Geodiversity, including surface and subsurface phenomena, objects and processes, reflects the current state of abiotic nature on the Earth. For this purpose, various methods of assessing geodiversity are used, from through mapping to simultaneous monitoring of dynamic elements of the geographical environment.
- Traditionally, rich descriptions of single variables and a static image of geodiversity is obtained through mapping, which registers the current face of the Earth.
- Another solution is a simultaneous record and/or multitemporal assessment of geodiversity through monitoring systems of key environmental elements, including satellite monitoring and geomatics techniques. This approach makes it possible to track changes in geodiversity at different time intervals and thus gain information on dynamic geodiversity.
For both static and dynamic geodiversity, it is essential to choose the right variables and approach that will best reflect the nature of both types of geodiversity as well as will be relevant for issues related to the services offered by geodiversity. Identifying these Essential Geodiversity Variables (EGVs, sensu Schrodt et al. 2019) as geoindicators is the main task of this session.
The large amount of available geoindicators makes it difficult to identify those that would comprehensively meet the expectations of specialists from various disciplines involved in the geodiversity assessment. Nevertheless, geodiversity is now recognized as highly relevant to both scientific and management issues related to Earth surface processes and landscape evolution and an effort for improved EGVs selection should be made. Our EGVs perspective is to contribute to the establishment of a Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework associated to environmental issues related to global change, ecosystem services and geoheritage.
This session invites scientific oral and poster contributions on geodiversity in context of geoheritage of natural and cultural landscapes.
The joint session is organized by the IAG Working Group on Landform Assessment for Geodiversity and the IAG Working Group on Geomorphological Sites.