quality inherent in the landscape or in the eye of the beholder? Landsc Urban Plan 44(4):177–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mauerhofer L, Reynard E, Asrat A, Hurni H (2018) Contribution of a geomorphosite inventory to the geoheritage knowledge in developing countries: the case of the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Geoheritage 10(4):559–574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCartney M, Alemayehu T, Shferaw A, Awulachew SB (2010) Evaluation of Current and Future Water Resources Development in the Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia. Vol. 134, IWMI. https://doi.org/10.3910/2010.204

  • Megerssa L, Rapprich V, Novotný R, Verner K, Erban V, Legesse F, Manaye M (2019) Inventory of key geosites in the Butajira Volcanic Field: perspective for the first geopark in Ethiopia. Geoheritage 11(4):1643–1653

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mekonnen A (2006) Geology and Geochemistry of Guna Volcanic Massif, Northwestern Ethiopian plateau. Thesis, Addis Ababa University

  • Mengistu AA, Aragaw C, Mengistu M, Goshu G (2017) The Fish and the Fisheries of Lake Tana. In: Stave K, Goshu G, Aynalem S (eds) Social and Ecological System Dynamics: Characteristics, Trends, and Integration in the Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 157–177

  • Migoń P, Pijet-Migoń E (2017) Viewpoint geosites—values, conservation and management issues. Proc Geol Assoc 128(4):511–522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mucivuna VC, Reynard E, Garcia MDGM (2019) Geomorphosites assessment methods: comparative analysis and typology. Geoheritage 11(4):1799–1815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newsome D, Dowling R (2006) The scope and nature of geotourism. In: Dowling R, Newsome D (eds) Geotourism. Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, pp 3–25

  • Newsome D, Dowling R (2018) Conclusions: thinking about the future. In: Dowling R, Newsome D (eds) Handbook of geotourism. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, pp 475–482

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Newsome D, Dowling RK, Leung YF (2012) The nature and management of geotourism: a case study of two established iconic geotourism destinations. Tour Manag Perspect 2(3):19–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ngwira PM (2015) Geotourism and geoparks: Africa’s current prospects for sustainable rural development and poverty alleviation. In: Errami E, Brocx M, Semeniuk V (eds) From Geoheritage to Geoparks: Case Studies from Africa and Beyond. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 25–33

  • Nigate F, Ayenew T, Belete W, Walraevens K (2017) Overview of the hydrogeology and groundwater occurrence in the Lake Tana Basin, Upper Blue Nile River Basin. In: Stave K, Goshu G, Aynalem S (eds) Social and Ecological System Dynamics: Characteristics, Trends, and Integration in the Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 117–126

  • Nilsson E (1940) Ancient changes of climate in British East Africa and Abyssinia: a study of ancient lakes and glaciers. Geogr Ann 22:1–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyssen J, Jacob M, Frankl A (eds) (2019) Geo-trekking in Ethiopia’s tropical mountains: the Dogu’a Tembien district. Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham

  • Nyssen J, Yonas M, Annys S, Ghebreyohannes T, Smidt W, Welegerima K, Gebreselassie S, Sembroni A, Dramis F, Ek C, Causer D (2020) The Zeyi Cave Geosite in Northern Ethiopia. Geoheritage 12(1):6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira P, Pereira D (2010) Methodological guidelines for geomorphosite assessment. Géomorphol Relief Process Environ 1(3):215–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira P, Pereira D, Caetano Alves MI (2007) Geomorphosite assessment in Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal). Geogr Helv 62(3):159–168. https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-62-159-2007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips M, Carillet JB (2006) Ethiopia and Eritrea, 3rd edn. Lonely Planet Publications, London

  • Poppe L, Frankl A, Poesen J, Admasu T, Dessie M, Adgo E, Deckers J, Nyssen J (2013) Geomorphology of the Lake Tana basin, Ethiopia. J Maps 9:431–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pralong JP (2005) A method for assessing tourist potential and use of geomorphological sites. Géomorphol: Relief, Process, Environ 11(3):189–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prave AR, Bates CR, Donaldson CH, Toland H, Condon DJ, Mark D, Raub TD (2016) Geology and geochronology of the Tana Basin, Ethiopia: LIP volcanism, super eruptions and Eocene–Oligocene environmental change. Earth Planet Sci Lett 443:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynard E (2004) Geosite. In: Goudie AS (ed) Encyclopedia of geomorphology, vol 1. Routledge, London, p 440

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynard E, Fontana G, Kozlik L, Scapozza C (2007) A method for assessing the scientific and additional values of geomorphosites. Geogr Helv 62(3):148–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saaty TL, Vargas LG (2012) How to Make a Decision. In: Saaty TL, Vargas LG (eds) Models, methods, concepts & applications of the analytic hierarchy process, 2nd edn. Springer, New York, pp 1–22

  • Schrodt F, Baileyb JJ, Kissling WD (2019) To advance sustainable stewardship, we must document not only biodiversity but geodiversity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 116(33):16155–16158. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1911799116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skovitina TM, Lebedeva EV, Shchetnikov AA, Selezneva EV, Angelelli F, Mikhalev DV (2012) Morphological landscapes of Ethiopia. Geogr Natl Res 33(3):246–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki DA, Takagi H (2018) Evaluation of geosite for sustainable planning and management in geotourism. Geoheritage 10(1):123–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas MF, Asrat A (2018) The potential contribution of geotourism in Africa. In: Dowling R, Newsome D (eds) Handbook of Geotourism. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, pp 168–191

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Tomić N, Božić S (2014) A modified geosite assessment model (M-GAM) and its application on the Lazar Canyon area (Serbia). Int J Environ Res 8(4):1041–1052

    Google Scholar 

  • Tveit MS, Sang AO, Hagerhall CM (2012) Scenic beauty: visual landscape assessment and human landscape perception. In: Steg L, van den Berg AE, de Groot JIM (eds) Environmental Psychology: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, pp 37–46

  • Van Oijstaeijen W, Van Passel S, Cools J, et al (2020) Farmers’ preferences towards water hyacinth control: A contingent valuation study. Journal of Great Lakes Research 46:1459–1468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2020.06.009

  • Višnić T, Spasojević B, Vujičić M (2016) The potential for geotourism development on the Srem Loess Plateau based on a preliminary geosite assessment model (GAM). Geoheritage 8(2):173–180. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-015-0149-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vujičić MD, Vasiljević DA, Marković SB, Hose TA, Lukić T, Hadžić O, Janićević S (2011) Preliminary geosite assessment model (GAM) and its application on fruška gora mountain, potential geotourism destination of Serbia. Acta Geogr Slov 51(2):361–377. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS51303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weare R, Appleing D, Menale H (2016) Caving Expedition to the South Gondar Region of Amhara, Ethiopia

  •  Williams FM (2016) Understanding Ethiopia: geology and scenery. Springer International Publishers, Cham

  • Williams F (2020) Safeguarding geoheritage in Ethiopia: challenges faced and the role of geotourism. Geoheritage 12(1):1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zgłobicki W, Poesen J, Cohen M, Del Monte M, García-Ruiz JM, Ionita I, Vergari F (2019) The potential of permanent gullies in Europe as geomorphosites. Geoheritage 11(2):217–239. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-017-0252-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Institutional University Cooperation-Bahir Dar University (IUC-BDU) VLIR-UOS project for providing the necessary funds for conducting this study. In addition, the authors very much acknowledge the support and cooperation of government officials and experts working at different levels in the study area. We are also grateful to the local communities near each geosite who supported our data collection. The authors also thank the two anonymous reviewers and the Editor-in-Chief Kevin Page for their constructive comments and suggestions which helped improve this paper.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Getaneh Addis Tessema

    Present address: Department of Tourism and Hotel Management, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Getaneh Addis Tessema, Jan van der Borg, Anton Van Rompaey & Jean Poesen

  2. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Amare Sewnet Minale

  3. Department of Natural Resource Management, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Enyew Adgo

  4. Department of Geography, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Jan Nyssen

  5. Department of Social Work, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Kerebih Asrese

  6. Department of Engineering Management, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Steven Van Passel

  7. Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland

    Jean Poesen

Authors
  1. Getaneh Addis Tessema
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jan van der Borg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amare Sewnet Minale
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Anton Van Rompaey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Enyew Adgo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jan Nyssen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Kerebih Asrese
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Steven Van Passel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Jean Poesen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Getaneh Addis Tessema.

Supplementary Information

ESM 1

(DOCX 11.6 mb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tessema, G.A., van der Borg, J., Minale, A.S. et al. Inventory and Assessment of Geosites for Geotourism Development in the Eastern and Southeastern Lake Tana Region, Ethiopia . Geoheritage 13, 43 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00560-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00560-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation