Toward Understanding Geodiversity Perception in Grayson County, Virginia through Geodiversity Mapping

Geodiversity describes the abiotic features and processes on Earth. Understanding an area's geodiversity is essential for a complete conservation management plan. To better evaluate geodiversity for conservation purposes, understanding an individual's perception of place and environmental values gives land managers the ability to assess the significance of local abiotic resources. Here, I present a novel approach to understanding geodiversity values through public participatory mapping in Grayson County, Virginia. Objectives of this research were to: 1) map and model geodiversity using lithology, topography, hydrology, and microclimatic data; 2) design and implement a survey on geodiversity values and the perception of geodiversity using public-participatory mapping and Likert style surveys; and 3) use the survey results to integrate geodiversity values with a geodiversity index value to create a geodiversity-geosystem services hotspot map. Results from the geodiversity map show that there is higher geodiversity along the ridges in elevated mountainous areas, especially in the Buck Mountain region. A total of n=30 participants were surveyed, and 318 geodiversity value markers were collected from 10 different geoservices categories. Top three values identified were aesthetic (32%), artistic (22%), and educational (15%). Major findings of this study were 1) Aesthetic values are most commonly identified by respondents 2.) Geodiversity values were clustered around population centers and currently protected areas 3.) Geodiversity scores contrast the survey values. This research supports the need for a more holistic conservation plan that considers abiotic features, place values, and sense of place, to better understand the relationship people have to the abiotic environment.