REFLECTIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CULTURAL LANDSCAPES

Abstract

Climate change profoundly affects not only ecological processes but also cultural landscapes, which encompass historical, aesthetic, and socio-cultural values. Rising temperatures, sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and shifting precipitation patterns disrupt the ecological balance of these complex systems, which comprise both natural and human-made elements, undermine their spatial integrity, and threaten the traditional livelihoods of local communities. This study aims to examine the multidimensional impacts of climate change on cultural landscapes and to develop strategic recommendations for conservation policies.
The study addresses the climate-induced vulnerabilities of cultural landscapes of various scales and typologies, including historic urban fabrics listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, coastal settlements, agricultural terrace systems, and sacred sites. In addition to erosion, salinisation, loss of biodiversity, and disruptions in hydrological cycles, the study discusses socio-economic impacts that threaten local communities’ cultural practices and traditional knowledge systems. Furthermore, the study emphasises the importance of landscape-scale climate adaptation strategies, risk-based conservation approaches, green infrastructure implementation, and community engagement.
The findings indicate that cultural landscapes exhibit both physical and cultural vulnerabilities to climate change, and that conservation policies should not be limited to structural measures but instead be grounded in a holistic adaptation perspective incorporating local knowledge and community participation. Moreover, it provides a roadmap for decision-makers and planners to develop sustainable conservation strategies by adopting an interdisciplinary perspective at the intersection of climate change and cultural heritage.