Calculation of Geodiversity from Landscape Units of the Cadeado Range Region in Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

This work aims to carry out a quantitative evaluation of geodiversity in a unit of Cadeado Range, Paraná state, Brazil, on the eastern edge of the Paraná sedimentary basin. We identified and defined eight compartments or landscape units using an integrated analysis of the set of elements of their geoecological structure: geomorphological, geological, pedological, hydrologic, and socioeconomic features. We made a quantitative evaluation of the abiotic elements of the landscape, aiming to understand the spatial distribution of geodiversity. To this, we applied the calculation of geodiversity index proposed by Serrano and Ruiz-flaño ((62): [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] 2007), in order to determine the geodiversity richness index for each compartment, as well as the distribution or relative frequency of the elements. It was possible to demonstrate that compartments with a wider territorial area do not necessarily hold a greater richness index and that compartments with greater richness area do not necessarily shelter a better equability or relative frequency among elements. Therefore, areas with a higher geodiversity index are associated with a balance between element distribution in a given area and its richness. We believe that this method can inform future studies to compare rates of geodiversity and biodiversity in the territory with a nature conservation aim.

Geodiversity: An integrative review as a contribution to the sustainable management of the whole of nature

“…A quantitative characterisation seems to be more useful to researchers. Several recent studies and methodologies present and discuss geodiversity indices using map algebra with GIS techniques Pereira et al, 2013;Malinowska and Szumacher, 2013;Silva et al, 2013Silva et al, , 2015Melelli, 2014;Pellitero et al, 2014;Kot, 2015;Martinez-Grana et al, 2015;Manosso and Nóbrega, 2016;Argyriou et al, 2016;Araujo and Pereira, 2017;Forte et al, 2018). The objectivity and simplicity of using GIS analysis of geographical data during the data collection allow cartographic representations of geodiversity or partial geodiversity indices and the overlay with other types of spatial data.…”

Current trends and future directions in quantitative geodiversity assessment

“…The connection between existing methodological approaches (Benito-Calvo et al, 2009; Hjort and Luoto, 2010; Kozlowski, 2004; Parks and Mulligan, 2010; Pereira et al, 2013; Serrano and Flano, 2007; Zwolinski, 2009) and the geodiversity concept are not yet clear (Santos et al, 2017). In recent years, the output of geodiversity assessment publications proposing new methods (Argyriou et al, 2016; Najwer et al, 2016) and drawing upon existing knowledge (da Silva et al, 2019; Kaskela and Kotilainen, 2017; Manosso and de Nobrega, 2016; Perotti et al, 2019) have increased, but it remains unclear whether recent studies have been working to bridge the gap between methodology and concept.…”

Kernel Density Applied to the Quantitative Assessment of Geodiversity

“…The assessment of geodiversity is a recent issue concerning the evaluation of natural diversity. While the first attempts to quantify geodiversity were mainly limited to topographical/ relief features (Xavier-da- Silva et al 2001;Serrano and Flaño 2007;Benito-Calvo et al 2009;Zwolinski 2009;Hjort and Luoto 2010;Muller 2011;Manosso 2012;Pellitero 2012), other approaches tried to considerer all types of geodiversity elements (Carcavilla et al 2007;Forte 2014;Silva et al 2015). More recently, other authors made new approaches to geodiversity assessment (Argyriou et al 2016;Manosso and Nóbrega 2016;Najwer et al 2016;Kaskela and Kotilainen 2017;Stepisnik and Trenchovska 2017).…”