A pathway to achieving the 2030 Agenda goals through ecosystem services provided by geodiversity in Campi Flegrei active volcanic area (southern Italy)

Geodiversity, which is defined as the expression of the Earth’s physical variability, is a fundamental component of natural capital. It is crucial for maintaining the environmental integrity of a territory and for providing essential geosystem services. We assessed this resource within the active Campi Flegrei caldera (CFc), a complex region facing high volcanic risk yet possessing significant heritage value. Geodiversity was quantified using Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI), integrating four environmental abiotic matrices (geology, geomorphology, permeability and soils) alongside spatially discontinuous abiotic resources (e.g. thermal springs, lakes and fumaroles). To ensure optimal spatial representation, we adopted a multiscale approach that effectively captured the spatial heterogeneity of the input data. The resulting integrated geodiversity map reveals significant spatial variation and forms the basis for identifying four focal zones of geodiversity (FZoGs) and key singularities of geodiversity (SoGs). Within these zones, we identified and described geosystem services (cultural, provisioning, and supporting), providing a crucial framework for resource management. By translating geodiversity information into geosystem services within FZoGs and SoGs, the approach provides decision-makers with a targeted operational tool that enables them to integrate geodiversity information directly into land management and policy planning practices. Furthermore, the map can support the conservation of abiotic natural capital and contribute directly to the achievement of territorial sustainability goals under the 2030 Agenda.