The importance of geodiversity in understanding and conserving the Western Rift Valley Corridor

IF 3.6 2区社会学 Q1 ECOLOGY Ecology and Society Pub Date : 2024-07-31 DOI:10.5751/es-15100-290307

Warren D. Miller, John M. Anderson, Moctar Doucouré

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Abstract

Earth Stewardship is a transformative initiative that emphasizes the crucial interdependence between human societies and the intricate ecological systems that sustain all life on our planet. Recognizing geodiversity, a concept encompassing the geological and geomorphological characteristics of the Earth’s surface, as an integral dimension of Earth Stewardship, this review highlights its scientific underrepresentation, particularly in East Africa. Geodiversity is pivotal for the integrity of ecological systems, emphasizing its significance as an essential component. By focusing on the Western Rift Valley Corridor (WRVC) within East Africa and its connection to the broader East African Rift System (EARS), we aim to shed light on the significance of geodiversity and its integration with ecological systems in the context of Earth Stewardship. We identify 20 “heritage nodes,” areas of significant geological and ecological value, within the WRVC and demonstrate how geological processes have shaped the region’s landscape. The paper emphasizes the significance of the WRVC as a vital component of the Africa Alive Corridors (AAC) project, which promotes sustainable development in Africa by fostering connections between earth sciences and the humanities. It argues that a transdisciplinary approach involving local communities and stakeholders is essential for the conservation and development of the WRVC and other similar heritage corridors in Africa. The study concludes that geodiversity is a crucial pillar of heritage that enhances our understanding of ecosystems and contributes to sustainability efforts through Earth Stewardship. This research provides a basis for future work within the AAC initiative and the development of ecosystem services among researchers and local stakeholders.

The post The importance of geodiversity in understanding and conserving the Western Rift Valley Corridor first appeared on Ecology & Society.

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地质多样性对了解和保护西部裂谷走廊的重要性

地球管理是一项变革性倡议，强调人类社会与维系地球上所有生命的错综复杂的生态系统之间至关重要的相互依存关系。地质多样性这一概念涵盖了地球表面的地质和地貌特征，是地球管理的一个组成部分，本综述强调了地质多样性在科学上的代表性不足，尤其是在东非。地质多样性对生态系统的完整性至关重要，因此强调其作为重要组成部分的意义。通过重点关注东非西部裂谷走廊（WRVC）及其与更广泛的东非大裂谷系统（EARS）的联系，我们旨在阐明地质多样性的重要性及其在地球管理背景下与生态系统的结合。我们确定了世界遗产中心内的 20 个 "遗产节点"，即具有重要地质和生态价值的区域，并展示了地质过程如何塑造了该地区的景观。该项目通过促进地球科学与人文科学之间的联系，推动非洲的可持续发展。本文强调了世界遗产中心作为 "非洲生机走廊"（AAC）项目重要组成部分的意义。该项目通过促进地球科学与人文学科之间的联系，推动非洲的可持续发展。研究认为，当地社区和利益相关者参与的跨学科方法对于保护和开发世界遗产中心和非洲其他类似遗产走廊至关重要。研究得出结论认为，地质多样性是遗产的重要支柱，它能增强我们对生态系统的了解，并通过地球管理促进可持续发展。这项研究为未来在 AAC 计划范围内开展工作以及在研究人员和当地利益相关者之间发展生态系统服务奠定了基础。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Ecology and Society 环境科学-生态学

CiteScore

6.20

自引率

4.90%

发文量

109

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Ecology and Society is an electronic, peer-reviewed, multi-disciplinary journal devoted to the rapid dissemination of current research. Manuscript submission, peer review, and publication are all handled on the Internet. Software developed for the journal automates all clerical steps during peer review, facilitates a double-blind peer review process, and allows authors and editors to follow the progress of peer review on the Internet. As articles are accepted, they are published in an "Issue in Progress." At four month intervals the Issue-in-Progress is declared a New Issue, and subscribers receive the Table of Contents of the issue via email. Our turn-around time (submission to publication) averages around 350 days. We encourage publication of special features. Special features are comprised of a set of manuscripts that address a single theme, and include an introductory and summary manuscript. The individual contributions are published in regular issues, and the special feature manuscripts are linked through a table of contents and announced on the journal''s main page. The journal seeks papers that are novel, integrative and written in a way that is accessible to a wide audience that includes an array of disciplines from the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities concerned with the relationship between society and the life-supporting ecosystems on which human wellbeing ultimately depends.