Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa
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Arequipa's historical center stands to gain a transformative cultural hub that redefines local artistic engagement. This proposed design, rooted in wayfinding principles and contextual architecture, merges three distinct volumes—educational, exhibition, and entertainment—into the cityscape without compromising its heritage values. By prioritizing a single grand façade facing an ecological park and employing mimetic architectural strategies, the project ensures seamless integration with existing spatial dynamics while fostering a robust connection between natural and built environments. The initiative aims to revitalize Arequipa's artistic legacy, offering a platform for creation, diffusion, and community interaction that could solidify its cultural significance on both local and global stages.
Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks
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Deforestation in the Cerrado, one of the world's most biodiverse savannas, has significantly altered regional climate and water availability. A study analyzing land-use transitions (LUTs) from 2006 to 2019 found that clearing forests for cropland or pasture increased land surface temperature (LST) by ~3.5°C and reduced evapotranspiration (ET) by up to 44%. These changes, driven by satellite data and regression analyses, have already caused a 10% reduction in water recycled to the atmosphere and a 0.9°C increase in LST compared to native vegetation. Future scenarios project that continued deforestation could further worsen these effects, while zero-deforestation policies could mitigate them.
Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks
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Cerrado wetlands, critical yet neglected ecosystems, play a vital role in water storage and filtration, sustaining perennial streams and major Brazilian rivers. Despite their importance, these wetlands lack effective legal protection due to their complex hydrological functioning, diverse vegetation types, and imprecise mapping. This study proposes that all Cerrado wetlands should be unified under official legislation, with protection based on objective indicators such as water table depth (≤50 cm), which defines their unique hydromorphic soils and specialized flora. The research argues for standardized mapping and legal treatment of these wetlands to ensure their conservation, addressing historical misunderstandings and redundancies in regional classifications.
Saint Catherine Area
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A fragment of a decree, likely pertaining to the cult of an Antigonid ruler on the island of Ios, was discovered during excavations near the Church of Saint Catherine (Agia Ekaterini) in Chora. The stone, originally part of a sanctuary dedicated to Apollo Pythios, was later reused in a Byzantine church. Although the stone is now lost, its inscription provides valuable insights into ancient religious practices and political structures on Ios. The fragment, inscribed in two columns with letters 0.9 cm high, offers a glimpse into the ritual norms and historical context of the Antigonid period. This discovery contributes to our understanding of ruler cults and their significance in Hellenistic Greece.
Babylon
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Babylonian Astronomical Diaries offer unprecedented insights into the scientific and cultural life of ancient Babylon, documenting celestial and terrestrial phenomena from the last half millennium BCE. These diaries reveal how Babylonian scholars integrated astronomical observations with political, economic, and religious events, providing a rare window into their worldview and research practices. The corpus serves as both an introduction to this unique historical resource and a testament to the sophistication of Babylonian scientific inquiry.
Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela
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A significant portion of Lalibela's rock-hewn churches, including Bete Amanuel, Bete Abba Libanos, Bete Medhanealem, and Bete Merkorios, faces severe structural threats due to factors such as shelter loads, geological conditions, climate, and biological agents. Despite the importance of tourism in the region, conservation efforts are inadequate, leading to increased commercialization of culture and potential long-term damage to these UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The study highlights that 63.6% of respondents agree that tourism has intensified cultural commercialization, while 87.6% were first-time visitors, indicating both the site's appeal and vulnerability. To address these challenges, stakeholders—including government bodies, local communities, civil societies, and investors—must collaborate to improve conservation standards and ensure sustainable tourism practices in Lalibela.
Hyrcanian Forests
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A hierarchical framework, the Sustainable Hyrcanian Forest Management Model (SHFMM), emerges as a promising solution to address challenges hindering sustainable forest management (SFM) in Iran's Hyrcanian forests. These challenges include inconsistent policies, reliance on outdated techniques, and conflicts between policymakers and local communities. The SHFMM proposes a collaborative approach that empowers state and private sectors to make decisions while fostering cooperation among all stakeholders. Developed through independent studies of forest management in the region, this model offers site-specific lessons with broader applicability.
Shirakami-Sanchi
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Balancing global and local values is critical for the effective protection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as demonstrated by case studies from Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), the Galapagos Islands, and Shirakami-Sanchi in Japan. The study reveals that while international frameworks like the World Heritage Convention provide a standard for 'outstanding universal value,' they often clash with local stakeholders' values, leading to conflicts. It highlights the need for coordination among diverse interests—including those of local communities—to foster mutual understanding and create new shared values. This approach is essential to overcome challenges arising from global standards imposing changes on the ground while respecting local perspectives.
Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls
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Researchers found that including data from saturated quartz grains significantly impacts the equivalent dose (D e ) values calculated for optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, even when using different methods to combine luminescence measurements. This study highlights the importance of accounting for minimum burial dose information contained in saturated grains, which are often rejected due to early OSL signal saturation. The findings suggest that while various techniques have different advantages and disadvantages, their reasonable agreement indicates that the inclusion of data from saturated grains is more crucial than the specific method used. The research involved single-grain analyses of low dose-rate samples from an aeolian sandscarp near Victoria Falls, Zambia, to explore these challenges.
Robben Island
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African penguins on Robben Island have shifted their moulting behavior from coastal areas to inland sites near nests, a change observed between 1998 and 2020. This shift challenges traditional population estimates that rely solely on counting coastal moulters, potentially underestimating the total population. The study, conducted by Mdluli and Barham (2022), tracked moulting behavior over two decades using field observations. By comparing data from 1998 to 2004 with later years, researchers documented a near-complete transition to inland moulting, highlighting the need for revised population assessment methods.
Pantanal Conservation Area
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Record-breaking wildfires in the Pantanal, the world's largest contiguous wetland, in 2020 were driven by both extreme drought and human land-use changes. While severe drought provided the fuel for fires, spatial patterns of burning revealed that human activities—particularly low-intensity fires—amplified their impact on natural ecosystems. Over half (52%) of burned areas were within natural landscapes, with significant ecological consequences: vegetation productivity plummeted by more than 1.5 standard deviations across 30% of conservation areas, evaporation decreased by ~9%, and runoff increased by ~5%. These changes highlight the synergistic effects of climate extremes and land management on tropical wetlands, posing long-term risks to ecosystem recovery and fire resilience.
Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory
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A study on the succulent halophyte Cakile maritima reveals significant differences in salt tolerance between two Tunisian accessions, Djerba and Raoued. Despite lower biomass productivity under saline conditions, the Djerba accession exhibited a higher CO2 assimilation rate compared to Raoued. Proteomic analysis identified distinct salinity-responsive proteins, with Djerba showing an increase in mitochondrial respiration for ATP production, while Raoued displayed higher photorespiration and less pronounced changes in oxidative phosphorylation. Additionally, Djerba plants demonstrated enhanced reactive oxygen species scavenging mechanisms, suggesting adaptive strategies for survival in saline environments.
Tugay forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve
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Construction of the Nurek and Rogun reservoirs has significantly altered the water regime of the Vakhsh River, impacting the unique ecosystem of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve. Analysis reveals an 11.3-fold decrease in sediment discharge and a 7.05-fold reduction in water turbidity since reservoir operations began in the late 20th century. These changes have led to intensive riverbed erosion, lowered lake and groundwater levels, and disrupted long-term natural sedimentation patterns, fundamentally altering the hydrological regime of the reserve. The study highlights the urgent need for environmental solutions to mitigate these impacts on the UNESCO-listed tugay forests, which rely on the river's sediment and water dynamics for their survival.
Wadden Sea
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Recent changes in the German Wadden Sea reveal a significant shift toward ebb dominance, with declining flood currents and increasing ebb currents between 1996 and 2016. This trend is linked to morphological changes—expanding intertidal flats and narrowing tidal channels—rather than tidal amplitude. Researchers used high-resolution numerical modeling and a novel subregion averaging approach to analyze these shifts, finding that increased friction on expanded flats and reduced channel volume decelerate rising tides, particularly in the northern German Bight. The findings suggest sediment accretion trends may soon stabilize or reverse, with broader implications for tidal dynamics and ecosystem function.
Putorana Plateau
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A study on the Putorana Plateau, a remote and less-explored subarctic region of Central Siberia, reveals that slope angle significantly influences soil properties along elevational gradients. Researchers found that soils on gentle slopes exhibit thicker surface organic layers (SOL), higher pH, and greater Na+ content, alongside lower concentrations of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), aluminum (Ald), and iron (Fed). This suggests slower pedogenic processes in such environments. Conversely, steeper slopes show better differentiation of soil properties along the elevational gradient, particularly at deeper layers (0.1–0.3 m). While some characteristics, like SOL, C, N, or Ald concentrations, display clear trends with altitude—particularly on the Lama location—others do not follow a consistent pattern. The study collected data from three horizontal transects spanning elevations of 100–420 meters above sea level (a.s.l.), comparing two localities with differing slope angles through soil pits excavated to depths of 0.3–0.4 m.
Lord Howe Island Group
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The Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project (REP) led to a dramatic increase in the breeding success of Black-winged Petrels (<em>Pterodroma nigripennis</em>), from as low as 2.5% before rodent removal to 67% in 2020 and 50% in 2021, suggesting decades of suppressed reproductive output due to invasive ship rats (<em>Rattus rattus</em>). The study used surveillance cameras to assess nest failure causes pre-REP and monitored breeding success post-REP. However, emerging pressures from a recovering predatory rail (<em>Lord Howe Woodhen</em>) and burrow competition from Little Shearwaters (<em>Puffinus assimilis</em>) may threaten sustained success. Despite this, the petrel population is expected to surge, with hundreds of fledglings annually, potentially benefiting island biodiversity and nutrient cycling.
Keoladeo National Park
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Keoladeo National Park (KNP), a renowned bird sanctuary, faces ecological threats due to disruptions in its natural water sources. Historically reliant on rainfall and the Gambhiri and Banganga Rivers, KNP's water supply has been severely impacted by the construction of dams and reservoirs between 2000 and 2010, which ceased river water flow through Ajan Dam. Supplementary sources like the Chambal pipeline and Goverdhan projects have failed to meet ecological needs, leading to a decline in migratory bird species over the past four years. Physiochemical analysis of water from KNP, Ajan Dam, and the Chambal pipeline revealed that while Ajan Dam's water is optimal for KNP's ecosystem, the Chambal pipeline water lacks biological value and risks altering the park's ecology if used long-term. This study highlights the critical need to restore natural water sources to preserve KNP's biodiversity and ecological integrity.
Choirokoitia
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A significant shift in the built area of Khirokitia, an Aceramic Neolithic village in Cyprus, occurred around the end of the 7th millennium cal BC, marking a pivotal moment in its history. This change is evidenced by variations in spatial extent and organization, revealing a dynamic relationship between the village and its environment. Hydromorphological analysis of the nearby riverbed indicates increased torrential flows and erosion, suggesting erratic precipitation patterns during the village's occupation. The study investigates how these environmental changes influenced subsistence strategies, craft techniques, architectural practices, social organization, and rituals, providing insights into the adaptability and resilience of early human settlements.
Moravian Church Settlements
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A unique insight into the musical practices and aesthetics of a late 18th-century Moravian community is revealed through an analysis of an extended weekend excursion to Christiansfeld in 1796. This study highlights the significance of music as a unifying force within the Moravian Church Settlements, showcasing its role in religious rituals, social cohesion, and cultural identity. The research employs a combination of historical documentation, musical analysis, and ethnographic interpretation to reconstruct the musical environment of Christiansfeld during this period. By examining contemporary accounts, liturgical texts, and architectural features, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of how music was integral to the spiritual and communal life of the Moravian community.
Prambanan Temple Compounds
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Research reveals that the Prambanan Temple Compounds in Central Java function as a Sahasraliṅga mechanism, integrating hydro-architectonic principles to consecrate water in religious rituals. This discovery highlights the advanced understanding of water management and symbolic significance in Central Javanese, Khmer, and South Indian religious architecture. The study employs comparative analysis of architectural designs, ritual practices, and historical texts to uncover the temple's role as a sophisticated system for water consecration, blending engineering innovation with spiritual symbolism.
Mount Taishan
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Ozone pollution in Tai'an, near Mount Taishan (Mount Tai), is significantly influenced by the mountain's topography. Analysis of data from 2016 to 2021 revealed that ozone concentrations frequently exceeded 180 μg/m³ during May to September, with peak pollution in June. The study found that higher temperatures (>30°C), low humidity (20-40%), and light winds (1-3 m/s) increased the likelihood of ozone exceedances, often accompanied by southerly winds. Monitoring stations at varying distances from Mount Tai showed that proximity to the mountain elevated ozone levels by 13-15 μg/m³, likely due to topographic obstruction. Simulations using the WRF-CMAQ model further demonstrated that reducing the mountain's height could decrease average ozone concentrations by up to 7.5 μg/m³ during pollution events in 2021.
Changdeokgung Palace Complex
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Changdeokgung Palace Complex underwent significant transformations during Korea's modern period, blending traditional and foreign influences under political pressures. The study reveals that the palace's main halls—Injeongjeon, Seonjeongjeon, and Daejojeon—were adapted to reflect forced modernity, incorporating Japanese industrial crafts, European Japonisme furniture, and Qing-style Peranakan elements, while retaining traditional court paintings. This fusion of styles, driven by Japan’s colonial intentions in the early 20th century, created a unique hybrid aesthetic that merged cultural diversity with political necessity. The research highlights how these changes laid the foundation for modern craftsmanship, even amid occupation, demonstrating Korea's adaptive capacity during a turbulent era.
Surtsey
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A new analysis of the 1963–1967 Surtsey eruption deposits reveals diverse pyroclastic textures and microstructures, challenging previous assumptions about Surtseyan volcanism. The study identifies distinct subaerial cone-forming deposits—characterized by poorly sorted fines rich in sideromelane ash and composite bombs—and submarine edifice samples with fines-poor, vesicular coarse ash horizons. This diversity suggests a broader range of eruptive styles than previously recognized. Researchers examined archived samples from the Icelandic Natural History Museum, including material collected during the eruption and from the 1979 Surtsey core, alongside recent field samples. The findings imply that Surtseyan eruptions can produce varied volcanic products depending on vent conditions.
South China Karst
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A comprehensive analysis of the South China Karst region reveals significant vegetation recovery over the past three decades, with 74.80% of the area experiencing greening trends. This recovery is primarily attributed to large-scale ecological engineering projects, rather than climate change, which contributed only one-fifth to the observed changes. The study utilized high-resolution (30m) Landsat imagery from 1987 to 2018, analyzed using Google Earth Engine, to detect fine-scale vegetation dynamics in this ecologically fragile karst landscape. Notably, the area of vegetation recovery tripled following the implementation of ecological engineering compared to a reference period (1987-1999), and the restoration trend shows strong sustainability beyond 2018. These findings highlight the effectiveness of anthropogenic interventions in accelerating vegetation greenness gains in karst areas since the start of the new millennium.
Papahānaumokuākea
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Deep-sea fish assemblages on Pioneer Bank, a seamount within the UNESCO-listed Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, exhibit significant spatial variability both across its sides and with depth. A study using autonomous underwater vehicle transects identified 81 species, dominated by Gadiformes, Perciformes, and Stomiiformes, with the highest relative abundance observed on the NW side at 450 meters. Species richness, diversity, and assemblage structure varied significantly between the S and NW sides, with depth being a more influential factor than horizontal distance. This spatial heterogeneity mirrors findings from nearby Necker Island, underscoring the complexity of seamount ecosystems. The study provides critical baseline data for managing and conserving deep-sea environments, highlighting the importance of salinity, rugosity, chlorophyll-a, and substrate characteristics in shaping fish assemblage structure.
Ogasawara Islands
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Researchers have developed 23 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered land snail genus Mandarina, found exclusively in the Ogasawara Islands. These markers enable non-lethal genetic analysis of three species: M. mandarina, M. chichijimana, and M. suenoae, with varying degrees of usability (15, 12, and 9 markers respectively) for multiplex PCR. The study addresses critical knowledge gaps in the genetic diversity and population structure of Mandarina, which is nearly extinct in the wild due to invasive predators. By providing robust genetic tools, this work supports ex situ conservation efforts initiated in 2010, offering a foundation for targeted breeding programs and monitoring strategies to preserve these vulnerable species.
Kairouan
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A novel approach to estimating soil moisture (SM) with high accuracy has been developed, combining optical satellite data indices (NDVI and NDWI), radar backscatter data, digital elevation models (DEM), and environmental covariates. This method significantly improves the understanding of horizontal and vertical SM availability and redistribution over time in the Kairouan region, Tunisia. By analyzing correlations between these data sources, researchers identified the most informative inputs for a soil hydrological model, which can support precision agriculture, land use optimization, and water resource management. The findings highlight the potential of integrating remote sensing with geospatial data to enhance decision-making in agricultural practices under varying climatic conditions.
Nemrut Dağ
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Archaeological analysis of obsidian artifacts from Kendale Hecala, an Ubaid-period settlement in Southeast Anatolia, reveals that multiple obsidian sources were utilized, including Nemrut Dağ, Bingöl B, and Group 3d. This finding sheds light on the socio-cultural organization of the region during this period by demonstrating a complex distribution network for raw materials. The study employed macro-observations and handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis to characterize the obsidian samples, followed by multivariate data analysis to identify source varieties. These techniques allowed researchers to trace the operational sequence of the lithic industry, providing insights into the settlement's technological practices and economic strategies.
Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada
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A non-invasive analysis of the Alhambra's Harem Court wall paintings reveals distinct decorative techniques and pigments, including hematite, lapis lazuli, cinnabar, and possibly carbon. Using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Raman spectroscopy, researchers differentiated between gypsum plasterwork and lime plaster paintings, while principal component analysis (PCA) identified signs of past interventions through the presence of Pb, Ba, and Zn. Cross-sectional microsamples confirmed a secco-technique with calcium oxalate, though gypsum migration and surface deterioration were noted. The in situ study's representativeness allowed for extensive area analysis, offering insights into conservation challenges and historical interventions.
Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata
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Scientists have uncovered evidence of beeswax, candelilla wax, and an artificial wax—likely used for preservation—in Roman wall paintings from Herculaneum, Italy. The study, using non-destructive techniques like Raman and FTIR spectroscopies alongside gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), identified these waxes in fragments from the House of the Skeleton, House of the Deer, and House of the two Atriums. Notably, candelilla wax, a vegetable source introduced to Europe after the 16th century, suggests later maintenance efforts aimed at preserving original colors. Additionally, pigments like hematite and Egyptian blue, along with minerals such as calcite, aragonite, and gypsum, were detected. This multi-analytical approach provides new insights into the materials used in ancient Roman art and their preservation over centuries.
Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape
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A study on Al-Ahsa Oasis, one of Saudi Arabia's oldest and largest agricultural regions, reveals the feasibility of developing a model to predict soil-water characteristic curves (SWCC) using easily measurable pedotransfer functions (PTFs). The research analyzed 36 soil samples for physical properties like particle size distribution, saturation, and bulk density. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression models, demonstrated high accuracy in predicting key hydraulic properties such as field capacity (FC) and wilting point (WP), with very low mean square error (MSE) values of 0.004 and 0.001, respectively. The study also found strong correlations between silt content and bulk density for predicting saturation and SWCC, with correlation coefficients reaching up to 0.986 and MSE as low as 0.0007. This approach offers a promising method for modeling soil hydraulic properties in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Serengeti National Park
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Researchers documented rare 'charcoal whirlwinds'—dust devils that lofted large quantities of charcoal into the atmosphere following wildfires in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. These phenomena, observed in two distinct savannah regions (Western Corridor and Lamai), exhibited unique characteristics such as color, funnel shape, and height, depending on local land cover types and fuel canopies. The study leveraged field observations, meteorological data, and satellite imagery to analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of these whirlwinds, though direct measurements of particulate matter were not conducted. Findings suggest that charcoal-laden whirlwinds play a significant but understudied role in redistributing organic material across landscapes, with potential implications for regional-to-global atmospheric particle fluxes and depositional environments like lakes and wetlands.
Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche
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The Chauvet-Pont d'Arc cave, discovered in December 1994 near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc in the Ardèche region of France, offers a unique glimpse into the lives and artistic expressions of early humans during the Upper Paleolithic period. This cave, now partially collapsed, was once a prominent feature on the left bank of a fossilized meander of the Ardèche River, making it highly visible to prehistoric inhabitants but later obscured as other caves in the valley became more frequented. The site is renowned for its intricate decorations and provides significant insights into the cultural practices and artistic capabilities of early human societies.
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
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A comprehensive checklist of spiders from Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gujarat, India, identifies 189 species across 32 families. The study, conducted between 2016 and 2019, highlights the site's rich arachnid diversity, including 27 new records for the region. Dominant families included Salticidae, Araneidae, Lycosidae, Theridiidae, Oxyopidae, and Thomisidae. Spiders were collected using active searching, pitfall traps, and sweep nets, providing the first holistic documentation of this understudied ecosystem's spider fauna.
Taï National Park
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Chimpanzees at Taï National Park exhibit a complex vocal sequence production system with ordered and recombinatorial properties, challenging the notion that such flexibility is unique to human language. Researchers analyzed 4826 recordings from 46 wild adult chimpanzees, identifying 390 unique vocal sequences. These sequences show positional and transitional regularities, with certain two-unit sequences (bigrams) predictably occurring in specific positions within longer three-unit sequences (trigrams). This structured recombination of single units suggests a versatile system capable of generating diverse meanings, though further research is needed to determine the extent of this semantic potential.
Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
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China's expanding economic and political influence, particularly through initiatives like the Maritime Silk Road, is reshaping the historical narratives of colonialism across Asia. This study reveals that while China presents a nationalist interpretation of its colonial past, it seeks to export this vision globally, influencing how other nations perceive their own histories. By analyzing permanent exhibitions in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Galle Fort (Sri Lanka), the research demonstrates how these museums reflect or resist China's growing neo-colonial power. The findings highlight the tension between transnational communist ideology and nationalist historical narratives, showing that China's influence extends beyond its borders, potentially altering post-colonial identities in former British colonies.
Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos
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Music played a pivotal role in the Jesuit missions of Chiquitos, serving as a key tool for cultural integration and Christianization. The study reveals that the Jesuits used music to foster social cohesion among indigenous communities, encouraging their participation in liturgical practices while also teaching Western culture. Domenico Zipoli's musical legacy, discovered among the mission's archives, exemplifies this approach, demonstrating how systematic music education supported Jesuit missionary goals. By analyzing Zipoli's works and broader missionary strategies, the research highlights the enduring impact of music on the establishment of Christian communities in South America, though it also notes limitations in long-term cultural assimilation.
Aldabra Atoll
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Researchers have generated the first chromosome-level genome assembly for the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea), providing critical insights into the genetic health of a vulnerable species. This high-quality assembly, spanning 2.37 billion base pairs and resolving into 26 chromosomes, enables comprehensive genomic studies. By analyzing low-coverage whole-genome resequencing data from 30 wild individuals and two zoo-housed tortoises, the study revealed genetic population structure in the wild and traced the geographic origins of ex situ individuals. The findings highlight the utility of advanced genomic tools for conservation efforts, including genetic diversity management and rewilding initiatives. Additionally, the assembly identifies putatively deleterious mutations that warrant monitoring to ensure the long-term survival of this endangered species.
The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright
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Cinematic Style reveals the profound interplay between fashion and interior design, demonstrating their combined role in shaping cinematic style from early film to the digital age. The book highlights how iconic silhouettes and striking spaces contribute to character development and narrative structure, even amidst technological advancements. Through case studies—such as Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture in Hitchcock’s <em>North by Northwest</em>, Coco Chanel’s costumes for Gloria Swanson, and Ralph Lauren’s <em>Great Gatsby</em> film-set turned flagship—the work exposes the reciprocal relationship between fashion, interiors, and cinema. It also explores how cinematic styles influence brand identities and design movements while shedding light on consumer culture, social history, and gender politics in 20th- and 21st-century film.
Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco
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Traditional markets in Latin American metropolises, such as the Mercado de Xochimilco in Mexico City, play a pivotal role in mitigating urbanization risks and bridging the gap between rural-urban dynamics and ancestral-modern identities. This study reveals that these markets act as economic hubs, generating both centripetal and centrifugal forces that sustain local economies—both formal and informal—while serving as spaces of survival for impoverished populations. By employing a mixed-methods approach, including participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and qualitative spatial analysis, researchers demonstrate the resilience of Xochimilco's market ecosystem, which encompasses producer zones, chinampa (floating garden) areas, and street vending. The concept of 'patrimonio-territorial' and urban economic circuit theory applied to the Global South underscores how these markets persist amid selective modernization and rising informality, offering a model for understanding socio-spatial continuity in metropolitan heritage sites.
Historic Centre of Siena
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The Biccherna panels of Siena, a series of medieval painted covers and paintings linked to the city's accounts, exemplify how visual artefacts can serve as tools for 'visual governance,' conveying idealized images of orderly administration despite complex underlying realities. This study applies visual semiotics, drawing on Umberto Eco's framework and medieval aesthetics, to demonstrate that art and accounting are intertwined in governance. The research reveals contemporary resonances in corporate annual reporting, suggesting that visual impression management remains a powerful mechanism for addressing conflict and uncertainty in organizational landscapes.
Meidan Emam, Esfahan
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Meidan Emam, Esfahan, is revealed as a pivotal politico-religious symbol in Iranian urban history, embodying the intersection of sovereignty and theological ideology. The study bridges architectural form with sociopolitical discourse, demonstrating how Meidan—particularly Naqsh-e Jahan Square—serves as a material manifestation of Iran's ideogram, integrating cognitive, symbolic, and cultural dimensions into its urban fabric. By reinterpreting Carl Schmitt’s political theology, the research uncovers the square's role in formalizing ideological power structures while advancing democratic discourse through spatial analysis. This approach offers a novel framework for understanding how public squares shape governance, identity, and collective memory in Islamic urbanism.
Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso
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This study reveals how the poetry of Carlos Pezoa Véliz captures and evolves with the popular and marginal landscapes of Valparaíso, particularly its seaport communities. Analyzing his works 'Vida de puerto' (1903) and 'Alma chilena' (1908), the research demonstrates a shift from naturalistic imagery to a narrative voice rooted in collective oral traditions, marking a distinct trajectory in Chilean modern poetry. The study also contextualizes Pezoa Véliz's poetic development within Valparaíso's socio-historical milieu, highlighting his role as a dissident voice that challenges conventional representations of the city.
Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea
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A novel approach using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and deep learning algorithms achieved high accuracy—0.92 with data augmentation—in classifying hyperspectral images to map land cover, including disordered urban occupation in the Tijuca National Park (PNT), a critical Atlantic Forest fragment near Rio de Janeiro. This methodology effectively distinguished between forest and urban areas, demonstrating its potential for monitoring challenging terrains like PNT, which provides vital environmental services such as erosion prevention and carbon capture. The study highlights CNNs' efficacy in pattern recognition for land-use mapping, offering a scalable solution for sustainable development and conservation efforts.
Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia
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A study reveals that the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia supports higher functional diversity of anurans (frogs and toads) in areas with greater anthropogenic intervention, such as those surrounding houses. This suggests that landscape mosaics—including both natural and human-modified habitats—can play a crucial role in conserving diverse functional traits among anuran species. The research found that Rao's quadratic entropy, functional dispersion, and average functional diversity were the most sensitive metrics to land-use changes, indicating that these indices are particularly effective for monitoring the impacts of landscape transformation on biodiversity. While taxonomic diversity did not vary significantly with seasonal climate changes, larger-bodied species showed a preference for anthropogenic landscapes. These findings underscore the importance of integrating functional trait measurements into conservation strategies to better understand and mitigate the effects of land-use change on anuran assemblages.
Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab)
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2022 —
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Climate change and biodiversity loss pose significant threats to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God. This study highlights the urgent need for effective on-site management strategies that balance climate change mitigation with heritage conservation. It emphasizes the importance of local engagement, national and international collaboration, and a strong World Heritage Climate Change policy to guide future management practices. The research underscores the interconnectedness of these sites with their surrounding environments and advocates for a comprehensive approach to address these challenges under the World Heritage Convention.
Teide National Park
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2022 —
WHEA64F3C4404
A rapid collapse of the keystone shrub Spartocytisus supranubius, endemic to Teide National Park (Tenerife, Canary Islands), has been linked to climate change over a 32-year period. This study, using historical aerial images and image segmentation techniques, found that this species experienced a mean decline in coverage ranging from 28.7% to 41%, depending on data interpolation methods. The regression was negatively correlated with temperature and positively with precipitation, suggesting a possible collapse of the broom population. These findings warrant listing the species as vulnerable according to IUCN criteria, highlighting the severe impact of climate change on insular alpine ecosystems.
Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville
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2022 —
WHED7A1EB4E16
Climate change is significantly impacting the foundations of heritage buildings in Western Andalusia, with temperature increases and drought leading to subsidence and shrinkage effects on surface clays. This study highlights how climate-related hazards, such as sea-level rise and coastal erosion, are threatening structures like the Church of the Sagrario in Seville and coastal castles such as Chipiona Castle and Utrera Castle. The research emphasizes the need for risk assessments to enhance disaster resilience in cultural heritage preservation. By analyzing these climate stressors, the study underscores the urgency of proactive measures to mitigate long-term damage to these iconic sites.
Saloum Delta
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2022 —
WHE0FF2724E1B
A significant migration of shell-fishing populations to the Sine-Saloum mangrove Delta, Senegal, occurred around 2000 years ago, coinciding with the end of a prolonged aridification phase and the rise of trans-Saharan trade. This study reconstructs human demography and shell fishing activity over the past 6000 years using radiocarbon dating from archaeological shell middens. Findings indicate two distinct migration waves (200–400 CE and 600–800 CE), likely driven by climate stress and political upheaval, with peak activity around 1700 years ago. The Delta's abandonment in the early 15th century may reflect unsustainable resource use or regional destabilization, followed by a new settlement phase led by the Manding Guelwars, aligning with oral traditions.
The Sundarbans
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2022 —
WHE5069039C2A
A significant disparity exists in the coping strategies employed by coastal communities in the Indian Sundarbans to mitigate climate change-related multi-hazards. While island households utilize 4–6 adaptation techniques (78%), primarily asset-related, other regions rely on 1–3 methods (56%), often centered around food and finance safeguards. This variation underscores the differential impact of hazards across geographical locations. The study, based on a survey of 850 rural households in four distinct areas—islands, coastal, riverine, and inland—reveals that migration is also a notable tactic in the region. These findings highlight the urgent need for tailored mitigation and adaptation strategies to address the escalating threats posed by climate change in vulnerable coastal regions.
