geodiversity

Geodiversity is the natural variety of the Earth’s physical materials, including rocks, minerals, fossils, soils, landforms, and the processes that shape and transform them over time. It covers the surface geology as well as the subsurface, the hydrological system, and the dynamic interactions among geophysical and geochemical processes that create and modify landscapes.

Geodiversity exists at multiple scales, from mineral grains and bedrock to mountain ranges, river valleys, coastlines, deserts, and glacier fields. It includes the history stored in rocks and sediments, the present-day forces of plate tectonics, weathering, erosion, and deposition, and the ways these factors influence soil formation, water flow, and landscape evolution. It is closely linked with, but distinct from, biodiversity, since living organisms interact with and depend on abiotic features.

Geodiversity underpins ecosystems by shaping habitats, nutrient cycles, water resources, and climate buffering. It provides resources such as minerals and groundwater, supports cultural and educational values, and offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and geotourism. Understanding geodiversity informs land-use planning, hazard assessment, and disaster risk reduction by highlighting vulnerable landscapes and the history of natural processes.

Conservation and governance of geodiversity, often termed geoconservation, aim to preserve rocks, fossils, landforms, and the processes that create them. This is pursued through designated sites, geoparks, inventories, and policies that balance development with the protection of geodiversity assets. Ongoing monitoring and public education help integrate geodiversity into sustainable management and cultural heritage.