Disaster risk management and cultural heritage: the perceptions of European world heritage site managers on disaster risk management

Research into the sustainable management of the world's cultural heritage (CH) is increasing. This is due to the vulnerability of CH to climate-related disasters and the perceived contribution of CH to the achievement of broader sustainability goals. Despite the perceived benefits of bringing together CH and sustainability, researchers have identified barriers that slow integration. These barriers are theoretical and practical, and targeted research would help improve the resilience of our CH. This article aims to explore the perceptions of a group of UNESCO world heritage site managers (WHSM) on disaster risk management. A questionnaire was sent to WHSM via professional email boxes. The questionnaire consisted of 26 questions designed to explore the perception of WHSM. In total, 58 responses were received, and the results produced findings worthy of discussion. WHSM still have limited access to disaster risk management strategies or practical implementation experience. Practitioners in this field perceive multiple risks, not just those related to climate change. The researchers noted that there was a tendency to focus on the most immediate problem, rather than the full range of risks they might face. It is clear that there is an opportunity to improve resilience through knowledge sharing and better communication across all CH. This is also true of individual world cultural heritage sites, with opportunities to engage more effectively with local stakeholders. This article pinpoints the current perceptions of WHSM for the academic community and highlights critical avenues of research that will aid in the overarching theoretical and operational integration of CH and sustainability.</p

The effect of increasing fine sediment load and drying duration on the re-emergence of <i>Gammarus pulex</i> (Amphipoda: Gammaridae) from the subsurface following flow resumption

Environmental change and growing anthropogenic pressure on water resources is increasing the duration and intensity of drying events in streams in many geographical locations. Favourable sediment characteristics (e.g. high porosity and low fine sediment load within the substrate matrix) may facilitate benthic macroinvertebrate use of subsurface sediments in response to drying. However, the influence of sedimentary characteristics on the use and subsequent recovery of macroinvertebrates from initial vertical migration into, survival during unfavourable conditions within, and subsequent re-emergence from subsurface sediments have not been directly observed. Transparent mesocosm tanks were used to directly observe the vertical movement and subsequent re-emergence of Gammarus pulex from subsurface sediments in response to increasing dry period (1, 7, or 21 days) and fine sediment load (0.5–1 mm particle diameter used for light and heavy sediment treatment) and following rehydration and resumption of flowing conditions. Increasing volumes of fine sediment addition limited the ability of G. pulex to access subsurface sediment in response to drying and re-emerge following rehydration. The longest dry period (21 days) reduced the ability of G. pulex to re-emerge from the subsurface sediments following rehydration and flow resumption. Increasing fine sediment load negatively affects taxa using subsurface sediments as a refuge. Increased fine sediment deposition has the potential to reduce both access to the sub-surface and re-emergence once surface flow resumes. As many rivers are beginning to dry out, or are showing prolonged drying due to global warming, it is increasingly important that river management reduces the input of fine sediment into rivers and increase sediment porosity of riverbeds to facilitate access into the subsurface refuge by benthic fauna.</p