Plitvice Lakes National Park
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Plitvice Lakes National Park emerged as the top performer among nine European national parks in terms of social media effectiveness, significantly influencing visitor numbers and educational outreach. The study introduced a new formula to measure Social Media Effectiveness, revealing that strategic marketing communication—focusing on pathos, ethos, and logos—enhances reputation, identity, and visitor behavior. While English language barriers and post frequency on Facebook posed challenges, effective communication positively impacted tourism and youth education. The research employed rhetorical and descriptive text analysis to assess communication strategies across platforms, highlighting the potential of social media in promoting environmental protection and sustainable tourism.
City of Quito
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A significant correlation was found between the use of social networks and enhanced emotional intelligence, specifically in recognizing and understanding emotions, among men in Quito. The study, which analyzed 306 participants using quantitative methods, revealed that while 41.2% exhibited medium to high levels of hegemonic masculinity, all participants engaged with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Notably, attention to emotional factors was strong, but excellence in expressing emotions remained low. This suggests social networks may serve as de-territorialized spaces influencing emotional intelligence dynamics in urban contexts.
Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing
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A study on the Summer Palace, Beijing, reveals that cultural, historical, and aesthetic values are increasingly favored by visitors, with social value hotspots centered around architectural complexes and waters. Using public participation geographic information systems (PPGIS), researchers assessed ecosystem services' social value and its spatial distribution, finding three core hotspot areas. The research also highlights differences in perceptions between anthropocentrists and ecocentrists, with the latter showing higher overall social value indices. This analysis provides insights for urban ecological space planning and management, emphasizing the relationship between environmental landscape features and visitors' perceived social values.
Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore
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Lahore, with its rich cultural heritage and architectural splendor, stands as the cultural capital of Pakistan. A study on the socio-cultural aspects of Lahore's identity formation reveals that despite centuries of change, the city has retained its genuine cultural values, evident even in its new generation. The research employed qualitative methods, utilizing historical and ethnographic approaches to analyze primary and secondary data. It highlights Lahore's unique blend of diverse influences from various sovereigns, reflected in its ancient gates, mosques, forts, temples, manor houses, and gardens. This enduring cultural identity, combined with its renowned food and artwork, solidifies Lahore's global recognition as a city of distinct individualities.
Dja Faunal Reserve
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A study on the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon, reveals that reciprocal environmental agreements can significantly alter hunter behavior by reducing bushmeat offtake and shifting livelihoods away from natural resource dependence. Researchers found that hunters who participated in these agreements were older, had larger households, earned more income from cocoa sales, and spent less time hunting compared to non-participants. Additionally, signatory hunters used firearms less frequently, consumed more of their catches, and sold less bushmeat. The 15-month study, spanning three years, tracked socioeconomic changes in hunters alongside hunting effort parameters, demonstrating the potential of incentive-based conservation strategies to promote sustainable livelihoods and benefit wildlife conservation.
Doñana National Park
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Research reveals that the Navazo del Toro (NVT) wetland, one of Doñana National Park's largest temporary small-lakes, has undergone significant hydrological and pedological evolution since at least 4,255 years ago. The study identifies key processes shaping this ecosystem, including the translocation of silt and clay from dune slopes, sediment accumulation in the depression, and the development of tirsificated and vertic Luvisols. Hydromorphic conditions, marked by gleyic and stagnic features, have also incorporated organic materials like diatoms and sponge spicules, initiating incipient podzolization. The research employs a geopedological catena analysis along 230 meters with five soil profiles to unravel these processes, providing critical insights into the Middle-Upper Holocene hydrological dynamics of this unique wetland system.
Pantanal Conservation Area
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A novel approach to tackling wildfires in the Pantanal Wetlands demonstrates that integrated fire management (IFM) could be self-sustaining through carbon credits. The study reveals that preventing wildfires in indigenous lands within the Pantanal avoids annual carbon emissions equivalent to $100 million in carbon credits—a figure sufficient to finance IFM and additional conservation efforts like forest restoration. This economic incentive model, if implemented effectively, could drastically reduce burned areas and mitigate fire-related damage while addressing funding gaps for conservation initiatives.
Historical Monuments of Mtskheta
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Rehabilitation of historical towns, particularly those with UNESCO World Heritage status, is critical for preserving cultural heritage while fostering sustainable development. This study highlights key aspects of rehabilitating Mtskheta, a historical town in Georgia, focusing on architectural and urban planning challenges tied to tourism growth. It proposes generalized recommendations for small cities' development, emphasizing the preservation of historical districts and the integration of traditional craftsmanship. The research underscores Georgia's unique potential for diverse tourism, linking cultural conservation with socio-economic benefits.
Mount Kumgang – Diamond Mountain from the Sea
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Song Kwang-yeon (1638–1695) revolutionized the perception of Gangwon-do’s scenic spots by both uncovering previously unknown landmarks and reinterpreting well-known ones through experiential and geographical lenses. His work, rooted in extensive travel and literary contributions—including the gazetteers <em>Dongyeopillam</em> and <em>Chunju Seunglam</em>—elevated sites like Gangneung’s Chodang, Chuncheon’s Samhandong, and Mount Kumgang’s Unsu-dong to newfound prominence. He also redefined iconic locations such as Mangyangjeong by emphasizing direct experience over descriptive limitations and positioning it as a central coastal landmark. Additionally, he compared Gangwon-do’s mountains to China’s Five Sacred Peaks, asserting their superior natural beauty. This study highlights his pivotal role in shaping the cultural significance of Gangwon-do’s heritage.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
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A study identifies oil and gas (O&G) production activities as the major contributors to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, exceeding ground-level ozone limits. Using positive matrix factorization analysis of speciated VOCs during the 2019 Carlsbad Caverns Air Quality Study (CarCavAQS), researchers attributed three factors to O&G operations, with associated residence time analyses indicating increased contributions during transport from the Permian Basin. These O&G-related VOCs accounted for 62% of VOC reactivity with hydroxyl radicals, enhancing local ozone formation. Additionally, photochemically generated secondary VOCs suggested long-range transport of ozone from upwind shale formations like Eagle Ford and Barnett. The findings underscore the critical role of O&G emissions in regional air quality and emphasize the need for targeted emission reductions to mitigate elevated ozone levels.
Dorset and East Devon Coast
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Southern England stands as the birthplace of stratigraphy, geologic mapping, and paleontology, offering a unique geological tour that spans from Pleistocene glacial sediments near London to Precambrian granites at Land’s End. This region reveals rocks deformed by major mountain-building events, including the Variscan and Alpine orogenies, while also showcasing rare ophiolites at Lizard Point. The study highlights fossil-rich sites along the Jurassic Coast, explaining their significance in paleontological research, and delves into the origin of iconic white chalk cliffs in Dover and Southdown National Park. By examining 12 Sites of Special Scientific Interest and 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this work provides a comprehensive geological exploration, integrating field observations from canyons, quarries, sea cliffs, and archaeological sites to unravel the region’s complex geologic history.
Macquarie Island
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A significant portion of low clouds over Macquarie Island, particularly those with cold tops (≤0°C), exhibit predominantly liquid-phase characteristics at cloud base, despite the potential for mixed or ice-phase precipitation below. This study, conducted during the Macquarie Island Cloud and Radiation Experiment (MICRE) from April 2016 to March 2017, found that around two-thirds of low clouds were cold-topped, with these clouds being thicker and having higher bases compared to warm-topped clouds. The research utilized ground-based ceilometer, depolarization lidar, and W-band radar measurements to characterize cloud macrophysics and precipitation phase. Notably, 83–88% of cold-topped clouds were liquid at the base, while small-particle (low-radar-reflectivity) precipitation was mostly liquid below-cloud, contrasting with large-particle precipitation that was predominantly mixed or ice-phase. This insight is crucial for understanding the radiative properties and climate impacts of Southern Ocean low clouds.
Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks
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A spatial analysis of soil erosion in the Formoso River basin, primarily within Emas National Park in Brazil's Cerrado, reveals that 29.12% of agricultural areas experience severe soil loss, with annual erosion rates reaching up to 8315 t ha-1 year-1. These losses are linked to high values of rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), and topographic factors (LS) in dystrophic Red Latosol soils. The study highlights the critical need for proper land-use planning and sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate environmental degradation, particularly in water resource protection. Using remote sensing, geoprocessing tools, and the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), researchers provide a data-driven basis for policy-making in this UNESCO-recognized Cerrado protected area.
Península Valdés
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Whalewatching in Península Valdés, Patagonia, Argentina, exhibits distinct spatial and temporal patterns that can enhance recreational experiences while supporting conservation efforts. The study found that sightings near Puerto Pirámides shift farther from the coast as the whale season progresses, with early trips focusing on varied groups like solitary whales, mating pairs, and mothers with calves, while later trips predominantly feature mother-calf pairs—the last to leave the area. This pattern suggests potential for tailored whalewatching experiences, balancing economic benefits with conservation goals, given that both gulfs of Península Valdés are critical calving grounds for southern right whales (Eubalaena australis). The research analyzed 1,816 trips over six reproductive seasons (2005–2008 and 2012–2013), tracking stopovers ('sightings') to identify these dynamics. Properly applied regulations could further improve conservation outcomes in this globally significant site.
Greater Blue Mountains Area
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A study comparing two local government areas (LGAs) in Greater Sydney, Australia—Campbelltown and the Blue Mountains—revealed that while free-roaming cat density was higher in Campbelltown (0.31 cats per hectare), the Blue Mountains had a significantly larger estimated abundance of roaming cats (3,365 vs. 361). Despite this, no significant difference was found in the number of cat or wildlife events captured via motion-capture cameras between the two areas. The study also identified distinct temporal patterns in cat activity, with peaks at different times in each LGA and overlaps in activity with native wildlife such as bandicoots, possums, and small mammals. These findings underscore the utility of camera monitoring on private properties and transect drives for quantifying roaming cat populations, providing critical data to inform management interventions.
Serengeti National Park
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Aardwolves and aardvarks, two ecologically similar nocturnal insectivores, exhibit high spatial and temporal niche overlap in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Research using multispecies occupancy models with 105 remote camera detections (2016–2018) revealed a positive interaction between their occupancy probabilities, suggesting commensalism where aardwolves benefit from increased food accessibility due to aardvark presence. While slope, grassland proportion, and termite mound density did not influence occupancy, aardwolf occupancy increased with distance from permanent water sources, possibly to avoid predation risk. Both species showed high diel activity overlap during wet and dry seasons, remaining largely nocturnal. These findings enhance understanding of their ecological roles as termite consumers and potential ecosystem engineers.
Comoé National Park
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A significant level of nocturnal anthropization, characterized by artificial light at night (ALAN), has been identified within the Comoé National Park (CNP) in Côte d’Ivoire. This finding highlights the growing threat to the park's biodiversity and environmental balance due to human activities. The study employed geospatial data from the VIIRS/DNB to assess nocturnal anthropization using three key indices: light reflectance density, which pinpoints nighttime light emission sources; the lighted area density index (LADI), which reveals the nature of nocturnal activities; and the light intensity index (LII), which quantifies the impact on biodiversity. The research underscores the urgent need for effective management strategies to mitigate these pressures and safeguard CNP's ecological integrity.
Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats
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A study on the tidal flats of Geum River (Getbol) in South Korea reveals that sediment-related variables and heavy metals are the primary environmental factors influencing the spatial distribution of macrofaunal and meiofaunal assemblages. While macrofauna, dominated by Annelida, were mainly affected by these factors, meiofauna, particularly Nematoda, showed additional sensitivity to sea surface temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity. This research provides critical ecological data for understanding the impacts of both natural and anthropogenic pressures on tidal flat ecosystems, offering a foundation for marine environmental management strategies in the region.
Mogao Caves
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A novel approach to experiencing the Mogao Caves has been introduced through 'Spatial Dunhuang.' This method leverages spatial technologies to enhance the visitor's engagement with the caves' rich cultural and historical significance. The study highlights how immersive spatial experiences can deepen the understanding and appreciation of heritage sites by integrating digital elements with physical exploration. By focusing on the Mogao Caves, renowned for their Buddhist art and architecture, the research demonstrates the potential of spatial technologies to transform traditional tourism into a more interactive and educational journey.
Monastery of Alcobaça
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Research reveals distinct spatial patterns of visitor pauses within the Monastery of Alcobaça’s Cistercian church, highlighting differences between novice and experienced architecture students. Using geostatistical methods like ordinary kriging, the study estimated stopping times for two groups—first-year and fifth-year students—during a guided visit. Findings show that expert students (fifth-year) tend to pause longer at specific architectural features compared to novices (first-year), suggesting that familiarity with design elements influences contemplation behavior. This insight contributes to understanding how visitors engage with heritage sites, offering implications for interpretive strategies in cultural tourism.
Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun
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Research on Hongcun Village, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in China, reveals that the spatial form of its historical streets significantly influences both vitality and human cognition. The study found a positive correlation between the integration, intelligibility, and optionality of traditional street space and people's perception of vitality. Notably, residents and tourists perceive these spaces differently due to their distinct identities and awareness levels. Using Space Syntax theory for quantitative spatial analysis and cognitive imagery to explore mental perceptions, the research provides insights into how spatial morphology shapes behavior and cognition. This dual approach offers a framework for policymakers to balance preservation with tourism development, ensuring sustainable space allocation in traditional villages.
Medina of Fez
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Fez’s medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, has undergone significant transformations shaped by tourism development and urban rehabilitation efforts. This study reveals that the medina's contemporary identity is formed through competing yet complementary spatial imaginaries, driven by diverse local and international actors. These imaginaries, emerging from daily practices and initiatives, redefine the medina’s role as both a tourist destination and a lived urban environment. The research qualitatively analyzes these transformations, offering insights into the conditions that foster new spatial narratives in Morocco's historical medinas. Such findings contribute to broader debates on heritage preservation and local identity reinvention.
The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
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New Delhi's public spaces, particularly around Parliament Street and sites like Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan, and the Boat Club, have evolved through decades of protest, shaping democratic guidelines for dissent. The study reveals that while early post-independence enthusiasm for a shared public sphere was met with diverse opposition, government responses transitioned from colonial crowd control to democratic containment strategies. Key demonstrations, such as the JP Movement at Jantar Mantar, led to the designation of specific protest sites, illustrating how spatial contestations between state and citizens redefined public space use. The research bridges spatial and socio-cultural theories to analyze these dynamics beyond architectural grandeur.
Historic City of Yazd
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Dilapidated abandoned buildings (DABs) in historic cities contribute to the breakdown of sense of community identification and place, indicating a lack of spatial liminality. This study introduces spatial liminality as an epistemological tool for revitalizing disused urban fabrics, demonstrating that in-between spaces once facilitated spatial liminality, which was crucial for the formation of sense of place and citizenship during premodern eras. Using a mixed-method approach—combining questionnaire surveys, field studies, and interpretive historical analysis—the research investigates 12 urban blocks in historic Yazd and Kashan. The findings suggest that reutilizing DABs while preserving their heritage values can restore spatial liminality and strengthen community identity.
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas
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Research identifies five distinct national park agglomerations in the Greater Shangri-La region of China, covering 52 protected areas. These agglomerations—Three Parallel Rivers, Shaluli Mountain-Daxue Mountain, Southeast Tibetan Plateau, Liangshan Mountain, and Panxi Rift—exhibit spatial clustering, diverse ecosystem types, and rich natural and cultural heritage. The study introduces a screening framework based on ecoregions, using indicators such as ecosystem characteristics, landscape type, cultural heritage, spatial distance, and protection management to assess these agglomerations. This approach enhances ecological protection by establishing functional connections between protected areas and improving regional conservation strategies. The findings provide a model for global national park agglomeration development.
Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena
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Research reveals significant seasonal and spatial variability in turbidity levels in Cartagena Bay, Colombia, with the southern area experiencing the most pronounced changes. Using Sentinel-2 imagery from 2018 to 2022, scientists developed an empirical algorithm validated with high accuracy (R² = 0.83), identifying turbidity peaks of up to 35 FNU during the rainy season and as low as 1 FNU in the dry season. This study provides a new tool for monitoring water quality, addressing challenges posed by sediment influx from the Canal del Dique, which threatens the bay's economic and environmental importance.
Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory
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A study of Djerba Island's coastal waters reveals distinct summer microphytoplankton and zooplankton communities shaped by varying pollution levels. The Western Area (WA), marked by high nitrogen nutrients, hosts a dominance of Bacillariophyceae, including adaptive species like Chaetoceros and Navicula, alongside pollution-tolerant copepods such as Paracalanus parvus. Conversely, the Eastern Area (EA) exhibits lower inorganic nitrogen but higher Cyanobacteria abundance, possibly linked to DIP concentrations, with other zooplankton dominating. Despite industrial activities, Djerba's coastal waters maintain a diverse plankton ecosystem, illustrating resilience amid human pressure.
Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa
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Hikers exhibit distinct spatial-temporal behaviors compared to traditional tourists, with significant implications for sustainable tourism planning and management. A study analyzing the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau—home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites—revealed that hikers differ markedly in travel duration, mode, and destination preferences. Researchers leveraged volunteered geographic information (VGI) alongside seasonal intensity indices, kernel density analysis, line density analysis, and K-means clustering to map these patterns. The findings highlight critical insights for regional tourism development, particularly in balancing conservation with visitor engagement in this ecologically and culturally rich area.
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas
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From 2000 to 2020, vegetation in Yunnan Province, China, showed significant improvement as indicated by increasing Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values. However, future trends suggest potential degradation due to rising temperatures driven by global warming. The study analyzed spatial-temporal NDVI patterns using MODIS data and meteorological records from 25 weather stations, revealing a southwest-to-northeast shift in the center of gravity for Yunnan's vegetation. Statistical methods like Sen+MK, coefficient of variation, and Hurst index assessed trends and stability, while partial correlation analysis linked NDVI changes to temperature and precipitation. The research underscores the urgent need to protect Yunnan's ecological environment, particularly in protected areas like the Three Parallel Rivers, which are vulnerable to climate-induced shifts.
Mount Huangshan
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A recent study reveals that Huangshan City's tourism ecological security (TES) has shown rapid improvement, yet disparities between districts and counties are widening. The research, using the PSR-EES model combined with entropy weight TOPSIS, traditional and spatial Markov chains, and panel quantile regression, found that TES levels exhibit stability and path dependence in their spatial-temporal dynamics, with lower-level areas showing a higher probability of upward transfer influenced by neighborhood background. Key drivers include environmental pollution and economic development, which negatively impact TES but decrease in effect as security levels improve. Conversely, government intervention and educational levels positively influence TES, with regional greening and government efforts having stronger effects on lower-level areas. This study highlights the complex interplay between ecological, economic, and social factors in sustaining tourism ecological security.
Qinghai Hoh Xil
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Qinghai Province, known as the 'Water Tower' of northwestern China, has experienced significant expansion in its surface water area from 1986 to 2018, primarily driven by rising temperatures and increased precipitation. This trend was most pronounced in the Qaidam Basin, Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, and Qinghai Lake. Researchers leveraged Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud processing to analyze spatial-temporal variations of surface water, providing critical insights into the ecological impacts of climate change on this vital region.
Cordouan Lighthouse
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Research around the Cordouan Lighthouse in the Bay of Biscay reveals significant tidal variations in sea level measurements using GNSS reflectometry (GNSS-R). However, submerged sandy banks at low tide disrupt these measurements. The study spatialized GNSS reflection points to distinguish between sandy and rocky areas, creating a map of water height estimates based on reflection point positions. By analyzing 1-second Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) data over sliding elevation windows and correcting atmospheric delay effects, the team reduced dispersion in water heights by a factor of two. The findings show high variability (over one meter) and elevated mean water heights in the eastern part, consistent with known shoals, while oceanic areas exhibit much smaller variations. This distinction is further emphasized by differences between low and high tides.
Sacred City of Anuradhapura
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Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's ancient and revered Buddhist city, emerged as the focal point of Sinhala-Buddhist identity at the turn of the 20th century. This transformation was driven by local leaders who resisted colonial attempts to archeologize and museumize the site while asserting its centrality in religious and nationalist discourse. They sought to eliminate non-Buddhist activities and challenge the dominance of the Kandy-based Buddhist order, reshaping the spatiality of Sinhala-Buddhist imagination. The study analyzes this complex interplay through a lens of nationalism, religion, and colonialism, highlighting local agency's role in redefining Anuradhapura's significance amid shifting political power dynamics.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
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Significant declines in grassland areas, alongside rising encroachment and shifts in river courses, have been observed in Manas National Park—a UNESCO-listed Eastern Himalayan heritage site—between 1973 and 2022. This study leverages geospatial technology to document land-use changes over nearly five decades, offering a critical baseline for conservation efforts amid historical inaccessibility due to insurgency. The findings underscore the dual threats of natural dynamics and human encroachment on this biodiversity hotspot.
The Grand Canal
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Research reveals significant spatial and temporal variations in intangible cultural heritage (ICH) along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal, with distinct patterns between northern and southern regions. Using advanced geospatial analysis, including kernel density estimation and standard deviation ellipse modeling, the study identified directional trends and shifting centers of gravity for ICH distribution. Key drivers include natural geography, socioeconomic factors, and policy environments, while a strong positive correlation was found between ICH resources and tourism development. This finding underscores the potential for heritage-led tourism planning in the canal basin.
Cold Winter Deserts of Turan
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A comprehensive analysis reveals that the Kyzylkum and Karakum sandy deserts, spanning approximately 500,000 km², have experienced low-energy wind conditions from 1950 to 2019, promoting dune stabilization. This study is the first to statistically evaluate the links between contemporary climate and dune morphologies in these regions, using Fryberger’s drift equations and Copernicus ERA5 wind reanalysis data. The findings indicate that 93% of the surveyed areas were subjected to low-energy winds, which facilitate plant growth and biogenic crust development, thereby strengthening dune stability. The spatial patterns of active dune morphologies are closely linked to wind direction, power, and variability, while stabilized aeolian formations show debatable disassociations. This suggests that winds in these areas have likely varied in strength but not in direction over time. The study provides a foundation for future research on climate change, dune mapping, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, offering insights into the region's paleo and contemporary environmental dynamics.
Qinghai Hoh Xil
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Researchers have identified that the Salt Lake in Qinghai Hoh Xil, following the 2011 Zonag Lake outburst, is rapidly expanding at a rate of approximately 350% across all directions, primarily toward the southeast. Without intervention such as an emergency drainage channel, machine learning models predict the lake's overflow could occur as early as 2020 and potentially as late as 2031. The study employed Classification and Regression Trees (CART), Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms to analyze spatiotemporal variations from 1973 to 2021, with RF demonstrating superior accuracy in lake area extraction (KAPPA = 0.98, overall accuracy = 0.99). The normalized difference water index was found to be a key feature variable. This research highlights the potential risks posed by such hydrological changes and underscores the effectiveness of machine learning in predicting environmental shifts.
Residences of the Royal House of Savoy
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Balancing conservation and innovation is critical for the sustainable restoration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as demonstrated by ongoing projects at the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy in Piedmont. Since their inclusion on the World Heritage List in 1997, these monumental sites—comprising architecture, gardens, and parks—have faced challenges in addressing unresolved spaces while preserving cultural significance. Research highlights the need for high-quality interventions that align with institutional protection goals and adapt to evolving cultural demands, particularly during challenging historical periods. Projects at Aglié, Govone, and Racconigi Residences illustrate this balance, emphasizing systematic restoration strategies that ensure both authenticity and contemporary relevance.
Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza
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Archaeological research has challenged long-standing assumptions about the Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen Itza, revealing significant gaps in its historical narrative. Traditionally, Chichen Itza's chronology and cultural events were derived from historical documents and architectural features attributed to non-Maya groups like the Toltecs. However, recent advancements in archaeological studies across Terminal Classic period sites in Yucatan have exposed limitations in these interpretations, leading to a paradigm shift. This summary introduces a special section that explores how modern archaeology is reshaping our understanding of Chichen Itza's social and cultural development during its peak, moving beyond reliance on historical sources.
Xinjiang Tianshan
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A study on the Bayinbuluke alpine meadow in Xinjiang's Tianshan Mountains reveals that species niche breadth, overlap, and interspecific associations shift significantly along a fertilization gradient. Key findings include a decrease in species richness with increasing fertilization, while the importance of Festuca ovina and Poa annua rises under fertilization treatments. Niche width expands positively with critical values under fertilization, unlike controls, indicating altered competitive dynamics. Under low fertilization gradients, species exhibit positive correlations, suggesting cooperative interactions, whereas higher gradients show negative associations, pointing to increased competition. The research uses ecological statistics, variance ratio analysis, Pearson’s correlation, and association coefficient tests to explore these relationships, offering insights into the stable coexistence of populations under varying resource conditions.
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
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A study assessing avian species richness and distribution across four Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites in Mindanao, Philippines—Mounts Apo, Kitanglad, Hamiguitan, and Malindang—revealed distinct avian compositions with significant variation in species diversity. Mount Apo exhibited the highest species richness (38 species), endemism (58.33%), and diversity, while Mount Hamiguitan recorded the lowest (20 species). Only <em>Pachycephala philippinensis</em> was common across all sites, with pairwise similarity below 55%, underscoring unique avian assemblages in each ecosystem. The research employed mist netting (857 net days) and point surveys (62 hours) within 1-ha plots to document 65 species from 30 families, highlighting Mindanao's avifaunal diversity and the importance of LTER sites for conservation.
Comoé National Park
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A comprehensive inventory of migratory landbirds in Comoé National Park, Ivory Coast, identified 72 species, with peak visitation occurring in March and April. The study, conducted from September 2017 to August 2019 across four habitats—savannahs, forest islands, gallery forests, and ponds—revealed distinct phenological patterns: intra-African and mixed migratory species were present year-round, while Palearctic-originating species frequented the park for nine months (September to early May). Using the listening point method at 63 locations, researchers recorded a total of 17,713 individuals, averaging 1,476.77±99.70 per month. This study provides critical insights into the temporal dynamics and composition of migratory landbirds in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting the importance of habitat diversity for avian migration.
Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory
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Biodiversity of benthic macrofauna is significantly higher along the western coast of Tunis Bay compared to Djerba Island's coast, despite both sites being influenced by anthropogenic pressures. The study analyzed 21 stations—11 on Djerba and 10 in Tunis Bay—using traditional nonparametric biodiversity indices. While community composition differed between the two sites, with species ranks shifting across stations, Djerba's biodiversity has declined due to industrial, urban, and fishing activities, contrasting with Tunis Bay's relatively more stable conditions. The findings underscore the impact of human activity on marine ecosystems, particularly in UNESCO-recognized areas like Djerba.
Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape
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A rapid expansion of urban areas in the Al-Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia, was quantified using spectral mixture analysis (SMA) with high precision (~95% to 100%), revealing a nearly 9% increase between 2010 and 2020. This study leveraged Landsat and Sentinel-2A satellite imagery from 1990 to 2020, employing principal component analysis (PCA) to refine endmembers for SMA modeling. The research highlights the effectiveness of SMA in mapping urban fractions in arid and semi-arid oases, where mixed-pixel problems are prevalent. Additionally, it discusses potential drivers behind this urban growth, providing critical insights for ecosystem management in vulnerable landscapes.
Parthian Fortresses of Nisa
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A comparative analysis of seal impressions from Parthian Fortresses, including Old Nisa (Parthia's ancient capital) and neighboring sites such as Artashat (Armenia), Göbekly-depe (Margiana), and Gabala (Azerbaijan), reveals distinct regional variations in the depiction of Greek-Roman and Iranian motifs. While Armenian seals predominantly feature Hellenistic imagery, with some Iranian influences, Old Nisa shows a balanced representation of both traditions. In contrast, Göbekly-depe's seals are overwhelmingly Iranian, while Gabala exhibits a mix, suggesting local Eastern traditions with occasional Greek-Roman elements. This study highlights the cultural dynamics and regional identity in Parthian peripheral areas through sphragistics (the study of seals).
Mount Athos
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Mount Athos stands as a millennia-old center for spiritual guidance, attracting disciples and pilgrims with its enduring monastic tradition. This volume explores the multifaceted aspects of this tradition, tracing its roots back to the fourth-century desert fathers and examining its contemporary manifestations across Greece and globally. The papers, originally presented at a 2013 conference organized by the Friends of Mount Athos, delve into the roles of monks, nuns, spiritual fathers, confessors, and lay individuals in perpetuating this tradition. Through a combination of historical analysis, theological reflection, and case studies, the collection offers a comprehensive examination of the enduring influence and adaptability of Athonite spiritual guidance.
Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula
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2023 —
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Spontaneous officinal plants in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park hold significant potential for local economic development through their traditional medicinal uses and novel applications. The study reveals that these plants can serve as effective sources of anti-germination agents, with aqueous extracts demonstrating promise for weed control in agriculture. Additionally, historical evidence from the territory of Sanza on Monte Cervati highlights past industrial activity, particularly lavender essential oil distillation, which could further enhance territorial resources. Biometric surveys and biomass evaluations were conducted to assess productive potential, while chemical-physical analyses characterized hydrolates recovered via steam distillation. Ethnobotanical data underscored diverse traditional uses in medicine, nutrition, rituals, and religion, suggesting a multifaceted approach to recovery and enhancement of the park's heritage.
Robben Island
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2023 —
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A rare sighting of a Spotted Gully Shark (Triakis megalopterus) at Robben Island, 7 km from the mainland in Table Bay, South Africa, was documented on 18 February 2023 during high tide. This observation extends the known range of this shark species, which is typically found along coastal regions but rarely venturing so far from shore. The brief encounter highlights the potential for unexpected biodiversity discoveries even at well-studied sites like Robben Island. The study relied on direct observation and timing relative to tidal conditions, offering insights into the species' behavior and distribution in this unique marine environment.
Putorana Plateau
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2023 —
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Spring migration of water and semiaquatic birds on the Putorana Plateau occurs from May 19 to June 27, with peak activity between May 25 and June 17. This period sees up to 68 species, including dominant ones like Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, and Northern Pintail, migrating north, east, or west, often stopping at early-thawing river deltas. Population densities range from 15 to 227 individuals per kilometer of coastline, with higher concentrations in western regions where up to 30,000 birds may pass through surveyed points. The study analyzed eight survey sites across 250,000 km² using route censuses, revealing that lake populations are consistently smaller than those on adjacent river sections.
Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area
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2023 —
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A study assessing the long-term ecological stability of Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis Carr.) plantations in Huanglong Mountain reveals that 79.5% exhibit moderate stability while 20.5% show good stability. Using a novel unit circle method to evaluate biological, resistance, and functional stability across 44 plots, researchers found most plantations exhibit random distribution, moderate size differentiation, low species mixing, and high crowding. Correlations between stability and spatial structure parameters identified mingling as the strongest factor influencing stability, while crowding showed no significant impact. The study highlights specific spatial structures negatively linked to stability, offering targeted management insights for enhancing plantation resilience through strategic thinning. This methodology serves as a reference for similar ecosystems with comparable functions and conditions.
