Periodic Reporting for period 1 - STECCI (Stone monument ensambles and the climate change impact)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-09-01 al 2025-02-28
The project aims to develop innovative, sustainable strategies to protect cultural heritage—especially stećci—from climate change (under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios), natural hazards, pollution, and human threats up to 2100. Predominantly found in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with smaller numbers in Croatia (HR), Serbia (SRB), and Montenegro (MNE), stećci, UNESCO-listed medieval tombstones (bos. stećak., stećci, pl.), have never been subjected to a holistic evaluation that would ensure their sustainable preservation. Working on demo cases, the project will produce outputs applicable to the whole European region, including other limestone in France (FR), Austria (AT), Malta (MT) and Germany (DE). Another pillar is based on education via summer academies and the multi-stakeholder engagement.
OBJECTIVES:
The main objectives can be summarised as follows:
1. Condition assessment of stećci tombstones and the reference group of sacral stone monuments to determine the level of CC and anthropogenic impacts
2. In situ conservation of stećci in different climate types of Southeast Europe
3. Development of comprehensive economy-based Preservation Guidelines
4. Promotion of stećci and European cultural heritage by enhancing cultural tourism in conjunction with creative industries and social innovation
5. Educating young researchers and conservators and increasing citizens’ scientific literacy
IMPACTS:
Impact 1: Advanced and science-based protection of limestone monuments from CC, CC induced hazards and anthropogenic threats
This project supports preserving European limestone monuments under two climate scenarios through Preservation Guidelines. The guidelines define climate-specific monitoring and conservation strategies, identifying high-risk sites, while compare traditional and innovative conservation materials for suitability, cost, and ecological impact.
Impact 2: Empowering citizens in valorisation and sustainable protection of cultural heritage
Social labs in B&H, HR, and MNE empower communities to protect heritage through citizen science, storytelling, and creative arts, with virtual tours and educational games to enhance engagement.
Impact 3: Increased scientific literacy of citizens and competences of researchers and conservators
The project will raise public awareness and strengthen researchers' and conservators’ expertise, through three summer academies.
OBJECTIVES:
The main objectives can be summarised as follows:
1. Condition assessment of stećci tombstones and the reference group of sacral stone monuments to determine the level of CC and anthropogenic impacts
2. In situ conservation of stećci in different climate types of Southeast Europe
3. Development of comprehensive economy-based Preservation Guidelines
4. Promotion of stećci and European cultural heritage by enhancing cultural tourism in conjunction with creative industries and social innovation
5. Educating young researchers and conservators and increasing citizens’ scientific literacy
IMPACTS:
Impact 1: Advanced and science-based protection of limestone monuments from CC, CC induced hazards and anthropogenic threats
This project supports preserving European limestone monuments under two climate scenarios through Preservation Guidelines. The guidelines define climate-specific monitoring and conservation strategies, identifying high-risk sites, while compare traditional and innovative conservation materials for suitability, cost, and ecological impact.
Impact 2: Empowering citizens in valorisation and sustainable protection of cultural heritage
Social labs in B&H, HR, and MNE empower communities to protect heritage through citizen science, storytelling, and creative arts, with virtual tours and educational games to enhance engagement.
Impact 3: Increased scientific literacy of citizens and competences of researchers and conservators
The project will raise public awareness and strengthen researchers' and conservators’ expertise, through three summer academies.
WP 2 - RISK AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT BASED ON CLIMATE SCENARIOS
The developed GIS-based thematic maps provide fine-grained climate data, visualising site-specific risks within the STECCI Maze Figure 1 (Climate Stressors-Mechanisms-Hazards, Biodeterioration, Air Pollution-Impact). Key climate stressors (temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, humidity, wind) and site-specific air pollutants (COx, SOx, NOx, PMx) were identified. STECCI DRFs matrix was developed along the predicted rate of stone deterioration in µm/year for each site. The biodeterioration analysis identified 24 moss and 15 lichen species, classified by their conservation hazard and impact on limestone deterioration.
WP3 CONDITION ASSESSMENT, MONITORING AND CONSERVATION TREATMENTS ON CHOSEN STECCI
WP3 focuses on the long-term preservation of limestone cultural assets in outdoor environments, considering climate change (WP2). On-site landscaping and archaeological work at designated sites in Bosnia & Herzegovina were completed. Condition Assessments (CAs) were conducted at 12 sites in Austria, Germany, France, and Malta, as well as at eight sites in B&H and Croatia. Additional assessments in Montenegro and Serbia are planned for spring 2025. In-situ assessments were conducted using non-destructive methods - visual inspection, decay mapping, water absorption, colour/gloss measurements, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and reflectance transformation imaging. A total of 11 exposure racks were produced, with nine already installed.
WP4 DIGITISATION
Digitisation focused on large-scale digital documentation of Stećci sites using 3D scanning technologies. Aerial photogrammetry and LIDAR captured entire sites, while close-range photogrammetry documented individual stećci. Data acquisition was completed between in 2024 for Hundskirche (AT), Žugića bare (MNE), and Ravanjska Vrata, Radimlja, and Dugo Polje (B&H).
WP5 COMMUNITY-BASED IMPACT STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE STECCI ECOSYSTEM
Work Package 5 focuses on co-creating a research strategy with researchers, practitioners, and volunteers. The STECCI Social Innovation Labs (SI Labs) framework is developed, producing a comprehensive handbook and establishing labs in B&H, CRO, and MNE. Citizen science pilots were launched in DE and SRB. Co-creation methods were implemented through 17 workshops, including mapping walks.
WP6 ECONOMIC VALUES
WP6 focuses on assessing the economic impact of climate change on stećci and developing strategies for sustainable preservation and cultural tourism. Three models were developed: the Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) to evaluate conservation strategies, Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to measure public willingness to pay for conservation, and the DICE Model to assess long-term economic impacts under different climate scenarios.
The developed GIS-based thematic maps provide fine-grained climate data, visualising site-specific risks within the STECCI Maze Figure 1 (Climate Stressors-Mechanisms-Hazards, Biodeterioration, Air Pollution-Impact). Key climate stressors (temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, humidity, wind) and site-specific air pollutants (COx, SOx, NOx, PMx) were identified. STECCI DRFs matrix was developed along the predicted rate of stone deterioration in µm/year for each site. The biodeterioration analysis identified 24 moss and 15 lichen species, classified by their conservation hazard and impact on limestone deterioration.
WP3 CONDITION ASSESSMENT, MONITORING AND CONSERVATION TREATMENTS ON CHOSEN STECCI
WP3 focuses on the long-term preservation of limestone cultural assets in outdoor environments, considering climate change (WP2). On-site landscaping and archaeological work at designated sites in Bosnia & Herzegovina were completed. Condition Assessments (CAs) were conducted at 12 sites in Austria, Germany, France, and Malta, as well as at eight sites in B&H and Croatia. Additional assessments in Montenegro and Serbia are planned for spring 2025. In-situ assessments were conducted using non-destructive methods - visual inspection, decay mapping, water absorption, colour/gloss measurements, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and reflectance transformation imaging. A total of 11 exposure racks were produced, with nine already installed.
WP4 DIGITISATION
Digitisation focused on large-scale digital documentation of Stećci sites using 3D scanning technologies. Aerial photogrammetry and LIDAR captured entire sites, while close-range photogrammetry documented individual stećci. Data acquisition was completed between in 2024 for Hundskirche (AT), Žugića bare (MNE), and Ravanjska Vrata, Radimlja, and Dugo Polje (B&H).
WP5 COMMUNITY-BASED IMPACT STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE STECCI ECOSYSTEM
Work Package 5 focuses on co-creating a research strategy with researchers, practitioners, and volunteers. The STECCI Social Innovation Labs (SI Labs) framework is developed, producing a comprehensive handbook and establishing labs in B&H, CRO, and MNE. Citizen science pilots were launched in DE and SRB. Co-creation methods were implemented through 17 workshops, including mapping walks.
WP6 ECONOMIC VALUES
WP6 focuses on assessing the economic impact of climate change on stećci and developing strategies for sustainable preservation and cultural tourism. Three models were developed: the Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) to evaluate conservation strategies, Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to measure public willingness to pay for conservation, and the DICE Model to assess long-term economic impacts under different climate scenarios.
STECCI Site-Selected Köppen Climate System
Unlike conventional heritage risk assessments that rely on generalized or regionalized climate models, the STECCI project applies site-selected Köppen climate types and subtypes at the fourth classification level. This approach captures key microclimatic elements across diverse zones, providing a foundation for understanding atmospheric impacts on tombstone condition and guiding the selection of appropriate conservation methods.
STECCI GIS Project
All existing spatial layers were initially integrated into a unified GIS project, enabling the combination of diverse data sources. These layers include geology, geomorphology, climatology, pedology, hydrology, biogeography, and anthropogenically influenced features.
Dual-Model Prediction of Limestone Recession
The Lipfert and Kucera Dose Response Functions (DRFs) were jointly applied to predict limestone surface loss across 12 environmentally diverse sites in Europe. A STECCI-specific DRF matrix was developed, accompanied by a synthetic table presenting the predicted rate of stone deterioration in µm/year for each site. However, the study revealed key limitations in existing DRFs, most importantly their inability to account for biologically mediated microclimatic impacts.
β Coefficient: Methodological Innovation for Dose Response Functions (DRFs)
A novel β coefficient was developed to integrate biological colonization into both Lipfert and Kucera DRFs, based on the Braun-Blanquet method, a phytocoenological tool previously unused in heritage conservation, recognizing their impact in three keyways (biochemical, microclimatic and mechanical).
Bio-Preservation Strategy
A bio-preservation strategy was proposed using non-invasive, non-chemical methods, balancing ecological sensitivity with selective removal based on lichen growth forms—eight identified crustose species (retained) and seven foliose species (removed).
Unlike conventional heritage risk assessments that rely on generalized or regionalized climate models, the STECCI project applies site-selected Köppen climate types and subtypes at the fourth classification level. This approach captures key microclimatic elements across diverse zones, providing a foundation for understanding atmospheric impacts on tombstone condition and guiding the selection of appropriate conservation methods.
STECCI GIS Project
All existing spatial layers were initially integrated into a unified GIS project, enabling the combination of diverse data sources. These layers include geology, geomorphology, climatology, pedology, hydrology, biogeography, and anthropogenically influenced features.
Dual-Model Prediction of Limestone Recession
The Lipfert and Kucera Dose Response Functions (DRFs) were jointly applied to predict limestone surface loss across 12 environmentally diverse sites in Europe. A STECCI-specific DRF matrix was developed, accompanied by a synthetic table presenting the predicted rate of stone deterioration in µm/year for each site. However, the study revealed key limitations in existing DRFs, most importantly their inability to account for biologically mediated microclimatic impacts.
β Coefficient: Methodological Innovation for Dose Response Functions (DRFs)
A novel β coefficient was developed to integrate biological colonization into both Lipfert and Kucera DRFs, based on the Braun-Blanquet method, a phytocoenological tool previously unused in heritage conservation, recognizing their impact in three keyways (biochemical, microclimatic and mechanical).
Bio-Preservation Strategy
A bio-preservation strategy was proposed using non-invasive, non-chemical methods, balancing ecological sensitivity with selective removal based on lichen growth forms—eight identified crustose species (retained) and seven foliose species (removed).