Geodiversity can be defined as “the variety of rocks, minerals, fossils, landforms and soils, along with the natural processes that shape the landscape.

Geodiversity and Biodiversity

Defra outlines in its overview of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan that in a local context biodiversity has particular importance in giving a distinctive character to an area whether this is chalk downland, estuaries, woodlands or mountains. In towns and cities the oases of wildlife habitats make an extremely important contribution to the quality of life.

Geodiversity and Geological Conservation (188kb pdf)
Geodiversity and Geological Conservation are included in this toolkit, not because they are tools in their own right but because in the past they have sometimes been overlooked in development proposals.

Providing opportunities for Wildlife and Biodiversity (235kb pdf)
The Government’s vision for biodiversity in urban areas is to nurture wildlife in towns and cities in ways that encourage a flourishing biodiversity that will make a real contribution to the quality of life of urban residents, as well as those who work in cities and towns, and those who visit them.

Green Roofs (214kb pdf)
Although not a specific tool this approach is included within the toolkit because of the relevance for delivering high quality and sustainable design within the Growth Areas and Growth Points where large scale development will provide proximity of scale to implement a network of green roofs.