The "Hidden" Geodiversity in the Traditional Approaches in Ecosystem Services: a Perspective Based on Monetary Valuation

Author(s)

Queiroz, Debora Silva ; Motta Garcia, Maria da Gloria

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: GEOHERITAGE; v. 14, n. 2, p. 13-pg., 2022-06-01.

Abstract

Ecosystems are maintained due to interactions between biotic and abiotic elements of nature, generating ecosystem services (ES), which are the goods and services enjoyed by society. The term ES has been used in relation to biodiversity; however, many services occur through the interaction between biotic and abiotic elements. Thus, this article aimed to verify how geodiversity was addressed in ES research, and also, to identify which monetary valuation methods can be used for geodiversity. To facilitate selection, essential geodiversity variables (EGV) were used to determine the keywords for the abiotic elements of nature. This study analyzed 468 articles, of which 226 regard abiotic elements. So, even when not nominally cited, geodiversity is hidden in traditional approaches in ES. Monetary valuation is an important tool to highlight the contributions of ES to society. Although there are not specific methods of monetary valuation of ES provided by geodiversity, this survey shows 16 articles already valuing the abiotic part of nature. These methods can be categorized into water, atmosphere, and other elements of geodiversity, and this categorization can help future methods be chosen that better suit research related to the monetary valuation of ecosystem services with a focus on geodiversity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/18652-2 - Geological Heritage of the Coastal region of São Paulo State: inventory and valorisation with support of geospatial technologies
• Grantee: Maria da Glória Motta Garcia
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants