Assessing and Mapping the Exogeodiversity and Beyond: Analogy, Current Concept, and Future Research Opportunities in Planetary Science Anugrah Aditya Insani, Didit Hadi Barianto
Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada
Abstract
Geodiversity has attracted increasing attention in geoscience studies since the 1990s. In the same period, planetary science has advanced significantly, supported by various space missions that have provided detailed observations of numerous rocky celestial bodies beyond Earth. This progress has stimulated the development of the concept of exogeodiversity which refers to the assessment of abiotic nature on rocky celestial bodies other than Earth. A wide range of applied studies related to exogeodiversity have emerged, including exogeosite assessment, evaluation of exogeodiversity values, the development of exogeodiversity indices and their methodological variations, as well as frameworks for exogeoconservation, exogeoethics for exogeodiversity management, planetary geoparks, exogeosystem services, and exogeodiversification in the context of planetary evolution. These concepts can be effectively implemented on rocky celestial bodies as long as adequate spatial data of their surfaces are available. Currently, the availability of spatial data varies considerably, encompassing digital elevation models, geological maps, geomorphological maps, and other thematic layers, with near-global to global coverage at various scales. Rocky celestial bodies for which relatively comprehensive geospatial data are available at present include Earth^s Moon, Mars, Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Titan. The opportunities for further exogeodiversity research remain wide open, supported by ongoing space missions and continuously updated datasets. Conducting exogeodiversity assessments can help identify areas with distinct abiotic characteristics, providing valuable information for exploration, scientific investigation, conservation planning, and the long-term sustainability of human life beyond Earth. As humankind expands its presence in outer space, understanding exogeodiversity is expected to play a crucial role in shaping strategies for resource management, exogeoconservation, and ethical frameworks for future interplanetary activities. Integrating exogeodiversity studies with planetary science will be essential for ensuring that exploration and utilization of extraterrestrial environments proceed responsibly and sustainably.
