Geodiversity

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

Preface to Second Edition vii

Preface to First Edition ix

Part I What is Geodiversity? 1

1 Defining Geodiversity 3

2 Geodiversity: the Global Scale 15

3 Geodiversity: the Local Scale 29

Part II Values and Threats 73

4 Valuing Geodiversity in an ‘Ecosystem Services’ Context 75

5 Threats to Geodiversity 151

Part III Geoconservation: the ‘Protected Area’ Approach 193

6 International Geoconservation: an Introduction 195

7 World Heritage Sites 219

8 Global Geoparks 237

9 National Geoconservation 255

Part IV Geoconservation: the ‘Wider Landscape’ Approach 333

10 Geoconservation in the ‘Wider Landscape’ 335

11 Geoconservation and Land-use Planning 377

12 Geoconservation and Policy 393

Part V Putting It All Together 411

13 Geodiversity and Geoconservation: an Overview 413

14 Comparing and integrating geodiversity and biodiversity 429

15 A Future for Geodiversity? 449

References 455

Index 491

“Let’s hope, for example, that those making decisions about the long-term response to recent flooding in the UK will have read this book and as a consequence work with, rather than against, geomorphological processes!.” (Geology Today, 1 September 2014)

“Overall, ‘Geodiversity’ is a most valuable addi­tion to any geoscience library and I strongly recom­mend that people involved in geoconservation have a ready access to it. While the book provides us with a state-of-the-art (AD 2013), the fields of geodiversi­ty and geoconservation are highly dynamic and the perspectives for the future seem generally promis­ing. In this context, I hope that the strong assertion of the author that “there will not be a third edition” (p. viii) will not prove true and in some years from now we will enjoy an updated new edition of ‘Geodiversity’.” (Geologos, 1 June 2014)

“It would be a fine basis for an advanced undergraduate or graduate level course and one that your students might actually read, the highest praise that I can give any textbook.” (Geological Journal, 1 June 2014)

“The book can serve as an undergraduate/graduate-level textbook, but it will also have some appeal to professional geoscientist. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, researchers/faculty, and professionals/practitioners.” (Choice, 1 July 2014)

Dr Murray Gray, Reader Emeritus in Geography, Department of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London, UK.

"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

Geodiversity, Second Edition describes the value of geodiversity to society, current threats to its existence, the efforts being made to protect it from these threats, and the interrelationships between geodiversity and biodiversity. Illustrated with global case studies throughout, the book examines traditional approaches to protecting geodiversity and the new, wider landscape management agenda now being implemented. The Second Edition of this successful textbook continues to build on the success of the first edition that remains the standard, international reference for the subject.

Fully revised and updated throughout, the Second Edition now also includes new material on geotourism and the implications of climate change for geoconservation.

This book is for geologists and geomorphologists, nature conservationists, and ecologists. It also serves as an excellent reference for undergraduates taking courses in environmental management, nature conservation, applied geology and environmental science.

• An overall definition of geodiversity and description of the geodiversity of the planet.
• The value of geodiversity to society, in the context of the current paradigm of “ecosystem services”, and a discussion on the threats to geodiversity, such as mineral extraction, urban development and river and coastal engineering,
• Traditional methods of of geoconservation, World Heritage Sites and Global Geoparks.
• New approaches for geoconservation in the wider landscape including relationships with planning and policy initiatives.
• A summary of geoconservation methods, a discussion of the relationship between geodiversity and biodiversity and the need for a more integrated approach to nature conservation and sustainable land management.