Vegetation Conditions in Sacred Compounds at Myanmar’s Bagan Cultural Heritage Site

At Myanmar’s Bagan Cultural Heritage Site, scrub vegetation occupies over a quarter of the sacred compounds surrounding religious monuments, posing risks to the integrity of the cultural landscape. This study quantifies canopy coverage and land use within these compounds, revealing that shrub-hosting areas dominate (nearly 50%), while farmland, monastic residences, and accessways occupy less than one-fifth each. The presence of scrub vegetation suggests invasion by alien species from drier hinterlands, highlighting urgent management needs. Conversely, cultivated farmland appears to suppress weedy growth, offering a potential solution for safeguarding monuments. This research underscores the importance of strategic land use—particularly cultivation—to preserve Bagan’s cultural landscape and protect its heritage.

Aung, M. Z. N., & Shibata, S. (2019). Vegetation Conditions in Sacred Compounds at Myanmar’s Bagan Cultural Heritage Site. Heritage, 2(4), 2745–2762. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2040170