Editorial: Patrimony assessment and sustainable land resource management

Abstract

Human pressure on the environment was defined in 2011 in terms of “global changes”, including climate changes, alterations in energy flows, and land cover and use changes. The three leading causes of environmental degradation act separately and together, resulting in irreversible changes. Heritage sites worldwide are facing increasing threats from degradation and destruction due to risk factors generated by natural environmental causes (such as climate change, floods, earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, avalanches, or coastal dynamics) and human activities (such as mass tourism, unplanned urbanization, destructive development projects, conflicts, theft, vandalism, and air and visual pollution). Often, heritage sites contain rich biodiversity but also important cultural assets, and their distinct character is the result of these two factors. In order to preserve heritage sites, it is important not only to separately address biodiversity and cultural issues, but also to address their traditional interaction.