Publications
Cultural diplomacy as an emergent and uneven process: The cultural olympiad in the veneto dolomites ahead of Milano cortina 2026
Cultural diplomacy in the context of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics emerges as an uneven and emergent process, shaped by local governance, grassroots capacity, and the ability to engage external audiences. While over half of initiatives are led by community-based organizations, only 35% of stakeholders plan new Olympiad-related activities due to fragmented coordination and limited funding. The study, conducted through territorial mapping, policy analysis, and stakeholder surveys in Belluno—a peripheral Alpine province and UNESCO World Heritage site—reveals that diplomatic functions remain indirect and weakly institutionalized, largely embedded in territorial promotion. This research contributes to debates on subnational cultural diplomacy by highlighting the conditions and limits of such efforts.
Essere “World Heritage Site”. Rischi e opportunità del marchio UNESCO per le destinazioni alpine
The UNESCO World Heritage designation of the Dolomites, while highlighting its exceptional characteristics, has also triggered complex dynamics between conservation needs and increasing human activities. This study reveals that overtourism in natural sites can reduce landscapes to consumable and exhaustible global products, raising critical questions about the sustainability of such designations. It suggests that a radical rethinking is necessary to prevent these sites from becoming purely extractive locations. Conversely, it also explores opportunities presented by World Heritage status, including innovative governance models and integrated territorial management policies. The research adopts an interdisciplinary approach, integrating spatial practice, landscape ecology, and tourism studies, to critically interrogate the role of natural heritage in the 21st century amidst climate change and unsustainable tourism models.
The regional effects of UNESCO heritage on property values: a synthetic control approach
UNESCO World Heritage Site designation significantly boosts residential property values, with the Dolomites seeing a 17.4% increase for ordinary dwellings and 13.4% for luxury properties after inscription in 2009—a persistent effect lasting over a decade. No such impact was observed for commercial properties. The study used a synthetic control approach on municipality–semester panel data from 2005 to 2022, comparing actual trends with counterfactual scenarios to isolate the heritage effect.
A Sentinel-1 Based Hybrid Interferometric Approach to Complement EGMS for Landslides Identification
A novel Hybrid Interferometric Approach (HIA) using Sentinel-1 satellite data significantly enhances the detection of landslides, particularly those moving faster than current thresholds. This method outperforms the European Ground Motion Service (EGMS), providing a more comprehensive mapping of slope instabilities in the Dolomites. The HIA integrates multi-baseline interferometric analysis with radar signals from both point-like and distributed targets, reducing temporal decorrelation effects by limiting observation windows to six months. By analyzing ten datasets spanning 2017–2021, the study demonstrates that this approach broadens detectable landslide ranges, offering critical advancements for hazard assessment and risk reduction efforts.
Assessing the Conservation Priority of Alpine Carabid Beetle Communities by Mapping the Index of Natural Value (INV) in Natura 2000 Habitats in the Brenta Dolomites (Italian Alps)
Alpine carabid beetle communities in the Brenta Dolomites exhibit heightened vulnerability to extinction at higher altitudes, particularly in limestone cliffs, screes, and alpine grasslands. This finding emerges from a study that mapped the Index of Natural Value (INV) across Natura 2000 habitats, revealing a positive correlation between vulnerability and altitude. The research used INV—a metric based on specialized species' frequencies—as a proxy for disturbance sensitivity. While alkaline fens hosted the least vulnerable communities, intermediate levels were observed in bush and forest habitats. This study underscores the critical conservation priority of high-altitude carabid beetle assemblages within UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Dolichens: An Information System on the Lichens of the Dolomites
A comprehensive digital platform, Dolichens, has been developed to aggregate and centralize lichen diversity data from the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Dolomites. This innovative system addresses longstanding gaps in data accessibility by consolidating fragmented historical records into an interoperable format compatible with global repositories. By leveraging decades of lichenological research since the 19th century, Dolichens provides researchers, conservationists, and policymakers with a robust tool for monitoring and preserving lichen biodiversity. The platform's design prioritizes usability while ensuring seamless integration with international databases, marking a significant advancement in environmental data management.
L'arte o la morte
Dolomiti Contemporanee (DC) revitalizes abandoned or underused sites within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites, transforming them into dynamic hubs for art, culture, and environmental research. These forgotten spaces—such as ex-factories, villages, or hilltop hamlets—are repurposed to foster innovation, challenging conventional tourist exploitation by creating 'mountains that think.' The initiative hosts hundreds of anti-mimetic artists, architects, designers, ecologists, scientists, astrophysicists, and mountaineers annually, prioritizing artistic practice. By merging aesthetics with environmental inquiry, DC projects these sites into a meaningful future, emphasizing depth over superficial engagement. This approach opposes the reductionist view of landscapes as mere recreational spaces, instead championing their potential for intellectual and creative resonance.
Maintenance of flower color dimorphism in Ophiorrhiza japonica (Rubiaceae): responses to fluctuating temperatures in a dolomite Karst region
Fluctuating temperatures, not pollinators, are the primary driver of flower color dimorphism in Ophiorrhiza japonica within the UNESCO-listed dolomite karst region of Shibing. Research compared pink and white flower morphs, finding no significant difference in pollinator visitation but a marked shift in their ratio between spring and winter. Temperature experiments revealed that pink flowers maintained higher temperatures at moderate ranges (0–24°C), while white flowers dominated at extreme cold (-4°C). These findings challenge traditional hypotheses linking color polymorphism to pollinator selection, instead supporting the pleiotropic effect hypothesis—where temperature directly influences flower coloration. The study provides a model for understanding such traits in karst ecosystems.
Rethink education and skills in outdoor education: “on the door” approach emerging from Dolomiti-Unesco project
A novel 'on the door' approach to outdoor education emerges from the Dolomiti-UNESCO project, bridging indoor and outdoor learning methodologies to enhance educational outcomes. This innovative model fosters teacher expertise and student engagement in the natural environment of the Dolomites, demonstrating its potential to drive bottom-up systemic change and influence educational policies. The approach emphasizes sustainability, community involvement, and the development of personal and social agency, offering a workable framework for achieving ecological transition goals. By integrating explorative experiences with traditional classroom settings, the project redefines outdoor education's role in shaping responsible, future-oriented communities.
Rispetta la montagna – Risparmia l’acqua e riduci i rifiuti quando visiti le Dolomiti WHS
The Dolomites, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 for their natural beauty and geological significance, face increasing environmental challenges due to rising tourism. A recent initiative, 'Respect the Mountain' (Rispetta la montagna), launched in 2021, addresses this by promoting sustainable behavior among visitors, locals, and tourism professionals. The project focuses on water conservation and waste reduction through awareness campaigns coordinated by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-South Tyrol, IDM South Tyrol, and local tourism associations. This collaborative effort aims to mitigate environmental impacts while preserving the Dolomites' unique ecosystem for future generations.
Biodiversité végétale, valeurs naturelles et sauvegarde du paysage dans le domaine dolomitique
A significant increase in geobotanical knowledge of the Dolomites has been documented, particularly at the floristic level, with new taxa discovered since early studies in the 1970s. The research highlights the importance of biodiversity and landscape conservation in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized in 2009 for its geological and natural values. It emphasizes the need for a robust network of protected areas to safeguard these unique ecosystems from tourism-driven exploitation. The study underscores the central role of geobotanical knowledge in guiding conservation efforts amid evolving environmental dynamics.
Le tourisme œno-gastronomique dans la Piana Rotaliana Königsberg : des perspectives de développement
A strategic approach to developing oenogastronomic tourism in the UNESCO-listed Dolomites, specifically within the Piana Rotaliana Königsberg region, demonstrates significant potential for sustainable growth. This study highlights how collaborative initiatives, such as the 'Incontri Rotaliani' series and the creation of gastronomic and wine guides, can leverage local viticultural heritage to attract diverse audiences—from amateur enthusiasts to industry professionals. By integrating cultural exchanges with European wine regions (e.g., Burgundy) and promoting eco-friendly itineraries like cycling and hiking routes connecting local producers, the region has begun to position itself as a unique destination for both wine tourism and gastronomic exploration. These efforts underscore the importance of synergy between local stakeholders—producers, administrators, and cultural associations—to unlock the economic and cultural value of small, heritage-rich territories.
Moving Dolomites
A new perspective on heritage value emerges from the study of Vallesina, a village at the periphery of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Dolomites.' The research challenges traditional notions of landscape conservation by highlighting the significance of lived, ordinary landscapes shaped by mobilities—material, practical, and cultural. Through rediscovering past and present mobilities, the study reveals how these dynamics contribute to the heritage value of living alpine landscapes, positioning Vallesina as a case study for broader reflections on mobility's role in defining heritage.
Religious Tourist Attractions and Ecological Concerns in the Italian Dolomites: The Case of the Trekking of the Thinking Christ
A religious attraction, the Trekking of the Thinking Christ, has successfully integrated into the Dolomites' mountain tourism landscape while raising ecological concerns. This case study demonstrates how such attractions can redefine tourist spots near UNESCO World Heritage Sites, blending spiritual significance with environmental sensitivity. The research employs a mixed-methods approach to explore the social dynamics behind the creation and reinvention of religious places outside traditional liturgical contexts. It highlights the tension between the growing demand for non-liturgical religious experiences and the preservation needs of fragile ecosystems, offering insights into sustainable tourism practices in protected areas.
The “obsolete structures” in the outstanding landscape of the UNESCO Dolomites World Heritage Site
Research challenges the assumption that 'obsolete structures' must be removed to preserve the landscape integrity of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, using the Dolomites as a case study. The study identifies preconceived narratives—such as renaturalization, restitution, and restoration—that often justify removal without considering alternative values these structures may hold. By analyzing ethical compensation, eco-aesthetics, and other perspectives, it argues that obsolete structures can serve as opportunities for innovative landscape management rather than solely as indicators of degradation.
Topographic Memory and Victorian Travellers in the Dolomite Mountains: Peaks of Venice
Victorian travelers' perceptions of the Dolomite Mountains played a pivotal role in shaping its later recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study reveals how 19th-century exploration and aesthetic appreciation of these peaks, particularly their dramatic landscapes, contributed to their cultural significance. Ferrario's research analyzes the 'topographic memory' embedded in Victorian travel accounts, highlighting how early descriptions emphasized the Dolomites' unique geological features and scenic beauty—qualities that aligned with UNESCO’s criteria for natural heritage (VII: exceptional natural beauty; VIII: outstanding contributions to human knowledge). The approach combines historical analysis of travelogues with a critical examination of how these narratives influenced later conservation efforts. This work underscores the enduring impact of early scientific and aesthetic discourse on global heritage recognition.
Harnessing artificial intelligence technology and social media data to support Cultural Ecosystem Service assessments
A user-friendly AI-based approach, combining computer vision and text mining, successfully links photographers' preferences from 640,000 Flickr images to four key Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) categories—aesthetic value, outdoor recreation, cultural heritage, and symbolic species—with over 90% accuracy. The study demonstrates that these preferences can be spatially predicted using environmental and infrastructural variables, revealing CES hotspots in high-tourism and residential areas of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. This method offers a rapid, flexible, and transferable alternative to traditional resource-intensive assessments, providing valuable insights for sustainable environmental management.
Hydrochemical Characteristics and Controlling Factors of Typical Dolomite Karst Basin in Humid Subtropical Zone
A unique hydrochemical profile distinguishes dolomite karst basins in humid subtropical zones, marked by HCO3-Ca·Mg type water, unlike the HCO3-Ca type found in limestone or shale areas. A study of 215 water samples from the Shanmuhe and Huangzhouhe Basins within China's Shibing Dolomite Karst World Natural Heritage Site revealed that ion concentrations like EC, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO3⁻, and their ratios increase as water transitions from allogenic upstream regions to dolomite karst areas downstream. Seasonal variations show minimal fluctuation in ion concentration, with slight dilution during rainy seasons, while rainfall import remains low, indicating limited human impact on hydrochemistry. The research highlights that geological factors, particularly lithology, primarily control water chemistry through rock weathering and water-rock interactions.
In-Situ and Proximal Sensing Techniques for Monitoring Naturals Hazards to Mitigate Risk in Tourism Activities: A Case Study in the Geoparc Bletterbach, Italy
A novel approach using wearable long-range transceivers and ground sensors, combined with proximal sensing techniques, effectively monitors natural hazards such as floods, rockfalls, and tree falls in the Geoparc Bletterbach, a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Dolomites. This study demonstrates that real-time tracking of tourism activities can significantly mitigate risks for visitors, who are increasingly drawn to the region's spectacular landscapes and geological formations. By integrating these technologies, researchers achieved proactive hazard detection, reducing the likelihood of dangerous incidents in this high-traffic area with 60,000 annual visits.
Tourism Peaks on the Three Peaks. Using big data to monitor where, when and how many visitors impact the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site
A groundbreaking study leverages big data analytics to quantify and analyze tourist behavior at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites, Italy. By utilizing telco data, researchers successfully monitored daily visitor numbers and their impact on this natural site, offering unprecedented insights into tourism flows. The research introduces a heritage usage rate and new indicators for measuring overtourism, which can aid in controlling tourism growth and mitigating negative externalities. This approach bridges the gap between theoretical understanding and practical solutions to overtourism challenges, providing a data-driven framework for sustainable tourism management.
The effects of local context on World Heritage Site management: the Dolomites Natural World Heritage Site, Italy
Sustainable tourism development in the Dolomites World Heritage Site (WHS) is perceived to enhance stakeholder autonomy and economic diversification, but participation remains largely induced due to weak capacities among some groups. Research combining quantitative analysis of WHS municipalities and an online questionnaire with local mayors revealed that tourism-driven socio-economic wellbeing is more evident in WHS areas compared to non-WHS or marginal destinations, with expectations for continued growth—albeit within a diversified economy. However, concerns persist about the potential exclusion of other development alternatives if sustainable management becomes too restrictive.
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