Attributes, condition of

The condition of the attributes of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) is a good guide to the overall state of conservation of a World Heritage property.

The categories of the condition of the attributes can be defined as follows:

• Lost: Loss or alteration to most aspects of this attribute has occurred and has caused a major loss of significance of this attribute.
• Seriously compromised: Loss or alteration of many aspects of this attribute has occurred, which is leading to a significant reduction in the significance of this attribute.
• Compromised: Some loss or alteration of the aspects of this attribute has already occurred, but their overall condition is not causing persistent or substantial effects to this attribute.
• Preserved: This attribute is essentially intact, and its overall condition is stable or improving. Available evidence indicates only minor, if any, disturbances, to this attribute.

Source(s): Presentation by Jon Day - ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee (Bonn, 2015)