Does biodiversity depend on geodiversity? Canaima National Park, Venezuela – case study.

Research in Canaima National Park, Venezuela, reveals that geodiversity—particularly the presence of distinctive Tepui and Mesa-type mountains—significantly influences biodiversity. The study found that terrain-based geodiversity is a dominant factor shaping species abundance, suggesting a strong link between geological features and ecological richness. To investigate this relationship, scientists mapped geodiversity while analyzing data on plant and animal species distribution. By isolating the impact of terrain in their synthetic geodiversity map, they identified key geological structures as critical determinants of biodiversity patterns.

Strus, P., Chrobak-Zuffova, A., Novotny, J., & Stachowicz, I. (2023). Does biodiversity depend on geodiversity? Canaima National Park, Venezuela – case study. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-9860