Registration and conservation of sites and areas with geological significance in Norway

The first Norwegian law concerning nature conservation (1910) established the importance of geological considerations in nature protection. The number of protected areas was low for a considerable time, but systematic work in this field the last 10–15 years has resulted in a significant increase. Today the main conservation work is done regionally on a county by county basis. This work requires a regional overview of the different natural types in question. At present around 700 sites and areas are protected. Geological areas, however, represent a small fraction of the total number, but the systematic registration work is making good progress. Quaternary geology is given priority together with fossils and mineral localities. In addition, registration of valuable karst areas in the county of Nordland is carried out.