A BRIEF CONSIDERATION OF GEODIVERSITY AND GEOCONSERVATION

Most people associate nature conservation with the protection of biodiversity. Geoconservation, or the conservation of geodiversity, is an area of nature conservation which is not as well understood, but this appears to be changing. Across the world the emphasis in nature conservation has been on the conservation of fauna and flora whilst virtually overlooking the geological, geomorphological and pedological foundation on which the biological world has evolved. The need for nature conservation is widely accepted by biologists, other natural scientists and the public in general. Earth scientists are not trained in conservation theory and have had little input into the development of conservation strategies and policies, particularly as they relate to geoconservation. The majority of earth scientists are trained and employed by industry. To be involved in conservation could be seen to be contrary to the goals of the profession. This need not be the case. There is a very close link between geodiversity and biodiversity and a holistic approach to the conservation of natural diversity can be achieved by managin