Work

Distribution Patterns and Conservation Planning of Paleontological Geosites: A Case Study from the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region, China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: China has made significant progress in paleontological heritage conservation. However, research and conservation efforts have predominantly focused on exquisitely preserved, movable specimens of high scientific value, leading to the relative neglect of in situ paleontological geosites which are critical for understanding fossil distribution patterns. To address this gap, this study employs a GIS approach to conduct a multifaceted spatial analysis of paleontological geosites in the BTH region as a representative case study. Our results reveal a pronounced spatiotemporal imbalance in the distribution of these geosites. Furthermore, their spatial configuration exhibits significant correlations with key physiographic factors—including elevation, stratigraphic distribution, and slope—as well as socioeconomic indicators such as population density, GDP density, and fiscal self-reliance ratio. This uneven distribution creates substantial conservation challenges, resulting in fragmented governance, a mismatch between local conservation capacities and needs, and potential biases in protection priorities toward specific regions or geological periods. In the BTH region, the distribution patterns of paleontological geosites are jointly shaped by physiographic, socioeconomic, and anthropogenic process factors. Elucidating the relationships between these drivers and the spatial distribution of geosites constitutes a critical foundation for advancing their scientific conservation and sustainable management. Drawing on broader interdisciplinary insights, currently peripheral paleontological heritage can be further transformed into strategic and sustainable resources.

Source: Quaternary

DOI: 10.3390/quat9010011

Authors: Ying Guo, Yu Sun, Song Zhou, Xiaoying Han, Tian He

Institutions: Linyi University, North China University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Geotourism and Geoheritage Conservation

Subfield: Geology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,930