cultural heritage in polar regions (culpol) natural and human

Cultural Heritage in Polar Regions (CULPOL)

Natural and human impact on cultural heritage sites and environments

Thuestad, A.1, Myrvoll, M.1, Flyen, A. C.2, Tømmervik, H.3, Barlindhaug, S.1 & Myrvoll, E. R.1

1High North Department, Norwegian Institute of Cultural Heritage Research, 2Buildings Department, Norwegian Institute of Cultural Heritage Research & 3Arctic Ecology Department, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research

Cultural heritage management in polar regions is a challenging endeavour as management authorities face impacts from climate and environmental change as well as increasing human

activity. Cultural Heritage in Polar Regions (CULPOL) is a research project that addresses the challenges of safeguarding and managing World Heritage Sites in these areas. A focal research

issue is to investigate methodological approaches to monitoring cultural heritage sites and environments. The objective is to strengthen the knowledge base for management and decision-

making processes, thus contributing to a holistic approach to management and a progressive, knowledge-based cultural heritage management of World Heritage Sites in Polar Regions.

World cultural heritage in a changing Polar landscape:

future management

As a potential World Heritage Site, the Svalbard Archipelago

is expected to be exposed to increasing human activity and

tourism. The central research issue is national management

regimes concerning the safeguarding and management of

the Archipelago.

Project and WP leader: Marit Myrvoll marit.myrvoll@niku.no

Vulnerability and indicators of change

Cultural heritage sites and environments on Svalbard are

vulnerable. Central research issues are: Why are they

vulnerable and what are the threats? The aim is to identify

indicators of change trough focusing on degradation

parameters like natural hazards, biological degradation and

human activity/tourism.

WP leader: Anne Cathrine Flyen anne.flyen@niku.no

Remote sensing in monitoring cultural heritage sites and

environments

Remote sensing is extensively used for surveying and

monitoring purposes. The central research issue is to

evaluate possibilities and limitations of high-resolution

remote sensing as a tool for monitoring cultural heritage

sites and environments in Polar Regions.

WP leader: Hans Tømmervik hans.tommervik@nina.no

Single grave located at the burial ground at Likneset. Photo: Anne Cathrine Flyen Erosion edge at Hiorthhamn in Adventfjorden. Photo: Anne Cathrine Flyen Aerial photography showing channels NIR-R-G (near infrared) from Ny London.

Photo: Norwegian Polar Institute. In: Tømmervik, H. et al. 2012

References: Tømmervik, H., Johansen, B. & Karlsen S. R. 2012: Metodikk i forbindelse med flykartlegging av

markslitasje på Svalbard. NINA Minirapport 385 For further information see niku.no/culpol