Colin D. Prosser

The history of geoconservation

This book is the first to describe the history of geoconservation. It draws on experience from the UK, Europe and further afield, to explore topics including: what is geoconservation; where, when and how did it start; who was responsible; and how has it differed across the world? Geological and geomorphological features, processes, sites and specimens, provide a resource of immense scientific and educational importance. They also form the foundation for the varied and spectacular landscapes that help define national and local identity as well as many of the great tourism destinations. Mankind’s activities, including contributing to enhanced climate change, pose many threats to this resource: the importance of safeguarding and managing it for future generations is now widely accepted as part of sustainable development. Geoconservation is an established and growing activity across the world, with more participants and a greater profile than ever before. This volume highlights a history of challenges, set-backs, successes and visionary individuals and provides a sound basis for taking geoconservation into the future.

The history of geoconservation in England: legislative and policy milestones

Abstract England, and the UK more widely, have robust and mature statutory and voluntary frameworks for delivering geoconservation. Critical to achieving this advanced position was the inclusion of geoconservation within the first nature conservation legislation enacted in Britain in 1949. The development of this legislation benefited greatly from the wisdom of a number of committees set up to inform government thinking. Many of these committees were advised by the scientific community, including geologists and geomorphologists. The work and influence of these committees in establishing geoconservation as part of statutory nature conservation is explored, and the main statutory and policy milestones which have guided and shaped geoconservation in England since 1949 are described. The rise of the voluntary geoconservation movement in the late 1980s is also explored.

Geodiversity, Conservation and Climate Change: Key Principles for Adaptation

Abstract Geodiversity is an integral part of the natural environment and provides or underpins many of the ecosystem services on which we depend. Geoconservation is the conservation of geodiversity. Prosser et al. (2010) examine the impact of climate change on geodiversity and geoconservation and note that principles and guidance to facilitate adaptive management of our geodiversity are now required. Here we set out key principles including working with natural processes, assessing site vulnerability, and enhancing the delivery of ecosystem services, landscape management and biodiversity through geoconservation. In addition, we summarise the importance of applying evidence on how dynamic Earth processes respond to climate change, along with applying hindsight from past ecological records to inform adaptive management for the whole natural environment. This will help us understand resilience, scales and rates of change and natural versus human-induced change.

The Conservation of Geosites: Principles and Practice

Abstract Geosites, geological or geomorphological sites with a recognised value determined through an audit, assessment and selection process, are subject to a range of threats. Conservation of geosites for scientific, educational, geotourism and other uses is an essential part of the conservation of geoheritage. Based on clear principles for geosite conservation, a Generic Geosite Conservation Framework is described, through which conservation needs are analysed (based on geosite ‘use’, ‘character’ and ‘sensitivity to threat’) and then geosite conservation is planned for and delivered. A nationally developed geosite conservation framework from Great Britain and a regionally developed framework from Spain are described and four brief case studies illustrate how the principles of geosite conservation can be put into practice in a structured and consistent manner. The benefits of delivering geosite conservation through a structured framework and the future challenges for geosite conservation in a changing world are discussed.

Geoconservation, Quarrying and Mining: Opportunities and Challenges Illustrated Through Working in Partnership with the Mineral Extraction Industry in England

Quarrying and mining have played a fundamental role in the development of society over the last 2 million years. In addition, it generates information and specimens that support the advancement of geoscience and creates exposures that provide a resource for scientific study, education, training and geotourism; a resource that would not otherwise exist. Unsurprisingly, features exposed as a result of current and past quarrying and mining feature heavily within geoconservation inventories of many countries. Mineral extraction can, in some circumstances, damage and destroy elements of geoheritage, especially where it coincides with finite features such as caves or karst, which are irreplaceable if lost. However, the many opportunities for geoconservation that arise from mineral extraction, including creation of new exposure, richer and larger site inventories and protected site series, opportunities to rescue and record material in operating quarries and mines, increased levels of research, education and geotourism and access to funding, largely outweigh the potential threats. Partnership between the mineral extraction industry and geoconservationists is required to realise the opportunities for geoconservation. Experience of partnership working in England at industry, company and site-based level is used to explore how best to deliver geoconservation in quarries and mines at the planning, operating and restoration stages of mineral extraction. Partnership between geoconservationists and the mineral extraction industry, whether it is to seek to avoid impacts on geoheritage or to realise the many opportunities it presents, is deemed essential to the future of geoconservation.

Conservation at the cutting-edge: the history of geoconservation on the Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve, Dudley, England

Abstract In 1949, nature conservation legislation was passed in Great Britain which enabled areas of land to be declared as National Nature Reserves (NNRs). In 1956, the Wrens Nest, Dudley, a Silurian (Wenlock) limestone hill, internationally famous for its geology and fossil reef faunas, was declared a geological NNR. The combination of internationally important geology, abandoned, unstable and dangerous quarries and mines, and a large adjacent urban population have provided continual conservation challenges. This paper uses contemporary correspondence to describe the deliberations that led to the Wrens Nest being declared as one of the first NNRs in England. It goes on to describe the major management challenges which have arisen. These include instability and collapse of mine workings, fly-tipping, vandalism and heavy recreational use by the local community. It highlights the conservation solutions that have been developed during the 50 year history of the reserve. These have included management of unstable and dangerous ground, cutting of new geological sections, establishment of geology trails, use of volunteers and the strengthening of local community links. The Wrens Nest has also played an important role in raising awareness of the geological heritage within the local planning authority. This has led to the adoption of geoconservation policies and to the development of projects using the areas geological heritage to attract visitors. Today the Wrens Nest remains important for its geology and is also one of the most significant geological reserves in the world for demonstrating the challenges of geoconservation and how they may be overcome. This historical perspective on 50 years in the life of a reserve provides an insight into the innovative geoconservation solutions developed at the Wrens Nest that can be applied elsewhere. Although the Wrens Nest NNR is internationally known for its geology, and has a very high profile in geoconservation, this paper is the first to attempt to explore the thinking and process that led to this abandoned industrial site, in an urban setting, being declared as one of the first NNRs in the UK.