Geodiversity and its implications in the conservation of biodiversity: Some case studies in central Mexico

We explore the conceptualization of geodiversity and its implication in the conservation of biodiversity; furthermore, we present the perspective of some Mexican naturalists of the XIX century regarding geodiversity, and case studies from central Mexico that evidence the importance of the fossil record in the conservation of nature. The study is based on the revision of previous interpretations about the concepts and field work in fossiliferous localities of Puebla and Hidalgo. It is shown that fossils are part of geodiversity that testify the evolution of biota in the geological past, playing an important role in the proposal of strategies for biological conservation. Thus, paleobiological conservation integrates paleontological and ecological information used as evidence to understand current environmental modifications and alterations.