What on Earth is geodiversity?

The concept of geodiversity is gaining recognition in many scientific fields, as well as in practical applications such as conservation and tourism. Although the importance of geodiversity is now widely accepted, its precise definition, scope and broader applicability continue to be debated and dis...

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Main Authors: Helena Tukiainen, Maija Toivanen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Geographical Society of Northern Finland 2025-07-01
Series:Nordia Geographical Publications
Online Access:https://nordia.journal.fi/article/view/163412
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author Helena Tukiainen
Maija Toivanen
author_facet Helena Tukiainen
Maija Toivanen
author_sort Helena Tukiainen
collection DOAJ
description The concept of geodiversity is gaining recognition in many scientific fields, as well as in practical applications such as conservation and tourism. Although the importance of geodiversity is now widely accepted, its precise definition, scope and broader applicability continue to be debated and discussed. In this paper, we explore the variety of viewpoints that relate to geodiversity and scrutinize the importance of geodiversity for different audiences. These viewpoints include definitions, assessment, research fields, terminology and its applications. To help explore and convey the different viewpoints and values commonly attributed to geodiversity, we invoke the Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark in Finland as a specific case study. Finally, we present potential future directions for geodiversity research, including key knowledge gaps, and highlight the vulnerability of geodiversity to increasing human pressures that threaten its integrity and long-term sustainability.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1238-2086
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language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher The Geographical Society of Northern Finland
record_format Article
series Nordia Geographical Publications
spelling doaj-art-fbcbf480f84a4f3f8c5fd8ebacb1fc542025-08-20T03:44:27ZengThe Geographical Society of Northern FinlandNordia Geographical Publications1238-20862736-97222025-07-0154210.30671/nordia.163412What on Earth is geodiversity?Helena Tukiainen0Maija Toivanen1University of OuluUniversity of Oulu The concept of geodiversity is gaining recognition in many scientific fields, as well as in practical applications such as conservation and tourism. Although the importance of geodiversity is now widely accepted, its precise definition, scope and broader applicability continue to be debated and discussed. In this paper, we explore the variety of viewpoints that relate to geodiversity and scrutinize the importance of geodiversity for different audiences. These viewpoints include definitions, assessment, research fields, terminology and its applications. To help explore and convey the different viewpoints and values commonly attributed to geodiversity, we invoke the Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark in Finland as a specific case study. Finally, we present potential future directions for geodiversity research, including key knowledge gaps, and highlight the vulnerability of geodiversity to increasing human pressures that threaten its integrity and long-term sustainability. https://nordia.journal.fi/article/view/163412
spellingShingle Helena Tukiainen
Maija Toivanen
What on Earth is geodiversity?
Nordia Geographical Publications
title What on Earth is geodiversity?
title_full What on Earth is geodiversity?
title_fullStr What on Earth is geodiversity?
title_full_unstemmed What on Earth is geodiversity?
title_short What on Earth is geodiversity?
title_sort what on earth is geodiversity
url https://nordia.journal.fi/article/view/163412
work_keys_str_mv AT helenatukiainen whatonearthisgeodiversity
AT maijatoivanen whatonearthisgeodiversity