Ecosystem and Geosystem Perspective of Geoheritage of Volcanic Fields in a Primary Industry Driven Economic Environment: Challenges of Geoconservation

In this chapter we introduce the geosystem services concept within ecosystem services to the western Saudi Arabian monogenetic volcanic fields. A global overview will provide enough background to see the validity of this approach to develop a functional geoconservation strategy for the largest continuous monogenetic volcanic fields on Earth to utilize their complex resources within the geoheritage that plays a crucial role. This chapter also outlines the current state of the geoconservation of the volcanic regions and their threat of vanishing or suffering permanent damages. The chapter also provides some theoretical conceptual framework on how geoconservation may need dop be aligned with global trends and what role it can play to create a sustainable society to be able to live with its geological heritage.