Search Results (155)

As first-hand testimonies and accounts of the Holocaust fade, scholars and artists alike have struggled to depict and contextualize the genocide’s monumental violence. But depicting violence and its aftermath poses several problems, including the question of how to recall loss without artificially filling in or effacing the absence so central to its understanding. In essence, remembering the Holocaust is a paradox: the preservation of an absence. Marianne Hirsch’s influential concept of postmemory addresses this paradox and asks questions about memorial capacity in the twenty-first century. This essay considers Hirsch’s postmemory in the context of W.G. Sebald’s 2001 novel Austerlitz, which uses a combination of prose and photography to engage the difficulties inherent in memory work without access to eyewitnesses. Through the interaction of printed text and images, Austerlitz subtly references Lurianic mysticism’s concept of tikkun and Tree of Life (ilanot) diagrams. The result is a depiction of memory that is both process-based and embodies absence. My reading of Austerlitz traces a Jewish heritage within the work of a non-Jewish German author by attending to a tradition of mystical thought embedded in the novel. This situates Sebald’s fiction in a much longer Jewish history that stretches out on either end of the event of the Holocaust. Structurally, Sebald develops a tikkun-like process of (re)creation which relies on gathering material scraps of the past and imaginatively engaging with their absences in the present. Images, just as much as text, are central to this process. Reading Austerlitz in the context of Kabbalah reveals an intellectual and artistic link to a Jewish history that, while predating the Holocaust, nonetheless sheds light on post-Holocaust memories of loss. Full article

Monumental trees, defined by their exceptional size, form, and age, are critical components of both cultural heritage and ecological systems. However, their conservation faces increasing threats from habitat fragmentation, climate change, and inadequate public policies. This review synthesized global research on monumental trees by analyzing 204 peer-reviewed articles published between 1989 and 2024 that were sourced from Web of Science and Scopus. Our bibliometric analysis highlighted Olea europaea and Castanea sativa as the most frequently studied species and identified a surge in publications after 2019, particularly from the USA, Italy, and Spain. Key research themes included conservation, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. The methodological approaches varied globally, encompassing ranking systems; GIS mapping; remote sensing; and non-invasive diagnostic tools, such as acoustic tomography and chlorophyll fluorescence. Conservation strategies discussed included vegetative propagation, cryopreservation, and legal risk management. Despite advances in these techniques, significant gaps remain in effectively addressing environmental pressures and integrating multidisciplinary approaches. We concluded that targeted, interdisciplinary strategies are essential to safeguard monumental trees as vital ecological and cultural landmarks. Full article

Cultural landscapes in World Heritage cities are attracting a growing global tourist population. Given the limitations of self-report methods in capturing tourists’ immediate and deep perceptions, and the lack of comprehensive investigation into the cultural types and naturalness of landscapes, this study aims to investigate how cultural landscape types influence tourists’ recommendation intention through the mediating roles of place attachment and perceived restorativeness while examining the moderating effect of landscape naturalness. Integrating Place Attachment Theory (PAT), Attention Restoration Theory (ART), and the Associative–Propositional Evaluation Model (APE), three studies were conducted using behavioral and neurophysiological approaches. Study 1, a scenario-based experiment, revealed that high-culture landscapes enhance recommendation intention via place attachment, with the effect of perceived restorativeness being stronger under low naturalness conditions. Study 2, an event-related potential (ERP) experiment, showed that landscapes with low culture and low naturalness elicit stronger emotional responses, as indicated by heightened P2 and LPP amplitudes. Study 3 demonstrated the efficacy of a Decision Tree model in classifying landscape naturalness based on EEG features. This study deepens the understanding of the complexity of tourist experiences in cultural heritage sites, provides new evidence for the application of Place Attachment Theory in tourism contexts, and offers scientific foundations and practical implications for optimizing landscape design in heritage sites, enhancing tourist experiences, and exploring brain–computer interface applications in the tourism field. Full article

The study of cultural landscapes has a tradition stretching back several decades. During this time, methods have been developed based on the geographical data and technological capabilities available. However, with new data becoming available, new methodological and conceptual challenges arise in linking different types of landscape data. In our article, we attempt to address these challenges. These include historical maps and remote sensing data, such as aerial and satellite images and LiDAR data. We illustrate these using examples of traditional heritage landscapes in Slovakia. We critically evaluated the informational value of historical maps and their connection with remote sensing data. Our case studies focused on using LiDAR data to identify overgrowing processes, historical trackways, agricultural terraces, catchworks and tree vegetation in wood pastures. Digital technology provides new and more accurate data, as well as new ways of evaluating it, thereby enriching existing landscape ecological methods of cultural landscape research. Full article

The detection of archeological sites in satellite imagery is often hindered by environmental constraints such as vegetation cover and variability in meteorological conditions, which affect the visibility of subsurface structures. This study aimed to develop predictive models for assessing archeological site visibility in satellite imagery by integrating vegetation indices and meteorological data using machine learning techniques. The research focused on megalithic tombs associated with the Funnel Beaker culture in Poland. The primary objective was to create models capable of detecting archeological features under varying environmental conditions, thereby enhancing the efficiency of field surveys and reducing associated costs. To this end, a combination of vegetation indices and meteorological parameters was employed. Key indices—including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), and Normalized Archeological Index (NAI)—were analyzed alongside meteorological variables such as wind speed, temperature, humidity, and total precipitation. By integrating these datasets, the study evaluated how environmental conditions influence the visibility of archeological sites in satellite imagery. The machine learning models, including logistic regression and decision tree-based algorithms, demonstrated strong potential for predicting site visibility. The highest predictive accuracy was achieved during periods of high soil moisture variability and fluctuating weather conditions. These findings enabled the development of visibility prediction maps, guiding the optimal timing of aerial surveys and minimizing the risk of unsuccessful data acquisition. The results underscore the effectiveness of integrating meteorological data with satellite imagery in archeological research. The proposed approach not only improves site detection but also reduces operational costs by concentrating resources on optimal survey conditions. Furthermore, the methodology is applicable to diverse archeological contexts, enhancing the capacity to locate and document heritage sites across varying environmental settings. Full article

Subfossil trees in growth position and their associated organic sediments serve as valuable archives of past ecologies, shedding light on coastal forest responses to post-Glacial sea-level rise. This paper offers an overview of the significance of drowned forests as both ecological and cultural records, with particular emphasis on Australian Indigenous connections to these landscapes. Indigenous use of and cultural connections to coastal trees and forests in Australian contexts are outlined, along with an overview of the formation and preservation processes of submerged forests and the methodological approaches used to study them. Case studies from across Australia illustrate the diversity of these records and their relevance to both science and heritage. The paper highlights the need for a regional database of subfossil trees and peats and underscores the importance of integrating Indigenous and scientific knowledge systems to deepen our understanding of environmental and cultural change. Full article

This study explores the sustainability of Islamic decorative arts by examining the symbolic, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of botanical decorations in Makkah’s architectural heritage. Grounded in Carl Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious and Lamya Al-Faruqi’s philosophy of Tawhid, the research uncovers the profound psychological and spiritual meanings embedded in these motifs. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study integrates symbolic analysis, cultural interpretation, and historical documentation, supported by digital design tools, to assess the relevance of these decorations in contemporary urban contexts. Findings reveal that botanical motifs, such as palm trees and pinecones, reflect universal archetypes of resilience and growth while symbolising divine unity through abstraction and harmony. The research highlights their integral role in architectural structures and their potential in cultural tourism and educational initiatives. However, challenges such as urbanisation necessitate urgent documentation and innovative preservation strategies. This study offers valuable insights into sustaining Makkah’s architectural identity by bridging psychological and philosophical perspectives. Its recommendations align with Saudi Vision 2030 and global sustainability goals, advocating for the revival and integration of these motifs into modern urban design to ensure the continued appreciation and recognition of Makkan architectural heritage. Full article

Constructing a scientific health risk assessment system for ancient trees is crucial for preserving cultural heritage and tree resources. As Fuzhou’s city tree, ancient banyan trees (Ficus microcarpa) with expansive canopies and aerial roots have shaped local ecology and history over millennia. However, urbanization-induced habitat loss and structural vulnerabilities (e.g., root damage and branch injuries) increasingly threaten their health. Current generic tree evaluation standards inadequately address banyan trees’ unique aerial root physiology. This study developed a tailored assessment model using 140 ancient banyan trees from Fuzhou’s urban core and Minhou County. The researchers analyzed 12 tree health indicators (crown, trunk, visible roots, etc.) and two environmental factors through structural equation modeling (SEM) and cluster analysis. Key findings: (1) The SEM demonstrated strong data fit (CMIN/DF = 1.575, RMSEA = 0.064, TLI = 0.927, and CFI = 0.945), validating model reliability. (2) Mechanical damage to the visible root system (weight = 0.135) most significantly impacted health, while canopy closure (0.036) and crown saturation (0.034) showed minimal effects. (3) The site environment strongly correlated with trunk and visible root system health but not crown conditions. (4) In total, 60.71% of the sampled trees were healthy/sub-healthy, while 39.29% exhibited poor health. This methodology provides a replicable framework for ancient tree conservation, emphasizing species-specific evaluation criteria and environmental management strategies. The weighted indicator system enables precise health diagnostics and prioritized protection measures for vulnerable heritage trees. Full article

Community regeneration plays a pivotal role in creating human-centered spaces by transforming spatial configurations, enhancing multifunctional uses, and optimizing designs that promote sustainability and vibrancy. However, the influence of such regeneration on spatial vitality—particularly its spatial heterogeneity and nonlinear effects—remains insufficiently explored. This study presents a comprehensive framework that combines the Difference-in-Differences (DID) method with multiple socio-spatial correlated factors, including place agglomeration, individual agglomeration, and social perception, offering a systematic assessment of urban vitality and evaluating the impact of regeneration interventions. By leveraging street-level imagery to capture environmental changes pre- and post-regeneration, this research applies Gradient Boosting Decision Tree Regression (GBDT) to uncover nonlinear built environment dynamics affecting urban vitality. Empirical analysis from six districts in Suzhou reveals the following: (1) A pronounced increase in urban vitality is seen in core areas, while peripheral districts exhibit more moderate improvements, highlighting spatially uneven regeneration outcomes. (2) In historically significant areas such as Wuzhong, limited vitality gains underscore the complex interplay among historical preservation, spatial configurations, and urban development trajectories. (3) Furthermore, environmental transformations, including variations in sky visibility, nonprivate vehicles, architectural elements, and the introduction of glass-wall structures, exhibit nonlinear impacts with distinct threshold effects. This study advances the discourse on sustainable urban regeneration by proposing context-sensitive, data-driven assessment tools that reconcile heritage conservation with contemporary urban regeneration goals. It underscores the need for integrated, adaptive regeneration strategies that align with local conditions, historical contexts, and urban development trajectories, informing policies that promote green, inclusive, and digitally transformed cities. Full article

The rich history of the olive tree is deeply connected to the heritage of the Mediterranean region. There are olive trees that are still productive and their age has been calculated by the use of methods of increment core sampling, radiocarbon dating (C14) and luminescence dating (OSL) to be over two thousand years old. However, the age of these trees is not usually known and it is not easy to calculate. As a result, deciding whether an olive tree is monumental is a rather complicated task. The goal of this paper is to present the design and implementation of an intelligent system that uses multi-criteria decision-making to evaluate olive trees and make the decision of whether they are monumental. This information is further used by a system to decide whether an olive grove is monumental or not. The methodology is implemented in a cross-platform application called “Olea App”. The system evaluates different olive trees and evaluates trees and olive groves to select the one that is considered the best to be promoted. The system uses and combines three different multi-criteria decision-making theories, namely, analytical hierarchy process (AHP), simple additive weighting (SAW), and multicriteria optimization and compromise solution (VIKOR) and evaluates olive trees based on tangible and intangible criteria. The method proposed was used to evaluate trees in the Ionian Islands and has proven very effective. The cross-platform application could be used by other researchers to evaluate their olive trees and groves if they cannot apply methods for the estimation of the tree’s age such as the methods of OSL. This work introduces a novel, technology-driven solution for the identification, evaluation, and preservation of monumental olive trees. By integrating scientific, cultural, and technological perspectives, the study provides a sustainable and accessible methodology to ensure these ancient natural landmarks are protected for future generations. The Olea app represents a significant advancement in heritage tree conservation, offering a structured, transparent, and scalable approach to preserving olive tree ecosystems while supporting sustainable tourism and economic incentives for their protection. Full article

Oases are part of the natural wealth and heritage of Morocco and contribute to the social, economic, and touristic environment. Morocco has lost more than 2/3 of its oases during the past century due to water scarcity, succession of drought periods, climate change and over-exploitation of groundwater resources. Palm trees are strongly dependent on irrigation and availability of surface water as soon as the water table depth falls below the root zone of 9 m. Improving management and monitoring of oasis ecosystems is strongly encouraged by UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and RAMSAR guidelines. The Boudenib and Tafilalet oases are among the biggest palm groves located in the south-eastern part of Morocco. These oases belong to catchments of the rivers Guir and Ziz, respectively. This paper uses remotely sensed data from PROBA-V for monitoring vegetation in oases, and linking vegetation characteristics to water availability, water management and quality and quantity of date crops. The Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from optical images provides a good estimation of changes in vegetation cover over time. Images of various spatial resolutions (100 m, 300 m and 1 km) obtained with the frequently revisiting Belgian satellite PROBA-V and available since 2014, can be successfully used for deriving time series of vegetation dynamics. TREX—Tool for Raster data Exploration—is a Python-GDAL processing tool of PROBA-V NDVI images for analyzing vegetation dynamics, developed at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and available online. TREX has various applications, but the main functionality is to provide an automatic processing of PROBA-V satellite images into time series of NDVI and LAI, used in vegetation monitoring of user-defined points of interest. This study presents the results of application of TREX in the arid ecosystems of the Boudenib oasis for the period 2014–2018. The resulting NDVI and LAI time series are also compared to time series of groundwater depth and date crops quantity and quality. Low LAI is observed when water depth is low, and the palm trees lose their greenery. Low LAI is also correlated to low quantity and quality of dates in October 2015 and October 2017. PROBA-V images can therefore be used for monitoring the health of palm trees in oasis environments. However, considering the fact that the PROBA-V satellite mission has ended, this approach could instead be applied to Sentinel-3 data using the same analysis. These results have important implications for water management in the area and can help decision-makers to make better decisions about prevention of water scarcity in the region. Full article

Trees in urban environments play a crucial ecological role, helping to mitigate air pollution, reduce urban heat islands, improve stormwater drainage, and provide essential ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation. Street trees, in particular, form an interconnected network within the urban fabric, offering the potential to link various green spaces across the city. Several cities have implemented dedicated Street Tree Master Plans (STMPs) to manage street trees effectively. A STMP thus serves as both a vital tool for the management and conservation of urban tree heritage and an opportunity to enhance public spaces and the quality of life for citizens. This case study of Rome (Italy) presents a particularly complex challenge, partly due to the city’s rich historical heritage, where street trees contribute to the identity of places and the urban environment in the context of climate change. The tree heritage of Rome requires ongoing maintenance, the improvement of growing conditions, the replacement of hazardous or aging trees along street rows, and the addition of new trees to enhance and diversify the urban tree population. Starting from a new census of street trees and a spatial analysis using GIS methodologies, this study examines the approach taken by Rome’s STMP. It focuses on the different strategies proposed for various types of streets, classified on the specific role that trees play in each context. Specifically, the plan offers a strategic vision for the city’s future, rooted in its urban form and supported by a methodological framework for planning interventions based on the current condition of tree cover. Drawing on insights from the STMP, the findings emphasize that any comprehensive renewal of street trees in large cities with historically significant and aesthetically rich landscapes must be guided by a strategic vision. In the discussion, a comparative analysis was conducted on different STMPs in various cities around the world, and we questioned how significantly historical and spatial considerations, which characterized the formation of Rome’s STMP, should be part of all STMPs. Full article

In this study, we documented two relict traditional Palestinian orchards; one was abandoned following the 1948 war when the farmers were exiled to Lebanon and the second was tended by farmers up until the early 1970s. The orchards examined are located in two different Mediterranean phytogeographic regions, one in the hilly Upper Galilee and the other on the slopes of Mount Carmel in the hinterland of the Mediterranean coast. We found differences in the species composition and spatial layout of trees in each orchard which followed the dictates of the geographic settings, demonstrating the farmer’s knowledge of their environment. We discuss the importance of these orchards as part of the heritage horticultural systems of the region and explore possible measures that can be taken to preserve this unique historical arboricultural landscape and ways to empower local, traditional knowledge in promoting awareness for the conservation and preservation of heritage horticulture. Full article

This study reconstructs the agricultural landscape of the southern coastal plain of late Ottoman and British Mandatory Palestine (today southwestern Israel) utilizing late 19th and early 20th century cartographic materials and aerial photographs. Immense human effort and ingenuity were required to maintain sustainable agricultural on the fringes of the desert. Given today’s increasingly severe climate crisis, the lessons drawn from these historical agricultural practices have particular resonance. The agricultural land use described in this work extended into the coastal dunes of the region where the shallow water table was exploited to create complex agricultural systems that enabled the growth of citrus trees, grapes, and other crops for export and trade. Aerial photos and maps reveal the critical aspects of this region’s neglected agricultural history. The stability and resilience of these systems, some of which are still in existence 76 years or more after they were abandoned, as seen in the survey conducted for this study, point to the importance of understanding and preserving this chapter of the region’s agricultural heritage. The unique varieties of fruit trees adapted to the local climate of the western Negev still have significant economic value and are threatened with extinction from rapid urban encroachment. The remnants of this tradition serve as historical testimony of a bygone agricultural era which was replaced by mechanized monoculture. The discussion centers on the ways n which the study of heritage agriculture in rapidly changing areas can contribute to the broader field of historical geography by reconstructing landscapes that preserve the knowledge and societal patterns of behavior of past communities for future generations. Full article

Street trees play a fundamental role in shaping pedestrian sidewalks, squares, and small rest areas, enriching the public space, together with paving, street furniture, and lighting. However, the project of street tree lines along urban sidewalks remains an underestimated issue in urban design and strategic planning, even if it could be a pivotal opportunity for a widespread redevelopment of living streets and public spaces. The present study focuses on landscape aspects of the ‘street tree project’ intrinsically linked with the identity, perception, and morphological issues of urban spaces, from a strategic vision of the city to the human scale of the urban landscape. In this perspective, we discussed the case of Rome, Italy, where the historical heritage has had an extraordinary value, and where street trees are considered a notable contribution to the landscape identity of the whole city. The administrative council of the Municipality of Rome has initiated a comprehensive census of street trees and is currently developing a Street Tree Masterplan. This plan will serve as a guiding framework, outlining strategies for the conservation of arboreal heritage and the revitalization of the urban tree population along city streets. Based on the empirical evidence stemming from this case study, the discussion highlights the relevance of poorly debated issues, in both the academic and practitioner’s literature, mainly concerning the choice of urban trees’ species. Choosing the ‘right tree species in the right place’ has implications that are not only ecological and environmental, but also perceptive and architectural, being intimately associated with the urban scene and the identity of places. Full article