GEODIVERSITY AND GEOCONSERVATION: AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

International collaboration to value and conserve sites of "outstanding universal value" is undertaken by UNESCO through its World Heritage Site network. About 46 of the 788 World Heritage Sites are designated for their earth science importance and these include the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite in the USA as well as the Great Barrier Reef, the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the Galapagos Islands. The Antarctic Treaty effectively protects that continent. The IUGS supports a Global Geosites network endorsed by UNESCO and a Global Geoparks initiative supported by UNESCO - IGU - IUGS. Therefore, four routes now exist to geological site recognition:

* World Heritage Site;

* Global Geosite;

* Global Geopark;

* National or sub-national designation.

Most developed countries have their own national and sub-national geoconservation systems though their type and effectiveness varies greatly. Geoconservation struggles to have its voice heard against the enormous efforts, resources and popularity associated with wildlife conservation, reinforced by the international biodiversity agenda. Geology as a subject has failed to convince society of its value, the threats to it and the need for geoconservation. Adopting a geodiversity paradigm not only makes scientific sense in providing a basic geoconservation philosophy, but can also promote geoconservation as the abiotic equal of bioconservation and as an essential part of holistic, integrated and sustainable land management.