Geodiversity, Geoheritage and Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

Geodiversity is the natural range of minerals, fossils, soils, rocks, landforms and their associated processes and values. Geodiversity serves as the foundation of healthy ecosystems and society, providing geosystem and ecosystem services from cultural appreciation and aesthetic beauty to nutritious foods, critical minerals, habitat and environments for biodiversity, and building stones. Geoheritage conservation and the thoughtful management and interpretation of geodiversity are integral components of sustainability theory and practice. Initiatives such as UNESCO Global Geoparks, which aim to safeguard geodiversity and landscape while promoting sustainable development through geotourism, are one such exemplar of the fusion of environmental, cultural, and economic sustainability. Such endeavors—and many more—underscore the interconnectedness of preserving geodiversity and geoheritage while fostering local economies and community engagement.

Despite significant progress, there remains work to be done to fully align geoheritage conservation and the promotion and use of geodiversity with broader sustainability objectives. Future priorities should involve strengthening the integration of geoheritage considerations into regional and national sustainability and protected area policies, ensuring that conservation practices not only protect valuable elements and geosites but also contribute to sustainable development. Additionally, fostering public awareness and education on the significance of geodiversity and the benefits of sustainable geotourism will play a crucial role in shaping attitudes towards the responsible use and preservation of our geological heritage. Finally, a way forward for geoconservationists and other practitioners is likely to involve the management and promotion of geodiversity in all facets of life, as part of mine closure rehabilitation, in the restoration of agricultural and forested lands, in urban environments, and in anthropogenically modified forms. The emerging realities of managing elements, sites and values in a changing climate and geopolitical conflict makes the need for sound and sustainable geoconservation even more pertinent.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome that explore all facets of the approaches and opportunities for sustainable use, management, and promotion of geodiversity and geoheritage. Suggested article topics may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Integrated approaches to geoheritage conservation and sustainable development, such as ‘conserving natures’ stage’ and geotourism;
• Geoconservation as a mechanism for transformational change in former industrial, mining, and agricultural communities;
• Geoconservation and climate change resilience;
• Community engagement in geoheritage conservation, considering cultural and socioeconomic contexts;
• Innovative technologies for geosite and geodiversity site assessment and monitoring: showcase cutting-edge technologies, such as remote sensing, GIS, and 3D modelling, for assessing and monitoring geoheritage sites to inform sustainable management practices;
• Geoeducation for sustainability;
• Policy frameworks for geoheritage conservation and sustainable land use;
• Cultural and ethical dimensions of geoheritage;
• Geoheritage in urban environments—sustainable planning and management;
• Case studies of successful geoconservation projects, highlighting successful models of sustainable practice and promotion, with lessons applicable to different geographical and cultural contexts.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Examples can be found at:
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/special_issues

Dr. Melinda McHenry
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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• geoheritage
• geoconservation
• geodiversity
• geotourism
• geoparks
• sustainable development
• sustainable land use
• systems thinking