Geodiversity in northern high latitude and altitude areas – spatial patterns and key drivers

• Main Author: Johanson, Jorunn
• Other Authors: Helsingin yliopisto, Matemaattis-luonnontieteellinen tiedekunta, University of Helsinki, Faculty of Science, Helsingfors universitet, Matematisk-naturvetenskapliga fakulteten
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Helsingin yliopisto 2021
• Subjects: geodiversity assessment; geodiversity index; natural diversity; abiotic nature; subarctic; geomorphology; regression modelling; Maantieteen maisteriohjelma; Master's Programme in Geography; Magisterprogrammet i geografi; Luonnonmaantiede; Physical Geography; Naturgeografi; Norway; Northern Norway; Subarctic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10138/337768

Geodiversity, the natural abiotic variety of the Earth’s surface, is an essential part of natural diversity and plays an important role in providing the abiotic ecosystem services that all life depends on. Geodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities and climate change, and consequently there is a growing importance of including geodiversity in decision-making. However, there is still a lack of studies assessing the spatial variation and key drivers of geodiversity, especially in high latitude and altitude areas, and this study, therefore, aims to contribute to an improved understanding. In this study, the geodiversity of a subarctic mountainous area in Northern Norway was mapped using remotely sensed data and applying a grid-based approach. The spatial variation of geodiversity was assessed using five different measures, and the relationships between geodiversity and several topographical parameters were analysed using correlation analysis (Spearman’s rank correlation, RS) as well as both univariate and multivariate linear regression. The vertical variation of geodiversity was also examined to analyse the variation of geodiversity along altitudinal gradients. A total of 54 geodiversity elements were observed in the study area and the number of elements per grid cell varied from 7 to 36. Four of the geodiversity measures correlated strongly, resulting in relatively similar spatial patterns of diversity. Higher values tended to follow the valley systems and cluster in the vicinity of rivers and larger streams. Topographically diverse grid cells, containing both steeper slopes and smoother areas, also contained a higher diversity. Low diversity occurred mainly on the highest elevations as well as on the steepest slopes. The majority of the univariate relationships between the measures of geodiversity and the topographical parameters were statistically significant, although the correlations generally were relatively weak. The regression models further confirmed the relationship between topography and ...