Geodiversity and the Scottish Government's Strategic Objectives

Geodiversity is well placed to contribute to delivering the Scottish Government's 5 Strategic Objectives, including the 5 key themes for a greener Scotland.

Wealthier and fairer

Geological resources are fundamental to economic development as a source of materials for new building projects, restoration of our built heritage, energy, minerals, soil and so on. Indeed, Scotland's industrial development during recent centuries has been founded on its geological resources. Today there are new economic opportunities through geotourism and promotion of local goods and services with distinctive links to geodiversity, for example in the Geoparks.

Healthier

Local geodiversity sites can contribute to the quality and distinctiveness of local environments and greenspace, and they provide opportunities for informal outdoor recreation. Local management of geosites can help to enhance local environments and foster pride in the local natural heritage. Geodiversity 'services' also include provision of 'healthy' soils and water

Safer and Stronger

Better understanding of the risk from natural hazards, such as flooding, landslides and coastal erosion, contributes to better quality of life and healthier local communities. Sustainable land management and sustainable flood management depend on understanding natural processes

Smarter

Geodiversity has educational value for local schools, life-long learning, wider public engagement and promoting enhanced understanding of natural processes such as erosion, flooding and climate change. Geological features and landscapes are also a source of artistic and literary creativity, and scientific research on Scotland's rocks and landforms has contributed to the understanding of geological events and processes of international importance.

Greener

"Scotland's environment is vital if we are to have a healthy and sustainable existence." The Scottish Government's programme for a greener Scotland focuses on 5 key themes:

• climate change: potential geodiversity contributions include: 1) better understanding of the mechanisms driving climate change from studies of past changes in the geological record; 2) understanding carbon dynamics in organic (peat) soils; 3) development of adaptive management of coastal habitats and landforms in response to rising sea-level, changes in sediment availability and wind and wave patterns; and 4) development of river basin management plans and sustainable flood management through restoration of natural processes and an understanding of floodplain histories from sedimentary records.
• sustainable places: local geodiversity sites and Local Geodiversity Action Plans will contribute to delivering healthy places.
• people and nature: raising awareness of geodiversity is essentially about engaging with people; geodiversity also contributes to habitat and species support and environmental quality.
• consumption and production: wise use of non-renewable geodiversity resources (e.g. minerals, soils, fossil fuels) is fundamental to sustainable development.
• people and landscape: geodiversity is a key component of Scotland's landscapes. Geoparks and other geotourism developments can help to sustain living and vibrant communities. Geodiversity also contributes to cultural heritage, sense of place and rural fabric.

The Scottish Soil Framework sets out the vision for the protection of Scotland's soil, which supports the Scottish Government purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth and the National Outcome - "we value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations". SNH implementation of the Scottish Soil Framework