This session, co-organised by the Horizon Europe Green Cluster (RescueME, THETIDA, TRIQUETRA, STECCI), invites contributions that explore transdisciplinary approaches to heritage resilience, integrating insights from climate science, disaster risk management, social sciences, and heritage studies. We particularly welcome work that addresses the complex interplay between cultural landscapes, underwater heritage, and climate-related risks, and that advances co-creation with communities and stakeholders as a central strategy for sustainable adaptation.
We encourage submissions that showcase innovative digital tools - including decision support systems, AI applications, serious gaming, and immersive technologies (AR/VR) - as well as modelling techniques for risk analysis and scenario planning. The session also seeks to highlight governance frameworks, participatory methods, and living lab approaches that foster inclusive, evidence-based decision-making and long-term resilience. Depending on session interest and attendance, conveners may explore the option of proposing a related special issue in a peer-reviewed journal (Heritage Science, STOTEN, Climate Risk Management or similar).
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Integrated risk assessment models for heritage exposed to climatic, natural, and anthropogenic hazards
• Co-creation and participatory methods for stakeholder engagement, including serious gaming and tabletop exercises
• Digital innovations for heritage monitoring, management, and communication (e.g., AI, AR/VR, digital twins)
• Governance structures and policy tools for heritage resilience and sustainability
• Underwater and coastal heritage risk assessment and protection strategies
• Cultural landscapes as dynamic systems of climate adaptation and community identity
• Living labs and knowledge co-production for heritage risk and resilience
• Multi-hazard and compound risk modelling for heritage sites
• Decision support systems and early warning tools tailored to heritage contexts
Orals: Mon, 4 May, 14:00–15:45 | Room 0.31/32
Enhancing the resilience of cultural and natural heritage to climate change and natural hazards requires not only innovative research, but also effective pathways for the uptake, scaling, and long-term use of research and innovation (R&I) outcomes. Despite advances in risk assessment, decision-support tools, and participatory methods, many results remain underutilised beyond project lifetimes. Addressing this gap is critical for translating knowledge into tangible resilience benefits for diverse heritage contexts.
This presentation introduces the SD-WISHEES project, which develops and applies an innovation pathway framework to analyse how R&I outputs related to cultural and natural heritage risk and resilience are progressing from knowledge generation to practical uptake across Europe, Africa, and the Balkans. The framework adopts a transdisciplinary perspective, integrating insights from climate risk management, heritage studies, governance research, and social sciences to systematically identify the enablers and barriers influencing dissemination, exploitation, and scaling.
Some innovation pathways examined by SD-WISHEES were those used by projects that produced digital tools, modelling approaches, and decision-support systems to support heritage management, while others address capacity-building, stakeholder engagement, and governance strategies. The SD WISHEES project focuses on heritage threatened by hydroclimatic extremes such as flooding and storms, and encompasses cultural heritage (tangible and intangible) and natural heritage, including landscapes and urban heritage.
Central to SD-WISHEES is a co-creation approach that actively engages a wide range of stakeholders, including heritage managers, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and end users. Through interactive workshops, targeted questionnaires, and participatory exchanges, the project explored challenges and opportunities related to: (i) dissemination and exploitation of tools, methods, and guidelines; (ii) capacity-building and training initiatives; (iii) stakeholder engagement and user ownership; and (iv) governance, policy, and funding mechanisms shaping innovation uptake.
The presentation will share findings and actionable recommendations emerging from this process, highlighting cross-cutting patterns that influence innovation pathways in different geographic and institutional contexts. Showcasing these results and collecting feedback from the audience aim to further validate and refine these recommendations, strengthening their relevance and transferability. By focusing on means of enhancing knowledge co-production, governance alignment, digital innovation, and scaling, SD-WISHEES intends to contribute to advancing inclusive, evidence-based strategies for cultural heritage resilience and sustainability in a changing climate.
How to cite: Ducci, M., Galluccio, G., Street, R., Trozzo, C., and Ushie, B.: SD-WISHEES: Innovation Pathways for Uptake of Research and Innovation in Heritage Resilience, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-3060, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-3060, 2026.
Nowadays, decision-makers and spatial planners are increasingly faced with a multitude of complex and interconnected challenges which include among others the adaptation to climate change, disaster risk reduction and the management of cultural heritage. However, there is a lack of easy-to-use resources and methodologies for them to access robust science-based knowledge and translate it into planning instruments. In addition, efforts for integrating different policy domains that are traditionally managed by siloed and specialised legislative frameworks remain limited, while weak mechanisms for monitoring and updating policy responses are put in place. This hinders the development of effective and holistic policies that could address not just one, but several societal challenges simultaneously.
As part of the Horizon Europe funded project RescueME, aimed at increasing the resilience of coastal cultural landscapes, a methodology of policy analysis has been developed through which researchers and local experts can integrate their specific expertise. This approach is based on the collection and mapping of all relevant policy and planning tools in the sectors of spatial planning, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and cultural heritage management of five case study areas across Europe, namely Neuwerk (Germany), Psiloritis (Greece), Valenca (Spain), Zadar (Croatia) and Portovenere and Cinque Terre (Italy). Through a questionnaire, key information is extracted and then used to assign rankings for an indicator-based policy assessment. The overall goal is to evaluate the adaptive capacity and the level of inclusion of provisions for cultural heritage management, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction into existing environmental and spatial planning tools, as the basis for the development of policy recommendations tailored to local contexts and demands.
The results reveal significant variation between tools and the different case study areas, in terms of the adaptiveness, accessibility and cross-sector coordination. However, there are also common barriers such as unclear hierarchies between different policies and administrative scales as well as gaps in the specificity of policy monitoring and review mechanisms.
The work demonstrates how a methodology based on structured quantification of policy characteristics, combined with continuous engagement between researchers and practitioners, may facilitate closing governing gaps and strengthen the effectiveness of policies various administrative levels.
How to cite: Schlechtendahl, J. F., Baldassarre, B., and Santangelo, A.: Increasing resilience of cultural landscapes through spatial planning: a methodology for assessing the adaptiveness of policy and planning instruments, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-3891, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-3891, 2026.
The Living Labs (LL) constitute an important part of the THETIDA project (Technologies and methods for improved resilience and sustainable preservation of underwater and coastal cultural heritage to cope with climate change, natural hazards and environmental pollution), as they function as collaborative spaces for dialogue, where participants access the cultural heritage values of the pilot sites, identify associated hazards and vulnerabilities, and evaluate their broader cultural, socio-economic, and environmental impacts on local communities.
For the archaeological site of the Castle of Mykonos, one of the three coastal pilot sites of the project, with successive use as a settlement since prehistory, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades organized two Living Labs in Mykonos.
The first Living Lab Dialogue brought together cultural heritage experts, scientists, local authorities and local stakeholders to engage in this collaborative process. Apart from cooperative decision making among national and local authorities, the second Living Lab Dialogue aimed to raise awareness among young people.
The main goals and objectives of the LL Dialogues included:
- Integrated heritage and climate risk assessment: Analysing the historical and cultural heritage values of the Castle of Mykonos Town, identifying its strengths, weaknesses and threats, stating management and community involvement limitations, legislation and protection policies, and identifying climate-induced risks and their impacts on the site.
- Training and raising awareness: Presenting the THETIDA project, scientific knowledge on monitoring tools for Cultural Heritage Protection, conducting an educational program for the young members of the local community and knowledge exchange with stakeholders on the impact of climate change on cultural heritage.
- Co-creation: Sharing personal experiences and observations, discussing the pilot site’s risks and threats, future scenarios, crisis management approaches, and possible solutions to climate hazards and impacts, aiming to facilitate interaction between authorities and local stakeholders.
- Testing of THETIDA tools and technologies: Demonstrating the Crowdsourcing app (AR, 3D model of the Paraportiani area) and collecting feedback for its possible use and implementation of the collected data. Discussion on how digital tools can support management and monitoring in cultural heritage sites against climate change impacts.
One of the Living Labs’ main challenges was engaging the diverse range of stakeholders from various sectors, essential for raising awareness on the natural and climate-related hazards posed to the site, sharing sector-specific knowledge, perspectives, and valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with the Castle of Mykonos Town pilot site. Their active involvement was also essential to establish faster, more efficient communication between them.
Participants acknowledged the cultural, historic, and economic value of the Castle of Mykonos Town and highlighted the importance of combining innovative digital monitoring tools with citizen science, offering specialized stakeholders involved in heritage management direct feedback, without the need to visit the pilot site.
Strategic planning for the prevention and mitigation of climate change impacts on cultural heritage indicated the necessity for scientific knowledge exchange, active involvement of local communities in public discourse, collaboration and coordination among different sectors and authorities and the effective involvement of local authorities in building roadmaps and decision making.
How to cite: Konioti, M., Ikiz, D., Deligianni, E. O., and Evangelou, T.: Living labs and knowledge co-production for heritage risk management and resilience building at the coastal site of the Castle of Mykonos., EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-12003, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-12003, 2026.
The preservation of Cultural Heritage artefacts is a very complex endeavour that requires significant resources and knowledge from various domains, ranging from cultural to scientific and political aspects. These complex interactions involve many individuals that need to collaborate closely to achieve the best result. In the ChemiNova Project, funded by European Union, we are developing a FAIR compliant Cultural Heritage oriented platform that allows specialists to store digital information about the artefacts (digital tweens, accompanying documents, previous condition reports, etc.) and to collaborate in real-time or asynchronously on the available information. Proposed solution has at its core the concept of an Enriched 3D Model, which represents a 3D representation of the artefact enriched with information retrieved from: (1) scans performed with different sensors (RTI, hyperspectral, infrared, RGB, etc) which are synchronized over the same 3D mesh; (2) support documents (provenance, surroundings, previous restorations, etc); or (3) added by specialists directly into the platform within the analysis process in the form of annotations (digital marks placed on the 3D mesh and accompanied by any type of document – pictures, archives, numerical values, etc) or condition reports. Specialists can contribute collaboratively with information to the same artefact, while indicating the licencing available for the provided data. Our approach proposes an extendable architecture which is based on the concept of connected digital tools. Each tool encapsulates specific functionalities, technologies, data visualization capabilities and user interaction techniques, and communicates with all the other components through a secured and dedicated API, which ensures the consistency and security of the data stored into the Platform. This approach ensures that new tools can be developed and securely integrated into the platform at any time, through Single Sign On implementation, addressing specific needs and incorporating new technologies.
How to cite: Ștefănuț, T., Palma, B., Portalés, C., Cassas, S., Bâcu, V., Sabou, A., Nandra, C., and Gorgan, D.: Collaborative Platform to Leverage Enriched 3D Models in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-17380, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-17380, 2026.
Climate change is increasing the likelihood that cultural heritage sites will face compound stressors, where heat, heavy rainfall, and seismic activity interact with local geology to accelerate decay and trigger sudden failures. This abstract presents Choirokoitia, a UNESCO World Heritage Neolithic settlement in Cyprus, as a pilot for protecting heritage on unstable terrain through innovative, heritage-compatible interventions that connect monitoring, modelling, decision support, and on-site action.
The TRIQUETRA approach focused on integrating multi-source observation with targeted physical measures. Satellite InSAR products from the European Ground Motion Service, repeated UAV photogrammetry and point cloud change detection, and on-site environmental sensing are integrated into digital modeling to identify deformation hotspots and link hazard dynamics to climatic triggers. A local seismic response analysis refines regional hazard estimates and highlights zones of amplified shaking that can be prioritised for preventive conservation and long-term monitoring. Risk outputs are translated into management decisions through the TRIQUETRA decision-support workflow, which includes risk-severity indicators and a mitigation-selection module that ranks measures by effectiveness, feasibility, and compatibility with heritage values.
Protection is implemented through low-impact, site-specific interventions that directly reduce rockfall and shallow landslide risk while preserving authenticity and visitor access. These include selective removal of progressively unstable blocks; mechanical stabilisation of retainable fractured rock using bolts or anchors; local surface support where small fragments may detach; crack treatment to reduce water infiltration; and drainage improvements to lower pore pressure and rainfall-driven triggering. Engagement is treated as part of the intervention strategy. A visitor-focused AR application with permanent markers and QR access supports risk communication and enables crowdsourced photo reporting that feeds back into the site model to flag potential climate-related damage. Together, these innovations demonstrate how digital tools can enable timely, proportionate interventions to protect cultural heritage amid escalating climate and hazard pressures. The Department of Antiquities of Cyprus, in collaboration with the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence, through the EXCELSIOR Project, will continue to monitor the site during and after the proposed mitigation actions.
The author acknowledges the TRIQUETRA project, “Toolbox for assessing and mitigating Climate Change risks and natural hazards threatening cultural heritage” funded from the EU HE research and innovation programme under GA No. 101094818 and the EXCELSIOR project: ERATOSTHENES: Excellence Research Centre for Earth Surveillance and Space-Based Monitoring of the Environment H2020 Widespread Teaming project (www.excelsior2020.eu). The 'EXCELSIOR' project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 857510, from the Government of the Republic of Cyprus through the Directorate General for the European Programmes, Coordination and Development and the Cyprus University of Technology. The author would like to thank the Cyprus Department of Antiquities for their invaluable support throughout the Triquetra Project.
How to cite: Themistocleous, K.: Protecting Cultural Heritage Sites from Climate Change Using Innovative Interventions, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-14103, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-14103, 2026.
Cultural heritage located in coastal and underwater environments is increasingly exposed to multi-hazard conditions shaped by natural processes, climate change, and anthropogenic pressures. However, risk assessment frameworks for maritime heritage still require further research tailored to their specific needs and characteristics, particularly in terms of the dynamics of submerged archaeological contexts. Addressing this gap, this study proposes a comprehensive and operational risk assessment framework, using the Liman Tepe Coastal and Underwater Archaeological Site (Urla, Izmir) as a case study. Liman Tepe constitutes one of the most significant continuous maritime settlements in the Eastern Mediterranean, offering insights into long-term cultural interaction, seaborne trade, and adaptation to coastal changes from the Chalcolithic Period onward. This coastal and underwater entity embodies built and archaeological heritage, cultural identity, values, and community, which are increasingly vulnerable to coastal hazards, sea-level dynamics, seismicity from regional fault systems, and contemporary development pressures. Historical evidence of disruption, including the 4.2 ka climatic event and the Minoan eruption, combined with various phases of reconstruction and conflict, highlights the relevance of resilience for maritime heritage contexts.
The development of the proposed framework begins with a methodology that performs two foundational tasks of identifying hazards and understanding values. These tasks utilize data collection and analysis consisting of fieldwork, archival research, and literature review. The outcomes not only reveal specific hazards and values but also enable the creation of a classification system essential for risk prevention. This system assesses how heritage, environment, and communities are impacted, based on their vulnerabilities. Then, the correlated key variables of hazard, vulnerability, exposure, and capacity are operationalized using a methodology that employs spatial analysis with GIS and numerical analysis through quantified scoring and ranking. Specifically, it processes eight hazard types (grouped into two classifications), six vulnerability groups, and eight distinct value categories. The resulting framework transforms risk concepts into practical tools of comprehensive diagrams and risk matrices. By providing a structured methodology tailored to maritime heritage, the study contributes to ongoing efforts to advance multi-hazard risk assessment in coastal and underwater archaeological sites and supports the development of knowledge-based resilience strategies within Mediterranean heritage contexts.
How to cite: Bulut, N., Yüceer, H., and Şahoğlu, V.: Developing a Comprehensive Framework for Risk Assessment in Maritime Heritage: The Case of Liman Tepe Coastal and Underwater Archaeological Site, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-10841, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-10841, 2026.
In light of accelerating climate change, the STECCI project is concentrating on the critical matter of safeguarding stećci mediaeval limestone tombstones and other limestone cultural heritage monuments throughout Europe. These cultural structures, sculpted during the 12th and 16th centuries, are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to their representation of the region's intricate history. Stećci represent one of the most delicate forms of cultural assets in Europe, as they are composed of limestone and lack protection from the elements. The majority are located in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia. STECCI have examined comparable limestone sites in Malta, Austria, Germany, and France for comparative analysis.
We use the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP4.5) scenarios to look at how temperature, precipitation, extreme weather events, and frost frequency are expected to vary in the future: 2021–2040, 2041–2060, and 2081–2100. We employed high-resolution climate information and outputs from the IPCC Interactive Atlas (advanced regional mode) to make site-specific projections for a wide range of geographic areas, including Mediterranean, Continental, and Alpine climates.
The analysis encompasses key UNESCO sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Radimlja, Blidinje, Kopošići), Croatia (Cista Velika, Velika i Mala Crljivica), Serbia (Mramorje Perućac, Rastište), and Montenegro (Žugića bare, Žabljak), along with comparative limestone sites in Malta (Mdina Rabat), Austria (Carinthia), Germany (Bavaria), and France (Normandy region). The results highlight substantial regional differences in projected climate impacts. For example, Herzegovinian (BIH) and Dalmatian (CRO) sites are projected to experience more frequent heatwaves, reduced annual precipitation, and extended dry spells, amplifying risks of salt crystallisation and biological colonisation. In contrast, central European sites in Austria and Germany are expected to face increased frost-thaw cycles and intense precipitation events, both of which pose mechanical degradation threats to limestone structures. Montenegrin and Bosnian sites with higher altitude and moisture retention (e.g. Žabljak and Kopošići) are likely to become hotspots for biological weathering due to more frequent dew points and fluctuating thermal gradients.
By linking these projected environmental stressors to known mechanisms of limestone decay -including dissolution, biodeterioration, and mechanical erosion, this study establishes a robust foundation for prioritising conservation interventions. Moreover, it supports the development of a STECCI Preservation guidelines framework, which integrates climate risk modelling with dose - response functions and biomonitoring indicators.
Overall, this interdisciplinary study illustrates the value of applying high-resolution climate scenario modelling to endangered cultural heritage and offers a replicable framework for assessing vulnerability in stone monuments across Europe’s diverse biogeographical zones.
Acknowledgement: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101094822 (STECCI), managed by the European Research Executive Agency (REA).
How to cite: Drešković, N., Hrelja, E., Ibragić, S., Bujak, E., Džaferagić, A., and Radulović, S.: STECCI Climate Change Modelling for Medieval Limestone Heritage, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-13956, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-13956, 2026.
Built cultural heritages are exposed to environmental factors such as atmospheric pollution, especially in urban areas. Reaction between sulphur dioxide SO2 and calcite CaCO3 from calcareous stone forms a gypsum crust CaSO4.2H2O, commonly called “black crust”. This crust acts as a proxy of ancient atmospheric pollution due to the deposition of particles such as soot, organic compounds, heavy metals, etc. However, to prevent stone degradation, restore the initial aesthetic and the clarity of the architectural lines, black crust are usually removed by cleaning during a restoration project. Traditional techniques like mechanical cleaning are used in most cases. Yet, the inhalation of black crust particles may result in severe health issues. Lead, emitted from coal combustion and leaded gasoline during 20th century and deposited in black crusts, may cause damage to the cardiovascular, nervous, renal and reproductive systems. According to previous studies, its bulk concentration ranges from a few dozen to thousands ppm depending on the city, the sampling location on the buildings and other factors. In France, prior to any black crust cleaning, the acid-soluble lead concentration must be measured by wipes rubbed on façade and must not exceed 1000 µg.m-2. Otherwise, several measures must take place to ensure the safety of operators. However, these wipe tests were originally standardized for flat, horizontal and smooth surfaces. Moreover, wipes can only dissolve the top layer of a black crust, even though the distribution and behaviour of lead within black crust is not well-known in literature.
To address these questions, black crust samples collected in France were analysed using electron microprobe to determine the location and quantify lead particles. The morphology of these particles was further characterized using SEM-EDS. In addition, bulk analyses were also performed by ICP-MS to quantify the total lead concentrations. Results indicate that lead concentrations are high and that lead is mainly located in small particles and correlated with combustion metals such as iron. The results are key to optimize risk assessment and in situ measurements.
How to cite: Dolezon-Verley, S., Verney-Carron, A., Ropiquet, M., Rivry, R., and Lecanu, M.: Lead in black crust: quantification, localization and correlation to optimize risk assessment for cleaning , EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-9212, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-9212, 2026.
Mediterranean intangible cultural heritage (MICH) represents a vital dimension of regional identity, yet its reliance on outdoor public spaces makes it uniquely vulnerable to intensifying summer heat extremes. Unlike built heritage, where climate risk is often framed as material degradation, the risk to “living heritage” is operational and existential. When extreme heat intersects with traditional practices, it threatens participants' safety, the feasibility of fixed seasonal calendars, and the long-term continuity of those practices. This communication describes an event-oriented research pathway using two emblematic Catalan ICH manifestations as “lighthouses” of climate risk: castells (human towers; UNESCO-listed ICH since 2010) and correfocs (fire parades).
The study identifies two distinct profiles. Human Towers provide a high-visibility case of direct exposure. Here, the risk is compounded by high crowd density, direct solar radiation during daytime events, and the sustained physical effort required to build towers. Operational decisions (timing, pauses, hydration, medical readiness) must be negotiated in real-time under thermal stress. In contrast, correfocs represent a “compound-exposure”. Held typically in the evening, the risk is not merely ambient temperature but the interaction between high humidity, urban ventilation constraints in narrow streets, and the significant radiative load from pyrotechnics. However, conventional heat indices often fail to capture this specific microclimatic burden, which includes smoke and particle exposure.
This research builds on recent evidence (Olano Pozo et al., 2024; Boqué-Ciurana et al., 2025; Saladié et al., 2025; Olano Pozo et al., 2026), indicating that climate change is already narrowing the safety margins for these traditions. We, therefore, present the first results along two complementary lines.
First, we conduct a multi-decadal reconstruction (1950-2023) of near-surface thermal conditions (temperature and humidity) during correfoc windows (21:00 – 23:00 local time) in six Catalan towns. By computing perceived-heat indicators (Heat Index and UTCI), we identify a clear shift towards warmer nighttime conditions and an increasing frequency of thermal discomfort events, with stronger signals in pre-coastal locations than in the most maritime setting. While this reanalysis-only approach cannot resolve route-scale microclimates in dense urban fabrics, nor explicitly represent the additional radiative burden from pyrotechnics (and other event-specific stressors such as crowd effects), it provides a multi-decadal context for identifying recurrent “risk windows” and prioritising variables, sites, and hypotheses for targeted field campaigns.
Second, for Castells, we utilise a longitudinal analysis of press and media narratives (2010–2025). This tracks how climate change is already shaping practice and organisation through societal signals, using press and media analysis to track shifts in reported impacts, operational disruptions, and adaptation responses over time.
Building on these works, we propose a structured transition from data to policy. The pathway begins with reanalysis screening to detect shifts in background conditions, followed by targeted in situ monitoring (potentially using fixed and wearable sensors) to quantify the specific radiative loads that reanalysis cannot resolve. Simultaneously, media analysis assesses the institutional and community recognition of risk. All these inputs feed a co-creation process with performers, organisers, and emergency services. The next objective should be to co-design culturally acceptable and operationally feasible adaptation measures.
How to cite: Olano Pozo, J. X., Boqué-Ciurana, A., Saladié, Ò., and Domènech, A.: When heat meets living heritage: castells and correfocs as lighthouses of climate risk in Mediterranean intangible cultural heritage, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-10732, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-10732, 2026.
Mining cultural landscapes are complex heritage systems shaped by long-term interactions between geological resources, extractive activities and communities. Ensuring their resilience requires integrated approaches that combine scientific knowledge, digital innovation and stakeholder engagement.
This contribution presents a transdisciplinary workflow developed at the Archaeological and Mining Park of San Silvestro (Tuscany, Italy), aimed at supporting resilient heritage management through non-invasive investigation and immersive communication. Between 2019 and 2025, the MIMA-SITES project applied cosmic-ray muon radiography (muography) at the Temperino mine to explore subsurface density variations and to improve the understanding of unknown cavities and high-density ore bodies. Muography results were integrated with extensive geomatic surveys (terrestrial and mobile laser scanning, UAV photogrammetry) and three-dimensional geological modelling, producing a comprehensive digital representation of both surface and underground components of the site. These scientific outputs were translated into co-created digital products, including interactive 3D visualisations and video storytelling, and are being further developed into immersive virtual and augmented reality experiences integrated within the park’s museum pathway. Beyond their technical value, these tools contribute to making otherwise invisible subsurface features more accessible, supporting awareness of potential risks and offering new ways for the public to engage with the geological and archaeological evolution of the landscape.
The San Silvestro Park exemplifies a dynamic mining cultural landscape where digital technologies can act as a bridge between research, heritage management and community engagement. While the proposed approach is still evolving, it suggests how non-invasive imaging, immersive media and participatory communication may contribute to long-term resilience by improving knowledge transfer, supporting informed decision-making and strengthening the connection between heritage, science and society.
How to cite: Beni, T., Borselli, D., Bonechi, L., Brocchini, D., Guideri, S., Dini, A., Vezzoni, S., Gonzi, S., Gigli, G., Ciulli, V., D'Alessandro, R., and Casagli, N.: Strengthening Heritage Resilience in a Mining Cultural Landscape through Muon Radiography and Immersive Digital Technologies, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-7425, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-7425, 2026.
Europe’s Coastal Cultural Landscapes (CCLs) are living socio‑ecological systems where cultural values, community identity, and ecosystem services interact dynamically. Increasingly affected by climate change, natural hazards, and socio‑economic pressures, these landscapes require decision‑making tools capable of integrating their complexity while supporting transformative and place‑based adaptation. The RescueME project addresses this need by co‑developing strategies that combine scientific evidence, historical identity, community knowledge, and environmental functionalities. Five Resilience Labs (R-labs) in Crete, Neuwerk, Cinque Terre, Valencia, and Zadar ensure that solutions respond to diverse cultural, ecological, and technological contexts.
Central to the project is the Resilient Heritage Landscape approach, which positions ecosystem services, community capitals, and cultural value as the baseline for understanding resilience challenges and opportunities. Building on this foundation, the project has developed a structured methodology that gathers climate impact assessments, resilience indicators, and a comprehensive repository of climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures organized under the IPCC framework. This methodology adopts an incremental logic, offering different levels of decision support depending on information availability and user needs.
This approach is being operationalized in a Incremental Spatial Decision Support System (ISDSS), a tool designed to help users create, refine, and monitor transformational resilience pathways. The ISDSS enables users to move from early‑stage priorisitation to advanced analysis, connecting
landscape typologies with targeted adaptation options and guiding the quantitative exploration of alternative strategies. At higher analytical levels, the system links adaptation measures with indicator‑based impact assesment and posterior monitoring. This dynamic monitoring capability strengthens iterative learning and ensures taht pathways remain adaptive.
By combining ecosystem‑service thinking, cultural value assessment, community‑driven insights, and data‑driven modelling, RescueME advances a scalable and participatory approach to safeguarding Europe’s cultural landscapes. The ISDSS empowers cultural landscapes to co‑create pathways tailored to their unique contexts, supporting long‑term resilience in a rapidly changing environment.
How to cite: Egusquiza, A., Gandini, A., and Villanueva, A.: A Decision Support System for Enhancing the Climate Resilience ofEurope’s Cultural Landscapes: Insights from the RescueME Project, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-22573, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-22573, 2026.
Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site on a small rocky island in the Aegean Sea, hosts monuments of exceptional historical value within a pristine natural setting. Despite being uninhabited, the site is increasingly exposed to climate-related and geophysical risks that threaten its cultural and natural heritage. To address these challenges, a multi-hazard environmental monitoring facility was installed in 2025, combining predictive climate modelling with satellite and in situ real-time monitoring of seismic, atmospheric, and oceanographic conditions. Downscaled projections from global climate models indicate that, beyond sea-level rise, the monuments of Delos will be exposed to substantially higher temperatures in the future, resulting in increased thermal stress. These projections also support the expectation that extreme weather events will become both more frequent and more intense, further exacerbating pressures on the island. In situ atmospheric measurements show that Delos is intermittently affected by elevated pollutant concentrations. These episodes appear to be linked to ship emissions, transport from nearby islands such as Mykonos and Tinos, and, at times, long-range atmospheric transport from more distant regions. Meteorological data from seven stations distributed across the island reveal pronounced north–south gradients in temperature and relative humidity, reflecting the persistent influence of northerly winds throughout the year. Hourly averaged sea-level measurements from spring to fall of 2025 show a variability exceeding 0.3 m, with driving mechanisms including astronomical tides, atmospheric pressure variations, and inter-seasonal changes in sea temperature. Delos lies at 140 km distance from Santorini. Τhe intense seismic activity during the winter–spring of 2025, between Santorini and Amorgos, was well recorded, indicating some minor measurable effects on the island. The data records collected by the model seismic station (seismometer and accelerometer sensors are included) installed at Delos Archaeological Museum are presented and discussed in comparison to the records of the accelerometric station installed in Mykonos Archaeological Museum.
This work has been performed in the framework of the project “Development and installation of an integrated system for the monitoring of the impacts of climatic change on the monuments of Delos” that has been funded by benefit foundations of "Protovoulia ‘21“.
How to cite: Poupkou, A., Fountoulakis, I., Kalligeris, N., Kapsomenakis, J., Melis, N., Solomos, S., and Zerefos, C. and the Delos project team: An Emblematic, Transdisciplinary, and Multi-Hazard Monitoring Infrastructure on Delos Island (Greece) for the Protection of UNESCO World Heritage Monuments from Climate Change, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-18171, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-18171, 2026.
Cultural heritage assets are increasingly exposed to aging processes, environmental and anthropogenic actions, that threaten both their material integrity and cultural value. In this context, resilience and therefore the ability of heritage systems to withstand, adapt to, and recover from damage—has become a central objective of conservation-oriented engineering.
From a resilience perspective, among the various diagnostic approaches currently in use, non-invasive geomatic and geophysical techniques represent decision-enabling tools. They provide essential data for identifying vulnerabilities, supporting preventive conservation strategies, and informing risk-aware engineering decisions.
Furthermore, the integrated use of geomatic and geophysical techniques enables highly accurate time-based monitoring, supporting resilience-oriented assessments of cultural heritage assets.
This approach allows for the early detection of degradation and damage mechanisms caused by climate-related stressors, urban pollution and seismic activity. It gives a contribution in implementing conservation strategies in line with UNESCO frameworks.
In this context, the authors present a concise review of the application of non-invasive diagnostic methodologies for the preventive conservation of historic architectural elements they have analyzed within the field of the Cultural Heritage. The cases were investigated using non-invasive geomatic and geophysical techniques, complemented by analyses of the petrographic characteristics of historic building stone materials. Indeed, a comprehensive understanding of stone decay processes and associated alteration mechanisms primarily relies on detailed knowledge of the intrinsic properties of the materials constituting historical building artifacts.
Geomatic techniques, including close-range static digital photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning, were employed to obtain high-resolution three-dimensional models for metric documentation, material surface characterization, and detection of morphological alterations. These datasets were integrated with geophysical investigations, specifically 2D and 3D acoustic tomography and indirect ultrasonic measurements, aimed at assessing internal material conditions, elastic properties, and the spatial distribution of fractures, voids, and material heterogeneities. Petrographic analyses were used to characterize building stone materials, texture, and microstructural features, supporting the calibration and interpretation of geomatic and geophysical results. The choice and combined use of the above techniques were based on decay typology and the petrographic and physical properties of the stone materials, with specific attention to diagnostic reliability, resolution, and methodological limitations, in order to support early detection of damage and informed preventive conservation and maintenance strategies.
The above methodologies were applied to selected case studies focusing on architectural elements from some of the oldest historic monuments in Cagliari (Italy). These monuments represent a wide range of construction techniques and stone materials, making them particularly suitable for investigating the relationships between intrinsic material properties, environmental exposure, and observed decay patterns.
This integrated and multidisciplinary approach aims to assess the state of conservation of cultural heritage and to promote the adoption of preventive strategies for restoration and preservation.
How to cite: Casula, G., Fais, S., Bianchi, M. G., and Ligas, P.: The role of non-invasive diagnostic techniques in assessing the resilience of the Cultural Heritage, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-3967, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-3967, 2026.
Underwater cultural heritage (UCH) sites provide insight into past human behavior and history and thus their preservation is crucial. Within the scope of THETIDA, a Horizon Europe project dedicated to developing technologies and methods to protect coastal and underwater cultural heritage, this work aims to predict the physical processes that can put UCH at risk. This risk assessment is applied to a specific site in the Algarve, Portugal where a WWII U.S. B24 bomber plane crashed approximately 3 km offshore Praia de Faro. The plane now sits 21 m deep on the coastal shelf, which consists mainly of sand. The site is exposed to dominant, more energetic waves coming from W-SW and sheltered from less energetic E-SE waves. The mean significant wave height is 0.9 m, but it can rise to above 3 m with the occurrence of storms. As the site is located in the open ocean, a highly energetic environment, the site is subject to risks caused by wave-induced currents and sediment transport. To analyze and predict these risks in real time a numerical framework integrating three pre-operational process-based models was developed. The numerical system is composed of: 1) the wave model SWAN, 2) the hydrodynamic model MOHID, and 3) the non-cohesive sediment transport model MOHID sand. The operational wave model was previously calibrated and validated with in-situ buoy measurements. SWAN was then two-way coupled to the hydrodynamic modeling system SOMA (Algarve Operational Modeling and Monitoring System), which is powered by MOHID. The coupling mechanism, which exchanges files between the two models every hour, forces the wave model with current velocity and water level output from SOMA and forces SOMA with results of significant wave height, mean wave direction, mean wave period, bottom orbital velocity, and radiation stress from SWAN. Results of the coupling revealed that the impact of current velocity and water level forcing on the wave model was statistically significant, with surface current velocity yielding results most similar to observations as opposed to depth-averaged velocities. Improvements in current velocity and water levels were also found with the forcing of wave parameters on the hydrodynamic model. A non-cohesive sediment transport model is now being run inside the fully two-way coupled system to compute the sediment transport rates due to the effects of wave-current interaction. The final results are being used to evaluate in real-time risks at the B24 site, which can further be applied to other UCH sites. This forecasting system will be included in the decision support system of the THETIDA platform.
How to cite: Mills, L., Garzon, J. L., and Martins, F.: The Development of an Operational Numerical Framework for Assessing Risks to Underwater Cultural Heritage, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-11885, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-11885, 2026.
Flooding is among the most common natural hazard affecting cultural heritage, yet existing flood hazard assessments are typically carried out at broad urban or regional scales. This research presents a high-resolution, two-dimensional modeling framework at the individual-building scale that captures the complex hydrodynamics occurring inside heritage structures. In contrast to conventional methods that depend on flood depth information from large- or urban-scale inundation models, the proposed approach directly integrates detailed architectural and structural features, including basements, openings, irregular floor elevations, and internal layouts, to more realistically simulate the movement of water within buildings. Moreover, exposure and vulnerability of artworks are considered to provide management guidelines for flood mitigation. The framework is applied to the Marini Museum in Florence, Italy, using an offline-coupled hydraulic model linked to a 2D urban flood model to reproduce water entry, interior flow dynamics, and the influence of mitigation strategies. Different types of exhibited artworks are considered for supporting the museum manager in finding the most appropriate exhibition spaces. Findings show that urban-scale flood maps considerably overestimate water depths inside buildings, while the building-scale model successfully represents the spatial variability of inundation across exhibition spaces. Working at this fine spatial resolution offers a stronger basis for evaluating, managing, and adapting to flood risk affecting heritage structures.
How to cite: Arrighi, C., De Lucia, C., and Castelli, F.: Flood risk management for cultural heritage through building-scale inundation and vulnerability modelling, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-10321, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-10321, 2026.
Quantifying stone decay rates in coastal heritage sites remains a major challenge, owing to strong spatial variability in environmental exposure and material properties. This study presents a combined micro-scale and macro-scale investigation of stone deterioration processes at the Castle of Mykonos, a medieval coastal fortification founded directly on crystalline bedrock and exposed to intense marine forcing.
An in situ monitoring experiment was implemented to quantify stone surface recession over time. Corrosion-resistant reference plates (marine-grade 316 stainless steel) were installed on selected stone ashlars of different lithologies, and the surrounding surfaces were replicated using high-precision silicone moulds. Non-contact 3D optical profilometry was applied to the moulds to generate high-resolution surface models at time zero and after one year of exposure. Surface roughness parameters and elevation differences between stone surfaces and reference plates were computed to determine material loss rates with sub-millimetre accuracy.
Petrographic analyses show that the castle masonry consists mainly of granitic and tonalitic orthogneisses, with subordinate crystalline marbles. These lithologies display markedly different deterioration behaviours. After one year, marble surfaces show negligible changes in roughness and elevation, indicating high resistance to salt-related decay. In contrast, gneissic stones exhibit severe surface recession and textural degradation, including preferential detachment of feldspar porphyroclasts. Quantitative measurements indicate average material losses of approximately 1.6 mm, locally reaching up to 2.7 mm, accompanied by a significant increase in surface roughness.
Ion chromatography analyses of soluble salts reveal a strong marine signature, dominated by chlorides with subordinate sulphates. Salt concentrations are systematically higher at stone surfaces than in near-surface layers, but their spatial distribution does not correlate straightforwardly with proximity to the shoreline, highlighting the complexity of salt transport and accumulation processes in coastal masonry.
At the macro-scale, photogrammetric surveys were conducted to assess the structural condition of the bedrock underlying a seawards-facing wall of the Church of Sotira (Panagia Paraportiani complex). Mapping of discontinuities reveals a dense network of steeply dipping conjugate joints and subordinate foliation-parallel planes, which subdivide the bedrock into decimetric blocks. Salt-enhanced joint opening, combined with the load of overlying masonry, promotes block detachment, progressive undercutting, and local instability of the foundation.
The integration of quantitative micro-scale decay measurements with structural analysis of the supporting bedrock provides a robust framework for assessing deterioration rates and stability risks in coastal heritage sites, with direct implications for long-term monitoring and conservation planning.
Acknowledgement:
This research has been funded by European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under THETIDA project (Grant Agreement No. 101095253) (Technologies and methods for improved resilience and sustainable preservation of underwater and coastal cultural heritage to cope with climate change, natural hazards and environmental pollution).
How to cite: Mazzoli, C., Germinario, L., Bubola, F., Bergomi, A., and Comite, V.: Coupling Micro-Scale Stone Decay Measurements with Bedrock Fracture Analysis at the Castle of Mykonos, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-19579, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-19579, 2026.
Posters virtual: Fri, 8 May, 14:00–18:00 | vPoster spot 4
EGU26-1934 | ECS | Posters virtual | VPS7
From Divers to Communities: An IoT-Based Crowdsourcing Sensing Approach to Protect Underwater Heritage SitesFri, 08 May, 14:21–14:24 (CEST) vPoster spot 4
Underwater cultural heritage, such as ancient shipwrecks and submerged archaeological sites, faces increasing risks from climate-driven environmental changes. Salinity shifts, temperature anomalies, and biofouling contribute to the degradation of these resources [1]. This study explores deploying 12 IoT-enabled devices with a crowdsourcing strategy to monitor and address these challenges effectively.
Three device variants are available: Type 1 features an acrylic enclosure and is deployable either from boats at depths of 2–3 meters or by divers for short-duration deployments. Type 2 uses an aluminum enclosure and is designed for long-term seabed deployments. Types 1 and 2 both measure temperature, salinity, and pressure. Type 3 is a specialized variant that replaces the pressure sensor with a chlorophyll sensor and is intended for monitoring algal concentrations.
Each device incorporates a data logger built on a microcontroller, connected to sensors via serial interfaces such as RS485 and I2C. The microcontroller interfaces with sensors to record measurements, storing data locally until retrieval. All devices feature a power management system with custom-designed PCBs for efficient energy use.
Data gathered by the devices is stored locally and transferred to a cloud platform via an intuitive mobile app. Communication between the devices and the smartphone uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), while data uploads to the cloud. The application provides immediate and structured access to the data, eliminating the need for additional hardware or infrastructure and enabling seamless data availability without added operational costs.
Community participation plays a central role in this system. Local communities deploy and retrieve boat-based sensors, improving the coverage and frequency of monitoring activities. By pooling data from various contributors, detailed information of environmental conditions near cultural heritage sites is acquired.
The devices are subject to thorough calibration, either through controlled sensing operations or by comparison with ground-truth data acquisitions, to ensure reliable data collection. Conductivity sensors are standardized against established salinity benchmarks, temperature sensors are tested using laboratory-grade reference instruments, pressure sensors are calibrated in controlled pressure chambers, and chlorophyll sensors are validated using fluorescence reference standards.
Field trials at four underwater sites tested the system under diverse conditions, providing a robust environment to assess device performance and crowdsourcing effectiveness. Feedback from divers, local participants, and heritage professionals refined functionality. Adjustments included stronger enclosures, improved BLE connection stability and an enhanced mobile app interface.
This study demonstrates the potential of combining smart sensor technology with community engagement to protect underwater heritage. Leveraging IoT devices and collaboration expands monitoring, reduces costs, and fosters local stewardship, offering a scalable, sustainable solution to mitigate environmental impacts on submerged cultural treasures.
References:
[1] P. Michalis, C. Mazzoli, V. Karathanassi, D. I. Kaya, F. Martins; M. Cocco, A. Guy and A. Amditis, "THETIDA: Enhanced Resilience and Sustainable Preservation of Underwater and Coastal Cultural Heritage," IGARSS 2024 - 2024 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Athens, Greece, 2024, pp. 2208-2211, doi: 10.1109/IGARSS53475.2024.10642229.
[2] L. Pavlopoulos, P. Michalis, M. Vlachos, A. Georgakopoulos, C. Tsiakos and A. Amditis, "Integrated Sensing Solutions for Monitoring Heritage Risks," IGARSS 2024 - 2024 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Athens, Greece, 2024, pp. 3352-3355, doi: 10.1109/IGARSS53475.2024.10641101.
Acknowledgement:
This research has been funded by European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under THETIDA project (Grant Agreement No. 101095253).
How to cite: Gkatzogias, A., Bitas, D., Georgiou, K., Amditis, A., and Michalis, P.: From Divers to Communities: An IoT-Based Crowdsourcing Sensing Approach to Protect Underwater Heritage Sites, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-1934, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-1934, 2026.
EGU26-20603 | ECS | Posters virtual | VPS7
How climate change rewrites metal decay: forecasting ancient shipwreck corrosion under acidified seawaterFri, 08 May, 14:24–14:27 (CEST) vPoster spot 4
Underwater cultural heritage sites are under increasing pressure from emerging environmental risks: warmer waters and changing seawater chemistry are accelerating corrosion processes in ways that remain difficult to quantify in terms of their impacts on protected archaeological metals. This work proposes an experimental approach that makes these changes measurable and comparable across sites using metallic coupons carefully selected to match materials revealed from a series of wrecks. Coupons were deployed at different depths at four different locations, and retrieved at fixed time intervals. The development of corrosion layers, concretions, and biofouling in the natural environment was investigated. Observations were integrated with results from a second experimental approach. The same set of coupons was exposed to controlled environmental conditions using a custom Micro-Environment Simulator (MES). MES was set to reproduce marine conditions at 4 bar gauge pressure (40 m depth), 20 °C water temperature, and pH 7.7, simulating ocean acidification by the end of this century according to the CMIP6 projections for the Mediterranean under the SSP5-8.5 Warming 4 °C scenario. Results have shown a significant shift in electrochemical equilibria under declining pH, significantly influencing the stability of the corrosion products, and determining a shift in the behaviour of the corrosion layers from protective barrier to pathway for continued metal loss. By linking corrosion behaviour to specific environmental settings, the approach provides indicators of when and where deterioration is likely to accelerate under future scenarios. These outputs support preventive strategies for underwater metallic heritage by identifying high-risk wreck contexts, and guiding actions before irreversible loss occurs.
Acknowledgement:
This research has been funded by European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under THETIDA project (Grant Agreement No. 101095253) (Technologies and methods for improved resilience and sustainable preservation of underwater and coastal cultural heritage to cope with climate change, natural hazards and environmental pollution).
How to cite: Cesareo, L. P., Germinario, L., Salvemini, F., MacLeod, I. D., Marchettoni, E., Ambrosi, C., Donnarumma, L., Sorci, A., and Mazzoli, C.: How climate change rewrites metal decay: forecasting ancient shipwreck corrosion under acidified seawater, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-20603, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-20603, 2026.
EGU26-2191 | Posters virtual | VPS7
The western Peloponnese coastline cultural landscape: cultural heritage management policy tools for making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainableFri, 08 May, 14:27–14:30 (CEST) vPoster spot 4
Our cultural memory is permanently endangered and, often, damaged irretrievably, given that cultural disasters, are quite repetitive, whether in cases of man-made or of natural disasters, armed conflicts and climate change combined with earth’s tectonic activity constituting, potentially, the primary causes.
The southwestern Peloponnese in Greece, precisely the region of Pylia, due to its proximity to the Hellenic trench, is considered to be tectonically as one of the most active areas in Greece, representing a major subduction zone. At the same time, it constitutes also a broad area with a very long history and a wealth of archaeological sites and relics. Focusing on the western coastline of the said region, directly exposed to variations of sea level height, as well as to conditions of rapid erosion due to the aggressive components of seawater, it should be considered as an area of urgent priority to be monitored and protected.
Specifically, Voidokilia bay at the western coast of Messenia Prefecture, to the north of Navarino bay, a highly fragile ecosystem, actually under a NATURA Network protection status, constitutes the related case-study. Nevertheless, Voidokilia bay, is also one of the most attractive landscapes worldwide, thus facing rapid tourism challenges, ending up in increased disaster risks, both for the cultural as well as for the environmental assets. Accordingly, an interdisciplinary methodology within the scientific field of digital humanities has been applied for digitizing archaeological sites, excavated or not, underwater or not, as well as for highlighting their interdependence with the wider Messenia region’s archaeological sites network, further combined with trade routes connecting southwestern Peloponnese and the Aegean islands, via southeastern Peloponnese and Attica, thus fulfilling the notion of applied archaeology.
In this context, applying geoinformatics proved to be the most effective methodology for the related holistic cultural heritage management, in the perspective of an effective strategic planning on the part of the State apparatus, whether for private or public works, taking also into consideration charters, European directives and good practices, already applied worldwide, such as people’s community inclusion, in the direction of a public archaeology model.
The cornerstone of the specific research procedure has been extensive documentation, integration of different data types, such as archaeological, bibliographic, (palaeo)environmental, geospatial, remotely sensed imagery, for building up the sites’ multidimensional profile and revealing spatial relations and settlements’ interdependence, further highlighting the related buffer zones, in the perspective of delineating wider areas of archaeological profile, for anticipating the long-standing threats to archaeological assets such as rapidly increasing tourism, mismanaged development, poor excavation and looting, lack of conservation, climate change posing further significant threats to cultural heritage assets.
Conclusively, further constituting a potential contribution to the archaeological cadastre, already established by the Hellenic Republic, as well as proposing mild tourism development for keeping the balance between urban regeneration and environmental protection, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goal 11-Sustainable cities and communities, one of the 17 SDGs established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, with the official mission to “Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.
How to cite: Chroni, A. and Karathanassi, V.: The western Peloponnese coastline cultural landscape: cultural heritage management policy tools for making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-2191, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-2191, 2026.
EGU26-3862 | Posters virtual | VPS7
Connecting Citizens, Science, and Vulnerable Heritage: An AR-Based Approach to Climate ResilienceFri, 08 May, 14:30–14:33 (CEST) vPoster spot 4
The preservation of underwater and coastal cultural heritage is challenged by climate change, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, extreme events and long-term environmental degradation. These threats require not only scientific monitoring and risk assessment, but also active engagement of local communities and stakeholders to foster awareness and citizen centered resilience.
This contribution presents the Augmented Reality (AR) crowdsourcing mobile application, to engage citizens, divers and local communities in exploring heritage sites, understanding climate-related risks and contributing to resilience strategies with collection of ground-truth data. The AR mobile application focuses on providing complex scientific knowledge into intuitive, place-based experiences accessible to non-expert audiences through interactive 3D reconstructions, contextualized information supported by visualizations of environmental and site-specific data over time. The AR mobile app supports enhanced learning and strengthens connections between citizens, heritage sites and scientific evidence, by allowing users to visualize digital content within their physical surroundings.
The application has been deployed across seven underwater and coastal pilot sites: the Equa Shipwreck (La Spezia, Italy), the Albenga A Shipwreck at Gallinara Island (Italy), the Hiorthhamn Arctic mining station (Svalbard, Norway), Lake IJssel (The Netherlands), the B-24 Liberator aircraft wreck (Algarve, Portugal), the Castle of Mykonos (Greece) and the Nissia Shipwreck (Cyprus). Each pilot features a tailored AR campaign reflecting its specific heritage value, ranging from Roman cargo vessels and WWII wrecks to Arctic industrial remains and coastal fortifications. Site-specific content visualises relevant climate hazards such as erosion, sea-level rise, storm impacts and material decay, while enabling users to explore excavation layers, alternative site states and historical reconstructions. The AR experiences are built using optimised 3D scans, reconstruction models, archival imagery, curated scientific content with interactive Points of Interest. Dynamic visualisations illustrate processes such as habitat formation, sediment movement, and structural transformation, supporting a deeper understanding of how environmental change affects heritage over time. All content has been developed in close collaboration with domain experts to ensure scientific accuracy and educational value.
A citizen-engagement study has been conducted to assess usability, user motivation, and the application’s effectiveness in raising awareness of climate risks to cultural heritage. Full validation across all pilot sites is taking place, ensuring that results reflect the cultural, geographic and environmental diversity of the seven pilot sites.
Acknowledgement:
This research has been funded by European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under THETIDA project (Grant Agreement No. 101095253) (Technologies and methods for improved resilience and sustainable preservation of underwater and coastal cultural heritage to cope with climate change, natural hazards and environmental pollution).
How to cite: Koukoudis, K., Katika, T., Touramanis, A., Amditis, A., and Michalis, P.: Connecting Citizens, Science, and Vulnerable Heritage: An AR-Based Approach to Climate Resilience , EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-3862, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-3862, 2026.
EGU26-9183 | Posters virtual | VPS7
Digital Integration of Environmental, Socio-Economic and Hazard Data for Heritage ResilienceFri, 08 May, 14:33–14:36 (CEST) vPoster spot 4
Cultural heritage is exposed to a wide range of risks arising from natural processes, extreme events and human activities, making heritage resilience a challenging and complex issue. Existing risk assessment and management approaches often lack cohesion, difficult to access or insufficiently aligned with the everyday needs of heritage managers and local communities, resulting in gaps in understanding, as well as preparedness and response capacity.
This contribution focuses on addressing these challenges by merging scientific knowledge, field-based experience, and community generated awareness through an integrated digital environment. Within the European project THETIDA, a web-based visualization and decision-support platform has been developed with the main objective of supporting a holistic understanding of cultural heritage resilience. The platform integrates hazard information, environmental monitoring data, socio-economic indicators and spatial representations within a single, accessible interface, enabling users to explore and understand how multiple risks interact and affect heritage assets and their surrounding environments.
The platform delivers three main categories of services: (i) Remote Sensing–Based Services, including inundation and flood prediction, coastal erosion monitoring, material degradation mapping, land-use change detection, and geo-hazard assessment; (ii) In-Situ Sensing Services, supporting on-site monitoring and material characterization; and (iii) a Decision Support System providing seismic hazard analysis, multi-risk assessment, and socio-economic impact evaluation. Interactive geospatial functionalities allow users to explore datasets through structured spatial representations, such as hexagonal grid systems and visualize multiple data layers simultaneously. The system operates through standard web browsers without the need for specialized GIS software, ensuring accessibility for diverse user groups, including heritage professionals, decision-makers and local communities. Multiple data formats, such as GeoJSON, TIFF, PDF, 3D models and imagery, are processed and visualized in near real time within the platform.
Τhe results demonstrate that the integration of digital tools is not only considered as a technological advancement but also as a key enabler for collaboration, participation and sustainable heritage management. Interactive and cooperative digital environments can significantly enhance the resilience of cultural heritage sites to climate and disaster-related risks, supporting informed, inclusive and actionable management strategies.
Acknowledgement:
This research has been funded by European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under THETIDA project (Grant Agreement No. 101095253) (Technologies and methods for improved resilience and sustainable preservation of underwater and coastal cultural heritage to cope with climate change, natural hazards and environmental pollution).
How to cite: Georgiou, K., Routsis, K., Michalis, P., and Amditis, A.: Digital Integration of Environmental, Socio-Economic and Hazard Data for Heritage Resilience, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-9183, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-9183, 2026.
EGU26-14335 | Posters virtual | VPS7
Breaking Disciplinary Boundaries: Bringing the Biological Role out of the Blind Spot in DRF-Based Assessments of Limestone Weathering under a Changing ClimateFri, 08 May, 14:42–14:45 (CEST) vPoster spot 4
Limestone cultural heritage has increasingly been threatened by the complex interplay of climatic stressors, air pollution, and biological colonization. In this STECCI study, a bio-geochemical dose-response framework was introduced to quantify and interpret the decay of stećci-medieval tombstones constructed from locally sourced limestone, across fifteen culturally significant sites in Southeastern Europe. While existing dose-response functions (DRFs) have traditionally been applied to climatic, chemical and physical weathering, biological link has often been in the Blind Spot, despite mounting evidence that lichens, mosses, and microbial taxa contribute actively to stone decay.
Two widely used DRF models Lipfert (1989) and Kucera et al. (2007) were applied to multi-decadal environmental data (1992-2023), accounting for variations in precipitation, temperature, and pollutant load (SO₂, NOₓ, PM₁₀). Bioassement surveys were conducted to record biological colonization using a modified Braun-Blanquet scale and photographic quadrat sampling. At the same toime, spatial overlays of DRF results and biological data were produced to identify zones of specific vulnerability, where climatic exposure and biodeteriogen presence were observed to overlap. As expected, the Lipfert model responded more strongly to high-precipitation karstic settings, while the Kucera model captured the cumulative effect of pollutants and humidity in urban sites. However, both models were shown to underestimate decay in areas with extensive lichen or moss coverage, highlighting the need for biotic factors to be integrated into predictive modeling. To address this, a multi-stressor approach was developed, coupling DRF-predicted surface recession with biological indicators and introdicing b coficient within the both mathematical models, as Lithobiontic organisms, such as Lobothallia cheresina, Xanthoria elegans, and Grimmia pulvinata, were found to contribute to micro-fracturing, mineral leaching, and, most importantly, moisture retention, often acting synergistically with atmospheric deposition. Based on these insights, a STECCI Preservation Measures Assessment tool was proposed to classify heritage sites according to modeled decay, biocolonization intensity, and conservation urgency.
This integrative methodology was conducted to sharp the diagnostic capacity of DRFs and enabled the generation of science-based insights, integrating risk assessment models for heritage exposed to climatic, natural, and anthropogenic hazards. In light of projected climate shifts and persistent anthropogenic emissions, it is recommended that heritage conservation efforts adopt bio-geo diagnostics to transition from reactive toward preventive conservation strategies. The approach presented here is transferable to other limestone heritage materials and contributes to the growing discourse on climate-resilient cultural heritage preservation.
Acknowledgement: The STECCI project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101094822 (STECCI), managed by the European Research Executive Agency (REA).
How to cite: Radulović, S., Anačkov, G., Radak, B., Ilić, M., Radulović, B., Novković, M., Djug, S., Smailagić Vesnić, L., Ibragić, S., and Dresković, N.: Breaking Disciplinary Boundaries: Bringing the Biological Role out of the Blind Spot in DRF-Based Assessments of Limestone Weathering under a Changing Climate, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-14335, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-14335, 2026.
EGU26-5292 | Posters virtual | VPS7
ABSTRACT - Overall Contribution of EM4C to the TRIQUETRA ProjectFri, 08 May, 14:45–14:48 (CEST) vPoster spot 4
The contribution of EM4C to the TRIQUETRA project addressed a central challenge in contemporary cultural heritage protection: transforming complex scientific risk assessment knowledge into practical, operational tools that support informed decision-making by professionals and heritage authorities. From the outset, EM4C adopted an application-oriented approach, extending beyond academic research to the development of structured methodologies and digital decision-support tools aligned with real-world conservation needs.
EM4C’s involvement spanned the full project lifecycle, from methodological design and knowledge structuring (WP3) to validation and evaluation (WP6), assessment of exploitation potential and future development pathways (WP7), and contribution to reporting and documentation activities (WP1). This integrated engagement ensured continuity between research, implementation, evaluation, and long-term usability of project outcomes.
Within WP3, and particularly Task 3.6, EM4C acted as task leader for the development of tools, methods, and technologies aimed at mitigating risks to cultural heritage sites. The work recognized that heritage vulnerability results from the interaction of multiple factors, including construction materials, environmental conditions, historical interventions, patterns of use, and diverse natural hazards exacerbated by climate change. Rather than addressing these factors in isolation, EM4C developed a structured framework reflecting real-world site behavior, where risks emerge through combined and cumulative effects over time.
A major challenge identified was the extreme complexity of potential risk scenarios. Initial theoretical analysis showed that more than 1.8 million combinations could arise when accounting for all variables, rendering manual assessment impractical. EM4C addressed this through a rational reduction process, grouping construction materials into four realistic tri-material combinations commonly found in heritage sites. This filtering reduced the scenario space to 15,120 valid and prioritized cases, maintaining representativeness while ensuring usability.
These scenarios were implemented digitally through two decision-support tools: the M REPORT ENGINE for monument-scale assessments and the LS REPORT ENGINE for landscape-scale risk management. Both tools generate structured technical outputs based on user-selected parameters such as materials, hazards, and risk intensity. Crucially, the proposed conservation and protection measures are grounded in an extensive manual synthesis of scientific literature, technical guidelines, and recognized good practices, ensuring technical accuracy, consistent terminology, and non-commercial neutrality.
The developed tools were evaluated within WP6 through presentations and hands-on assessments involving conservators, engineers, and cultural heritage authorities, including representatives of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. Feedback collected through questionnaires and qualitative observations confirmed the tools’ clarity, relevance, and capacity to support structured decision-making, while also identifying directions for future refinement.
Within WP7, EM4C assessed the exploitation potential of the model and tools, demonstrating their adaptability to diverse institutional contexts and their suitability as flexible decision-support systems. The work highlighted their potential evolution into more specialized, data-integrated applications.
Overall, EM4C’s contribution effectively bridged theory and practice, delivering scientifically robust yet operationally meaningful tools that enhance the long-term impact and applicability of the TRIQUETRA approach to cultural heritage risk management.
How to cite: Spyrakos, V.: ABSTRACT - Overall Contribution of EM4C to the TRIQUETRA Project , EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-5292, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-5292, 2026.
EGU26-1982 | Posters virtual | VPS7
Underwater Operations for Data Collection in Integrated Cultural Heritage Monitoring and ProtectionFri, 08 May, 15:18–15:21 (CEST) vPoster spot 4
Underwater cultural heritage (UCH) is threatened by climatic risks, natural hazards, pollution and human induced activities, which increases the need for integrated monitoring approaches that combine advanced technologies with reliable in situ observations. This study presents the experience gained during underwater operations carried out in THETIDA project. This involved the deployment of coordinated teams of specialized and recreational divers across four Mediterranean pilot sites for data collection and documentation in support of integrated monitoring and protection of UCH sites. Diving teams were systematically deployed to collect various datasets (e.g. high-resolution photographic and video data), perform archaeological measurements, mapping using established underwater archaeology techniques and provide ground truth and spatial referencing data using a series of underwater technologies (e.g. wearable sensors, hyperspectral cameras, autonomous under water vehicles, among others).
At the 18th-century Nissia shipwreck (Cyprus), diving operations were carried out in parallel with a site excavation, hyperspectral imaging of wooden structures, material and biofouling sampling and the deployment of wearable, seabed and boat operated environmental sensing systems. Comparable methodologies were applied at deeper sites, including the WWII Equa shipwreck and the Roman Albenga II shipwreck of Gallinara Island (Italy), as well as the WWII B-24 Liberator aircraft (Portugal). Across these sites, divers performed detailed photogrammetric surveys and 3D reconstructions, in operations under constrained visibility and challenging conditions, putting into practice the validation of the performance and durability of prototype underwater sensing devices. Diver observations obtained at sites were also considered essential for the identification of site-specific risks, such as sediment mobility, biological colonization and physical disturbances. In addition to scientific data acquisition, the underwater operations supported participatory monitoring through citizen-science activities (operation of boat sensing devices), aiming to contribute to long-term site and data continuity.
The obtained results demonstrate that diving underwater operations are considered to be a key complementary component for integrated UCH monitoring, merging knowledge from specialist expertise with sensor-based systems in an effort to enhance informed conservation and protection strategies. Data gathered is also essential for the development of hazard and risk models that allow the prediction and aid the management of these UCH. The experience gained indicates that diving data collection is essential for integrating archaeological documentation, environmental sensing, and survey data under real field conditions. Underwater diver-led operations can serve as both primary data collectors and ground-truth contributors effectively bridging together human expertise with advanced monitoring technologies for the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
Acknowledgement:
This research has been funded by European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under THETIDA project (Grant Agreement No. 101095253) (Technologies and methods for improved resilience and sustainable preservation of underwater and coastal cultural heritage to cope with climate change, natural hazards and environmental pollution).
How to cite: Michalis, P., Demesticha, S., Giatsiatsou, P., Demetriou, A., Ruberti, F., Gabotto, G., Martins, F., Mazzoli, C., and Amditis, A.: Underwater Operations for Data Collection in Integrated Cultural Heritage Monitoring and Protection, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-1982, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-1982, 2026.
