Developing an ecosystems approach – dry stone walls

This report presents results from a return-on-investment (ROI) model developed to explore ways in which historic environment values can be incorporated into the four categories of ecosystem services. The model is based on identifying and monetising the benefit flows from ecosystem services provided by dry stone walls in the Peak District National Park (PDNP). The overall project aims involved: development of a methodology for recording the public and environmental benefits (goods and services)flowing from dry stone walls in the PDNP; identification of those benefits in a way that is compatible with the language associated with ‘ecosystem services’ and ‘natural capital’; attribution of value (economic and non- economic) to those benefits (services); and, to recommend other heritage assets for which this approach would be suitable

Heritage, Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services: Boundaries and Linear Landscape Features in the Lower Severn Vale

This project is one of a series of pilot projects that seek to address the need for the heritage sector to better engage with the ecosystem services approach to assess the benefits that cultural heritage can provide to people’s health, wellbeing and prosperity. Understanding and capturing variability in the landscape context of historic linear features is the focus of this project. The key objectives for the project are: Develop a research methodology for recording the public and environmental benefits (goods and services) arising from the historic environment, and specifically flowing from linear features in the Lower Severn Vale. Identify those benefits in a way that is compatible with ‘ecosystem services’ and ‘natural capital’ approaches. Attribute value (economic and non-economic) to those benefits (services). Identify other values that fall outside the ecosystem services framework that can be ascribed to heritage assets. Provide the heritage and natural environment sectors with case study examples, tested at different scales of application, of how this might work for different environmental contexts. The project builds on existing techniques for valuing the benefits of market and non-market goods and services and has tested the scope for integrating a range of digital and GIS mapping data into the accounting methodology. The project was carried out in the Lower Severn Vale (LSV), which is situated within the Severn and Avon Vales National Character Area (NCA) and flanked by the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean NCAs, offering a range of settings to explore the variability of historic linear features and the benefits they offer. Linear features comprise field boundaries, routeways, and other forms of physical structure such as flood protection barriers and drainage features around the River Severn (dykes, embankments, ditches, channels, etc.). The three case studies, which were chosen in consultation with Historic England, were selected in order to explore variations within areas marked by similar characteristics bordering both sides of the Severn

Physicochemical composition of wastes and co-located environmental designations at legacy mine sites in the south west of England and Wales: Implications for their resource potential

© 2016 This work examines the potential for resource recovery and/or remediation of metalliferous mine wastes in the south west of England and Wales. It does this through an assessment of the physicochemical composition of several key metalliferous legacy mine waste piles and an analysis of their co-location with cultural, geological and ecological designations. Mine waste samples were taken from 14 different sites and analysed for metal content, mineralogy, paste pH, particle size distribution, total organic carbon and total inorganic carbon. The majority of sites contain relatively high concentrations (in some cases up to several % by mass) of metals and metalloids, including Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Ag and Sn, many of which exceed ecological and/or human health risk guideline concentrations. However, the economic value of metals in the waste could be used to offset rehabilitation costs. Spatial analysis of all metalliferous mine sites in the south west of England and Wales found that around 70% are co-located with at least one cultural, geological and ecological designation. All 14 sites investigated are co-located with designations related to their mining activities, either due to their historical significance, rare species assemblages or geological characteristics. This demonstrates the need to consider the cultural and environmental impacts of rehabilitation and/or resource recovery on such sites. Further work is required to identify appropriate non-invasive methodologies to allow sites to be rehabilitated at minimal cost and disturbance

Developing an ecosystems approach – dry stone walls

This report presents results from a return-on-investment (ROI) model developed to explore ways in which historic environment values can be incorporated into the four categories of ecosystem services. The model is based on identifying and monetising the benefit flows from ecosystem services provided by dry stone walls in the Peak District National Park (PDNP). The overall project aims involved: development of a methodology for recording the public and environmental benefits (goods and services)flowing from dry stone walls in the PDNP; identification of those benefits in a way that is compatible with the language associated with ‘ecosystem services’ and ‘natural capital’; attribution of value (economic and non- economic) to those benefits (services); and, to recommend other heritage assets for which this approach would be suitable

The DistoX2: a methodological solution to archaeological mapping in poorly accessible environments

Spatial information is crucial to archaeological field research. From the plane-table to the total station, recent technological advances have enabled data collection to become fully digital and highly accurate. Nevertheless, the recent expansion of archaeological expeditions to novel environments often incompatible with modern mapping equipment, e.g. tropical forests or ephemeral shorelines, calls for further methodological innovations. Such projects, as well as those under logistic or financial limitations, are still largely reliant on more time consuming, less accurate, traditional approaches, e.g. offset or tape and compass methods. The DistoX2 is a digital, highly portable, and versatile hand-held instrument originally developed for speleological surveys where total stations and DGPSs are not feasible. However, the potential of the DistoX2 system as a spatial mapping tool in above-ground contexts has been surprisingly overlooked. Here, we present a first assessment of the applicability of the DistoX2 for archaeological mapping in non-speleological environments. We investigate precision and accuracy in controlled above-ground settings relative to two common methods of data collection - total station, and tape and compass. We test the relative precision of the DistoX2 when mounted on a tripod or operated in hand-held mode and discuss its applicability, and potential combined used, in the context of other increasingly popular methods - GNSS and SfM photogrammetry. With a mean error of approximate to 5.00 cm for horizontal readings and approximate to 2.00 cm for vertical readings, the DistoX2 is considerably more accurate than the tape and compass method (mu approximate to 67.00 cm horizontal; mu approximate to 3.00 cm vertical). While the DistoX2 exceeds the error thresholds of projects that require high spatial sensitivity (e.g. Palaeolithic excavations), it provides a reliable, low-cost and more accurate alternative to many projects that resort to more traditional methods. This fills an existent methodological and financial gap amongst the growing diversity of archaeological expeditions.SFRH/BD/115085/2016; UIDB/04211/2020; EC-399R-18info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

BIONANOSCULP, an ongoing project in biotechnology applications for preventive conservation of outdoor sculptures

The objective of this paper is the presentation of the research strategies adopted and results of the ongoing BIONANOSCULP research project that is aiming to develop solutions in the area of sustainable nanomaterials, which are non-invasive and high-performance in their preventive conservation approach. An integrated methodology was designed as a holistic strategy to the characterisation of the microbiota present on the surface of public outdoor sculptures. Gathering objective data in the characterization of the surface microbiota of public outdoor sculptures is important, in order to design strategies for the preventive conservation of these objects that make use of biotechnology innovative coatings. Such is one of the objectives of the project BIONANOSCULP. Methodologies applied include conservation reports, surface sampling methodologies using gels, 3D modeling, SEM, flow cytometry and metagenomics. The project is already significantly contributing to create a bridge between the experts from different areas: the skills of biotechnologists, microbiologists, materials scientists, art historians and conservators-restorers to assess the state of conservation, biodeterioration and biocontamination of a selected number of sculptures, and to design the appropriate materials to pursue preventive conservation through coatings with anti-microbial activities.This research work is supported by national funding from FCT- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. for project BIONANOSCULP- Desenvolvimento de BIONANOmateriais para revestimento anti-microbiano de eSCULturas exteriores metálicas e de Pedra PTDC/EPHPAT/6281/2014. This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679 (FCT Ref. UID /CTM /50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. R.C. Pullar thanks the FCT for funding under grant IF/00681/2015.publishe

Potential and Impact of Incorporating Roof Photovoltaic to Enhance Environmental Sustainability of Historic English Churches in the United Kingdom

The Church of England (CofE) is responding to climate change by taking measures to reduce their CO2 footprint under its flagship programme -'Shrinking the Footprint', to facilitate the CO2 emission reduction target of 80 % by 2050. Meeting this target will require both energy efficiency measures and zero carbon energy generation of which solar PV technology is a frontrunner as it has a substantially lower CO2 footprint than grid's electricity, with no moving parts, low maintenance and a long service life. Conventional church roofs built along the East-West axis offer the ideal pitches and orientation for collecting solar energy. However, within the CofE's vast estate of over 15,000 church buildings, 78 % of these buildings are listed and hence care must be taken to protect the building fabric. With this context in mind, this study identifies the benefits and concerns associated with the application of rooftop solar PV on historic English Churches and evaluates viable technologies currently available. The specific design and procedural requirements have been investigated and the process map of the implementation methodology established and illustrated through a case study of an existing church. Results showed that rooftop solar PV system has the potential to reduce the GHG emissions substantially, ranging between 75 %–84 % for electricity and between 20 %–27 % for gas based on the current demand and the choice of technology option. Findings on the issues, design options and life cycle environmental impacts are analysed with discussion and recommendation of future adaptation at a national level

Ecosystem services of temporary streams differ between wet and dry phases in regions with contrasting climates and economies

1. Temporary streams are dynamic ecosystems in which mosaics of flowing, ponded and dry habitats support high biodiversity of both aquatic and terrestrial species. Species interact within habitats to perform or facilitate processes that vary in response to changing habitat availability. A natural capital approach recognizes that, through such processes, the ‘natural assets’ of all ecosystems deliver services that benefit people. 2. The ecosystem services of temporary streams remain largely unexplored, in particular those provided during ponded and dry phases. In addition, recent characterizations have focused on dryland systems, and it remains unclear how service provision varies among different climatic regions, or between developed and developing economies. 3. We use evidence from interdisciplinary literature to examine the ecosystem services delivered by temporary streams, including the regulating, provisioning and cultural services provided across the continuum from flowing to dry conditions. We focus on service provision during dry phases and wet–dry transitions, across regions with contrasting climates and economic development. 4. Provision of individual services in temporary streams may be reduced, enhanced or changed by surface water loss. Services enhanced by dry phases include provision of higher‐quality subsurface drinking water and unique opportunities for recreation. Shifts between dry and wet phases enable groundwater recharge that mitigates water scarcity, and grant dry‐phase access to sediments deposited during flowing phases. However, the accessibility and thus perceived value of these and other services varies considerably among regions. In addition, accessing provisioning services requires careful management to promote sustainable resource use and avoid ecological degradation. 5. We highlight the need for environmental managers to recognize temporary streams as aquatic–terrestrial ecosystems, and to take actions promoting their diversity within functional socio‐ecological systems that deliver unique service bundles characterized by variability and differing availability in space and time

Architectural Paint Research and the Archaeology of Buildings

Architectural Paint Research (APR) is the archaeological study of interior and exterior applied decoration. Over time, applied layers of paint and other decorative finishes build-up on the surface of a built structure, encapsulating microscopic deposits of material evidence. This evidence can be used to inform the phase dating of a structure, or illuminate the historic function of a space. It can challenge preconceived ideas of how specific areas were decorated, and track the changes in aesthetics over time. It can identify when architects’ ideologies have been balanced by practical considerations. It can provide an insight into the intangible and ephemeral atmosphere that decoration gives to a room. Finally, it can examine the dirt trapped between layers of decoration and thus categorize the physical environmental conditions that surrounded a building at varying points in its history. Although used in the commercial heritage and conservation sectors, Architectural Paint Research is almost completely unknown to building archaeologists. This article aims to introduce APR to a new audience, and argues that is an invaluable tool in the archaeological interpretation of buildings

A comparison of biodegradation caused by Teredinidae (Mollusca:Bivalvia), Limnoriidae (Crustacea:Isopoda), and C. terebans (Crustacea:Amphipoda) across 4 shipwreck sites in the English Channel

The need to protect underwater cultural heritage from biodegradation is paramount, however with many sites needing funding and support, it is hard to prioritise, thus the ability to identify high risk sites is crucial to ensure resources are best placed. In doing so a clear understanding of environmental conditions acting upon a site and abundance and composition of species present is essential to this identification. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the rate of biodegradation on four underwater cultural heritage sites in different marine environments by placing a series of wooden test panels in direct contact with the exposed structure on the sites. Upon recovery, test panels were photographed, X-rayed, and wood boring and sessile fouling species were identified and counted. The damage attributed to each species was recorded with CAD software. Results indicated a significant difference between sites, with HMS Invincible having the highest abundance of marine wood borers and the highest rate of surface area and volume degradation; whilst vestigial evidence of marine wood borers was found on the London, it would appear the environmental conditions had significantly impeded their survival. The study indicated further factors such as sediment type and coverage, availability of wood and the proximity of other colonised sites were also determining factors controlling the abundance of marine wood borers and the rate of biodegradation