All of earth's materials (rocks, fossils, minerals, soils), landforms, and processes make up the planet's geodiversity. Various landscapes have different geodiversity elements, and it is possible to quantify them as to compare their importance. One way to compare geodiversity's importance is to calculate the value of the resources we use, and the feelings or knowledge we obtain from them. These generated values are called geosystem services. Knowing where high geodiversity exists on the landscape, and places people value for its geosystem services, it is possible to create a conservation plan that will help protect places that are meaningful. Grayson County, Virginia is an excellent place to study these relationships due to its varying topography of large mountains, rolling hills, and rivers along with its unique land-use history. To identify geodiversity, I created a geodiversity map using geomorphic, geologic, hydrogeologic, soil, and climate data. To understand places where Grayson County locals value geodiversity, I surveyed 30 people using online public participatory mapping and descriptive surveys to map data points for 10 distinct geosystem services. I then compared both maps to generate values that allowed me to understand which marked locations had high geodiversity and were significant culturally and generated a geodiversity-geosystem services hotspot map. Results show that aesthetic, artistic, educational values were most selected by participants. Geodiversity values were clustered around population centers and currently protected areas. Finally, the geodiversity-geosystem services hotspot map showed that potential conservation areas should take place around Grayson Highlands State Park, and Fries, Virginia, and lesser priority near Mouth of Wilson, and Independence, Virginia.

Geodiversity describes the abiotic features and processes on Earth. Understanding an area's geodiversity is essential for a complete conservation management plan. To better evaluate geodiversity for conservation purposes, understanding an individual's perception of place and environmental values gives land managers the ability to assess the significance of local abiotic resources. Here, I present a novel approach to understanding geodiversity values through public participatory mapping in Grayson County, Virginia. Objectives of this research were to: 1) map and model geodiversity using lithology, topography, hydrology, and microclimatic data; 2) design and implement a survey on geodiversity values and the perception of geodiversity using public-participatory mapping and Likert style surveys; and 3) use the survey results to integrate geodiversity values with a geodiversity index value to create a geodiversity-geosystem services hotspot map. Results from the geodiversity map show that there is higher geodiversity along the ridges in elevated mountainous areas, especially in the Buck Mountain region. A total of n=30 participants were surveyed, and 318 geodiversity value markers were collected from 10 different geoservices categories. Top three values identified were aesthetic (32%), artistic (22%), and educational (15%). Major findings of this study were 1) Aesthetic values are most commonly identified by respondents 2.) Geodiversity values were clustered around population centers and currently protected areas 3.) Geodiversity scores contrast the survey values. This research supports the need for a more holistic conservation plan that considers abiotic features, place values, and sense of place, to better understand the relationship people have to the abiotic environment.

Master of Science