National Parks of Taiwan

Facing the weather extremes

When Cultural Heritage Sites meet Climate Change

Article/ Shih-Ju Huang

Interviewee(s)/ Jieh-Jiuh Wang, Professor, Department of Architecture, Ming Chuan University.Hung-Chiao Chen, Associate Technical Specialist, Kinmen National Park Conservation Research Section.Hsang-Te Chin, Historic trail researcher and author of A Century on the Liwu River: The History of Cutting the Taroko Central Cross-island Highway.Pao-Kuang Chen, Director, Buluowan Service Station, Taroko National Park Headquarters

Vietnam's Hoi An Ancient town drowned in heavy rain; Australia's Fraser Island engulfed in firestorms;Jordan's historic city Petra hit by mudslides – World heritage sites, impacted by natural disasters in recent years, have become the silent victims of climate challenges. They have witnessed the development of human civilization and history; but now, they stand witness to human insignificance and vulnerability when faced with climate change.

The national parks in Taiwan, whether away in the mountains or down within the sea, have also been endowed with rich cultural heritage sites and landscapes. As we face climate change issues,how can we learn from international experience to respond to our own situations and challenges? How can we retrieve the local wisdom accumulated by people of the past as we adjust to changes taking place in heaven and earth?

When We Take Climate Action, Cultural Heritage Sites Cannot be Forgotten

The 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27),hosted by Egypt, closed in November 2022. The Conference, in addition to reconfirming that global warming must be limited to 1.5°C, also focused on the issue of “Loss and Damage”. COP27 members explored how to respond to the consequences of unavoidable disasters through carbon reduction and climate adaptation. With all the challenges of climate change, world heritage sites and cultural assets have been deeply affected, too. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has long warned that,whether natural or cultural, world heritage sites will also be exposed to climate threats.

If climate change is unavoidable, we will need guidelines on how to mitigate and adapt to the changes. The 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Azerbaijan in 2019, released the report The Future of Our Pasts: Engaging cultural heritage in climate action in hopes of providing suggestions for cultural heritage researchers, working personnel,and climate policy makers.

The Future of Our Pasts: Engaging cultural heritage in climate action points out four ways in which cultural heritage should be engaged within climate action:

● High Ambition

Actively responding to the Paris Agreement with the core value of cultural heritage, we need to narrate stories about cultural heritage in the face of climate change. We must also facilitate knowledge exchanges and communication/dialogue between cultural heritage and fields of climate science research,education, cultural heritage management, etc., to formulate policies related to climate adaptation.

● Adaptation

We need to minimize the negative consequences of climate challenges, and maximize opportunities. Only by understanding related knowledge and forming it into plans and action can we face the opportunities, limitations, and challenges head-on. We need to employ adaptive strategies to manage cultural heritage risks, while changing human behavior, systems, and technology,and coordinating regional and international adaptation actions.

● Mitigation

We need to use cultural heritage itself as a means to mitigate warming and support climate adaptation. For example, we can reduce carbon emissions through the maintenance and re-utilization of cultural heritage sites, to reduce excessive construction of buildings, facilitate cross-sectoral carbon reduction strategies, reduce tourism’s carbon footprint, etc.,and learn from cultural heritage sites about the experiences in climate adaption accumulated by people of the past.

● Loss and Damage

We must recognize that negative phenomena are happening more and more (like desertification, glacier disappearance,biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, rising sea levels, etc.) will cause irreversible damage to cultural heritage sites. Moreover,damage that is not easily evaluated (such as non-economic losses) requires integrated approaches to manage the risks,as well as resources to support the vulnerable groups that are directly affected by climate challenges.

From Glaciers to Cities: Which Cultural Heritage Sites Have been Impacted?

Glaciers melting, permafrost thawing, coastal erosion, drastic changes in rainfall, wildfires, and floods may cause irreversible damage to local cultural heritage sites. UNESCO’s Case Studies on Climate Change and World Heritage, released in 2007, gives five classes of climate change impact:

1. Glaciers

Case study: Huascarán National Park in Peru

With the impact of El Niño, glacial lakes have burst, with floods destroying villages. The disappearance of glaciers also affects regional climate and traditional agricultural activities, which may lead to water shortage, disease, and famine. Additionally,because the local Willcahuain archaeological site is located in a potential landslide path, soil instability has become a cause for concern.

2. Marine biodiversity

Case study: Komodo National Park in Indonesia

The rise of sea temperature and sea level has affected ocean salinity, acidity, and ecosystems;saltwater intrusion into freshwater resources has also damaged wetlands and mangroves. Komodo National Park has promoted monitoring projects on coral reefs, sea turtles, mangroves, etc. in recent years, to fur ther evaluate the potential impacts of marine environmental changes on local ecosystems.

3. Terrestrial biodiversity

Case study: Ichkeul National Park in Tunisia

Ichkeul National Park's wetland system is a stopover for Nor th African migratory birds.Since freshwater has almost been cut off by the upstream dams, the salinity of the lakes has risen.Wetland areas have also been reduced. These factors all make it harder for migratory birds to survive. Although lake vegetation is gradually being restored with the implementation of scientific monitoring programs and management measures,the bird populations' resilience and adaptability will still need to be monitored in the future.

4. Archaeological sites

Case study: Chan Chan Archaeological Zone in Peru

The Chan Chan Archaeological Zone has preserved complexes of palaces, temples, communities, earthen walls,and more from the 15th century. This part of Peru was deluged with 3,000 mm of rainfall 1997-98's El Niño event; rainfall events of this scale damage the earthen structures on the site. Only after applying measures such as adding emergency supports, and fortifying foundations and structures, has the damage been prevented from expanding.

5. Historical cities and settlements

Case study: The historic centers of eský Krumlov and Prague in Czechia

Heavy rain in 2002 caused a devastating flood in Prague. In the center of the local town eský Krumlov, the floodwaters crested at 4 meters; more than one hundred gothic churches were damaged. Following this disaster, it remains a challenge to maintain buildings’ structural stability and prevent future floods.

Imagine Before Action :Situational Thinking in Disaster Management

Professor Jieh-Jiuh Wang from the Department of Architecture at Ming Chuan University looks at it this way: To respond to climate change is to face long-term “Risk”. If the range of changes intensifies and the frequency of impact on human beings rises within a certain period of time, “Disasters” may occur. In particular, the risks that cultural heritage sites may encounter include “static structural risks”,“environmental and air-related risks”, and “human-factor risks”.The first two categories of risks are particularly and strongly correlated.For example, envi ronmental and atmospheric changes such as extreme rainfall, high temperature,temperature/humidity differences, etc. will make old buildings unable to withstand the current climatic environment, and may even lead to static structural risks when earthquakes, floods, or land subsidence/collapses occur.

For example, al though the average annual precipitation in Taiwan has reached 2,500 mm in recent years, the rainfall has been significantly concentrated. Wang explains, “Annual precipitation,which is supposed to be evenly distributed throughout the year, might come in several heavy rains; and drizzle becomes very rare.” As a result,buildings absorb excessive moisture, which causes wooden buildings to experience increased mold and pest infestations, and reinforced concrete buildings may rust and crack due to concrete neutralization caused by acid rain infiltration. “In many cases,” Wang says, “it is not the problem of materials, but climate change that accelerates the deterioration.”

Wang has recently participated in the Ministry of Culture's Regeneration of Historical Sites project.On the topic of disaster management knowledge on cultural heritage sites, Wang shares, “Disaster management for cultural heritage preservation must follow three principles: Human life protection;disaster control; and artifact rescue.” But this kind of management isn’t just about grasping those principles. In recent years, Wang has also led monuments and historical building managers in Taipei to practice “situational thinking”, which guides participants to imagine what may happen in a certain situation.

“In terms of protecting human life”, Wang explains,“the first thing to be considered is the nature of the building. If it’s a building for exhibition and performance, how can people be evacuated? If it’s a building where things are displayed, what items need to be given priority for rescue? Do you know which cultural artifact is the most precious one? If there are only five people in the building and they need to do all the reporting, evacuation guidance,and artifact rescue, will they be enough to manage the task?” Such situation drills make disaster prevention and rescue no longer just theory. Wang stresses that going from “formulating” a plan to actually “using” it is a big step. He says with a smile,“If you come up with a plan, the whole point is to use it. You can’t be afraid to get your elbows dirty.Otherwise, you’ll always be asking ‘Something has happened, what do we do now?’”

Crisis or Opportunity? Thinking about Relationships between Humans and the Environment

Just by virtue of existing, cultural heritage sites and national parks are subject to climate change.When we look at climate change issues through different breadths of time and space, national parks will present different issues. Therefore, monitoring changes and trends will become even more important. By staying on top of coming disaster issues, corresponding disaster prevention strategies can be figured out.

With respect to disaster management, Wang stresses that “people” and “material resources” are the most important factors. “Disaster management is the management of personnel and resources.In fact, it’s not complicated, but these two things – people and material resources – are extremely important. And every national park is going to have different situations with regard to these two factors.”Like cultural heritage sites, situational imagination is also required for national park disaster management. “Without imagination, all we can do is passive response,” mentions Wang. For example,situational thinking that simulates a bushfire in a national park will include issues such as identifying what tree species are affected, whether the oil produced by trees will help spread the fire, and what particular species may be killed in the fire.

“Out simulated situations need to be an extension of trends,” says Wang. “Only by grasping the trends and reasonably describing situations can the subsequent resource preparation, personnel grouping, and educational training meet actual need. Also, regular disaster prevention and rescue drills based on simulated situations can demonstrate the maximum benefits possible with limited resources.” Wang suggests that risk management,crisis management, and consequence management need to be considered at the same time, and resources should be appropriately distributed and utilized through policy guidance and governance framework. “Global environmental issues such as climate change and net-zero carbon emissions are opportunities for us, because mountains and forests are the lifeblood of Taiwan; they are where the opportunities and resources are.”

He also reminded us that disaster management emphasizes learning from experience. By using the actions taken by other national parks around the world as a reference, we can determine what paths Taiwan must take. We also need to think about what the relationship between humans and the environment is. Are we ready to coexist with the environment? What are our beliefs about the environment? “As climate change is an unavoidable issue, if we refuse to face it, we will be in shadow,”says Wang. “We must instead face it with a positive attitude. At least we have taken this step.”

“Preservation” and “Use” of Historical Military Sites on Kinmen Island

Kinmen National Park is Taiwan's first national park on one of the outlying islands. The Park focuses on maintenance of historical and cultural heritage sites, and memorials to military battles. If you’ve visited Kinmen before in late winter and early spring, you may have come away impressed with the thick fog there. Chen Hung-chiao, Associate Technical Specialist at Kinmen National Park Conservation Research Section, observes, “The period from Lunar New Year to the beginning of May is usually Kinmen's fog season. Although we aren’t sure if this is an effect of climate change, but the last two or three years, people do feel that the fog season has been really short.” As sea level rises, some people worry that coastal erosion will accelerate, which may cause coastal collapses and landslides. That would reduce Kinmen Island's land area. In the near future, Kinmen National Park Headquarters (KNPH) is set to carry out a survey, conducted every ten years, on trends in coastal terrain changes. This survey will help people understand how Kinmen's coastal terrain has changed over the past decade.

Environmental conditions have also affected the 80-plus military weapons that Kinmen National Park Headquarters took custody of from the military,after the area was no longer subject to battle administration. Since most large military weapons such as fighter aircrafts, tanks, artillery vehicles,etc. are exhibited in outdoor spaces, and are therefore subject to strong sea winds, high salinity,and humidity, they are prone to becoming rusty.KNPH has entrusted maintenance service providers to maintain these artifacts through regular removal of rust stains, repainting, etc. Like experience with restoring old residences has shown, “having people use it is the best way to keep it maintained.” That’s why, after taking over the military barracks and other buildings, KNPH outsourced operations of shops onsite, and has also incorporated military experiences such as camping, escape rooms,shooting, etc. into the Park's onsite activities in recent years. These provide visitors with more recreation options and facilitate the development of local industry.

Chen mentions that KNPH will invest more resources in the revitalization and reutilization of historical military sites in the future. Recently KNPH has commissioned scholars to conduct surveys on the current battlefield cultural landscape,and to propose different levels of governance mechanisms with reference to experiences in other countries. Based on indicators such as authenticity,completeness, representativeness, rarity, other cultural asset value, potential for activation and utilization, etc., historical sites are first “categorized”and then “separated into different levels”. “Through the priorities and focuses for preservation,restoration, and governance determined based on the above-mentioned indicators, ” Chen says,“KNPH will be able to know which artifacts need priority for restoration and reutilization over the next 5 to 10 years.”

What Remains Eternal within Taroko Gorge?

If Kinmen Island is blown by sea breezes, then what traces has the climate left on mountainous Taroko Gorge?

The Liwu River, which originates from Mount Qilai, runs all the way through the Taroko area. Its watershed is an area of 616 square kilometers.The Taroko people call it Yayung paru, or “big river”. The Big River carved out the Taroko Valley, and has witnessed all the changes in the Taroko area since the Qing Dynasty to the present. Taroko not only possesses magnificent natural heritage sites, but is also rich in amazing cultural assets. However, the environmental changes it is facing are also extraordinarily challenging.

Historic trail researcher Hsang-Te Chin has in recent years been headed the Survey & Research Project on Cultural Heritage sites in the Taroko Gorge Section of the Liwu River Basin, commissioned by Taroko National Park Headquarters. Chin has set foot on steep,dangerous mountain trails, and even roadless areas, to seek cultural heritage covered by vines. Examples include the Zhuilu Old Road and the Hehuan national trail, built during the period of Japanese rule, and still used to this day. He has also seen beautiful sites such as Xianhuan Bridge, Shanyue Bridge, Sakuma Shrine,etc. which became known to the wider world when “Taroko Gorge” became a tourist destination. The Xianhuan Bridge relics, located at the intersection of the Liwu and its tributary Luozhiyan Creek,were rediscovered during the survey. When the bridge was first constructed, Taroko Col's high cliff topography presented a huge challenge; the large cable-supported bridge was built by transporting all construction materials along winding trails up to the site. The bridge had been rebuilt three times,and is still in good repair. But unfortunately, it is difficult to approach.

Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou) and the Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong), both well-known to tourists, were renovated using worksite tunnels for gold-mining roads during the Pacific War Mobilization during Japanese colonization. These two sites have witnessed the Liwu River's history of contributing to hydropower generation and gold mining. As for the Central Cross-Island Highway, built with blood,sweat, and tears after the National Government came to Taiwan, there is another hard story to be told. Chin mentions with a smile that when he was young, he used to believe that the history of the Central Cross-Island Highway was something that just magically appeared one day. After participating in historical site surveys, however, he realized that Taroko Gorge had possessed rich history and cultural landscapes long before that. However,as he reviewed recent years’ mountaineering experiences, Chin did feel that climate change damage to cultural assets. “For example, people in the past would choose to build trails in relatively stable locations. However, the frequent heavy rainfall in recent years has affected the Liwu River,particularly its upper reaches where the distance between ridges is narrow. When an S-shaped meander is constantly bashed by heavy rain and strong stream water, its cut bank will be gradually hollowed out, and the collapse of the upper bank will continue to expand. In such conditions, many historical sites have disappeared. Or, sometimes,a mountain ridge may become an isolated island.These phenomena are still happening.”

Having conducted onsite surveys to trace nearly 300 years of Taroko history, Chin says, “Taroko is a constantly changing environment. In the process of being constantly destroyed and reshaped,what things in the gorge can remain eternally?”He uses the example of how the Taroko people used to choose to build settlements on river terraces. “The precious terraces was formed in a process by which a river cut downward into its bed thousands of years ago. Such a place is relatively safe for residents to avoid disasters, and it is a demonstration of tribal people's wisdom.” Even so, many old settlements have been destroyed by natural changes over the centuries. Boulders from mountain rockfalls are piled up in the relics. “Under Nature's power, human beings are, after all, finite.”

When we face a rapidly changing environment, the preservation and restoration of the splendid cultural assets and landscapes retained in Taroko National Park, including historical trails, shrine archways, shrines, and bridges, is indeed not an easy task. Director Pao-Kuang Chen, who works at Buluowan Service Station, points out that,although there have been fewer typhoons in recent years, earthquakes still take their toll. In such an environment, to not go against Nature is also a principle for trade-offs restoration. “For example,”says Chen, “currently only the first half section of the Zhuilu Old Road is open for tourists. That’s the only part where tourists can access that history.The second section, where multiple collapses and damage have occurred, now gets monitored on a six-month interval. We’re waiting for opportunities to do the next-stage planning.”

Changing human behavior and utilizing modern technologies and materials to respond to the future climate environment are also topics we need to deal with regarding contemporary cultural assets as we face issues of climate adaptation. Chen shares that the rock shed of the Tunnel of Nine Turns is their most representative achievement so far. The trail had been closed for 6 years due to accidents caused by falling rocks. After that, by following the mountain wall's half-closed characteristic, and by not destroying the existing terrain, a functional space to view the scenery has been incorporated into the site, all while ensuring tourist safety. “Such man-made facilities need to be reinforced through artificial means; but the reinforcement cannot be too excessive, lest the natural caves be damaged.A balance between responding to natural disasters and protective facilities has to be attained when construction work is carried out.”

Kinmen Island and Taroko Gorge both tell us “stories” of how there have been changes in heaven and earth over the centuries. These stories may seem silent, but they are in fact very powerful. From routine maintenance, monitoring,revitalization and reutilization, to placing artificial facilities that help us respond to climate changes,we should learn from local wisdom accumulated by people of the past. As we figure out how to face the challenge of climate adaptation in the future,we must choose carefully between “to change” and “not to change”, “to do” and “not to do”, as we jointly face the lessons that will come with challenges and crises.