Abstract
This paper presents an approach to geodiversity assessment based on spatial multicriteria analysis. Instead of relying solely on weighted linear combination (WLC) for aggregating factor ratings and weights to compute a synthetic measure of geodiversity, the approach employs WLC in concert with its local version called L-WLC to provide a more comprehensive assessment approach. As part of the approach, the assessment input data comprised of geodiversity factor ratings and weights were obtained through crowdsourcing. A geoinformation crowdsourcing tool called the geo-questionnaire was used to obtain data from 57 Earth science researchers worldwide. These data served as the bases for a group assessment of geodiversity. The reliability of assessment was evaluated by means of spatially explicit uncertainty analysis. The results showed the efficacy of local spatial multicriteria analysis techniques (L-WLC) used in concert with a global technique (WLC) on the example of geodiversity assessment for Karkonosze National Park in southwestern Poland.
Highlights
Geodiversity denotes variability in abiotic components in a hierarchical ecological system that includes geology, Earth surface relief, soil cover, surface and ground water, and climate [1,2,3,4]
In the remainder of the paper, we present the study methods, including a brief description of the study area, a geo-questionnaire for crowdsourcing data on factor ratings and weights, and weighted linear combination (WLC) and local approach to WLC (L-WLC) aggregation rules used for calculating the geodiversity assessment scores
It employs a crowdsourcing approach to collect the geodiversity factor ratings and weights pertaining to a specific assessment area (i.e., Karkonosze National Park (KNP))
Summary
Geodiversity denotes variability in abiotic components in a hierarchical ecological system that includes geology, Earth surface relief, soil cover, surface and ground water, and climate [1,2,3,4]. Geodiversity determines biotic conditions and by extension biodiversity. Despite the relationship, the concept of geodiversity is much less known than biodiversity. It does have a stand-alone scientific and practical value. Information on geodiversity can aid the assessment of protected areas (e.g., national parks, reserves, geoparks, and geosites) or comparative studies of special interest areas. The benefits of geodiversity assessment include, among others, better understanding of geo-ecosystem functioning, facilitating the management of protected areas, and more complete valuation of ecosystem services [6]. These benefits are of paramount importance in the age of global warming and accelerated land use/land cover change
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