Geoheritage and geodiversity management – the questions for tomorrow

Geodiversity is an important term for future geoheritage management strategies. It is modelled on the term biodiversity that today dominates the work of nature conservation. It describes a complexity of natural attributes in all scales and represents both opportunities and challenges for management strategies. Drawing on experience of geoconservation from across Europe this article focusses on three major issues important to the future geoheritage work: (1) geodiversity as a comprehensive framework for management, (2) the importance of legislation and strategies and (3) practical conservation, management and land use. In focussing on these issues it should not be forgotten however that the very need for conservation of the geological heritage is still not well developed and accepted in many countries and needs to be promoted as a priority. It is argued here that the term geodiversity should be used flexibly to retain relevance across different aspects of geoscience, natural terrains, countries and aspects. Cooperation between institutions and countries is necessary to maintain and develop geoconservation strategies and should be given higher priority, defined scientifically to promote the scientific and educational status, promoted and shared internationally. National legislation is also very important and should be backed by international conventions and international organisations. In Europe geoheritage, geoconservation and geodiversity should be accepted as EU policy and integrated into EU directives.