Geomorphological processes, which shape our mountains, rivers and coasts, maintain the dynamic habitats and ecosystems on which our biodiversity depends.

Rocks, sediments and soil make up the land on which we live and on which plants and animals thrive in the ecosystems.

Geological processes are a factor controlling climate change and its impacts. Geographical and biological diversity interact to form ecosystems, and these links, in turn, influence ecosystem responses to climate change.

Geographical diversity affects biodiversity

 Substrate formation plays a huge role in determining biodiversity. extensive swamp communities depend on basic soil type (peat) and drainage.

Other factors influence biodiversity such as:

Latitude Height Mile Side Climate Hydrology

Site management past and present

But many of these are themselves influenced by geographic diversity.

Geographical diversity affects species distribution and can help identify potential locations for species with special requirements.

These may include:

Substrate pH

Exchange requirements

Chemical tolerance

Ecosystem change and geographical diversity

Ecosystem responses to climate change and sea level rise will depend on geomorphological processes and their ability to withstand change.

Some habitats may become more dynamic as geomorphological processes change in nature and rate. More diversity in such processes may make it easier for biodiversity to adapt to climate change. But some habitats and species may not be able to adapt quickly enough as geomorphological activity accelerates.

 

Frequency of floods, increased erosion, and sediment movement rates will affect the quality of freshwater habitats. So will any changes in seasonal flows, for example the timing and duration of droughts. There may also be less recovery time between extreme events.

 

Geomorphological limitations of species adaptation focus on the speed of landscape remodeling and the duration of the area's unstable survival.