A Review of Fungal Decay in Historic Wooden Structures in Polar Regions

ABSTRACT

Biological deterioration is a significant threat to wooden cultural heritage in polar regions. Based on a comprehensive review of previous and current research, we provide an overview of current knowledge of wood-decaying fungi and fungal decay in historic wooden structures in Antarctica and the High Arctic. Most available research focuses on degradation mechanisms, providing data on microbial biodiversity and factors influencing deterioration of the historic polar heritage. Less is reported on decay rates and consequences for cultural heritage, such as the type and severity of damage, causes, repair, and conservation methods. The effects of climate change improve conditions for fungal decay, and thus more severe damage must be expected. Consequently, further research and development should concentrate on these challenges to promote conservation of polar cultural heritage and sustainable heritage management. Greater cooperation between researchers across disciplines in polar regions may be of key importance to improve insights and treatments for polar wooden heritage.

KEYWORDS:

• Antarctic
• High Arctic
• cultural heritage
• biological degradation
• fungal decay

Acknowledgements

The two anonymous reviewers are kindly acknowledged for helpful comments which contributed to improving this paper. The authors would like to thank Research Professor Gry Alfredsen at the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research for constructive feedback. The authors would also like to thank the Norwegian Polar Institute, Tom Edvinsen, Carl Erik Kilander, Ann Kristin Balto, and Stine Barlindhaug for permitting the use of photographic material.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This review is based on work supported by the Norwegian Research Council under Grant number [226413 and 294314]; Fram Centre Flagship Environmental impact of industrial development in the North (MIKON) under Grant CULRES; and Svalbard Environmenstal Protection Fund under Grant [12/27, 14/48, and 17/51].

Notes on contributors

Anne-Cathrine Flyen

Anne-Cathrine Flyen is an architect specialising in cultural heritage preservation and management in Arctic areas and environmental monitoring of cultural heritage focusing on biological decay in wooden structures.

Alma Elizabeth Thuestad

Alma Elizabeth Thuestad is an archaeologist specialising in historic landscape and resource use in circumpolar areas, environmental monitoring of cultural heritage, and archaeological applications of GIS and remote sensing.