Geodiversity of Mexico

Geodiversity is defined by constituents that include geology, geomorphology, soils, surface waters and groundwater. Here, geodiversity indices are calculated in units of 625 km2 on the basis of three subindices, geology (types of rock), geomorphology (types of landforms) and soil types, expressed in raster images with a resolution of 500 m, and a cell of 25 × 25 km. The results indicate that 1.44% of the Mexican territory has a very high geodiversity and in 19.45% it is high; together, these classes include the northwest and south of the country (Sierra Madre del Sur, states of Guerrero and Oaxaca). 57.56% of Mexico has medium geodiversity and 21.19% has low geodiversity; these medium and low indices are in mountainous areas, the Mexican Altiplano and a considerable portion of the Baja California and Yucatán peninsulas. The very low geodiversity is concentrated in the Yucatán Peninsula. The relatively high degree of geodiversity across a large part of the Mexican territory indicates a high potential for geoconservation and consequently the need for appropriate management.