Natural-cultural landscape heritage at Ritidian, Guam
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2044-1266
Publication date: 13 May 2014
Abstract
Purpose
Landscapes bear potential as heritage resources, unifying natural and cultural history that can be experienced today in special preserved areas. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Geoarchaeological investigation 2006-2011 explored this potential at the Ritidian Unit of Guam National Wildlife Refuge.
Findings
As experienced today, the Ritidian landscape heritage embodies the complex outcomes of a 3,500-year record of ecology and evolution.
Research limitations/implications
A long-term perspective of unified natural-cultural history will increase scientific accuracy and enhance visitor experience of landscapes of heritage resources.
Practical implications
Sustainable development of landscape heritage can occur most successfully in cases of thorough research in areas of protected and managed ecosystems with reasonable public access.
Originality/value
The detailed results in this case may serve as a model example for other studies and programmes developing landscapes as heritage resources.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Manuscript preparation was supported by Visiting Scholar grant scheme project 23714 at the Research School of Asia and the Pacific, the Australian National University.
Citation
T. Carson, M. (2014), "Natural-cultural landscape heritage at Ritidian, Guam", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 35-56. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-03-2012-0012
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