Iconic buildings and sites from the leaning tower of Pisa to the canal streets of Venice are in danger of being inundated by rising sea levels, according to a new study.

Scientists identified 47 key cultural locations across the Mediterranean that are likely to face severe flooding and erosion by the end of the century.

The region is home to dozens of Unesco world heritage sites, many of which are found along the coasts.

UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by rising sea levels Show all 8 1 /8 UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by rising sea levels UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by rising sea levels Venice, Italy Coastal protections are already being developed to shield Venice from flooding. The entire lagoon will ultimately be protected by submerged mobile barriers at the lagoon inlets that will be raised during high waters of at least 1.1 m. Getty UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by rising sea levels Medieval City of Rhodes, Greece The fortified city on this Greek island was once home to Knights of St John of Jerusalem after they had lost their last stronghold in Palestine. Now its ancient walls are threatened by gradual erosion from the rising tides. Getty Images/iStockphoto UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by rising sea levels Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy Scientists identified the Piazza del Duomo, home to the famous tower, as being at particular risk from flooding in the coming decades unless urgent action is taken. Getty/iStock UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by rising sea levels Archaeological site of Carthage, Tunisia This extensive archaeological site, which dates back to the 9th century and was once home to a great trading empire covering much of the Mediterranean, is also threatened by erosion. Getty Images UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by rising sea levels Historic Areas of Istanbul, Turkey Some of the Turkish city’s oldest parts are located near the sea, placing them at risk as water levels rise. Getty Images/iStockphoto UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by rising sea levels Gorham's Cave Complex, Gibraltar The incredibly preserved caves evidence of Neanderthal and early modern human occupation of Gibraltar, but their location right at sea level means this legacy could be damaged in coming years Clive Finlayson/ Gibraltar Museum UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by rising sea levels Archaeological site of Pompei Sites at risk include parts of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata that were preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79. Getty Images UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by rising sea levels White City of Tel-Aviv, Israel Constructed as a representation of European trends from the so-called “Modern Movement”, the White City is densely populated, meaning that efforts to protect it from natural disasters are even more pressing. Getty Images

While climate change has been recognised as threat to some of these sites, sea level rise has rarely been incorporated into management plans for their future preservation.

A recent UN report found that coastal regions are some of the most vulnerable to climate change, with millions likely to be forced from their homes in the coming decades as rising tides make flooding the norm and contaminate freshwater supplies.

Coastal protections are a feasible adaptation strategy for Unesco sites, and the authors of the new Nature Communications paper recommended that such measures should be integrated into the sites they identified.

One example of such a project already underway is the MOSE system in Venice, which will see the entire lagoon protected by submerged mobile barriers.

Crucially, the researchers noted that this system does not interfere with the appearance of Venice, or with the fragile ecosystem of the lagoon.