Lithobionts (rock-dwelling organisms) have been recognized as agents of aesthetic and physico-chemical deterioration of stonework. In consequence, their removal from cultural heritage stone surfaces (CHSS) is widely considered a necessary step in conservation interventions. On the other hand, lithobiontic communities, including microbial biofilms (‘biological patinas’), can help integrate CHSS with their environmental setting and enhance biodiversity. Moreover, in some cases bioprotective effects have been reported and even interpreted as potential biotechnological solutions for conservation. This paper reviews the plethora of traditional and innovative methodologies to characterize lithobionts on CHSS in terms of biodiversity, interaction with the stone substrate and impacts on durability. In order to develop the best management and conservation strategies for CHSS, such diagnosis should be acquired on a case-by-case basis, as generalized approaches are unlikely to be suitable for all lithobionts, lithologies, environmental and cultural contexts or types of stonework. Strategies to control biodeteriogenic lithobionts on CHSS should similarly be based on experimental evaluation of their efficacy, including long-term monitoring of the effects on bioreceptivity, and of their environmental safety. This review examines what is known about the efficacy of control methods based on traditional-commercial biocides, as well as those based on innovative application of substances of plant and microbial origin, and physical techniques. A framework for providing a balanced scientific assessment of the role of lithobionts on CHSS and integrating this knowledge into management and conservation decision-making is presented. Graphic abstract

中文翻译：

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对石头文化遗产中岩石生物的性质、作用和控制的回顾：权衡和管理生物退化和生物保护

岩石生物（岩栖生物）已被公认为石制品美学和物理化学劣化的因素。因此，将它们从文化遗产石材表面 (CHSS) 上移除被广泛认为是保护干预措施的必要步骤。另一方面，包括微生物生物膜（“生物铜绿”）在内的石生生物群落可以帮助将 CHSS 与其环境环境相结合并增强生物多样性。此外，在某些情况下，已经报道了生物保护作用，甚至将其解释为潜在的生物技术保护解决方案。本文回顾了在生物多样性、与石材基质的相互作用和对耐久性的影响方面对 CHSS 上的岩石生物进行表征的大量传统和创新方法。为了为 CHSS 制定最佳管理和保护策略，应根据具体情况进行此类诊断，因为通用方法不太可能适用于所有岩石生物、岩性、环境和文化背景或石制品类型。控制 CHSS 上的生物降解石生生物的策略同样应基于对其功效的实验评估，包括长期监测对生物接受性的影响及其环境安全性。本综述审查了基于传统商业杀菌剂的控制方法的功效，以及基于植物和微生物来源物质的创新应用以及物理技术的控制方法的功效。提出了一个框架，用于对岩石生物对 CHSS 的作用进行平衡的科学评估，并将这些知识整合到管理和保护决策中。图形摘要