Maps and multimedia tool for the environmental tourism in protected areas of the Modena Apennines (northern Italy)

This paper describes the characteristics, criteria and methodology used for the implementation of maps (Tourist-Environmental Maps) and a multimedia tool (CD-Rom) for the environmental tourism in protected areas located in hilly and mountain areas of the Apennines of Modena. The hilly area is the Natural Reserve of Salse di Nirano; the “Salse” are small mud volcanoes formed by emissions of salt water mixed with mud and pushed up by methane rising to the surface along ground discontinuities. The mountain sectors consist of the upper Tagliole Valley and Mt. Cimone area, located within the Frignano Park; they are mainly characterized by glacial and cryogenic and gravitational landforms and deposits.Geomorphological maps and Digital Terrain Models (DTM) have been produced. Geo-tourist maps were derived from the geomorphological maps; the geo-tourist maps combine the most evident geological/geomorphological features with fundamental tourist information. The goal was to produce maps that could be easily interpreted by tourists to help them understand the landscape.The geo-tourist maps and the DTM are the cartographic documents characterising tourist-environmental maps which are thematic pocket foldable maps printed on both sides with illustration notes both in English and Italian. In addition, the tourist-environmental maps contain a synoptic description of the geological, geomorphological, botanical and zoological aspects, accompanied by photographs and information on excursion trails, visitor centers, behaviour rules, refuges and restaurants and, finally, cultural and tourist attractions in the protected and surrounding areas. The CD-Rom consists in a digital multimedia gallery, produced in the 2007 for 25th anniversary of the Reserve of Salse di Nirano, that can be browsed like a web page. The CD-Rom is structured in five main units. A brief introduction, with the guide to the CD-Rom, is followed by the description of the Reserve. The core of the CD-Rom is represented by the scientific aspects (description of geology, geomorphology, flora and vegetation, fauna, fossils and climate). The other parts are dedicated to the tourist aspects (with a Geo-tourist map) and to a multimedia gallery that groups sound recordings, movies, photos plus a virtual flight. The CD-Rom contain several thematic maps which can be downloaded as PDF files. The tourist-environmental maps and CD-Rom form part of the initiatives taken by Public Boards to improve the knowledge, utilisation and appraisal of the environment of protected areas in the tourist sector.