Geoconservation of Quaternary sites and interests

Quaternary geosites tend to be ‘high-maintenance’, in terms of their conservation; in that the interest is generally in unconsolidated sediments in which exposures will survive for a relatively brief interval. Therefore the success of conservation measures is often dependent on the interest being sufficient to generate repeated visits for research and other purposes, for which the expense or labour of re-excavation will be required. The Quaternary has been prominent within statutory geoconservation in the UK from its outset and was divided into regional blocks for the Geological Conservation Review, publication of which approaches completion. The successes and failures of UK Quaternary geoconservation are evaluated, along with lessons to be learned. Reference is made to a variety of sites, although particular emphasis is given to the suite of important Middle–Late Pleistocene localities representing the Lower Thames terraces, which provide a particularly detailed representation of the last four Quaternary (glacial–interglacial) climate cycles. The example suite of geosites also provides examples of various problems and issues related to site management, with results that vary from disappointing to highly successful outcomes. This valuable geological resource could be put to better use with the implementation of enhanced outreach measures.