Heritage preservation fundamentally represents an act of communication, with digitization and virtual access driving cultural heritage research development and dissemination. These tools stimulate the creation of cultural heritage content and inspire public engagement in learning about and preserving heritage. Despite substantial academic focus on digital cultural heritage (DCH) research, systematic assessment methods remain lacking. This paper researches the application of digital technologies in cultural heritage studies using CiteSpace 6.2 R4 to analyze the evolution of DCH, identifying research hotspots and predicting future trends. The key findings include the following: (1) Current DCH research focuses on countries with significant national power, but future studies should emphasize regions rich in cultural heritage and promote transnational and interdisciplinary research. (2) DCH research concentrates on three areas: the use of VR, AR, and other interactive digital technologies to enhance cultural heritage experiences; the development of cultural relic databases and digital archives; and the implementation of interactive exhibitions and multimedia guides. (3) Identified research hotspots include user immersion experiences, language and identity, and virtual reality technologies. Digital technologies enhance cultural heritage communication by driving innovations in preservation, information management, and digitization. (4) Future research should focus on practical DCH development, emphasizing innovative virtual technologies, database integration, and standardized assessment methods. These efforts aim to provide valuable insights for the sustainable global preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage. The use of digital technologies in cultural heritage is becoming increasingly important, but there is still a need to strike a balance between technological development and heritage preservation to ensure the sustainability of cultural heritage.

Multimodal artificial intelligence-generated content (AIGC) is reshaping museum digital exhibitions through dynamic content generation, contextual storytelling, and interactive feedback. Despite its growing adoption, the impact of AIGC’s experiential attributes on visitors’ digital exhibition experience intention remains underexplored. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study develops an integrative framework incorporating AIGC technology acceptance, perceived immersion, content creativity, interaction quality, cognitive evaluations, and affective responses. Data were collected from 481 visitors with prior digital exhibition experience and analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results indicate that AIGC technology acceptance significantly influences perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and digital exhibition experience intention; interaction quality enhances usability and exerts a direct effect on intention; and immersion and content creativity primarily shape intention through perceived enjoyment while also exhibiting direct effects. These findings extend TAM to multimodal AIGC-enabled museum contexts and provide empirical evidence to guide the design of culturally meaningful, interactive, and engaging digital exhibition experiences.

Urban wetlands serve as vital spatial platforms for ecological restoration, carbon sequestration enhancement, and public environmental education; however, systematic research on their carbon sequestration benefits and the mechanisms linking these benefits to spatial design and public participation remains limited. Taking Nanjing Yuzui Wetland Park as a case study, this paper conducts a comprehensive assessment of plant community carbon sequestration benefits, spatial structural variations, and public ecological awareness by integrating official tree species data, field measurement data, the i-Tree Eco model, and questionnaire surveys. The results indicate that Yuzui Wetland Park already possesses a solid foundation for carbon sequestration, with a total carbon sequestration benefit of $48,777.38 and an average carbon sequestration benefit per tree of $24.63. Salix babylonica and Ulmus pumila L. are the primary contributors to current carbon sequestration, while Ginkgo biloba demonstrate strong long-term carbon storage potential, suggesting a clear division of labor among different tree species in short-term carbon fixation and long-term carbon storage. At the same time, significant differences exist between the native areas within the wetland and the peripheral roadside areas in terms of tree species composition, community structure, and carbon sequestration performance, indicating that spatial zoning is a key factor influencing the carbon sequestration benefits of urban wetlands. By integrating i-Tree Eco-based carbon assessment with questionnaire data, this study identifies a perceptual gap between the carbon-sink performance of Yuzui Wetland Park and public recognition of its ecological functions. The model results show measurable carbon-sequestration benefits and differentiated contribution patterns among tree species: Salix babylonica and Ulmus pumila L. contribute mainly to current carbon storage, while Ginkgo biloba shows long-term carbon-storage potential. The questionnaire results indicate that respondents recognized the wetland primarily through recreational and landscape functions, with lower recognition of carbon sequestration and water purification. These findings provide the basis for translating carbon-sink assessment into spatial visualization, environmental interpretation, and participatory landscape design. The study indicates that the optimization of urban wetlands should not be limited to plant selection and ecological calculations but should further integrate carbon sink assessment with spatial design and public participation to enhance the perceptibility, communicability, and practicability of wetland ecological value.