Geoheritage Landscapes and Human Bonds: The Coastal–Mountain System of Jijel Province, Algeria

The province of Jijel in northeastern Algeria is home to unique Mediterranean landscapes that are sculpted by the interaction of islands, mountain ranges, and the sea. Its sparse developed environment is limited by the amount of industrial and developable area. A local geoheritage system is made up of unique patterns of land usage, settlement, and ritual as well as a strong human–mountain link that has been developed by this geological heritage. For sustainable planning and conservation in vulnerable coastal and mountainous areas, it is essential to comprehend these linkages between landscape, geoheritage, and behaviour.

This study uses mixed methods to investigate Jijel's landscapes, geoheritage, and human interactions. The methodology incorporates geoheritage assessment through the Modified Geosite Score (M-GAM), which assesses important locations (such as Serj Mountain, Ras-El-Hamra cliffs, and El-Kala islands) based on visitor potential, integrity/protection, and scientific–educational value (V(S+E), V(I), and V(VP), each scored 0–1). To map geoheritage distribution and vulnerability, these scores are integrated with land-use change analysis (2000–2025) and GIS-based landscape morphometry. Ethnographic fieldwork (semi-structured interviews and participant observation with 120 people) and geographical surveys on ceremonial routes, transhumance paths, and coastal-marine use patterns are used to study human interactions.

The findings demonstrate that high-value geoheritage sites (M-GAM > 0.75) are associated with areas of significant cultural attachment, traditional agro-pastoral practices, and ritual landscapes, demonstrating the direct influence of geological features on local spatial practices and behaviours. Due to physical limitations, the sparse built environment has contributed to the preservation of geosites and biodiversity hotspots, increasing resilience to pressures associated with tourism and climate change. According to the study's findings, Jijel provides a model for landscape-integrated geoheritage management in which relationships between people and mountains are acknowledged as active elements of conservation tactics rather than byproducts.