GEODIVERSITY. This term is quite a good word today to describe diversity in the earth sciences, particularly geomorphology.
Genealogy of Geodiversity
To understand geodiversity, let us look at its genealogy - the history of the idea. How did the term come into existence? In my opinion, it started with "biodiversity". In the field of biology and its applications in managing the "natural" environment, the similar term in use is "biodiversity." It simply means the level of variation in the species in a specified area. The number of various species in a forest is "forest biodiversity"; in a coastal area, "coastal biodiversity"; in an urban system, "urban biodiversity."
Biodiversity thereafter became a bigger (and more vague) word. The term biodiversity was then used to mean larger things like the "beauty of nature," the fragility of ecosystems, and something for communities to cash in. Just think of that scene in the Lion King movie: all sorts of circus animals singing "The Circle of Life."
*Rafiki raises Simba* Nants Ingonyama bagithi Baba! Biodiversity!
Biodiversity then became the seed for the idea of geodiversity. We need a term for describing those moments when we are in awe of landscapes and seascapes. A case in point: Calaguas Islands, which are located off the coast of Camarines Norte, Philippines.
This is not your ordinary group of Pacific islands.
It is famous for its long white beaches, the one to the right is called "Mahabang Buhangin," which literally translates into "Long Beach" and is claimed to be longer than Boracay's longest white beach. Rolling hills are similar those in the Batanes Islands, Philippines.
It houses small but precious communities. Look at the delta at the center of the image. Even the delta is white!
This lake in one of the big islands connotes good groundwater supply.
Unspoiled, turquoise, and white beaches! Pockets of woodlands!
Look at these white depositional formations. Imagine yourself running around these shifting sands of white awesome
To understand what I mean in this case, please read the sketchy formula below:
Islands + islets + streams + delta + woodland pockets + lake + mangrove areas + large and long white beaches + = geodiversity
The field is open for those who want into delve in these aspects of earth sciences. Maybe, the term could be used as an entry point into something beautiful.
The Philippines is one big place for the application of the concept, as seen in the recent "It's More Fun in the Philippines" campaign by the Department of Tourism. Also, I place my bet that any country with high biodiversity, such as the Philippines, tends to have higher levels of geodiversity.
But how will the idea actually function in everyday life?
Crafting the Geodiversity Bandwagon
Eventually, the idea of "geodiversity" will connote beauty and will be used to commodify geomorphic systems. "Geodiverse" landscapes may be proclaimed by the state through the government. Then, the Department of Tourism might catch the idea and use it for a campaign. I bet there shall be a Media Forum on Philippine Geodiversity, which will then evolved into a Philippine National Conference on Geodiversity. The National Action Plan for Philippine Geodiversity will then follow. Local Government Units will follow suit and use the term to have local projects on geodiversity tourism and geodiversity conservation. It may take some time, but the term will find its way into land use and development plans.
On the side, there shall be photo contests on Philippine geodiversity; a national geodiversity youth conference; a facebook group; and celebrity endorsement. Maybe, a geodiversity club/network will be started.
If we're lucky, then we will have a Republic Act on Geodiversity.
Finally, a Geodiversity bandwagon. Just one good idea and it becomes reality. It will work like "Inception."
That sequence is what happened to other ideas such as "disaster risk reduction", "climate change adaptation", "green urbanism", and "biodiversity". Will the use of the idea help in creating spaces where poverty is less possible?
I wonder, what if we start planting the idea of "geodiversity" into the mainstream thought process in the Philippines?
Circle of Life Scene http://media.desura.com/images/members/1/36/35997/priderock.jpg
Calaguas Islands screenshots are from Google Earth
