World Natural Heritage Site Research Articles

Visitors’ Attitudes Toward the Expansion of Alternative Shuttle Bus System in Shiretoko National Park

In some natural parks, introducing a shuttle bus system as an alternative to private cars can help reduce congestion and protect nature. This study examines the pilot program to effectively induce visitors to switch to the shuttle bus, while examining the visitors’ understanding of the expansion of the restricted vehicle section in Shiretoko National Park—a World Natural Heritage site known for its rich natural resources, especially as a high-density habitat for brown bears. There are concerns about conflicts between visitors and brown bears that appear along roads. Visitor restrictions, such as limited access to transportation, limit the use of a place and alter the behavior and experience. Therefore, careful consideration is needed before introducing visitor restrictions. The results of our questionnaire survey of visitors indicated that most favored the expansion of the shuttle bus section. The choice experiment revealed that the guides on the bus and an optional experience encouraged visitors to switch to the shuttle buses. Nonetheless, awareness of the pilot program was low, and some visitors preferred their cars, indicating the need for further promotion of awareness and understanding of these new measures.

Issues of Ecological Tourism Development on the Territory of Pribaikalye

Over the past few years, Russians' interest in domestic tourism has been steadily growing. This trend is due not only to external factors, but also to the initiatives of the Russian Government and governors implemented at the federal and regional levels. Tourism is becoming a strategic resource for the development of the Russian economy. The article gives examples of regions that are leaders in eco-tourism, demonstrates data confirming the development of tourism in Russian regions. Irkutsk region is characterized by the richness of flora and fauna, diversity of specially protected natural areas (SPNA). Protected areas are represented by two federal reserves (Baikal-Lensky and Vitimsky), Pribaikalsky National Park, two wildlife sanctuaries (Tofalarsky and Krasny Yar). Also in the Irkutsk region there is a part of the territory subject to protection — Lake Baikal World Natural Heritage Site. The ecosystems of protected areas are fragile in their structure, and serious interference in their structure can lead to destruction and death. Therefore, it is important to strike a balance between the development of tourism infrastructure and the preservation of natural heritage. In the world practice ecological tourism is a tool that allows designing modern ecological centers of international scale. This issue is particularly relevant for Pribaikalsky Krai; a number of documents at the federal and regional levels have identified the development of eco-tourism as one of the priority directions. In this context, it is very important to find such tools and mechanisms that will allow to preserve the environment for future generations, since the influx of tourists not only brings profit, but also leaves behind unfavorable consequences for the environment.

Distribution and composition of floating marine debris in Shiretoko peninsula, Japan, using opportunistic sighting survey

Floating marine debris (FMD) poses several threats to marine species, such as entanglement, ingestion, and the transport of pollutants. The Shiretoko Peninsula, located in northern Japan, is a registered World Natural Heritage Site and a biodiversity hotspot. However, FMD has not yet been thoroughly investigated in this region. In 2022, sighting surveys were conducted in Abashiri (west side of the peninsula) and Rausu (east side) to assess the abundance, composition, and distribution of FMD. The mean densities were notably higher in Abashiri, and there was more fishing-related debris in Rausu. Regarding local human activities, the population and number of tourists are higher in Abashiri, and fishing activities are higher in Rausu. While marine pollution is a global issue, our study suggests that addressing it should commence with community-based management at the local level.

Outstanding Universal Value of World Natural Heritage Sites: Definition Issues

The paper provides an in-depth analysis of the concept of outstanding universal value of world heritage sites, which is the supporting category of the entire system of protection of unique natural sites. The paper considers the normative basis for the definition of this concept in the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the Guidelines for its implementation, the practice of the World Heritage Committee and the acts of its advisory bodies. The tripartite division of the composition of outstanding universal value is critically analyzed and the reasons for its appearance are highlighted. Methods of formalizing the analyzed concept are explored, shortcomings in the formulation of wordings of outstanding universal value are highlighted, and various ways to improve this institution are proposed. The comparative legal method of research is widely used: all the problems discussed in the paper are illustrated by the current law enforcement practice of the World Heritage Committee in reviewing the state of conservation of unique natural objects located in foreign countries. The results obtained are compared with the problems of protecting Russian World Natural Heritage sites.

Развитие законодательства об охране российских объектов всемирного природного наследия в контексте решений сорок пятой сессии Комитета всемирного наследия

The decisions taken at the forty-fifth session of the World Heritage Committee regarding the World Natural Heritage sites located on Russian territory are analyzed. The most common problems characteristic of the majority of Russian unique natural complexes of global importance are noted. Gaps in the regulatory and legal consolidation of the World Natural heritage protection regime in legislation, acute conflicts related to the need to harmonize environmental requirements and infrastructure development are identified. The legal positions of the World Heritage Committee regarding the implementation of capital construction within the boundaries of World Heritage sites are analyzed. The constructive nature of the decisions adopted at the forty-fifth session of the World Heritage Committee is stated, proposals are formulated to improve legislation in the field of protection of World Natural heritage sites. The necessity of introducing amendments to the Federal Law “On Specially Protected Natural Territories”, defining the features of the protection of natural complexes of international importance, is substantiated. The importance of taking into account the modern climate agenda in ensuring the preservation of World Natural Heritage sites is emphasized.

Study on the impact of reclamation and development of Yancheng coastal wetlands on the spatio-temporal evolution of wintering Anatidae habitat

As a World Natural Heritage Site primarily focused on protecting migratory bird habitats, the Yancheng coastal wetland is also an important land resource reserve area in China. With a long history of reclamation, the impact of reclamation on waterbird habitats has attracted widespread attention. Therefore, this study was based on the distribution data of wintering Anatidae from 1987 to 2020 and coastal land reclamation data. The landscape development intensity (LDI) index and MaxEnt model were used to reveal the spatiotemporal changes in reclamation development intensity and identify the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of Anatidae habitats. A geographical weight regression (GWR) model was used to analyze the local differences for the impact of changes in reclamation development intensity on the spatiotemporal distribution of Anatidae habitats. The results showed that the area of land types with higher reclamation intensity in the study area increased rapidly from 1987 to 2020, and the overall reclamation intensity showed a pattern of low in the northeast and high in the southwest. The high-intensity range in 1987 was 5.01 ∼ 6.00, and the reclamation intensity in the western area of Dafeng to Tiaozini was generally greater than 8.01 in 2020. From 1987 to 2020, the population of Anatidae first decreased and then increased, with a clear southward shift in spatial distribution. The evaluation results of suitable habitats revealed that the most suitable area significantly declined from 1280.76 hm2 in 1997 to 60.19 hm2 in 2020, which indicated that the patch space of high-quality habitats was further compressed. The area with the greatest positive impact for the intensity of reclamation and development on habitat suitability from 1987 to 1997 was concentrated near the Beihuanchong area, while in 2007, the negative impact was mostly distributed in the northern and western Hexin area. The regression coefficient ranged from −0.665 ∼ -0.513. The negative impact of reclamation and development further deteriorated in 2020, with a negative correlation coefficient ranging from −1.642 ∼ -0.699. There were significant differences in the impact of environmental variables on the distribution of Anatidae habitats in different periods. In this study, a habitat protection and restoration pattern for Anatidae is proposed, which may provide an important reference for the protection of wintering Anatidae populations and the structural restoration of habitats in Yancheng coastal wetlands.

Fish fauna and environmental factors in river estuaries of small and medium-sized rivers on islands significantly influenced by warm currents.

River estuaries are influenced by terrestrial and marine areas, and have a unique environment that is constantly fluctuating. They are also important habitats for biodiversity conservation. Tanegashima Island is significantly influenced by the Kuroshio Current. Although nearby Yakushima Island has been recognized as a World Natural Heritage site and information on many species has been collected, there is little information on species inhabiting the river estuaries of Tanegashima Island. In this study, the river estuarine ichthyofauna of 26 small and medium-sized rivers on Tanegashima Island was surveyed and a total of 2758 individuals of 29 species and one genus belonging to 15 families were collected. The fish fauna of the river estuaries of Tanegashima Island were classified into three groups, namely the river estuaries where coastal terraces are underdeveloped and drowned valleys are formed, the river group where the riverbed gradient at the mouth is high, and other river groups. Environmental factors selected as being important for ordination of fish fauna were the altitude of the headstreams at the watershed scale, the gradient of the river estuarine area, and the presence or absence of rapids in the estuary. The importance of the geohistorical factor of drowned valley formation, in addition to habitat and watershed scale environmental factors, as a factor on river estuarine fish fauna is an important finding for future conservation of local biota diversity.

Invasion status of hatchery-origin pink salmon in an unstocked river at the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site in northern Japan.

Hatchery fish and their offspring (including hatchery-wild hybrids) have lower reproductive success than wild fish. Thus, the straying of hatchery fish may negatively impact wild populations, depending on the number of wild salmon returning and hatchery strays. We investigated the straying status of hatchery-origin pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), which have a higher straying rate than other salmonids, in an unstocked river at the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site, Japan. The hatchery strays accounted for 40.0% and 19.0% of the total samples in 2021 and 2022, respectively. These results indicate that hatchery pink salmon have invaded unstocked rivers and potentially genetically affect wild populations.

Vegetation types and habitats with participation of plant species – local endemics to the marble part of Northern Pirin Mts., Bulgaria

This study was carried out in the carbonate (marble) part of North Pirin Mts. Its upper parts are declared protected area of National Park category according to the Bulgarian Protected Areas Act. It is also a NATURA 2000 protected zone under the Habitats Directive, and a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main reason for the conservation of this territory is the exceptional concentration of rare, relict and endemic plant species, its specific flora, vegetation and fauna. Subject of the study are the plant communities and habitats, with participation of 8 local endemic plant taxa, such as Cyanus achtarovii, Oxytropis kozhuharovii, O. urumovii, Odontarrhena orbelica, Alyssum pirinicum, Veronica kellereri, Brassica nivalis subsp. jordanoffii and Arabis ferdinandi-coburgii. The plant communities were studied according to the classical Braun-Blanquet’s approach by sampling the phytocoenoses, where the local endemics participate. The major syntaxa to which these communities belong, were determined. The plant communities with the participation of local endemics were also referred to lower units according to EUNIS habitats classification. The study found that most of the studied endemic species occur in various vegetation types and exhibit relatively wide ecological flexibility, despite inhabiting restricted area. The main reason for this is the comparative uniformity of the high mountain marble relief. This study also highlights the high conservation value of the vegetation cover and habitat diversity of the carbonate alpine and subalpine vegetation belts of Northern Pirin Mts., as a habitat for numerous endemic and relict plant species.

An empirical analysis of the role of experience and attitude on ecotourism consumption behaviour

ABSTRACT This study examine the factors that shape consumers’ ecotourism consumption behaviour and choices focusing on attitudes, behaviour choices, and the mediating role of ecotourism consumption attitudes. A quantitative approach was used, and data were collected through a questionnaire-based survey administered to 881 ecotourists at three 5A-level scenic spots in Tian Shan World Natural Heritage sites in China. Using the structural equation model, the findings reveal that consumption attitudes, values, and social norms positively influence ecotourism consumption behaviour choices through the mediating effect of ecotourism consumption attitudes. Furthermore, the perception of destination attraction experience directly and positively impacts consumption attitudes. These results provide valuable insights into the consumption behaviour of eco-tourists in the World Natural Heritage Site, informing sustainable ecotourism management strategies.

Authenticity, ethics and restoration of an earthquake-modified landscape: Jiuzhaigou World Natural Heritage Site

ABSTRACT Restoring a World Natural Heritage Site (WNHS) after a disaster to attract tourists raises multifaceted issues that concern heritage authenticity, environmental ethics, and tourists’ acceptance. In the case of Jiuzhaigou post-earthquake landscape, this study analyses authenticity perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral intentions of tourists and explores environmental ethics through three perspectives. Results reveal tourists’ authenticity perception affects their attitudes and behaviors towards environmental restoration. Moreover, tourists tend to recognize and support Awe for Nature (Awe-N) more than Respect for Nature (Res-N) and significant differentiation exists among potential tourists according to their environmental ethics, demographic characteristics, and behaviors. Altogether, our work presents innovative arguments on post-disaster WNHS restoration by highlighting the complexities of heritage authenticity, environmental ethics, and tourist’ dynamics.

Assessing the pollution and ecotoxicological status of the Iguaçu River, southern Brazil: A review.

The degradation of water resources available for human consumption is increasing with the continuous release of chemicals into aquatic environments and their inefficient removal in wastewater treatment. Several watersheds in Brazil, such as the Iguaçu River, are affected by multiple sources of pollution and lack information about their pollution status. The Iguaçu River basin (IRB) has great socioeconomic and environmental relevance to both the supply of water resources and its considerable hydroelectric potential, as well as for the high rate of endemism of its ichthyofauna. Also, the IRB is home to large conservation units, such as the Iguaçu National Park, recognized by UNESCO as a natural World Heritage Site. Thus, this article discusses the chemical pollution in the IRB approaching: (i) the main sources of pollution; (ii) the occurrence of inorganic and organic micropollutants; (iii) the available ecotoxicological data; and (iv) the socioeconomic impacts in three regions of the upper, middle, and lower IRB. Different studies have reported relevant levels of emerging contaminants, persistent organic pollutants, toxic metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detected in the water and sediment samples, especially in the upper IRB region, associated with domestic and industrial effluents. Additionally, significant concentrations of pesticides and toxic metals were also detected in the lower IRB, revealing that agricultural practices are also relevant sources of chemicals for this watershed. More recently, studies indicated an association between fish pathologies and the detection of micropollutants in the water and sediments in the IRB. The identification of the main sources of pollutants, associated with the distribution of hazardous chemicals in the IRB, and their potential effects on the biota, as described in this review, represent an important strategy to support water management by public authorities for reducing risks to the local endemic biodiversity and exposed human populations. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1280-1305. © 2023 SETAC.

Influences of topography on nitrate export from forested watersheds on Yakushima Island, a Natural World Heritage site

Long-term monitoring of nitrate ions and topographical control of atmospheric nitrate in forest river waters of Yakushima Island, a Natural World Heritage site.

Sensitivity assessment of diphacinone by pharmacokinetic analysis in invasive black rats in the Bonin (Ogasawara) Archipelago, Japan

The Bonin Archipelago is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Natural Heritage Site in Japan with a unique ecosystem; however, the invasive rodents preying on endemic species have been a significant concern. The anticoagulant rodenticide, diphacinone, sprayed by the Ministry of the Environment, has succeeded; however, its repeated use leads to rodenticide resistance. This study evaluated the sensitivity by in vivo pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) analysis and physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling to diphacinone in black rats (Rattus rattus) captured on the Bonin Archipelago in February 2022. The Bonin rats exhibited prolonged coagulation time after diphacinone administration. They recovered earlier than susceptible black rats, indicating that Bonin rats were less susceptible, though there were no genetic mutations in Vkorc1, the target enzyme of diphacinone. After the administration of diphacinone, hepatic expression levels of Fsp1, identified as the vitamin K reductase, was decreased, however, the Bonin rats exhibited the most minor suppression. The PK analysis showed that the excretion capacity of the Bonin rats was lower than that of the resistant black rats. In the PBPK modeling, the resistant black rats showed higher clearance than the Bonin and susceptible black rats due to high hepatic metabolic capacity. The Bonin rats demonstrated slow absorption and relatively low clearance. This study highlighted the reduced rodenticide-sensitive tendency of wild black rats in the Bonin Archipelago at an in vivo phenotype level. At the same time, they do not have known rodenticide resistance mechanisms, such as hepatic metabolic enhancement or Vkorc1 mutations. It is crucial to monitor the biological levels to evaluate rodenticide sensitivity accurately.

The World Heritage Site “Lake Baikal” as an Associative Cultural Landscape: Problem Statement

The article examines the features of the international legal regime of associative cultural landscapes in the world heritage protection system. It is noted that it is impossible to strictly divide the world heritage into cultural and natural objects, and changes in the system of their nomination are analyzed, aimed at taking into account the connection between cultural and natural attributes of outstanding universal value. The history of the formation of the concept of cultural landscapes is shown, their signs developed in the world Heritage protection system are revealed. The purpose of the study is to find ways to strengthen the legal protection of world natural heritage sites located in the Russian Federation through the use of the international legal regime for the protection of associative cultural landscapes, which has been developed within the framework of the Convention on the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The Institute of associative cultural landscapes and the possibility of their international legal protection are being investigated in relation to the conservation of Lake Baikal. A new area of protection for this world heritage site may be the legal consolidation of its cultural value, expressed both in its special religious significance and in its completely unique role for secular environmental ethics. The conclusion is formulated on the expediency of recognizing Lake Baikal as a world heritage site not only according to the criteria fixed for world natural heritage sites, but also as an associative cultural landscape. The recognition of world natural heritage sites located on the territory of Russia as associative cultural landscapes (if there are grounds for that) will allow us to more fully reveal the peculiarities of the culture of the peoples living in these territories and ensure legal protection of associative links between cultural phenomena and natural complexes. At the same time, systematic work is needed to improve legislation on the management of activities for the conservation of world heritage sites.

A Model for Management and Funding of World Heritage Parklands Chosen on Cultural and Biodiversity Criteria

Australia has recently completed their term as member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, securing the seat from 2017 to 2021. Australia has 20 sites inscribed on the World Heritage List. Australia has more natural World Heritage sites than any other country. During the 2017 – 2021 term, Australia worked to strengthen the operation of the Committee, placing emphasis on the effective management of existing properties, and encouraging greater geographic balance in the list and more focus on listing natural places of Outstanding Universal Value. However, funding is always a problem, particularly where historic populations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous exist. What is proposed to cope with such problems, is a new model using the concept of public private partnerships. Corporations wishing to reduce their footprints could purchase from the governments carbon and diversity credits, which are directly tied to the maintenance of highly forested areas, which are often subject to almost complete devastation from fires and floods.

Research progress on ecology and sustainable development of Guilin Lijiang River Basin, China, based on bibliometric analysis.

Guilin is a typical representative of karst landform in South China. Because of its unique geographical landform and hydrological environment, Lijiang River Basin has received a certain degree of attention in field of ecology and sustainable development. Explore and visualize the hotspots and frontiers of Guilin Lijiang River Basin Ecology and Sustainable Development (GLRBESD) by using bibliometrics, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer. Results showed that number of published papers was in a fluctuating upward trend from 1992 to 2022 and from 2011 to 2022, respectively. Work of scholars in this field has been continuously strengthened and deepened, and overall scientific research results show an increasing trend. Research objects and topics are mainly aimed at the water resources, climate, and environment of GLRB Landscape ecology and SDG index construction. Research of GLRBESD-published documents has the characteristics of multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary integration. High-frequency keywords in research field focus on ecotourism, ecological restoration, and sustainable development, mainly based on the research of ecotourism development. Impact of environmental factor changes and human activities on land use change in different periods is an important research topic. Core research field of GLRBESD on macro-scale can be divided into ESV and function, ecological compensation and ecotourism, ecological environment and ecological restoration, ecological network and ecological risk assessment, and sustainable development. This research provides systematic scientific research basis for enhancing sustainable development ability and ecosystem functions and services of World Natural Heritage Site.

A Study on the Development of Biotope Type and Evaluation Map of Gochang-gun

Gochang-gun, situated in Korea, has achieved the distinction of being the second city in the country to have all three UNESCO-designated natural environmentrelated World Heritage Sites, following in the footsteps of Jeju Island. UNESCO has conferred upon Gochang-gun the prestigious designations of a biosphere reserve, World Natural Heritage (Gochang-Buan mudflat), and World Geopark (Jeonbuk West Coast Geopark). Notably, the entire administrative district has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, signifying its role as a meticulously preserved region of outstanding natural beauty and ecological significance. Within this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the core areas encompass remarkable features, including the Gochang-Buan Mudflat, Ungok Wetland, Dolmen World Cultural Heritage sites, Seonunsan Provincial Park, and Dongrim Reservoir. In pursuit of a comprehensive ecological map of Gochang-gun, the National Institute of Ecology (NIE) conducted an extensive two-year ecological survey and biotope survey from 2021 to 2022. Ecological spatial data was meticulously compiled based on the results of these surveys. The resulting Biotope map provides detailed information on various attributes, encompassing Biotope types, Biotope grades, land cover status, land use status, and topographic details. This dataset is formally registered and rigorously managed, employing the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) system. The primary aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive introduction to each attribute of the Gochang-gun Biotope map, which represents a detailed collection of spatial ecology data for the region. The intent is to make this data readily accessible for future research and studies, thereby advancing our understanding of Gochang-gun’s distinctive ecological and cultural heritage.

Fractal Features in Terrain Restoration of Jiuzhai Valley, a World Natural Heritage Site in China

Jiuzhai Valley, a World Natural Heritage Site, was significantly damaged by an earthquake in 2017. However, case studies on the restoration of World Natural Heritage sites are lacking. This study aimed to use the box-counting method to analyze fractal characteristics of the terrain in Shuzheng Valley. Research data were used to conduct artificial intervention restoration of the earthquake-damaged terrain. Our results showed that (i) the travertine terrain shows self-similarity at different scales. The fractal dimension was related to terrain complexity: the more complex the terrain, the higher the fractal-dimension value; (ii) a combined form of fractal generator elements at the same scale was related to terrain complexity—differences in the spatial combination of the fractal generator elements can be compared based on fractal dimension; and (iii) the newly restored dam terrain also showed fractal characteristics whose spatial combination form was similar to that of the surrounding terrain. The complexity of the terrain’s fractal element combination may be related to the influence of surrounding environmental factors and the different ecological functional requirements. This study provides basic data for the near natural restoration of the Sparkling Lake travertine terrain after an earthquake and proposes new concepts and strategies for restoring World Natural Heritage Site terrains.

Peculiarities of legal protection of natural world heritage sites in Australia on the example of the Great Barrier Reef

The study examines the practice of legal protection of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Site located in Australia. It reflects the main content of the decisions of the World Heritage Committee and the International Union for Conservation of Nature on the protection of the Great Barrier Reef, looks at the features of its management as a World Heritage Site (hereinafter also - WHS), as well as regulatory and organisational solutions aimed at preventing threats to the ecological state of the Great Barrier Reef WHS. The analysis of the legal framework and practice of protection of World Heritage Sites allows to conclude that some elements of the Australian experience can be used to strengthen the institutional and legal framework of the environmental regime of Lake Baikal. The proposal to develop a management plan for the Lake Baikal World Heritage Site in accordance with the requirements and standards of the World Heritage protection system, as well as to adopt special strategic development plans has been formulated. According to the authors, to ensure the effective development of specific management decisions, it is necessary to establish normatively the general principles of management plan formation. Based on the practice of engaging local communities in the management of World Heritage Sites and Australian experience of organising Marine Advisory Committees, the authors have verbalized a proposal to create an Advisory Council of representatives of various spheres of society, operating in the territory of the Lake Baikal World Heritage Site, environmental organisations and representatives of the public.