In this episode, Ben is joined once again by Dr Joseph Bailey, currently part of the team at YSJU Geography but soon-to-be Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Conservation and Sustainability at Anglia Ruskin University, to discuss the concept of ‘Geodiversity’, and why the varied shape of the landscape is an important factor in determining ecosystem biodiversity, and its conservation. We discuss the ways in which Joe’s research has explored this concept, and how he has sought to map and measure geodiversity through a holistic understanding of landscape processes. We reflect on how geographers are well-placed to offer insight into the significance of geodiversity, and how we might feed an understanding of geodiversity into conservation practice and policy.

Below, for those who are interested, are some links to relevant readings that further flesh out the concepts / topics discussed...

Key Reading #1: The 2022 article “Conserving Nature’s Stage…” by John Gordon, Joe and Jonathan Larwood offers a useful account of the relationships between geo- and biodiversity, and the importance of preserving the varied surfaces of the earth upon which species flourish. Published in the Park Stewardship Forum and available online here as an open-access text: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8fp8v4wk

Key Reading #2: Joe’s 2017 paper in Global Ecology and Biogeography, co-authored with several others and drawing on his PhD research, entitled “Modelling native and alien vascular plant species richness” specifically examines the question of scale, as discussed in the episode, and its importance when assessing the relevance of ‘geodiversity’. Published open access and available here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geb.12574

Further Reading: Joe and fellow researcher Franziska Schrodt wrote a really accessible article for the online news site The Conversation in 2019 that introduces the concept and importance of geodiversity for a non-specialist audience interested in conservation. Available online here: https://theconversation.com/our-new-research-is-tracing-the-development-of-the-worlds-vital-non-living-nature-125664

Further Reading: Joe recommends Murray Gray’s 2013 book Geodiversity: Valuing and conserving abiotic nature as an excellent general reference text on the concept. A preview is available via google books here: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Geodiversity/LSB8AAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0

(C) 2022. Produced / Edited by B. Garlick