A Multi-Regional Cultural Heritage Risk Monitoring and Management Platform for Grotto Temple Sites

Abstract. Grotto temples in China, with their wide distribution, rich historical heritage, and profound cultural significance, constitute one of the most distinctive categories in the list of World Heritage. In contrast to world-renowned sites such as the Mogao Caves, the vast majority of grottoes in China are of small to medium scale. These sites, often situated in remote regions with scarce conservation resources available, face more severe challenges in heritage protection. A multi-regional cultural heritage risk monitoring and management platform for grotto temple sites was constructed, aiming to address challenges faced by small and medium-sized grottoes – including non-standardized assessments of physical conditions, ineffective monitoring of risk factors, low resilience to natural disasters, and shortages of professional personnel and funds. This study first introduced the construction philosophy of a multi-regional monitoring and management platform for grotto temple sites. A hybrid system framework integrating regional-scale and site-specific monitoring was then designed, establishing a two-tiered “regional–site” risk-event response mechanism. Finally, it provided a detailed demonstration of how both regional-scale and site-specific monitoring and early-warning platforms are implemented. The system has been successfully applied to six grotto temples in China. It facilitates unified monitoring of natural disasters and the dynamics within protection zones, while also enabling targeted monitoring of deterioration risks specific to each site. Consequently, it significantly bolsters the overall conservation and management capacities of these sites. This approach provides a valuable reference for the systematic preservation of small to medium-sized cultural heritage sites, not only in China but also in other countries.