Wooden cultural heritage in the Arctic Svalbard is situated in vulnerable ecosystems with high impact from the ongoing climate changes in addition to threats from increased human influence and land use changes. The growth of wood decaying microorganisms is temperature and moisture-dependent, and the impact of climate changes on microclimatic conditions is expected to extend the period of activity. One example is cable car trestles at Svalbard where untreated Norway spruce is used directly in soil contact and where some of the structures are 100 years old. However, the status of microbial deterioration in these regions is underreported and this leads to uncertainty regarding future damage development in Svalbard’s wooden cultural heritage and which measures can be taken to ensure preservation.
Keywords: basidiomycetes, metagenomics, species diversity
Authors
Gry Alfredsen
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Norway
Lone Ross
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Norway
Michael Altgen
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Norway
Igor A. Yakovlev
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Norway
Anne-Cathrine Flyen
Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research, Norway
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Norway
Mari S. Austigard
Mycoteam, Norway
Johan Mattsson
Mycoteam, Norway
Nanna Bjerregaard Pedersen
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation, Institute of Conservation, Denmark
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