Geodiversity

A counterpoint to biodiversity, geodiversity describes the rocks, sediments, soils, fossils, landforms, and the physical processes that underlie our environment. The first book to focus exclusively on the subject, Geodiversity describes the interrelationships between geodiversity and biodiversity, the value of geodiversity to society, as well as current threats to its existence. Illustrated with global case studies throughout, the book examines traditional approaches to protecting biodiversity and the new management agenda which is starting to be used instead.

Geodiversity and geoheritage are emerging topics within the geosciences that are increasingly interconnected to biodiversity research and the humanities through the intersection between Earth and culture. Understanding, recognizing and conserving geodiversity is important for various domains, including geology, geomorphology, geography, ecology, conservation and land management. Geodiversity helps preserve Earth's geoheritage, support biodiversity, manage geohazards and promote sustainable land use. Geoheritage also connects with geotourism development and is integral to territorial development studies. This volume showcases theoretical research and case studies prepared by a stimulating selection of early career scientists alongside experienced researchers. The first part of this book is dedicated to conceptual chapters on geodiversity that consider its links to other studies. The second and third sections present an integrated view of geodiversity, geoheritage and landscape through their management and conservation. This volume charts the diversity of research and those working in the field of geodiversity and geoheritage. Through these multidisciplinary perspectives, we invite emerging and early researchers to continue the conversation and strengthen this dynamic field of study.

Geodiversität - oder genauer gesagt: der natürliche Bereich von geomorphologischen Strukturen ist das Thema dieses Buches. Die Geodiversität von Vorarlberg und Liechtenstein ist gross. Kleine und grosse Landformen erzählen die Geschichte der Entstehung dieser Berglandschaften. Sie sind Zeugen eines dramatischen Klimawandels seit der letzten Eiszeit. Die Autoren haben vor allem kleine Landformen, wo Menschen, Tiere und Pflanzen leben untersucht, und sie erklären mit faszinierender Genauigkeit, wie diese entstanden sind. Im Buch werden auch starke Argumente für deren Schutz vorgebracht: Das Archiv zur Entstehung der Berglandschaften gilt es möglichst zu erhalten, auch in einer Zeit von schnellen Landnutzungsänderungen. Geodiversity - more precisely: the natural range of geomorphological features is the topic of this book. The geodiversity of Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein is high. Small and large landforms tell the story of the origin of the mountain landscapes, and are evidence of a dramatic change of climate since the last ice age. The authors focus on the small landforms - the places in which people, animals and plants live - and explain in fascinating detail how they were created. The book is a strong plea for their protection in a time of rapid land-use change in the mountains.

This book is the first to describe the history of geoconservation. It draws on experience from the UK, Europe and further afield, to explore topics including: what is geoconservation; where, when and how did it start; who was responsible; and how has it differed across the world? Geological and geomorphological features, processes, sites and specimens, provide a resource of immense scientific and educational importance. They also form the foundation for the varied and spectacular landscapes that help define national and local identity as well as many of the great tourism destinations. Mankind's activities, including contributing to enhanced climate change, pose many threats to this resource: the importance of safeguarding and managing it for future generations is now widely accepted as part of sustainable development. Geoconservation is an established and growing activity across the world, with more participants and a greater profile than ever before. This volume highlights a history of challenges, set-backs, successes and visionary individuals and provides a sound basis for taking geoconservation into the future.

Europe's engagement from the late sixteenth century onwards in scientific Earth science inquiry has generated numerous and varied collections of minerals, rocks, and fossils, together with their associated archives, artworks and publications, forming a rich cultural geoheritage held in major private and especially royal and aristocratic collections, museums, universities, archives and libraries. The mines, quarries, geological structures, landforms, minerals, rocks and fossils - or geodiversity - that underpin these collections populate past and present-day Earth science literature. However, for too long their scientific, historic and cultural significance was not universally recognised and generally they were not accorded adequate resources and protection - or geoconservation. Hence, geotourism was developed in the 1990s to raise public awareness of Europe's geoheritage and geodiversity and to promote itsgeoconservation; the volume's theoretical essays and case studies examine these four core geoelements and provide a timely introduction for anyone interested in natural history museums, countryside management, and landscape-basedtourism. Dr Thomas A. Hose is an Honorary Research Associate in the School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol. He has pioneered the recognition of and research into geotourism, and is the author of the world's first doctoral thesis on the subject. Contributors: Kevin Crawford, Peter Davis, John E. Gordon. Thomas A. Hose, Jonathan G. Larwood, Slobodan B. Markovic, Martin Munt, Emmanuel Reynard, Nemanja Tomic, Djordjije A. Vasiljevic, Margaret Wood, Volker Wrede

The first book to focus exclusively on the subject, Geodiversity, Second Edition describes the interrelationships between geodiversity and biodiversity, the value of geodiversity to society, as well as current threats to its existence. Illustrated with global case studies throughout, the book examines traditional approaches to protecting geodiversity and the new management agenda now being implemented. The Second Edition of this successful textbook continues to build on the success of the first edition which is still the standard reference for the subject. Fully revised and updated throughout, the Second Edition now includes new material on geoparks, geotourism and implications of climate change for geoconservation. Reviews of previous edition: "Murray Gray's new book is the first widely available text to bring together and analyse some of these emerging ideas....The result is a book that should be in the library of every land manager and one that is likely to lead many practicing geoscientists and quaternarists to a new view of the importance of their field for nature conservation and environmental management.." —Journal of Quaternary Science, Vol.19, No.8, December 2004 "It is strange that it is necessary to justify the importance of geodiversity.... Murray Gray does it with brilliance, not only to convince 'non-believers', but giving inspiration to us that have worked in geoconservation for a long time." —ProGEO News, 3 & 4, 2003 "...The author provides a timely review of recent advances in the integration of geodiversity into wider conservation and planning strategies..." —Journal of Quaternary Science, Vol.19, No.8, December 2004 "...the book is well-written and follows a clear and concise outline." —Environmental Geology, Vol. 48, No. 2, July 2005

This book discusses the science, causes, impacts and risk reduction strategies for climate change and disasters. It focuses on the use of traditional knowledge, new innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels in order to promote sustainable development goals in general and disaster risk reduction in particular. The global climate has changed substantially over the last century. There is strong evidence of global climate change in the form of increase in air and sea surface temperature, recession of glaciers, changes and shifting of climate regimes, increasing number of extreme events and sea levels changes. The increasing frequency of climate change induced disasters in particular is posing a threat to resilience, lives and livelihoods at global, regional and local levels. Major ecosystems of the world have experienced several climate induced disaster events in recent past. This book provides new insights into the occurrence and impacts of climatic extremes and strategies for disaster risk reduction. It includes studies on rainfall and temperature trends, floods and drought disasters, weather and climatic related disasters in mountains, changes in plant activities, risk assessment and responses in different ecosystems of the world. The book is particularly useful for environmental and disaster managers, researchers and graduate students, as well as policy makers.

For the last 20 years there has been a growing interest in the geosciences for topics related to geoheritage: geoconservation, geotourism and geoparks. Geoheritage: Assessment, Protection, and Management is the first and only reference book to cover these main topics as well as the relationship of geoheritage to other subjects such as landscapes, conservation, and tourism. The book also includes methodologies for assessment, mapping, and visualisation, along with case studies and colour images of some of the most important global geosites. This book is an essential resource for geoscientists, park and geopark managers, tourism and regional planning managers, as well as university students interested in geoheritage, geosites, geomorphosites, geoconservation, and geotourism. It also includes critical information on UNESCO’s Global Geoparks, World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve sites, national parks and protected areas in general, land-use planning and nature conservation policies, and in the general contribution of geodiversity for sustainable development. Winner of the 2019 AESE Award for Outstanding Publication Written by a panel of 46 authors from 14 countries in all continents Based on conceptual, methodological, and applied research carried out by academics and practitioners Includes 160 colour images and maps of geoheritage sites Features six case studies from sites in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America