Conservation Practices Research Articles

Intangible Cultural Heritage and UK Built Heritage Practice: Opportunities and Future Directions

ABSTRACT The UK’s ratification of Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in March 2024 signals a formal commitment to engage with the concept of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). This article investigates how this commitment could reshape built heritage practices in the UK through fostering a more integrated relationship between the tangible and intangible qualities of heritage. It argues that prioritising this interface is essential for contemporary built heritage management, ensuring the diverse cultural values embedded in the historic environment are represented. After examining the broader UK context, the article narrows focus to England, where Historic England’s guidance and initiatives demonstrate how shifts in policy and practice could materialise in response to the convention. The article concludes by proposing three key opportunity areas that could emerge from emphasising the tangible–intangible relationship: 1) evolving understandings of heritage, community and participation; 2) recognising the mutual influence of ICH and physical heritage; and 3) strengthening place-based cultural practices. These opportunities offer a timely pathway for the UK to become a thought leader in heritage management by aligning conservation practices with evolving cultural values and community involvement, thus setting a new benchmark for built heritage management in a Western European context.

Meta-Analysis on Farmers’ Adoption of Agricultural Technologies in East Africa: Evidence from Chinese Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centers

Farmers’ low agricultural productivity in East African countries is attributed to among other factors, the low application of modern agricultural technologies. Using meta-analysis this study intended to examine the determinants of adoption of agricultural technologies in East African countries recipients of Chinese Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centers (ATDCs). A comprehensive review employed to gather 22 studies addressing the determinants of adoption of agricultural technologies such as improved varieties, agricultural mechanization, soil conservation, and animal breeding from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. The collected data were analyzed using STATA 17 software. The study used a random-effect model to estimate the determinants of agricultural technologies adoption. The findings demonstrated that access to credit, age, education, farming experience, farmer group membership, household size, and off-farm income have a significant influence on farmers ‘adoption of improved varieties. Age, farm size, and education have a significant influence on the adoption of agricultural mechanization. Soil conservation practices are influenced by age, household size, and sex. Moreover, age, education, extension services, and farming experience have a significant impact on the adoption of animal breeding. It is recommended that East African governments, policymakers, and agricultural practitioners to focus on these common variables when planning for the intervention of new agricultural technologies.

Vetiver [Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty]: An Aromatic Root Crop for Soil and Water Conservation

Khus grass or vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) is a hardy perennial aromatic grass with long enormous tufted fibrous root system. Commercially, dry roots are used for extraction of essential oil that acts as a fixative in perfumery industry worldwide. Besides, vetiver roots are used in medicinal and pharmaceutical industries to treat rheumatism, arthritis, gouty joints, paralysis and indigestion. Roots and root oil have strong anti-oxidant, stimulant, carminative and cooling properties and used in Ayurvedic medicines. Traditionally, vetiver plants are being used to cultivate across hill slopes, waterways and wastelands to reduce runoff and soil conservation. During 1990’s World bank was promoting use of vetiver grass as contour vegetative barrier in upland farming systems of Asian and African countries. Further, recent studies report the use of vetiver in phytoremediation, reclamation of mined lands and soil and water detoxification in addition to carbon sequestration. Due to introduction of modern cultivation practices, traditional soil conservation practices are being vanished gradually over a period of time. In this regard, an attempt has been made to review the scientific evidence for use of vetiver grass as a soil and water conservation measure along with phytoremediation.

The LTAR Cropland Common Experiment at Lower Chesapeake Bay.

The Lower Chesapeake Bay (LCB) Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Common Experiment (CE) located in Beltsville, MD, focuses on research of concern to producers of the major regional crops, which are corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and various forage species. Livestock production in the region includes broiler and laying chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus L.) and dairy and beef cattle (Bos taurus L.). The LCB region is among the most heavily populated in the United States. Urban development pressure is high for both farms and natural areas. The need to restore Chesapeake Bay water quality is a major influence on regional agricultural practices. Conservation practices such as cover cropping, no-till agriculture, and nutrient management planning are more common in the region compared to nationally. However, farmers still face management challenges implementing practices that address water quality and the rise of herbicide-resistant weeds. Researchers at the LCB site recognize the need to protect the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays and maintain farmer profitability. The LCB CE compares a 3-year crop rotation system featuring alternative crop management (cover crop intensification, crop rotation diversification, and integrated weed management [IWM]) with a prevailing 2-year system (no cover crops and no IWM), both under continuous no-tillage, to identify the optimal balance to promote the sustainability of regional cropping systems. The LTAR LCB site provides data-driven tools and solutions to support farmers in the mid-Atlantic region.

The Changing Roles of the Building Guild in Construction, Maintenance, and Conservation of Earth Buildings: A Case Study

A guild is an association of artisans or merchants that oversee their craft or trade within a particular territory. In many cultures, building guilds have played a major role in the realisation and maintenance of earth buildings, as well as in the standardisation and dissemination of skills in the building trade. Zaria, in northern Nigeria, is one such traditional settlement where an earth building guild (magina) once played these key roles. Although the guild still exists and traditional titles are still bestowed to members of the guild, its role has changed significantly. Causes for this change are multifaceted but related, as identified during the fieldwork. The aim of this article is to present findings on the changing roles of the earth building guild (magina) in Zaria and how this change is affecting both the practice of earthen architecture and conservation of earth buildings in the city. This study began in 2021 whilst working on a conservation of earth building in Zaria, which involved the engagement of traditional builders (magina) from Zaria, led by Katukan Magina (deputy chief builder) and a member of the earth building guild from Djenne, Mali (Boubacar Kouroumanse). A deeper interest in the Zaria building guild ensued, which led to the further research presented in this article. The review of the existing literature provided a historical background to the Zaria building guild (magina). A comparative analysis of the literature and data generated from interviews and condition surveys were use for the identification of the changes that occur over time. Similarly, a proposal for positive change within the building guild was proposed using an example of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gel Cleaning in Heritage: Comparison of the Water Release among Gels and Traditional Pads

Water release is a crucial aspect when considering cleaning effects on water-sensitive materials. In conservation practice, a water-based cleaning method which limits water release is very often needed. Unfortunately, this is not accompanied by an appropriate measure of the effectively released water. In this paper, water release has been measured by comparing traditional cleaning formulations, such as paper pulp and sepiolite, with several gar gel formulations, used by both Italian and European conservators. The assessment has been carried out by the gravimetric method, using three different stone material specimens as reference: Noto calcarenite, Manciano sandstone and Black Bergamo limestone, whose porosity values and distributions are known. Moreover, water distribution has been evaluated by portable NMR tests. Different commercial agar gel products (Bresciani, CTS, Sigma), having different concentrations (3, 4, and 5%), application modes (rigid at room T or fluid warm gels, with and without inserting Japanese tissue paper), and geometry (horizontal in gravity force direction or vertical), have been compared to obtain a full scenario among different water release mechanisms present in real conservation works. The paper faces the important issue of preparing reproducible chemical or water pads as well, useful for further research aimed at comparing cleaning effects in heritage conservation. The most interesting quantitative results can be summarized as follows. The water release measured from paper pulp and sepiolite was found to be 2 to 4 times higher than from any tested agar gel. Water release decreases by increasing agar concentration; an increase in the agar concentration by 1% induces a decrease in water release in the range 16.98–66.88 g depending on the stone; the increase from 4% to 5% is more obvious with respect to that from 3% to 4%. It is possible to assess the effect of the presence of Japanese paper, which is able to reduce the water release from 18 to 76%, depending on the stone and on the agar used. The gravimetric results were also used in the preliminary calibration tests of a contact probe named System Unit Salinity Index (SUSI), recently patented and useful in providing humidity and salinity indexes in a given porous material.

Genetic Diversity and Evolutionary Biology of Indian Wildlife- A Review

The genetic diversity and evolutionary biology of Indian wildlife, emphasizing the critical role of genetic variability in ensuring species adaptability and long-term survival. India is one of the world’s megadiverse countries, home to a wide range of unique flora and fauna spread across its biodiversity hotspots, including the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas. However, rapid habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and poaching have severely impacted the genetic health of many wildlife species, leading to reduced gene flow, population bottlenecks, and increased inbreeding. This has heightened the risk of extinction for small, isolated populations such as the Asiatic lion and the Great Indian bustard. Genetic studies using advanced genomic tools have provided key insights into the population structure, phylogenetic relationships, and adaptive potential of species like the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, and snow leopard. Conservation strategies, including genetic rescue, habitat corridors, and the use of captive breeding programs, are recommended to preserve genetic diversity and prevent further genetic erosion. Technological advances, such as non-invasive sampling and bioinformatics, are transforming wildlife research, enabling more precise and less intrusive genetic monitoring. The integration of genetic data into conservation policies and practices is essential for developing targeted management plans that maintain the evolutionary potential of Indian wildlife.

Investigating the Relationship between Awareness and Ecotourism Engagement among Academic staff in the Faculty of Agriculture Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

The study examined awareness of ecotourism among academic staff in the faculty of agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto using semi structured questionnaire to elicit information on socioeconomic factors, awareness, participation in ecotourism, constraints to participation in ecotourism and perception of respondents towards ecotourism. Complete enumeration was used to administer questionnaire to eighty respondents (N=80) belonging to seven departments: Agricultural economics (n=10), Agricultural extension and rural development (n=08), Animal science (n=15), Crop science (n=12), Fisheries and Aquaculture (n=09), Forestry and Environment (n=09) and Soil science (n=16). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and ordinal regression. Results showed that majority of the respondents are male (96.3%) and married (98.8%). Majority have PhD (78.7%) with 10-20 years lecturing experience. Most of the respondents are aware of ecotourism (90%) and they got the information through academic line (52.2%) but only 36.3% have ever embarked on ecotourism trip. Busy office schedules were the major problems that affect respondents’ participation in ecotourism (55%). A significant relationship exists between age and respondents’ participation in ecotourism activities (χ2 =13.137). Ordinal logistic regression results showed that age (1.315) and educational qualifications (1.671) are significant predictors of respondent’s perception towards ecotourism (R2=0.27). Travels to ecotourism destinations are quite poor among the members of academic staff in the faculty of Agriculture in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, despite their level of education and their stance on biodiversity conservation practices. Academic staffs in tertiary institutions are encouraged to make use of their annual leave to embark on ecotourism trip.

Conservation of Waterlogged Wooden Structures from the Late Bronze Age at İnönü Cave (Türkiye)

ABSTRACT During the excavations carried out in the İnönü Cave, located within the Western Black Sea region of Türkiye, four separate floor structures made of wood, dating back to the Late Bronze Age (1436-1123 Cal BCE), were unearthed. The way the corners of the structures are connected shows that the structures were built with the çantı or bell technique, a traditional nail-less wooden architectural form of the Black Sea region. Thanks to the wet and stable environmental conditions within the cave, the wooden floors have survived and are well preserved from the Late Bronze Age to the present day. This study presents the details of the conservation practices developed and deployed in order to ensure that the wooden floors are well protected and remain available for study in the short and medium term.

Automated Bird Species Identification Through Machine Learning Techniques

The taxonomy of bird species is fundamental to ecological research, conservation efforts, and biodiversity monitoring. Traditional identification methods, which rely on field notes and visual assessments by trained ornithologists, are often labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to error. In recent years, machine learning algorithms and pre-trained models such as ResNet, Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG), and Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) have shown significant promise in automating bird species classification. This study explores the application of these advanced models in identifying bird species from visual data, discussing key challenges, methodologies, and the potential to achieve high classification accuracy with reliable confidence scores. By leveraging deep learning techniques, we aim to enhance the precision and scalability of bird taxonomy, supporting more efficient ecological studies and conservation practices.

Togutil Tribe’s Ecological Hunting Calendar on Halmahera Island, Indonesia

Hunting has traditionally been associated with practices that reduce wildlife populations. This assumption does not explain the many examples of hunting strategies used in the long term by various indigenous groups worldwide. Therefore, the aim of this study was to document the local knowledge of wildlife management and the maintenance of stable wildlife populations by indigenous people in their local ecosystems. Understanding the hunting practices of indigenous people is essential for designing policies and practices that protect vulnerable wildlife populations. The Togutil tribe is an indigenous hunter–gatherer tribe that leads a nomadic lifestyle along the riverside areas bordering the forest on Halmahera Island, Indonesia. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews spanning four months, with seven key, ten main, and two supporting informants. The results suggested that the Togutil tribe applies a unique ecological hunting calendar and adheres to distinct ethics by using a sustainable 6-2-4 cycle system that can contribute to wildlife conservation. Trappers had three hunting periods: Obutana, Ohinoto, and Oiyata. Hunting activities during the Obutana period were conducted for six months during the rainy season, i.e., from October to April. Peak hunting activities occurred during the Obutana hunting period, when hunters trap wildlife during the fruiting and flowering seasons. Ohinoto is a hunting period that lasts two months, from May to June, marking the onset of the dry season. The Oiyata period extends from July to October (i.e., from the dry season to the beginning of the rainy season). This timing is based on prevalent encounters with wildlife in the forest, specifically during the fruiting and flowering seasons. This study supports future Togutil tribe livelihoods through calendar-based community projects to minimize the loss of vulnerable key species. Consequently, an effective strategy for conserving biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods can be implemented by empowering the Togutil tribe based on their ecological hunting calendar. Our results provide a fundamental understanding of calendar-based hunting practices for future wildlife management and conservation.

Planning and management of environmental education to promote educator’s environmental awareness and pro-environmental behaviour

The increased burden on educators to promote environmental education has recently attracted research interest. Since environmental knowledge has insignificant direct effects on pro-environmental behaviour, it is important to devise effective teaching methods to reduce the burden on educators and promote environmental conservation. In this study, we examined whether the planning and practice of educating others promoted environmental consciousness in the educators. Twenty-four and twenty-two university students participated in the study as part of an experimental and active control group, respectively. The experimental group was asked to plan and manage events meant to educate children about the environment and help them feel comfortable in nature. As a result, compared to the beginning of the study, the experimental group participants exhibited increased environmental consciousness. This improvement could be attributed to the fact that the participants possibly altered their behaviour towards the environment, consistent with the nature conservation practices they presented to the children participating in the abovementioned events. These findings highlight how planning and managing environmental conservation events for others could influence and improve individuals’ environmental consciousness.

Lessons to learn for better safeguarding of genetic resources during tree pandemics: The case of ash dieback in Europe

Ash dieback (ADB) has been threatening populations of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior & F. angustifolia) for more than three decades. Although much knowledge has been gathered in the recent past, practical conservation measures have been mostly implemented at local scale. Since range contraction in both ash species is likely to be exacerbated already in the near future by westward expansion of the emerald ash borer and climate change, systematic conservation frameworks need to be developed to avoid long-term population-genetic consequences and depletion of genomic diversity. In this article, we address the advantages and obstacles of conservation approaches aiming to conserve genetic diversity in situ or ex situ during tree pandemics. We are reviewing 47 studies which were published on ash dieback to unravel three important dimensions of ongoing conservation approaches or perceived conservation problems: i) conservation philosophy (i.e. natural selection, resistance breeding or genetic conservation), ii) the spatial scale (ecosystem, country, continent), and iii) the integration of genetic safety margins in conservation planning. Although nearly equal proportions of the reviewed studies mention breeding or active conservation as possible long-term solutions, only 17 % consider that additional threats exist which may further reduce genetic diversity in both ash species. We also identify and discuss several knowledge gaps and limitations which may have limited the initiation of conservation projects at national and international level so far. Finally, we demonstrate that there is not much time left for filling these gaps, because European-wide forest health monitoring data indicates a significant decline of ash populations in the last 5 years.

Do Tax Incentives Moderate the Impact of Cash Flow and Sales Growth on Accounting Conservatism

This research investigates the relationships between cash flow, sales growth, tax incentives, and accounting conservatism. The study reveals that cash flow significantly influences accounting conservatism, indicating that firms with higher cash flows tend to adopt less conservative accounting practices to seize growth opportunities. Additionally, strong sales growth is associated with reduced accounting conservatism, as companies aim to meet market expectations and present favorable financial results. However, the interaction between cash flow and tax incentives, as well as sales growth and tax incentives, does not significantly affect accounting conservatism. These findings suggest that firms prioritize immediate financial performance over tax strategies when making accounting decisions. The research highlights the need to explore further industry-specific factors, long-term effects, and the practical implementation of tax incentives. By addressing these aspects, future studies can provide deeper insights into how financial reporting practices evolve and inform better corporate governance and stakeholder communication. Overall, this research contributes to understanding the dynamics influencing accounting conservatism in a changing economic landscape

Evolution of the organoleptic characteristics of the kola nut (Cola nitida) depending on the packaging used in Côte d’Ivoire

In Ivory Coast, the conditions of conservation and storage of kola nut promote enormous losses during its marketing. Indeed, the nut is attacked by weevils, diptera and fungi which cause between 30 and 70% of losses during storage. The objective of this study is to propose good practices for post-harvest conservation of kola nut, in order to reduce these enormous losses. Containers made of rattan basket lined with Thaumacoccus daniellii leaves, cardboard with food bag and potato net and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) were used and stored at different temperatures of 26°C and 29°C±1°C. Organoleptic analyses were carried out on kola nuts after 0, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 10 months of storage. The organoleptic characteristics that deteriorate over time are color, brightness and texture. Of all the combinations, rattan baskets and PVC trays preserve kola nuts best for up to ten months of storage.

Redesigning Building Thermal Science Education Through Inquiry-Based Experiential Learning

Mastering building thermal science is essential for architectural professionals, as it supports the design of energy-efficient and thermally optimized buildings, which are critical for addressing the growing demands of sustainable architecture. However, traditional teaching methods often disconnect theoretical instruction from practical application, limiting students’ ability to apply core concepts in real-world scenarios. This study introduces a pedagogical reform that integrates design-oriented and inquiry-based experiments, hands-on physical activities, and field-based testing into the teaching of building thermal science. The revised curriculum focuses on applying theoretical principles in real architectural contexts, allowing students to directly design and experience thermal phenomena such as heat transfer and thermal resistance in building envelope structures. To evaluate the effectiveness of this reform, a control group using traditional confirmatory experiments (following predetermined instructions to complete experiments and validate the results) was compared to a reform group engaged in inquiry-based experimental learning. Over the course of three cohorts (2019, 2020, 2021), the reform group consistently outperformed the control group, with statistically significant improvements in average course grades. Specifically, the reform group had mean grade differences of 7.21 points higher in 2019, 4.55 points higher in 2020, and 5.83 points higher in 2021, as demonstrated by t-test results (p < 0.05). The reform group also exhibited more concentrated grade distributions, reflecting enhanced comprehension and retention of key thermal concepts. In addition to improved academic performance, students in the reform group demonstrated superior problem-solving abilities and a heightened awareness of energy conservation and sustainable design practices. This approach not only deepened their understanding of theoretical knowledge but also fostered a greater commitment to integrating sustainability into their architectural projects.

Towards understanding capacity development as a system: perceptions from multiple conservation stakeholder groups in Bhutan

Summary Capacity development is crucial for enduring conservation success. Recent scholarship has called for a systems perspective based on input from local stakeholders to better understand and develop conservation capacity. However, few studies have adopted such an approach to explore interactions among capacities or how capacity development needs and priorities evolve. We address this gap through a case study from Bhutan, centred on perceptions from 52 local conservation practitioners, planners, funders and community members. We use mixed methods to identify which capacities have been important for conservation success, which capacities are needed for future success, which capacities are foundational and how capacities interact. We find that capacity needs have shifted from individual-level knowledge and skills to community- and societal-level capacities in response to changing political and economic dynamics. Participants identified political support and leadership, reliable and sufficient funding, strengthening the research base, and increasing community awareness and engagement as critical future needs. Investing in these capacities holds the promise of further augmenting capacity development, thus increasing the value of limited resources. Our results demonstrate that capacity development should be viewed as a dynamic process and supported by strategic investment even in countries with track records of conservation success.

Combined impacts of climate and land use scenarios on sediment loads in small agricultural watershed in Tunisia

This study investigates the impact of conservation practices, specifically mulching and terracing, on soil erosion in the Kamech watershed (2.6 km²) situated in the Cap Bon region of northeastern Tunisia, under both current and future climate scenarios. Utilizing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, the research evaluates the effectiveness of these Best Management Practices (BMPs) in reducing soil loss, revealing significant reductions of 1.5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for mulching and 2 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for terracing. The findings indicate that these practices play a crucial role in enhancing soil conservation amidst climate change challenges, including altered precipitation patterns and increased temperatures. Additionally, the study highlights a notable decline in average monthly rainfall projected for the period 2051 to 2100 under the RCP8.5 scenario, further emphasizing the importance of implementing effective soil management strategies. This paper indicates that both methods, mulching and terracing, significantly contribute to reducing soil erosion under future scenarios (2051-2100). Their implementation proves essential for effective soil conservation, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change and maintain soil health in the Kamech watershed. The results contribute to a better understanding of BMP performance in addressing soil erosion, water quality, and hydrological responses in the face of evolving environmental conditions. By enhancing our understanding of these interactions, this research aims to provide valuable insights for sustainable watershed management, particularly in regions prone to water scarcity and land degradation.

Patches, Corridors, Matrix, Webs and Clouds. Expanding Richard TT Forman’s Land Mosaic Approach in the Medina of Tunis

This study proposes a framework for analyzing the medina of Tunis, based on Richard T.T. Forman's theory of land mosaics. Departing from traditional preservationist methods, it views the Medina as a multifaceted landscape, integrating both tangible and intangible elements. Drawing from Félix Guattari’s concept of the three ecologies, the paper expands upon Forman’s model by introducing two additional categories: webs and clouds, to encompass the social and subjective aspects of the landscape. Through a literature review and landscape fieldwork, the study advocates for an integrative approach to analyzing the medina's physical and intangible components. The resulting framework offers a landscape analysis tool applicable to other urban landscapes, moving beyond the taxidermy of urban/cultural conservation practices and considering marginalized communities affected by capitalism-driven heritage management and tourism. Such a perspective is integral in promoting social and ecological inclusivity and embedding sustainable practices, particularly in response to the pressing challenges of climate change. Ultimately, this approach would help the contemporary landscape project succeed in “grounding new narratives and topologies” of “re-signification” of other historic urban areas and medinas across North Africa.

A novel genetic strategy to enable rapid detection of rare non-native alleles

Established invasive species represent one of the most harmful and challenging threats to native biodiversity, necessitating methods for Early Detection and Rapid Response. Cryptic invasions are particularly challenging and often require expensive and time-consuming molecular surveys which limits their usefulness for management. We present a novel application of the Fluidigm SNP-Type Assay to identify rare non-native alleles that significantly reduces the cost and time to generate diagnostic results. We demonstrate the efficacy of this method using experimental Fluidigm pools (99% accuracy) and sequence data (96% accuracy). We apply our novel methodology to an endangered population of California tiger salamanders in Sonoma County where two individual non-native tiger salamander hybrids have previously been detected since 2008. We screened 5805 larvae in 387 sample-pools containing 15 larvae each. We did not detect any non-native hybrids in the population, a result that was verified with sequence data, though we strongly recommend additional years of sampling to confirm hybrid absence. Our success with a challenging, large-genome amphibian suggests this method may be applied to any system, and would be particularly useful when it is necessary for conservation practitioners to rapidly identify rare taxa or genes of interest.