[U-05] Environments of the Anthropocene

[U05-01] Mountain Geodiversity and Geoheritage: Geoconservation in the Anthropocene

★Invited Papers

*John E. Gordon¹ (1.School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AL, Scotland, UK )

Keywords:Geodiversity, mountain geodiversity, geoconservation, cryosphere, geomorphological processes, Anthropocene

Mountain landscapes are exceptional for their geodiversity at a range of scales from the global to the local, reflecting the interactions between plate tectonics, geology, geomorphological processes, climate, vegetation, landscape evolution and human activities. Mountain geodiversity is an integral part of nature and has value not only for geoheritage but also for providing wider ecosystem services and natural resources that are essential to support human life and biodiversity. Understanding geomorphological processes and landscape evolution is fundamental to delivering sustainable management of natural resources and informing nature conservation strategies and hazard risk assessment in the face of climate change and human pressures. The response of the cryosphere, in particular, to climate change will have far-reaching effects both on biotic and abiotic components of mountain ecosystems and on cultural perceptions and reactions. The presentation will examine these issues from a geoconservation and geotourism perspective, arguing the need for a more integrated approach to nature conservation across the full range of IUCN Protected Area Management Categories.