Sacred City of Kandy
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2015 —
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A strong correlation between dengue incidence and weather variables was identified in Kandy, Sri Lanka (2003–2012), with rainfall, temperature, humidity, and sunshine showing positive associations—particularly with a 5- to 7-week lag. Negative correlations were observed with wind run. The study used wavelet time series analysis and cross-correlation coefficients to quantify these relationships, revealing that dengue transmission is influenced by multiple environmental factors. These findings highlight the need for adaptive public health strategies in the context of climate change.
Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites
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2015 —
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A comprehensive analysis of land-use changes around the UNESCO World Heritage site, Tomioka Silk Mill, reveals critical insights for future urban planning. The study identifies patterns of transformation along streets and evaluates landscape design impacts, providing a foundation for developing a sustainable World Heritage town. By examining historical operations and spatial dynamics, researchers offer actionable recommendations to balance heritage preservation with modern development needs.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
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2015 —
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A remarkable 89% of Greater One-horned Rhinos translocated from Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to Manas National Park exhibited consistent dispersal patterns, moving in the same direction post-release. This study, part of India's Rhino Vision 2020 initiative, used radio tracking and direct observation over 90 days to document their behavioral adaptation and colonization behavior. Notably, rhinos from Pobitora showed greater straying compared to those from Kaziranga, suggesting site-specific influences on dispersal. The findings offer valuable insights for future rhino translocation strategies, aiming to enhance conservation efforts in Manas Wildlife Sanctuary.
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
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2015 —
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A significant shift in vegetation at the Taereung, one of the UNESCO-listed Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, has been documented. The study reveals that while Korean pine (Pinus densiflora) was historically dominant across various spaces—tomb, religious service, transposition, and entry—its prevalence is now declining due to ecological succession. Broadleaf species like Quercus aliena are expanding, particularly in the tomb space where pines once thrived. In contrast, the entry space, originally characterized by Japanese alder (Alnus japonica), has transitioned to a pine-oak mix, with long-term soil conditions suggesting further decline of pines. The research proposes targeted restoration strategies, aiming to revert broadleaf-dominated areas back to pine forests while maintaining the historical landscape integrity. This study combines spatial analysis of 108 plots with historical documentation to inform conservation efforts for this World Heritage Site.
Hwaseong Fortress
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2015 —
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A key insight from this study is that the preservation of topography, water environments, and urban structures within Suwon Hwaseong Fortress remains largely intact, even after significant urban development. These elements maintain their historical continuity, providing critical context for understanding the fortress's past urban landscape. The research employed a three-phase approach: comparing 1911 land maps with current ones to assess changes in topography, water spaces, streets, and sites; analyzing these changes using field surveys, interviews, and literature; and categorizing preservation statuses (preserved, partially preserved, or disappeared). Findings reveal that while modern public facilities coexist with historic resources, recent restoration efforts risk damaging long-preserved elements. This underscores the need for integrated conservation strategies to protect Hwaseong's layered historical narrative across eras.
Aalto Works
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2015 —
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Modern architecture's integration of interior and exterior spaces, often achieved through glass and steel, reflects Descartes' infinite spatial conception. However, this approach overlooks the meaningful interpretation of space in human lives, a gap addressed by Heidegger's existential philosophy. The study evaluates the works of Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Alvar Aalto across three categories: opening to the exterior with homogenization (Mies, Le Corbusier), maintaining interior as shelter while opening to the exterior (Wright), and creating intermediate spaces between interior and exterior (Aalto). This analysis highlights how different architects interpret space's significance through their designs, offering a nuanced understanding of spatiality in modern architecture.
Jongmyo Shrine
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2015 —
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A text mining analysis of Jongmyo Shrine reveals that its tangible and intangible cultural values are shaped by complex, interconnected factors. Unlike traditional single-disciplinary approaches, this study identifies key elements—both physical (tangible) and non-physical (intangible)—that have historically influenced the shrine's spatial formation. The findings highlight how cultural diversity and evolving information systems challenge conventional interpretations of heritage sites, emphasizing the need for multifaceted perspectives to understand their significance. This research introduces a novel framework for interpreting traditional Korean spaces by integrating diverse content influences, offering insights applicable to broader studies on cultural heritage preservation.
The Grand Canal
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2015 —
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Groundwater along the Grand Canal from Hangzhou to Beijing shows significant contamination by semi-volatile organic compounds, with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) being the most widespread. Among 42 contaminants analyzed, PAHs like phenanthrene and fluoranthene were detected at high concentrations, posing environmental risks in some samples. The study used concentration ratios to trace PAH sources, revealing mixed origins from pyrolytic and petrogenic processes with varying dominance across sites. While polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were also found, no organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) were detected.
Namhansanseong
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2015 —
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A groundbreaking survey of Namhansanseong reveals significant insights into column-leaning—a critical structural behavior in Korean traditional wooden architecture. Using advanced 3D scanning technology, researchers analyzed the columns of Sungryeoljeon, providing precise measurements and representations of this phenomenon. This method offers a modern approach to understanding and preserving heritage structures, building on earlier studies from the 1950s. The findings highlight the importance of technological advancements in architectural conservation, offering valuable data for both academic research and practical preservation efforts.
Nyungwe National Park
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2015 —
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A comprehensive survey of praying mantises in Rwanda has uncovered 41 species, including 28 new records for the country and 20 novel regional discoveries spanning Uganda and Burundi. This represents a significant 155% increase in documented species from Rwanda, highlighting the region's rich but understudied biodiversity. The study employed diverse collecting techniques—such as light traps, sweep netting, and manual searching—to gather 739 specimens (adults and juveniles) across four key sites: Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and the Arboretum de Ruhande. High-resolution images of representative species, along with detailed distribution records, were also provided, underscoring the need for further taxonomic research to fully characterize Rwanda's insect fauna.
Wet Tropics of Queensland
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2015 —
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A novel species of Brucella was first isolated from rodents in Wooroonooran National Park (WNP) in 1964, but subsequent efforts to reisolate it proved unsuccessful. Instead, this study identified a high prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira species (40%) and other zoonotic agents among non-indigenous rodents at the forest interface adjacent to WNP. The research trapped and sampled 70 rodents, detecting Salmonella choleraesuis ssp. arizonae in 14.29%, ectoparasites in 21.42%, and endoparasites in 87%. Notably, rodent-specific helminths Syphacia obvelata (2.86%) and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (85.71%) were prevalent, along with multiple ectoparasite species known to transmit zoonotic pathogens like Rickettsia spp. Brucella and Coxiella burnetii were not detected, suggesting low prevalence below 12%. This is the first study of its kind in Australian wet-tropical forests, highlighting significant public health risks posed by rodent-borne diseases.
Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad
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2015 —
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Agonistic peace processes are deeply embedded in the spatial and material contexts of post-conflict cities, as demonstrated by the study of three symbolically significant bridges in Sarajevo, Mostar, and Višegrad. The research reveals how collective agency and competing claims for identity shape meaning-making in everyday life, investing spaces with political significance. By analyzing these bridges—particularly the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad—the study advances critical peace research by linking spatial practices to conflict legacies and post-conflict reconciliation. The approach combines close reading of material and social spaces with Arendtian theories of agency, offering a nuanced understanding of how contested sites become arenas for both struggle and belonging.
Central Sikhote-Alin
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2015 —
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A comprehensive taxonomic list of mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Plecoptera), and caddisflies (Trichoptera) from the Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Russia's Far East, reveals 220 species inhabiting its streams. This first-ever compilation for Central Sikhote-Alin includes 63 mayfly species, 61 stonefly species, and 96 caddisfly species, providing critical baseline data for ecological assessments. The study, spanning 1980–2013, analyzed over 30,000 specimens to document biodiversity in pristine conditions, offering insights into aquatic ecosystem structure and environmental quality indicators. This EPT (Ephemeroptera-Plecoptera-Trichoptera) complex serves as a valuable tool for monitoring anthropogenic impacts on this biodiverse region.
Wet Tropics of Queensland
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2015 —
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A taxonomic revision of the genus Cynometra L. (Fabaceae) in Australia has identified a new species from the Wet Tropics of Queensland, along with an extension of the known range to the mainland. This discovery contributes significantly to the understanding of the region's biodiversity and challenges previous assumptions about the distribution of this plant group. The study employed traditional taxonomic methods, including morphological analysis and detailed examination of herbarium specimens, to distinguish the new species from its congeners. It also highlights the importance of the Wet Tropics as a hotspot for plant diversity, reinforcing the need for conservation efforts in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Timbuktu
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2015 —
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Ahmad Bul'arāf, a Timbuktu bibliophile, played a pivotal role in the circulation of books—both manuscripts and printed works—across vast regions spanning the Mediterranean to the Sahel during the first half of the twentieth century. His extensive network, connecting Timbuktu with cities like Beirut, Cairo, Algiers, Fes, Dakar, and Kano, highlights how a single individual could sustain and animate cross-regional book trade, fostering intellectual exchange on the edges of the Sahara. This study sheds light on the historical significance of books as central to learning and the enduring impact of personal networks in shaping cultural and academic connections across diverse spaces.
Fortifications of Vauban
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2015 —
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Eighteenth-century military engineering lacked precise understanding of Vauban's revolutionary fortifications, despite his teachings' widespread acceptance. His definitive treatises (1704, 1706) remained inaccessible due to defective editions and restricted manuscripts until authentic versions appeared in 1829. Sturm (1736) noted that Vauban's systems were never publicly documented, though some reconstructions—like the <em>Veritable Maniere de Fortifier</em> (1693, attributed to Abbe du Fay but authored by Chevalier de Cambray)—were deemed accurate. This study reveals how Vauban's innovations, though influential, remained shrouded in secrecy until postmortem publications clarified their principles.
Archaeological Site of Delphi
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2015 —
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A novel, low-cost pipeline for 3D digitization of archaeological artifacts has been developed, addressing key challenges in fieldwork such as cost, portability, and automation. The system integrates a transportable photobooth with automated image processing, enabling efficient acquisition and analysis of large collections under real-world conditions—including variable lighting and time constraints. Using high-end photogrammetry techniques (Apero/MicMac), the pipeline generates accurate 3D reconstructions suitable for detailed shape analysis and classification. Field-tested at Delphi’s Tholos site, this approach demonstrates how open-source tools can meet archaeological documentation needs while overcoming logistical hurdles in UNESCO World Heritage contexts.
The Forth Bridge
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2015 —
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Researchers successfully demonstrated the feasibility of harnessing real-world ambient vibrations for wireless structural health monitoring on the UNESCO-listed Forth Road Bridge. By combining direct and parametric resonance, their electromagnetic harvester achieved over 1 mW of average raw AC power from traffic-induced vibrations in a compact device (126 cm³). This energy was sufficient to sustain duty-cycled wireless transmissions, validating the potential for vibration-powered monitoring systems in infrastructure with broadband, intermittent vibration profiles. The study bridges the gap between laboratory prototypes and real-world applications, offering a scalable solution for sustainable structural health monitoring.
Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca
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2015 —
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Burmese labor migrants in George Town, Malaysia, navigate the city primarily driven by fear of state institutional practices such as police controls and raids, rather than crime. This 'borderscape' dynamic reveals a geography of fear shaped by legal exclusion, highlighting the need to consider both social and legal factors when studying urban space access and possession. The study draws on fieldwork to explore how regular and irregular migrants perceive safety and danger, offering insights into the complex interplay between mobility, social exclusion, and legal status in urban contexts.
City of Verona
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2015 —
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Roman urban elites, including seviri and seviri Augustales, maintained rural estates regularly visited, as revealed by epigraphic evidence from Brixia (Brescia), Verona, and Mediolanum (Milan). This study identifies a pattern of countryside residence among the wealthy classes in Northern Italy during the Roman era. Researchers analyzed inscriptions to trace ownership and usage of these estates, offering new insights into the spatial distribution and social dynamics of Roman elite landholding.
Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs)
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2015 —
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Research reveals that the Karakoram-Pamir mountain region, spanning China and Pakistan, supports viable populations of Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), Marco Polo sheep (Pseudois nayaur), and Blue sheep (Ovis ammon polii) despite harsh environmental conditions. While ibex and Marco Polo sheep populations mirror those in protected areas of neighboring countries like Nepal, India, and China, Blue sheep are notably absent from the Muztagh region of Taxkorgan Nature Reserve in China. These species, along with snow leopards, exhibit transboundary movement across international borders, posing conservation challenges. Key threats include illegal hunting, habitat degradation due to vegetation removal for fodder and firewood, overgrazing by livestock, and border fencing that restricts wildlife movement. The study proposes a science-based conservation strategy to restore wildlife populations and maintain ecological flows, benefiting both species and local communities.
Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche
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2015 —
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Research in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Calakmul and the Balam Kú State Reserve, Campeche, Mexico, reveals that Baird's tapirs (Tapirus bairdii) exhibit no significant preference for specific habitat types or show differences in abundance across sites with varying humidity gradients. The study, conducted using 120 km of linear transects and camera traps at nine waterholes, recorded an average relative abundance index of 0.33 tracks per kilometer and 17 photo-captures per 1,000 trap-days. Statistical analyses, including Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests, found no significant differences in tapir abundance or habitat selection between the sites, suggesting that these populations may be generalists in their habitat use. This finding contributes valuable data on Baird's tapir distribution in a region with limited prior research.
Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity
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2015 —
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Community-based tourism among the Caiçaras of São Gonçalo, Paraty, Brazil, is revealed as a powerful political tool for territorial affirmation. This initiative leverages local knowledge to craft tourism routes that contextualize the community's historical struggles and cultural identity. The study synthesizes early reflections on this process, highlighting how traditional practices and ecological awareness are integrated into sustainable tourism models. By centering the Caiçara perspective, the research underscores the transformative potential of tourism as a means for social empowerment and environmental stewardship in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
San Antonio Missions
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2015 —
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Cultural heritage tourism can sustain economic prosperity while preserving local authenticity, but deliberate planning is required to mitigate negative impacts. This study demonstrates that community-based tourism development in the San Antonio Missions Historic District could accelerate economic and social benefits—such as job creation, infrastructure improvement, and small business growth—while preventing gentrification and cultural displacement. By integrating sustainable practices, the research proposes a model that balances tourism expansion with the preservation of historic and cultural integrity, reinforcing connections to the river and supporting San Antonio's potential World Heritage designation. The approach leverages heritage tourism as an economic tool while safeguarding local identity and environmental sustainability.
Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius
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2015 —
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A significant potential for enhancing cultural tourism and economic development lies in improving accessibility to archaeological sites, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, for people with disabilities. The study highlights that facilitating access to such sites not only fulfills legal obligations under human rights and constitutional laws but also unlocks the creative and productive potential of individuals with disabilities. A survey conducted across eight key Serbian sites—Mediana, Caricin Grad, Vrelo-Sarkamen, Ravna, Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Viminacijum, Vinca, and Sirmium—assessed current accessibility standards. The findings underscore the importance of inclusive design in preserving and promoting cultural heritage while ensuring equitable participation for all visitors.
Durham Castle and Cathedral
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2015 —
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Durham Cathedral's archives reveal how medieval accounting practices evolved to efficiently manage the priory's financial operations. The study demonstrates that Durham adopted and adapted accounting methods to systematically track income, expenses, assets, and liabilities, providing a rare glimpse into the financial sophistication of a 12th-century institution. By analyzing surviving records, researchers identified key innovations in record-keeping, including the use of double-entry principles before their widespread adoption in Europe. This approach offers valuable insights into the economic organization of one of England's most significant religious sites during its formative years.
The Sundarbans
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2015 —
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Research identifies Excoecaria agallocha as a highly efficient mangrove species for cadmium (Cd) bioaccumulation, with the highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) of 15.5 among ten studied species in the Indian Sundarbans. The study reveals that Cd and zinc (Zn) are significantly accumulated in E. agallocha's aerial parts, particularly leaves, suggesting its potential as an effective phytoremediation agent. Investigations across two sites analyzed trace metal(loid) concentrations (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in plant tissues and sediments, highlighting the Sundarbans' unique sediment properties that enhance metal retention. The findings underscore E. agallocha's role as a 'metal trap,' offering promise for mitigating trace metal pollution through phytoremediation strategies.
Simien National Park
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2015 —
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Gelada baboons (Theropithecus gelada) on the Gich Plateau of Ethiopia's Simien Mountains National Park exhibit significant seasonal variation in activity budgets, with feeding increasing to 56.7% of daylight hours during the dry season while resting decreases. This high-altitude population, at the climatic and altitudinal limits of their range, also shows age/sex class differences in behavior, except for social activities. The study used continuous focal animal scan sampling over a year (May 2013–April 2014) to track time allocation across feeding, traveling, resting, socializing, and other non-social behaviors. These findings highlight the adaptability of Geladas to extreme environments and underscore the importance of conservation efforts for this unique primate population.
Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains
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2015 —
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Giant pandas exhibit three distinct activity peaks—morning, afternoon, and midnight—in contrast to the previously assumed crepuscular behavior. A study using GPS collars with accelerometers on both wild and captive pandas in Wolong Nature Reserve revealed seasonal variations in activity, with peaks in June, a decline in August-September, and increased activity from November to March. Activity correlated with solar radiation, particularly under cold conditions, suggesting potential impacts of climate change. The findings also indicate that pandas adjust their energy budgets due to dietary constraints, providing insights into the relationship between forage, weather, and energy expenditure.
Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil)
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Research on the Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis, declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, reveals that these 18th-century churches exhibit high reverberation times, which deviate from optimal acoustic conditions for speech comprehension and religious music performance. The study employed a dual approach: objective in-situ measurements to assess parameters like reverberation time and subjective surveys to gauge listener perceptions, including the influence of different materials on acoustic behavior. Notably, the investigation utilized advanced modeling techniques, such as 'Ray Tracing Impact,' to simulate the presence of congregations in San Ignacio Mini, a ruined church, and even recovered intangible cultural heritage by analyzing an audio archive of Jesuit-Guaraní language. This comprehensive analysis highlights the complex interplay between architectural design, materials, and acoustic performance, offering insights into preserving both tangible and intangible aspects of these historic sites.
Anticosti
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2015 —
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A study of the Anticosti Basin reveals that satellite imagery captures fracture patterns more accurately than aerial images, identifying two primary fracture sets trending ~N105 and ~N15. These findings align with field observations but contradict lineaments seen in aerial images, which are deemed unreliable for reflecting actual fracture patterns. The research utilized a combination of satellite, aerial, and bathymetric data to analyze the northern Anticosti Basin's geological structure, providing new insights into its tectonic history.
Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area
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2015 —
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A comprehensive floristic survey of the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Himachal Pradesh, India, identified 66 previously undocumented angiosperm species. These include one tree, 13 shrubs, two climbers, and 50 herbs, representing 55 genera across 32 families. The study, conducted between 2010 and 2011, provides critical data on the flowering patterns, altitude distribution, growth habits, and potential uses of these species. This significant contribution to the region's flora enhances our understanding of biodiversity in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering valuable insights for conservation efforts.
Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua
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2015 —
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Researchers have uncovered significant diversity among adenoviruses and herpesviruses in free-ranging gorillas and chimpanzees near Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo. The study identified 19 DNA viruses from two viral families, including three previously undescribed herpesviruses, with co-detections of multiple viruses common in both species. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and lymphocryptovirus (LCV) were frequently found together alongside adenoviruses. Viral discovery curves suggest a minimum richness of 23 viruses in the population, with an estimated detection rate of 83%. This is the first description of DNA viral diversity in feces from free-ranging great apes in this region, providing critical insights into the viruses circulating among these endangered species.
Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City
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2015 —
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A ground-penetrating radar (GPR) study successfully identified a thin burnt soil layer buried over 2 meters deep at the Liangzhu Site, despite challenging conditions like high electrical conductivity and root scattering. The research demonstrated that using multiple antenna configurations—100 MHz and 200 MHz in TE/TM broadside and cross-polarized setups—combined with advanced attribute analysis (e.g., instantaneous phase, geometric attributes) significantly improves the detection of prehistoric archaeological features. Ground-truthing validated GPR imaging, confirming correlations between subsurface properties like electrical conductivity and relative dielectric permittivity (RDP). This approach enhances archaeological subsurface characterization even in complex environments.
Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg
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2015 —
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Commuters from outside Salzburg significantly influence the spatial distribution of bicycle traffic within the city, according to an agent-based modeling study. The research found that outer-city origins play a crucial role in shaping inner-city cycle flow patterns, challenging conventional transportation models. By simulating cycle traffic using an intuitive, parameter-driven approach, the study validated its findings against real-world data from cycle counting stations. This method proved effective for explorative system analysis, offering new insights into sustainable urban mobility strategies. The research also highlights key areas for future investigation to further refine bicycle traffic modeling in historic urban centers like Salzburg.
Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ)
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2015 —
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Research at UNESCO World Heritage Site Hegra (al-Hijr) reveals that the Nabataeans, renowned for their trade along the Incense Road, also developed sophisticated agrarian systems. Analysis of carpological and anthracological data from four sites—Bosra, Dharih, Petra, and Hegra—showed a mix of annual and perennial crops tailored to economic needs, including food, raw materials, and fuel. Fruit trees were strategically distributed based on climate and topography, with Mediterranean agroforestry systems in semi-arid areas and an oasis agrosystem in arid regions. Notably, the presence of cotton at Hegra suggests Nabataean agricultural innovation linked to trade, indicating a blend of inherited practices and new technical advancements.
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park
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Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on St Kitts, reflects the island's deep agricultural legacy, particularly its dominance by sugar production. Though sugar now accounts for only 2% of foreign exchange earnings and employs 8% of the workforce, it still occupies 30% of agricultural land, illustrating its enduring impact on the landscape. The fortress offers a panoramic view of this heritage, with lush cane fields on coastal plains giving way to mixed cropping and pasture on steeper hillside landscapes, while remnants of forest cloak the volcanic Mt Liamuiga. This study highlights how historical economic shifts—from sugar to tourism—have reshaped St Kitts' economy but left a lasting imprint on its agrarian structures and natural environment.
Viñales Valley
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Viñales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in western Cuba, showcases a unique living cultural landscape where traditional agriculture thrives amidst bulbous limestone cliffs. This study highlights the valley's significance as both an agricultural and artistic destination, emphasizing its imaginative qualities through visual submissions such as drawings, illustrations, or photographs. The research approach involves inviting readers to contribute their creative works alongside explanatory information, fostering a dynamic interaction between scientific documentation and artistic expression. By blending traditional farming practices with artistic representation, Viñales Valley stands out as a model of sustainable cultural heritage preservation.
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica
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Agroforestry systems (AFS) in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Mexico, demonstrate remarkable biocultural capacity by combining traditional and intensive agricultural practices without significantly compromising biodiversity. The study found that 81% of the 66 tree and shrub species recorded in AFS were native, representing 38% of the perennial plant species found in unmanaged forests. Plant diversity decreased with higher agricultural intensity, but maintaining vegetation cover did not conflict with intensive practices. Key reasons for preserving wild plants included shade provision, beauty, fruit production, and soil/water retention. The research highlights the potential for expanding and enriching vegetation in terraces and borders of AFS, offering valuable insights for regional biodiversity conservation programs that leverage these systems as keystones.
Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley
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Aisha’s Cushion challenges the Western perception of Islam as inherently iconoclastic, revealing instead a nuanced and dynamic relationship with religious art. The book explores how Islamic discourses—religious, philosophical, scientific, and mystical—shape perceptual practices, debunking the trope that Islam universally rejects imagery. By analyzing diverse Islamic traditions, it demonstrates that perception is not static but evolves within a complex discursive culture. Unlike conventional studies that focus on historical origins or anthropological practice, this work induces curiosity about Islam by examining its subjective parameters, offering a rare perspective that avoids external definitions and instead delves into the religion's internal subjectivity.
Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco
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Researchers have identified and characterized eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the endangered Chirostoma humboldtianum, also known as charal de Xochimilco, a fish species endemic to Mexico's UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco. These genetic markers, derived from an enriched gene library, reveal significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, likely due to small population sizes and habitat loss caused by human disturbances. The loci exhibit high observed (0.61) and expected (0.63) heterozygosity, with allele counts ranging from 3 to 11 per locus. This study represents the first description of microsatellite markers for this species and its genus, offering valuable tools for population genetics research, conservation efforts, and sustainable management strategies.
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims
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Alex J. Novikoff's study challenges the negative post-medieval perception of medieval scholastic disputation, revealing it as a dynamic and multifaceted practice integral to intellectual development from 1050 to 1263 in Northern France. Contrary to Renaissance and Enlightenment critiques, Novikoff demonstrates that disputation was part of a broader 'science of doubt,' encompassing argument, debate, dialogue, and polemic across educational, literary, performative, written, oral, and musical contexts. The research focuses on key figures like Anselm of Canterbury and his students at Bec, who revitalized dialectical reasoning and its application in theological debates, while also influencing the rise of the literary dialogue genre and sophisticated hermeneutics. It further explores how Aristotelian logic shaped medieval disputational practices, including vernacular debate poetry and art, culminating in the institutionalization of scholastic disputation within universities and Dominican preaching practices.
Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco
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A study on the water quality of Xochimilco Lake, part of Mexico's UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals significant toxic effects on the native microalgae species <em>Ankistrodesmus falcatus</em>. The research found that water from urban, tourist, and agricultural zones induced oxidative stress in the algae, impairing its antioxidant enzyme activity and growth potential. This spatio-temporal impact of pollution was evident across multiple study periods, highlighting the severe deterioration of water quality in the lake system. The findings underscore the need for urgent intervention to mitigate environmental degradation and protect this critical ecosystem.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
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The Philippine Navy plays a crucial role in enforcing environmental security at the UNESCO-listed Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP), a critical marine protected area. A qualitative study reveals that while the Navy has been actively involved in compliance and enforcement since the park's establishment, there is significant potential for increased contributions, such as through Civil-Military Operations (CMO) to educate local communities and more frequent patrols to deter illegal activities. The research highlights the importance of leveraging the Navy's core competencies to strengthen the protection of TRNP, aligning with the principles of environmental security as a non-traditional national security threat.
Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site
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Radiation from the Marshall Islands' nuclear test sites, including the Runit dome—a cement-covered plutonium waste storage facility—has been detected in the South China Sea, highlighting the long-term environmental and security risks of nuclear waste disposal. The study examines how the U.S.'s Cold War-era practices, such as abandoning Bikini Atoll and dumping waste at Enewetak, have left a legacy of contamination that threatens to worsen with rising sea levels and tropical storms. By analyzing this case, the research underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions to nuclear waste management in the Pacific and globally.
Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche
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A comprehensive survey of amphibians and reptiles in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, identified 89 species—20 amphibians and 69 reptiles—including four previously unrecorded species: a snake, a chelonian (turtle or tortoise), and two salamanders. Conducted over three years using opportunistic sampling, transect surveys, and pitfall traps, the study documented 2,359 encounters, contributing critical baseline data for one of Mexico’s most biodiverse UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These findings expand our understanding of herpetofaunal diversity in the region, particularly within its tropical forest ecosystems.
Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche
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A re-evaluation of the chronology for the cave art at Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc challenges the traditional dating, suggesting that the 'black series' charcoal drawings may not be as ancient as previously believed. This study argues against relying solely on radiocarbon assays and instead proposes an alternative timeline based on stylistic comparisons, paleontological evidence, and stratigraphic analysis. By integrating multiple lines of evidence, the authors aim to resolve long-standing debates about the age and significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site's art, offering a more nuanced understanding of its historical context.
Wet Tropics of Queensland
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2015 —
WHE931E8BDFBB
Research on endemic earthworms (Terrisswalkerius) in the Australian Wet Tropics (AWT) reveals that their diversification predates significant climate shifts, tracing back to the Paleogene era. This ancient divergence aligns with biogeographical sub-regions and suggests the AWT has acted as both a repository of biodiversity and a site for ongoing speciation. The study employed phylogenetic analysis and historical biogeography methods (DEC and DIVA) to uncover these patterns, indicating concordant evolutionary processes across different taxonomic levels. These findings underscore the importance of multi-scale analyses in understanding broad-scale geographic diversity.
Białowieża Forest
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2015 —
WHECCE198BC7B
A comprehensive catalogue of polypores (Agaricomycetes) in the Białowieża Forest, one of Europe's best-preserved lowland forests, identifies 210 species across 80 genera. The study, spanning literature reviews, herbarium re-examinations, and fieldwork from 1990–2014, confirms the continuous presence of several rare European polypores while introducing 14 new records for the forest, including eight species previously unknown in Poland. Notably, <em>Antrodiella subradula</em>, a fungus known only from Asia, is reported for the first time in Europe. The catalogue also highlights 14 species with uncertain status due to lack of voucher specimens or recent confirmations.
The Sundarbans
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2015 —
WHE5C677500E3
A comprehensive annotated checklist identifies 528 vascular plant species in the Sundarban Mangrove Forest of Bangladesh, including 24 true mangroves and 70 mangrove associates. The study reveals a rich diversity with 356 genera across 111 families, dominated by Magnoliopsida (373 species) and Liliopsida (131 species). Notable findings include the dominance of Fabaceae (42 species) in Magnoliopsida and Poaceae (42 species) in Liliopsida, alongside a significant presence of economically important species. Eleven threatened species were also recorded, highlighting the ecological importance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The research employs taxonomic analysis to document plant life forms, distribution patterns, and conservation status, providing critical data for biodiversity studies.
