Geodiversity describes the abiotic features and processes on Earth. Understanding an area's geodiversity is essential for a complete conservation management plan. To better evaluate geodiversity for conservation purposes, understanding an individual's perception of place and environmental values gives land managers the ability to assess the significance of local abiotic resources. Here, I present a novel approach to understanding geodiversity values through public participatory mapping in Grayson County, Virginia. Objectives of this research were to: 1) map and model geodiversity using lithology, topography, hydrology, and microclimatic data; 2) design and implement a survey on geodiversity values and the perception of geodiversity using public-participatory mapping and Likert style surveys; and 3) use the survey results to integrate geodiversity values with a geodiversity index value to create a geodiversity-geosystem services hotspot map. Results from the geodiversity map show that there is higher geodiversity along the ridges in elevated mountainous areas, especially in the Buck Mountain region. A total of n=30 participants were surveyed, and 318 geodiversity value markers were collected from 10 different geoservices categories. Top three values identified were aesthetic (32%), artistic (22%), and educational (15%). Major findings of this study were 1) Aesthetic values are most commonly identified by respondents 2.) Geodiversity values were clustered around population centers and currently protected areas 3.) Geodiversity scores contrast the survey values. This research supports the need for a more holistic conservation plan that considers abiotic features, place values, and sense of place, to better understand the relationship people have to the abiotic environment. / Master of Science / All of earth's materials (rocks, fossils, minerals, soils), landforms, and processes make up the planet's geodiversity. Various landscapes have different geodiversity elements, and it is possible to quantify them as to compare their importance. One way to compare geodiversity's importance is to calculate the value of the resources we use, and the feelings or knowledge we obtain from them. These generated values are called geosystem services. Knowing where high geodiversity exists on the landscape, and places people value for its geosystem services, it is possible to create a conservation plan that will help protect places that are meaningful. Grayson County, Virginia is an excellent place to study these relationships due to its varying topography of large mountains, rolling hills, and rivers along with its unique land-use history. To identify geodiversity, I created a geodiversity map using geomorphic, geologic, hydrogeologic, soil, and climate data. To understand places where Grayson County locals value geodiversity, I surveyed 30 people using online public participatory mapping and descriptive surveys to map data points for 10 distinct geosystem services. I then compared both maps to generate values that allowed me to understand which marked locations had high geodiversity and were significant culturally and generated a geodiversity-geosystem services hotspot map. Results show that aesthetic, artistic, educational values were most selected by participants. Geodiversity values were clustered around population centers and currently protected areas. Finally, the geodiversity-geosystem services hotspot map showed that potential conservation areas should take place around Grayson Highlands State Park, and Fries, Virginia, and lesser priority near Mouth of Wilson, and Independence, Virginia.

Participatory Action Mapping (PAM) as a methodology strives to fill the gaps created by participatory and critical mapping methodologies. Public participatory GIS (PPGIS), which often fails to elicit a bottom up approach to mapping, and community mapping, which typically produces critical mappings that often fail to be taken seriously by decision makers both fall short in offering members of the public meaningful opportunities to make claims about particular places. Through the implementation of a critical mapping methodology that utilizes professional cartography techniques, PAM offers community organizations the ability to assert their claims through maps. Using a critical cartography lens, this case study focuses on PAM with a community-based organization in west Atlanta and reveals how this methodology can be successful in engaging professional mapping practices to communicate the truths of, and subsequently inspire action among, community members.

Providing citizens with the robust and suitable tools to effectively participate in the planning process is a necessity nowadays. Also, changes in the capabilities and popularity of new technologies have dramatically raised the number of technology-based tools that are potentially available for enhancing public participation in the planning process. This study explores both the theoretical aspect of collaborative planning and the effects that Web-based Public Participatory GIS (WPPGIS) applications and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has on the planning process. Findings indicate that the WPPGIS applications have the potential for increasing participation. It is also found that besides the contextual elements like the attitudes of planners and decision makers, the technological features such as proper user interface, price of software, technical and literacy skills are seen as crucial hindrances to bridging the planning process and technology-based solutions. This research also attempts to combine IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum and technological functionalities into a single framework to understand the implementation of WPPGIS applications in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Finally, based on the given criteria and assessment of the reviewed applications, this study concludes with the design and implementation of a prototype WPPGIS application using Open-Source Technologies (OST).