Fluvial geodiversity and associated heritage: a systematic analysis of production and content

Abstract Rivers, fluvial segments, and river systems possess geodiversity values that transcend purely utilitarian functions. Given its dense hydrographic network and the profound ecological relationships between local populations and water bodies, the Amazon Basin represents an ideal context for research aimed at recognising rivers as natural and cultural heritage. This study aims to investigate the literature on geodiversity and its relationship with fluvial geomorphology — specifically the link connecting flow dynamics (hydrology) to network configuration (hydrography) — focused on the recognition of fluvial (geo)heritage. Through a systematic review, global production was quantified, its content analysed, and documents related to the Amazon region were identified. Data were retrieved from the Scopus database and processed using R software (bibliometrix package) and VOSviewer. The findings reveal that although hydrological values are present in geodiversity assessments, they lack a central role. Furthermore, research integrating fluvial dynamism into heritage classification remains nascent, highlighting a significant gap that this integrated perspective seeks to outline.