Assessment and outlook of the global karst World Natural Heritage Sites based on threat intensity

A rising threat intensity to global karst World Natural Heritage Sites (WNHS), particularly in the Asia & Pacific region, has been identified, with management and institutional factors posing the highest risk. This study employed the Threat Intensity Coefficient (TIC) to analyze 31 karst WNHS, revealing uneven distribution and increasing threats from human activities such as social/cultural uses and development. While Europe and North America show well-controlled threat levels, high-risk factors in these regions were also highlighted when integrated with States of Conservation reports. The research underscores the need for targeted conservation efforts to protect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of these sites.

Sun, M., Hong, S., Meng, J., Xiong, Q., & Xiao, S. (2025). Assessment and outlook of the global karst World Natural Heritage Sites based on threat intensity. Npj Heritage Science, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s40494-025-01768-x