Geodiversity
Geodiversity: The Hidden Treasure of Our Planet
Have you ever heard of the term ‘geodiversity’? It refers to the natural range of geological, geomorphological, and hydrological features of our planet. While biodiversity often takes center stage in discussions about conservation, geodiversity is just as important and deserves our attention.
Geodiversity is often overlooked, but it is intrinsically linked to biodiversity. The living organisms in an environment interact with and affect the non-living aspects and vice-versa. One simply must look outside to observe how many different types of plant and animal species are in a given environment, but it can be easy to overlook the geodiversity hidden under our feet. This diversity brings with it value, whether that be intrinsic or for the ecosystem services it provides. This value can be broken down into several categories: economic, scientific, intrinsic, cultural, aesthetic, and functional. Due to the retinue of ways in which these unique geological features are valuable, they must be conserved and protected where possible.
There are many examples of geodiversity across the globe. Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, Canada, is home to a wide range of different environments and geodiversity, ranging from mountain peaks, fjords, beaches, and tablelands (Burzynski, 1999). This site was chosen by Parks Canada because of its representation of the geodiversity and biodiversity of Canada. The variety of systems found within Gros Morne National Park is not only representative of the geodiversity of Newfoundland, it is an excellent representation of diversity that our world has.
Soil is not something that people would consider having geodiversity value, but these soils can be reflective of not only geological information but cultural information as well. The Terra Preta soil of the Amazon basin is not only rich in nutrients, but it is also filled with pottery sherds as well. This blend of anthropological specimens, organic matter, and a mix of soils from all over the Amazon River combine to make the soil of Terra Preta a rich anthrosol (Lima et al. 2002). Over thousands of years the indigenous populations of the Amazon have been using the river for various reasons and have left remains to be washed up by the river. It is these cultural deposits within the Terra Preta, combined with the unique mixture of charcoal, organic material, and pottery sherds that make this soil such a rich example of a geodiverse soil.
This last example is a geomorphological area that most people have heard of, that being Grand Canyon National Park. Located within the United States, this region is a shining example of not only billions of years of stratigraphy but is also associated with the cultural history of 11 different native tribes (Hedquist, 2010). As for the canyon itself, its stratigraphic layers are representative of the three major rock types (Igneous, Sedimentary, and metamorphic) all of which give us a glimpse into the past oceans, tectonic shifts, and rivers that have gone into shaping the canyon (Ranney 2012). The Grand Canyon has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list allowing it the recognition and protections necessary to further research the canyon so that future generations may also be able to appreciate the canyon in ways that we do today.
Conclusion
Geodiversity is a crucial aspect of our planet that is often overlooked. It refers to the natural range of geological, geomorphological, soil, and hydrological features of our planet and is intrinsically linked to biodiversity. Examples such as Gros Morne National Park, Terra Preta soil, and the Grand Canyon, demonstrate the value and importance of geodiversity. It is essential that we recognize and protect the geodiversity of our planet, as it is a hidden treasure that provides us with valuable information about our past, present, and future.
