Geodiversity Mapping and Relationship with Vegetation: A Regional-Scale Application in SE Brazil

Abstract

The natural variability of geological, geomorphological, pedological, and hydrological elements can be described and assessed in terms of geodiversity. This geodiversity is intrinsically linked to biodiversity, since the physical environment provides the conditions in which biological elements develop. The use of geodiversity as a tool for environmental studies is of growing importance, describing and highlighting the importance of the physical environment and strengthening the idea of holistic approach of the nature. This work consisted of a qualitative mapping of the geodiversity in Armacao dos Buzios municipality, in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. Based on integration of the physical environment elements, geodiversity units were defined, in which the geological substrate, relief forms, and soil types are similar. The hydrological influence was also taken into account in specific units. Subsequently, each geodiversity unit was analyzed in terms of its regional type of vegetation, in order to investigate the correlation between spatial distributions of the physical and biological environments. As a result, a Geodiversity Map of Armacao dos Buzios was created, describing the physical environment of the area. The inclusion of data on vegetation types showed direct correspondence of the Geodiversity Map and the biological environment, since each geodiversity unit is occupied by specific vegetation types. This result shows that the use of geodiversity as a tool to understand vegetation distribution patterns is valid and should be explored further within the contexts of land management and nature conservation. It is expected that this product becomes a tool for territorial management and an incentive for the development of furthermore research focused on holistic approaches to nature.