Perception of Geodiversity as a Factor Shaping the Value of Environmental Services and Sustainability: A Case Study of the Gościbia Forest Nature Reserve in the Carpathians (Poland)

Geodiversity is an important component of natural heritage and a key factor supporting sustainable development through nature conservation, environmental education, and geotourism. This study investigates the relationship between expert assessments of geodiversity and public perceptions of landscape value in the Gościbia Forest Nature Reserve, located in the Polish Carpathians. An online photo-based survey involving 308 respondents was conducted to evaluate landscapes representing different levels of geodiversity and associated environmental characteristics. The results indicate that quantitative geodiversity indices alone do not fully explain public landscape preferences. Areas identified by experts as having the highest geodiversity were not always perceived as the most attractive by respondents. Instead, aesthetic and sensory attributes, particularly the presence of water, landscape naturalness, and visually distinctive landforms, had a significant influence on landscape evaluations. Differences were also observed between participants representing natural sciences and those with humanities-oriented backgrounds. The findings demonstrate that integrating qualitative criteria, such as aesthetic value, educational potential, and social perception, with quantitative geodiversity assessment provides a more comprehensive evaluation of geological heritage. Such an approach can support the sustainable management of protected areas, enhance public engagement in nature conservation, strengthen geotourism development, and improve the alignment of geoheritage conservation strategies with societal expectations.