Geoconservation
The most accepted term used today for what is also known as
geological and geomorphological conservation or Earth heritage
conservation is geoconservation. It concerns the conservation of
our non-living natural environment – our geodiversity.
Geodiversity takes in the natural range of geological (rocks,
minerals, fossils), geomorphological (landforms,
landscape-shaping processes) and soil features. Some people extend
the definition of geodiversity to include the built (stone)
heritage and historical literature.
Geoconservation is an integral part of JNCC’s statutory
functions, and we have played an important role in co-ordinating UK
geodiversity conservation work. Our work in this area
currently centres on the provision and management of scientific
information about sites which are conserved for their scientific
value as geological SSSIs through the Geological Conservation Review (GCR)
programme.
Some of the concepts of geoconservation are still being
developed, in particular those related to the wider-landscape and
climate-change. More discussion and debate will be needed before
these developing concepts can be turned into practical
applications. However, in some areas a good deal has been achieved
by the country agencies and by JNCC. They include the
application of landscape characterisation to biodiversity
conservation, which links biodiversity and geodiversity.
A number strands of work are already active through JNCC and the
country agencies are:
- The development of the UK Geodiversity Action Plan (UKGAP), to
be published and managed at http://www.ukgap.org.uk/
- Contributing to and facilitating the debate about climate
change and its impact on geoconservation, including the role of
geology in combating adverse climate change
- Advising on UK marine geoconservation and on aspects of marine
and coastal bioconservation based on Earth science information
- Assessing geodiversity in the UK’s Overseas Territories and
advising on its conservation
- Maintaining the Geological Conservation
Review database and information resource, which is the
foundation of British Sites of Special Scientific Interest,
UK Geoparks and geo-World Heritage sites and underpins our ability
to offer UK geoconservation advice.