Geodiversity: developing the paradigm

The term ‘geodiversity’ was first used in 1993 as the geological equivalent of biodiversity. It has gained in international acceptance and usage in recent years and now warrants the status of a geological paradigm. This article develops some new theoretical and practical aspects of geodiversity, including a discussion of the origin and evolution of the geodiversity of Planet Earth and whether there are geodiversity hotspots. Although the word ‘geodiversity’ is a relatively recent introduction, the concept has been used as the basis for selecting geoconservation sites in many countries and is being used increasingly to guide the nomination and assessment process for geological World Heritage Sites. The paper then discusses the aims and methods of geoconservation and how these vary depending on which element of geodiversity is being considered. Finally, the relevance of geodiversity to geotourism, leisure activities and geoparks is explored.