Why geodiversity matters in valuing nature's stage

Area of Science:

• Earth Science
• Ecology
• Conservation Science

Background:

• Geodiversity, encompassing Earth's surface materials, forms, and processes, is fundamental to natural ecosystems.
• It provides essential substrates and dynamic processes for habitat development and maintenance.
• Geodiversity significantly influences biodiversity by shaping environmental heterogeneity, especially when interacting with climate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the diverse values of geodiversity.
• To examine biodiversity's dependence on geodiversity at site-specific scales.
• To evaluate human-induced threats to geodiversity and geosites.

Main Methods:

• Literature review to identify geodiversity values and threats.
• Analysis of site-specific examples (<1 km²) demonstrating biodiversity-geodiversity links.
• Evaluation of anthropogenic impacts on geodiversity.

Main Results:

• Geosites are crucial for biodiversity, supporting unique biota and diverse microenvironments.
• Geodiversity directly influences species richness and the presence of rare or adapted species.
• Various human activities pose significant threats to geodiversity and geosites.

Conclusions:

• Conservation of geodiversity is critical for both ecosystem services and intrinsic geodiversity values.
• Effective nature conservation requires integrating geodiversity, biodiversity, and climate considerations.
• Protecting geodiversity is essential for maintaining the planet's natural stage and its inhabitants.