Review
Oceanography
Nihan Bulut, Hulya Yuceer
Summary: Managing underwater cultural heritage presents various challenges, including mapping, monitoring, access, presentation, and ownership. Most studies focus on evaluating management examples and policy development, conducted by researchers primarily from universities in Western countries. The importance of public participation, interpretation, and access is emphasized in many publications.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Ching-Ching Kuo, Ching-Hsiewn Ou, Wen-Yan Chiau, Chao-Shing Lee
Summary: The study examines Taiwan's legislative background and current practices regarding the preservation of underwater cultural heritage (UCH) and compares it with the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. Taiwan, despite not being a contracting state, has enacted its own Underwater Cultural Heritage Preservation Act in 2015 and developed relevant sub-laws to establish a preservation system. However, implementation faces challenges due to lack of manpower, experience, and administrative complexities. The article discusses the UCHA provisions, recent UCH research in Taiwan, and challenges in delineating and managing UCH protection zones. Reference is made to the U.S. national system of marine protected areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Timmy Gambin, Kari Hyttinen, Maja Sausmekat, John Wood
Summary: The seabed is considered the largest museum, with underwater sites providing valuable information on human interactions with the sea. The creation of a virtual museum like UnderwaterMalta offers a new way for the public to explore underwater archaeological sites. Challenges remain in sharing and communicating these sites effectively.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Wei Yuan
Summary: With China's strengthened marine strength, the debate on whether to join the 'Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage' has become more prominent. While some experts believe joining the convention could address the limitations of current domestic laws, it is argued that China does not urgently need to join due to the differences and the need for further development and improvement in domestic laws compared to international law.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Sarah Ward
Summary: The Fourth Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage (APConf) was held on 1-2 November 2021 by the National Taiwan Ocean University's Center of Excellence for the Oceans. Approximately 300 participants from 33 jurisdictions, including archaeologists, academics, heritage managers, marine scientists, and policymakers, gathered both online and in-person to share research and practices related to underwater cultural heritage. Although the conference featured various presentations and papers, no tangible marine policy outcomes were achieved. In response, Dalian Maritime University initiated the Asian Regional Underwater Cultural Heritage Project to address these policy gaps.
Article
Environmental Sciences
John H. R. Burns, Kailey H. Pascoe, Sofia B. Ferreira, Haunani Kane, Clifford Kapono, Toni L. Carrell, Andres Reyes, Atsuko Fukunaga
Summary: Underwater cultural heritage sites, such as shipwrecks and sunken aircrafts, have both positive and negative impacts on marine ecosystems. They can provide physical structures to support coral recruitment and habitats for marine organisms, but they can also harm live coral and release pollutants into the environment. This study used photogrammetry techniques to investigate the coral assemblages on natural and artificial reef substrata, and found significant differences in live coral cover and assemblage structure between the two. The research highlights the importance of coral assemblage structure in supporting 3D habitat complexity and suggests that the approach can be used to better understand the ecological impacts of underwater cultural heritage sites on coral reefs.
Article
Environmental Studies
Sarah Ward, Mingfei Ma
Summary: Dalian Maritime University hosted the first Asian Regional Workshop on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage to facilitate cooperation and exchange among Asian countries in the field of protecting underwater cultural heritage. Participants discussed the challenges and proposed practical measures for improvement, as well as the feasibility of regional initiatives such as an Asian Strategy for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage and an Asian Declaration for the safeguarding of Underwater Cultural Heritage.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kirstin S. Meyer-Kaiser, Calvin H. Mires, Maryann Kovacs, Evan Kovacs, Benjamin Haskell
Summary: Shipwrecks are valuable historical resources and important biological habitats. This study investigated the impact of environmental and anthropogenic factors on shipwrecks in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The results showed that shipwrecks hosted diverse invertebrate communities, with higher abundance on high-relief and overhanging substrata. The presence of entangled fishing gear negatively affected the species richness and community structure on shipwrecks.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Natali Pearson, Benjamin S. Thompson
Summary: The oceans play a crucial role in harboring marine biodiversity and underwater cultural heritage, both of which require active protection and preservation. This article explores how the presence of underwater cultural heritage can enhance the conservation of marine biodiversity and vice versa. Spatial analyses are performed to identify areas of high cultural and natural significance, and potential synergies are identified in terms of conservation measures, shipwreck and fisheries management, and sustainable tourism. A case study in Indonesia involving the governance of a wreck and its Maritime Conservation Zone is used to contextualize the argument. This article is relevant to marine managers, policy makers, and practitioners involved in economic activities that impact marine biodiversity and underwater cultural heritage.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tomas Fernandez-Montblanc, Manuel Bethencourt, Alfredo Izquierdo
Summary: This paper presents a novel UCH risk assessment methodology for quantitatively assessing the impact of wave-induced hazards on underwater cultural heritage (UCH) in coastal environments. The methodology calculates the UCH risk based on vulnerability, hazard, and exposure, and it was validated using in situ measurements. The results allowed identifying UCH sites at high risk and can be used as a stepping stone towards a decision support system for prioritizing research, management, and protection measures.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Jiemei Luo, Izzy Yi Jian, Edwin H. W. Chan, Weizhen Chen
Summary: This study quantifies the reform of neighborhood image under cultural regeneration and identifies the key factors influencing image perception. The findings provide valuable insights for city planning and management to reconfigure neighborhood image in urban redevelopment.
HABITAT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Andrea Mattia Marcelli, Francisco Sousa, Joselia Fonseca, Leonor Sampaio da Silva, Marxiano Melotti, Susana Goulart Costa
Summary: The Carnival in Terceira Island has unique features and is a multi-modal endeavor that fosters social cohesion through mythopoesis, subversion of hegemonic roles, and the distribution of leadership to folk elites. It differs from traditional European Carnivals and serves as a case for cultural sustainability by triggering identity-making processes and preserving communal bonds.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marek Jozwiak, Patrycja Sieg, Iwona Posadzinska
Summary: In 2004, the decision of Bydgoszcz city authorities to transform Mill Island into a space of cultural significance has made it a landmark of the city. This article determines the significance of revitalization in preserving Mill Island's unique cultural heritage and improving the region's competitiveness based on a survey conducted among the residents of Bydgoszcz and its surroundings.
Article
Environmental Studies
Aspasia E. Fafouti, Anastasia Vythoulka, Ekaterini T. Delegou, Nikolaos Farmakidis, Maria Ioannou, Komninos Perellis, Antonis Giannikouris, Nikolaos A. Kampanis, George Alexandrakis, Antonia Moropoulou
Summary: Responsible tourism practices focus on the responsibility of both visitors and local communities, aiming to preserve the natural environment and cultural heritage while improving quality of life. Sustainable tourism development strategy emphasizes protection and preservation rather than consumption, and cultural routes can serve as valuable assets in attracting visitors and promoting economic activity while also protecting the environment and cultural heritage.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alma Elizabeth Thuestad, Ole Risbol, Jan Ingolf Kleppe, Stine Barlindhaug, Elin Rose Myrvoll
Summary: Remote sensing, including LiDAR and image data, has proven to be highly effective for archaeological surveying in northern landscapes. A multi-sensor approach increases detection rates, and the characteristics of features play a key role in detectability.
