Assessment of geodiversity at the confluence of different geological domains and delimitation of natural protected areas (examples from Southern Spain)

Abstract

Geodiversity and biodiversity have been assessed in an area of the province of Jaén (Southern Spain), the first one from the consideration of partial indices based on lithology, geomorphology, pedology, hydrology, palaeontology, mineralogy and geosites; biodiversity is also regarded from previous data, considering a biodiversity index and endangered species index. This area shows the contact between the Guadalquivir Basin and the Betic External Zones. In addition, several natural protected areas have been defined, among which the Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park (where mainly Prebetic materials outcrop) and the Sierra Mágina Natural Park (made up of Subbetic materials) stand out. The high and very high values of geodiversity have been located in an area where mainly Subbetic materials outcrop, including the Sierra Mágina Natural Park, and which coincides to a large extent with the front of the Betic External Zones and its contact with the Guadalquivir Basin. However, the Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park is outside this area of high or very high geodiversity. Both natural parks fit well in areas where biodiversity and endangered species are important. These differences between the geodiversity values and the boundaries of these natural areas allow suggesting that, for delimitation of any natural protected area, its boundaries should be defined based on knowledge of the geodiversity and biodiversity of the region where the natural area is located.