Some observations and reflections on geodiversity, the oft-forgotten half of nature

Abstract

Abstract Geodiversity first emerged nearly 30 years ago in the wake of the Convention on Biological Diversity, when geoscientists realized that they too study diverse natural phenomena that are also often threatened with loss or degradation resulting from human activities. Since then, geodiversity has emerged as an important geoscientific paradigm with a central position in the relationships between the geoscientific ‘Gs’ (Geoheritage, Geoconservation, Geoparks, etc). It has spawned much discussion on how geodiversity can be classified and measured; it is often used as the basis for selecting geoheritage sites for geoconservation, including the development of the World Heritage List; it is often used by geoparks to publicize their range of geofeatures; and it is the basis for many ‘geosystem services’ essential to our modern societies. But despite its importance, it is poorly understood and poorly integrated into nature conservation policy and practice. The result is that the value of the whole of nature is underestimated, and the policy and practice for the management of nature lack integration.