Wetland archaeology and the impact of climate change

Wetland archaeological sites offer excellent but vulnerable preservation conditions. This article presents examples of threats to such sites that may be enhanced, or diminished, by climate change, discusses methods for predicting and quantifying impacts, and examines what heritage managers can do to mitigate their effects. The consequences of climate change for wetland archaeological sites are likely to be severe and widespread but hard to predict and with significant local variation. At the same time, wetlands are increasingly acknowledged for their ability to sequester carbon and to mitigate climate change, prompting an increased focus on their protection that may also benefit wetland archaeology.

Automated summary

This article discusses the threats to wetland archaeological sites, the methods for predicting and quantifying impacts, and the mitigation measures that heritage managers can take. The consequences of climate change for these sites are likely to be severe and widespread, with unpredictable and localized variations. The increasing focus on wetland protection for carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation can also benefit wetland archaeology.