Quantitative measurement of geodiversity uniqueness: research implications and conservation applications

Abstract

Quantitative approaches are needed to complement qualitative explorations to identify sites with unique geodiversity and thereby guide geoconservation and geoheritage programmes. Here, we introduce the concept and associated index of ‘geodiversity uniqueness’. This index is based on a numerical analysis of geofeatures and allows the identification of sites with unique geodiversity in a study area. We applied this approach to geofeature data from three areas in Finland. Our results showed that patterns of geodiversity uniqueness varied profoundly among the three study areas and across sites within each area. This was due to different sets of geofeatures and distinct characteristics of each study area. More importantly, the approach presented here was robust across the datasets and selection criteria for sets of sites, showing potential for geoconservation in each study area. The geodiversity uniqueness approach is a promising starting point to identify and map sites with unique geodiversity that can be further verified using field observations. To improve our knowledge of geodiversity variation, complementary approaches providing objective information on contributions to total beta geodiversity are needed to advance geoconservation programmes across areas and different spatial scales. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Geodiversity for science and society’.

Geodiversity for science and society

“…Elsewhere in the themed issue, you will see papers on the measurement and monitoring of geodiversity and biodiversity, and conservation. This includes presentation of geodiversity data for Europe at two spatial resolutions [7]; development of a framework for quantifying geodiversity at local scales [8]; integrating vegetation and geodiversity monitoring using remote sensing and traits [9]; and quantitatively assessing geodiversity uniqueness and applying this to biodiversity conservation [10]. Seijmonsbergen et al [11] bridge geodiversity measurement and geoconservation by creating a global geodiversity map, which they use to assess the extent to which UNESCO Global Geoparks represent the different elements of geodiversity, finding some components are underrepresented.…”

“…Elsewhere in the themed issue, you will see papers on the measurement and monitoring of geodiversity and biodiversity, and conservation. This includes presentation of geodiversity data for Europe at two spatial resolutions [ 7 ]; development of a framework for quantifying geodiversity at local scales [ 8 ]; integrating vegetation and geodiversity monitoring using remote sensing and traits [ 9 ]; and quantitatively assessing geodiversity uniqueness and applying this to biodiversity conservation [ 10 ]. Seijmonsbergen et al .…”