Geodiversity estimation of the Coromandel Peninsula through a digital model analysis under special consideration of the geology and geomorphology of this region : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand, School of Agriculture and Environment

Abstract

This thesis has drawn on a wide range of published research in understanding the term geodiversity in a philosophical and scientific context. Geodiversity description is one of the first steps in the establishment of geoparks, as it recognizes and describes the surface evolution of the physical research area. Subsequently it can lead to development of tools for geodiversity assessment and geosite recognition. The Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand, has been selected as the research area for testing geodiversity description and assessment, because of its variety of geological and geomorphological compositions, formed through volcanic processes shaped by and interacting with a coastal environment. To provide a general scientific context, a literature review has been undertaken, supported by direct field observations. For estimation of geodiversity of the region, a qualitative-quantitative assessment of geodiversity (QQG) has been developed for areas with limited available data. Development of this framework was initiated by an in-depth systematic literature review of terminology relating to geodiversity. In developing this methodology, the abiotic environment has been divided into main and additional values (elements), according to their roles in shaping of geodiversity. This becomes the philosophical foundation for the new qualitative-quantitative methodology for geodiversity assessment. It is not only describing density of geosites in the studied area but also introduces a ranking system for assessing geodiversity. The ranking system applied to geological and geomorphological elements combined, can be used to describe any area globally, making it useful for comparative for assessment of different regions. Meanwhile, additional values are recognized for their impact in shaping and altering surface features. This approach is a completely new way to assess and describe geodiversity and its contribution to geoconservation, geotourism, and geoeducation. The foundation of QQG has been tested, corrected, and improved with several applications utilizing Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and supported by research. The result of this process is a geodiversity model for the whole Coromandel Peninsula, providing a deep description of potential geosites on the northern region of the peninsula. Therefore, the QQG methodology is now fully developed for assessment of territories and highlighting potential geosites, especially in cases where only low amounts of data are available. Our methodology does allow for addition of further data as it comes available, thereby expanding and improving results. Therefore, with enough elements included in the assessment, the methodology can be transformed from a geosite recognition tool to overall geodiversity description and modelling. In developing the methodology, it was also applied to regions outside of the Coromandel Peninsula for comparative testing on a range of differing geological and geomorphological compositions.