The appraisal of geoheritage through different approaches: the lesson from the Salse di Nirano Nature Reserve (Italy)

The Regional Nature Reserve of Salse di Nirano is located in the low hills of the Northern Apennines, about 30 kilometres south of the city of Modena. The Reserve was established in 1982 and its characteristic features are mud volcanoes, locally called “Salse”. They are emissions of cold mud up to the surface through faults and fractures, due to the ascent of salty and muddy water mainly mixed with gaseous (methane) and secondarily with fluid (petroleum veils) hydrocarbons. Depending on the density of the mud, these emissions can form either cones or pools at ground level. Since its establishment, the Reserve has promoted initiatives to appraise the area from the tourism viewpoint, welcoming individual visitors and school groups with a full programme of activities. In the last decade, visitors have increased from 30,000 to 70,000 per year. The numerous facilities – excursion and educational footpaths with panels, equipped trails (one for the disabled), two visitor centres – make the area accessible to all, supporting environmental education initiatives. A good variety of educational and information materials regarding the Nirano mud volcanoes and the territory of the Reserve has been published in the last decade, representing a successful example of environmental and tourism appraisal and improvement. Among the most recent products, particularly worthy of note are geotourism and tourism-environmental maps, books in hard copy and digital format, videos, virtual flights, multimedia and audio CDs. In the present study a critical overview of all the products elaborated in recent time is presented, highlighting strengths and gaps, and also taking into account the target of visitors they are addressed to.