Global geodiversity components are not equally represented in UNESCO Global Geoparks

Abstract

The aim of UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGs) is to protect globally significant geoheritage and geodiversity, but quantitative evidence on the global representativeness of geodiversity components (i.e. geology, soils, geomorphology and hydrology) in these geoparks is in short supply. Here, we provide a first assessment by deriving a global map of geodiversity to test whether the presence of geodiversity components in UGGs is representative for the global availability and distribution of geodiversity. Using openly accessible global datasets and a newly developed workflow, we have calculated metrics for each geodiversity component and a global geodiversity index; we then quantified whether UGGs represent global geodiversity and then compared their components to a randomized spatial distribution of geoparks. Our results show that lithological and topographical diversity are more represented in UGGs than outside these sites, while soil type and hydrological diversity are not significantly different. Furthermore, individual soil types and lithological classes are under-represented and unevenly distributed in Asian and European UGGs. This is probably caused by the concentration of geoparks in Asian and European mountains. To better conserve geodiversity, we suggest an initiative to consider the protection and representation of all geodiversity components in their global context. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Geodiversity for science and society’.

Geodiversity in the Amazon drainage basin

“…The summary of geodiversity indices that were used in this work includes interesting geofeatures, such as the geotourism potential of waterfalls, caves and archaeological sites. When seen in the context of the geodiversity components considered by Polman et al [40], geology and fluvial geomorphology stand out as important themes within the characterization of geodiversity of the 'Amazônia legal'.…”

“…The geodiversity studies of the Xingu river basin and French Guiana were conducted using a grid-based approach similar to the study by Polman et al [40], but considered different components to define geodiversity. Instead, Scammacca et al [35] considered mineral diversity alongside lithological, hydrological and geomorphological diversity.…”

“…In this study, we identify the key characteristics of geodiversity and its components. To do this, we use the recently published global quantification of geodiversity metrics by Polman et al [40], a meta-analysis of local and regional maps of geodiversity components in the ADB (geology, soils, geomorphology and hydrology), combined with a systematic literature review of geodiversity in the ADB. We also investigate if the global geodiversity map should be amended to more accurately reflect geodiversity in the ADB.…”

“…To assess the geodiversity in the ADB, we combined a meta-analysis of global, regional and local geodiversity index and component maps, and a systematic literature review on geodiversity. The geodiversity maps for the ADB were clipped from available global maps [41] of geodiversity components [40] that were created using openly available sources [42][43][44][45]. The spatial arrangements of the four geodiversity components (lithology, soil, geomorphology and hydrology) were ranked using zonal statistics to create diversity maps for each component.…”

Geodiversity for science and society

“…This includes presentation of geodiversity data for Europe at two spatial resolutions [7]; development of a framework for quantifying geodiversity at local scales [8]; integrating vegetation and geodiversity monitoring using remote sensing and traits [9]; and quantitatively assessing geodiversity uniqueness and applying this to biodiversity conservation [10]. Seijmonsbergen et al [11] bridge geodiversity measurement and geoconservation by creating a global geodiversity map, which they use to assess the extent to which UNESCO Global Geoparks represent the different elements of geodiversity, finding some components are underrepresented. Such global geodiversity maps are also considered in the Amazon drainage basin, where no large-scale geodiversity assessment has previously taken place, with global maps being refined to ultimately define three principal regions within the basin [12].…”