Towards a taxonomy of geodiversity

Abstract

Geodiversity is a topical concept in earth and environmental sciences. Geodiversity information is needed to conserve nature, use ecosystem services and achieve sustainable development goals. Despite the increasing demand for geodiversity data, there exists no comprehensive system for categorizing geodiversity. Here, we present a hierarchically structured taxonomy that is potentially applicable in mapping and quantifying geodiversity across different regions, environments and scales. In this taxonomy, the main components of geodiversity are geology, geomorphology, hydrology and pedology. We propose a six-level hierarchical system where the components of geodiversity are classified at progressively lower taxonomic levels based on their genesis, physical-chemical properties and morphology. This comprehensive taxonomy can be used to compile geodiversity information for scientific research and various applications of value to society and nature conservation. Ultimately, this hierarchical system is the first step towards developing a global geodiversity taxonomy. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Geodiversity for science and society'.

Keywords: abiotic diversity; geodiversity; geofeature; hierarchical classification; taxonomy.

Figure 1.

Examples of geofeatures from the geological (a,b), geomorphological (c,d) and hydrological (e,f) components of geodiversity. (a) A close-up of granite, (b) a layered sand deposit, (c) a small delta, (d) periglacial patterned ground, (e) a spring pool and (f) waterfalls. (Online version in colour.)

Figure 2.

Classification of the geology component with selected examples of geofeatures (separated by /). Note that most of the geofeature lists (…) are not exhaustive (see electronic supplementary material S1 for more examples of geofeatures). Subtypes of geofeatures are at level 6, but they are not listed in this general representation of the classification. (Online version in colour.)

Figure 3.

Classification of the geomorphology component with selected examples of geofeatures (separated by /). Note that the geofeature lists (…) are not exhaustive (see electronic supplementary material S1 for more examples of geofeatures). Subtypes of geofeatures are at level 6, but they are not listed in this general representation of the classification. Glacig.-glacif.-glacil.-glacim. = Glacigenic-glacifluvial-glacilacustrine-glacimarine. (Online version in colour.)

Figure 4.

Classification of the soil component with selected examples of geofeatures (separated by /). Note that the geofeature names refer to the principal qualifiers [60] and lists (…) are not exhaustive (see electronic supplementary material S1). Subtypes of geofeatures are at level 6, but they are not listed in this general representation of the classification. (Online version in colour.)

Figure 5.

Classification of the hydrology component with selected examples of geofeatures (separated by /). Note that the geofeature lists (…) are not exhaustive (see electronic supplementary material S1 for more examples of geofeatures). Subtypes of geofeatures are at level 6, but they are not listed in this general representation of the classification. (Online version in colour.)