Quantitative geodiversity inventory and evaluation on the example of Slovenia

Abstract

Geodiversity is defined as the natural range of abiotic features and processes. In this work, a quantitative GIS-based geodiversity inventory and evaluation of Slovenia is presented. Slovenia lies on the intersection of the mountain (Alps and Dinaric Alps), continental (Pannonian Basin), and coastal/maritime (Mediterranean) landscape types therefore represents a natural laboratory for geodiversity studies. To determine the geodiversity distribution pattern, an inventory of geodiversity elements was carried out. Through documental research, remote sensing methods and field validation work were identified 544.088 geodiversity elements and classified in four main categories: geological (224), geomorphological (541.505), hydrological (2.358), and topographical (1). Based on the inventory data three geodiversity parameters, including richness, abundance, and geodiversity index were calculated in a GIS environment using a 5 × 5 km grid cell size. The geodiversity index was calculated by multiplying the layers of richness and the mean of the terrain ruggedness index. To enhance the applicability of the results to tourism, education, and nature conservation, we employed the Jenks classification method to categorize geodiversity parameters into five distinct classes. The results show that the highest richness class spans across 1.65% of Slovenia's land surface, featuring a maximum of 13 different geodiversity elements within a grid cell. The highest abundance class covers 5.33% of the area, exhibiting the highest count of 6,198 geodiversity elements within a grid cell. Notably, the highest geodiversity index class encompasses 1.55% of Slovenia's territory, primarily concentrated in two prominent areas within the mountainous landscape where glacial, fluvial, and karstic processes and landforms interweave. The results help to inform scientists and managers about abiotic conservation values, and decision-making processes, fostering effective strategies for the preservation and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystem integrity.