Advances in Geodiversity Research

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The concept of “geodiversity” coined 30 years ago defines the range of minerals, rocks, fossils, landforms, soil and hydrological features and processes, including their assemblages, structures, systems and contributions to landscapes. Primarily linked with geoconservation subjects, it has increasingly come to be perceived as a much broader concept, with influence on approaches that cover all domains of the geosciences.

The interest in geodiversity research has grown in recent years, evidenced by the high number of scientific publications dedicated to this topic. Aside from conceptual discussions on geodiversity variables and on assessment methods, one of the main challenges is to demonstrate why geodiversity is important in ecosystem services, in implementing nature conservation and land-use policies, in its direct relationship with biodiversity, in ecosystems restoration and as part of natural capital.

Novel contributions focusing on geodiversity assessment methods; GIS and mapping; the importance of geodiversity in ecosystem services; geodiversity data for land-use planning and nature conservation; and the relations between geodiversity and biodiversity, geoheritage and land-use are welcome.

Dr. Paulo Pereira
Prof. Dr. Murray Gray
Dr. Maria da Glória Garcia
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Diversity diversity	2.1	3.4	2009	18.3 Days	CHF 2100	Submit
Geosciences geosciences	2.4	5.3	2011	23.5 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Land land	3.2	4.9	2012	16.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Resources resources	3.6	7.2	2012	26.1 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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All Diversity Geosciences Land Resources Sustainability

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29 pages, 6861 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Inventory and Quantitative Assessment of Coastal Geoheritage: Contribution to the Proposal of an Active Geomorphosite

by Roberta Somma, Ivan Angelo Gatì and Salvatore Giacobbe

Geosciences 2025, 15(4), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15040125 - 1 Apr 2025

Viewed by 292

Abstract

The geoheritage present on the “Tindari Cape and Marinello Lakes” site (TCML, Messina Province, NE Sicily, Italy) drew our attention due to the acquired contrasting information. Indeed, the TCML geoheritage was classified in the geosite national catalogue as a geosite (albeit under a [...] Read more.

The geoheritage present on the “Tindari Cape and Marinello Lakes” site (TCML, Messina Province, NE Sicily, Italy) drew our attention due to the acquired contrasting information. Indeed, the TCML geoheritage was classified in the geosite national catalogue as a geosite (albeit under a non-evaluated status and with regional scientific interest), whereas it was classified in the geosite regional catalogue as a site of attention. The coastal geoheritage included in this site was analyzed by means of a literature review, field work, and a sedimentological and petrographic investigation. Moreover, the reconstruction of the historical to modern evolution of the lagoon and spit’s shapes was carried out across a time span of 85 years. The investigation results were used for the inventorying and quantitative assessment of the TCML geoheritage with the Brilha method. The primary and preeminent scientific interest was geomorphological, the lagoon and spit being an active geomorphosite. This system showed elements of rarity, representativeness, and exemplariness. Secondary-type geomorphological, structural, and palaeontological aspects were also evidenced in geological elements found on the cliffs of the Tindari Cape. For the quantitative assessment of the geodiversity, the scientific value (SV), potential educational use (PEU), potential touristic use (PTU), and degradation risk (DR) were evaluated. The obtained weighted scores were 320 (SV), 250 (PEU), 290 (PTU), and 285 (DR). The high SV suggested that the TCML, due to its geodiversity, could be classified as a geosite. Notwithstanding, the moderate PEU, PTU, and DR (fragility and vulnerability depending on natural climate and anthropogenic factors) values indicated that it was not fully compatible with educational and touristic purposes. The results of the inventorying and quantitative assessment of the TCML site provide scientific data that are useful in establishing the TCML as a global geosite, placing it in the national catalog of geosites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Geodiversity Research)

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20 pages, 15965 KiB  

Open AccessProject Report

From the Ground to the Public: Old and New Fossil Discoveries from Kefalonia–Ithaca UNESCO Global Geopark and Their Value in Research, Education, and Local Palaeontological Heritage

by George Iliopoulos, Vasilis Golfinopoulos, Anastasia Kalampalika, Konstantina Karanika, Maria Kolendrianou, Penelope Papadopoulou, Socratis Tsacos, Marianthi Tzortzi, Dimitra Valavani, Elena Zoumpouli, Nicolina Bourli and Avraam Zelilidis

Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2521; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062521 - 19 Mar 2024

Viewed by 2344

Abstract

Fossils play a crucial role in geoparks contributing to their scientific, educational and recreational aspects. The purpose of the project “Study and promotion of the palaeontological heritage of Kefalonia–Ithaca UNESCO Global Geopark” is the overall consideration of the palaeontological record of the geopark [...] Read more.

Fossils play a crucial role in geoparks contributing to their scientific, educational and recreational aspects. The purpose of the project “Study and promotion of the palaeontological heritage of Kefalonia–Ithaca UNESCO Global Geopark” is the overall consideration of the palaeontological record of the geopark and its utilization with a holistic approach. Excavations took place in 11 new excavation sites and a total of more than 1000 specimens were recovered belonging to 13 major groups (ammonites, barnacles, belemnitida, bivalves, brachiopods, corals, fish, foraminifera, gastropods, plant leaves, rudists, scaphopods, and sea urchins). After being conserved and identified by the scientific staff, the specimens, along with replicas, were exhibited in two newly developed exhibitions at the Information Centres. The exhibitions were inspired by science labs as spaces of exploration, research, discovery and experience. Moreover, an educational package was prepared consisting of different activities for all ages. It presents how life, landscapes, and climate have changed over time and how living things responded to those changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Geodiversity Research)

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16 pages, 2941 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

An Investigation of Willingness to Pay for Geopark Management and Conservation: A Case Study of Geotourists in the Greater China Region

by Wei Fang, Gloria Rui Gou, Lewis T. O. Cheung, Lincoln Fok, Alice S. Y. Chow and Ke Zhang

Resources 2024, 13(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13020024 - 5 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2382

Abstract

Willingness to pay (WTP) for geological protection is essential for market-based geopark conservation tactic formulations. Whether geotourists are willing to pay and how much they prefer to pay might be influenced by different determinants. The present study aims to (1) investigate the probability [...] Read more.

Willingness to pay (WTP) for geological protection is essential for market-based geopark conservation tactic formulations. Whether geotourists are willing to pay and how much they prefer to pay might be influenced by different determinants. The present study aims to (1) investigate the probability of paying and the payment amount for geopark conservation and (2) examine how factors influence the intention and amount to pay for the upkeep of geoparks. The results suggest that geotourists would contribute financially to geological conservation and geopark management. The findings also revealed that geotourists’ intentions and payment for conservation were associated with educational background and monthly income level. In addition, geotourist attachment and satisfaction concerning visiting geoparks positively affected intention and payment. This study might provide empirical references for geopark management and conservation in the Greater China Region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Geodiversity Research)

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36 pages, 73605 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Understanding Geodiversity for Sustainable Development in the Chinchiná River Basin, Caldas, Colombia

by Alejandro Arias-Díaz, Hugo Murcia, Felipe Vallejo-Hincapié and Károly Németh

Land 2023, 12(11), 2053; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112053 - 11 Nov 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2775

Abstract

Geodiversity, comprising both endogenous and exogenous geological processes, plays a crucial role in shaping the structure and functionality of natural systems, alongside its substantial impact on human well-being. However, the often-overlooked interconnection between geodiversity components limits our comprehension of geosystems. In the Chinchiná [...] Read more.

Geodiversity, comprising both endogenous and exogenous geological processes, plays a crucial role in shaping the structure and functionality of natural systems, alongside its substantial impact on human well-being. However, the often-overlooked interconnection between geodiversity components limits our comprehension of geosystems. In the Chinchiná River Basin (CRB) in Colombia, located in the northern Andes in South America, we established criteria to differentiate geodiversity classes, calculated indices to understand the distribution of geological elements, and discussed systemic relationships. This comprehensive approach lays the foundation for a holistic comprehension of the territory’s structure and functionality. Our findings revealed the convergence in an area of 1052 km² of 10 rock types, 7 slope ranges, 13 landforms, 5 drainage density features, 610.4 km of faults with 9 kinematic tendencies, 5 soil orders, 5 climate types, a 3328 km surface drainage network with 7 hydrographic orders, 1 underground aquifer, 4 areas with lakes, 2 zones with glaciers, 27 polygenetic and monogenetic volcanoes, and several thermal springs. This discussion explores the implications of various methodologies used to establish the value of the general geodiversity index while also examining the relationships between abiotic elements and their distribution patterns. This forms a fundamental basis for understanding the geosystem services of the basin in terms of regulation, support, and provisioning processes, as well as the culture and knowledge derived from geodiversity. These conceptual elements are indispensable for enhancing the sustainability of a region that is susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, they serve as the foundations for the objective’s achievement, as set by the UNESCO Global Geopark project “Volcán del Ruiz”, currently ongoing within the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Geodiversity Research)

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