L'EROSION SURLES SENTIERS DE RANDONNEE ET LEURS AMENAGEMENTS DANS LE MASSIF DU SANCY (MASSIF CENTRAL FRANÇAIS).

In the Sancy Massif (French Central Massif), the tourism-related activities (hiking, skiing, biking, etc.) have become a threat to the morphological stability of the slopes. On the massif's ridges, the volcanic rocks (lava flows, pyroclastic deposits, etc.) and the soil (more or less evolved andosols) present a variable resistance to erosion. Tourists are attracted by the sites of geological, geomorphological, botanical or zoological interest. Thus, their intense presence on the hiking trails causes morphological changes and therefore the question of erosion-protection planning should be considered as a priority. On the most frequented trail segments, the managing bodies (Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, Conseil Régional, Communauté des Communes) have begun rehabilitation work rather belatedly. New rehabilitation projects are being planned for the affected trails. A better taking into account of the erosion phenomena and a close collaboration of all the decision-makers in elaborating the managing plans should consider the whole trail network rehabilitation in the Sancy massif. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]