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Project title

Climate Change Vulnerability of Cultural Landscapes and Intangible Heritage: An integrative people-centered approach

Primary Funding Agency

Irish Research Council

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Lead Organisation

University College Dublin

Lead Applicant

Not listed

Project Abstract

Climate change is affecting cultural landscapes around the world. To quantify this threat, a common methodology across disciplines is the Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) which assesses the degree to which a system is susceptible to adverse effects of climate change. However, in the heritage field CVAs often fail to involve local communities and lack holistic perspectives that consider not only the heritage site but integrate its surrounding landscape and connected intangible heritage traditions. I will design and develop an innovative CVA framework that addresses this knowledge gap. While this approach has application at numerous cultural landscapes, I will select two climatically similar case studies in rural, marginalised areas with traditional, biocultural heritage threatened by and exposed to rapid climate change. The case study site 'Vega archipelago' in Norway is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for the intangible heritage tradition of eider duck tending and collection of their down feathers. Compelling comparative case studies are Atlantic locations with similar eider duck traditions (Brei�afj�r�ur (Iceland)/Hudson Bay (Canada)). I will apply my CVA to my case studies using documentary research, secondary use of science data and primary research in the form of community interviews. This people-centred approach will emphasise climate change impacts on community values and knowledge systems at the selected cultural landscapes. By integrating these intangible traditions, local landscape management, and sustainability of traditional livelihoods into my CVA, I will contribute to a holistic interpretation of the sites� abilities to adjust to climate change. My research will explore similarities and differences in perspectives and adaptation strategies between the two case studies and inform the transferability of my framework. I will investigate the potential for sustainable monitoring of my case study sites via citizen science to expand the applicability of my CVA beyond a PhD project into the daily lives of communities.

Grant Approved

�123,000.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

3. Climate Solutions, Transition Management and Opportunities

Start Date

01/09/2023

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/08/2027