Geodiversity underpins biodiversity but the relations can be complex: Implications from two biodiversity proxies

A complex, context-dependent relationship between geodiversity and biodiversity was revealed through the analysis of two proxy measures—textural satellite image data and landscape metrics—in the Loess Plateau, China. The study found that while habitat heterogeneity increased in most areas (39.87–62.41%) from 2000 to 2015, particularly in central and southwestern regions, landscape metrics decreased significantly (38.14–71.94%) in the same zones, including the Ziwuling and Huanglong forest areas. Geographically-weighted spatial correlation analysis showed that stronger correlations between geodiversity and biodiversity proxies occurred in human-dominated landscapes. These findings underscore the importance of integrating geodiversity and biodiversity in conservation planning, particularly in areas with high geodiversity or significant human influence.

Ren, Y., Lü, Y., Hu, J., & Yin, L. (2021). Geodiversity underpins biodiversity but the relations can be complex: Implications from two biodiversity proxies. Global Ecology and Conservation, 31, e01830. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01830