Integration of Geodiversity into Ecosystem Services Frameworks

Interest in geodiversity has recently begun to increase due to the realisation that it may be critical in understanding the monetary and cultural value of a given ecosystem. Indeed, geodiversity itself may be considered a supporting ecosystem service in a similar manner to nutrient cycling and primary production, but its quantification is challenging.
However, incorporation of geodiversity into landscape management remains difficult because of a lack of quantitative metrics to describe geodiversity. If geodiversity is to be taken into account - for example when valuing natural capital - these metrics need to be developed and applied. This information is particularly important in areas of proposed land-use change and / or development.
Given Scotland's unique range in geodiversity, the student will initially focus on Scotland-based resources and material. The scholar will have the opportunity to conduct fieldwork during the design and validation phases of the project. Possible field sites include: (1) UK 'geo-sites', as designated by the Geological Society of London, (2) current field sites of the Lyell Centre and BGS (terrestrial and marine) at which extensive background information is available and (3) disused open cast mines in Lanarkshire, which are being developed for geo-tourism and geological research.
Three major research objectives within the PhD will be to:
1. Develop conceptual models for describing and quantifying geodiversity from terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments.
2. Develop suitable indicators for describing and quantifying geodiversity.
3. Test the indicator(s)' robustness in terrestrial and marine environments in the context of existing geology.