Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area
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2013 —
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A study on Jiuzhaigou Valley reveals that its tourism system exhibits long-term memory and multifractal characteristics, even after being significantly impacted by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Using the multifractal detrending moving average (MF-DMA) method, researchers analyzed temporal fluctuations in domestic and foreign tourist numbers before and after the earthquake. The findings indicate that while the tourism system was severely affected in the short term, it demonstrated resilience, restoring to its previous state without fundamental changes to its inherent dynamics. The study also identifies major sources of multifractality and quantitatively evaluates the earthquake's influence on the system's dynamics.
Galápagos Islands
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2013 —
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A comprehensive screen of Galápagos birds revealed multiple lineages of avian malaria parasites (Plasmodium), with one lineage established across the archipelago while others appeared transient. Notably, two ephemeral lineages matched those found in migratory Bobolinks, suggesting a potential pathway for pathogen introduction via bird migration. The study combined molecular and microscopy techniques to analyze 3,726 endemic birds, uncovering that Galápagos birds may act as dead-end hosts due to the absence of gametocytes. These findings highlight the need for conservation strategies focused on mitigating introduced diseases, particularly those arriving through migratory species.
Mount Etna
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2013 —
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A higher prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was observed in populations living on the eastern flank of Mount Etna, where exposure to volcanogenic trace elements is greater due to prevailing wind patterns, compared to those on the western flank. The study found a prevalence rate of 137.6 per 100,000 in the eastern region versus 94.3 per 100,000 in the west (p-value 0.04), with a borderline significant increase in incidence risk over the study period (1980-2009). While the exact role of trace elements in MS pathogenesis remains unclear, these findings suggest they may act as a co-factor. The research compared MS rates in six communities, analyzing prevalence and incidence trends to assess potential associations with volcanic emissions.
Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona
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Research reveals that the Glarus thrust, a seminal geological structure in the Swiss Alps, represents a complex interplay of thermal (T), hydraulic (H), mechanical (M), and chemical (C) processes (THMC coupling). This km-scale rock package, pushed 40 km over its footwall as a solid body, exhibits a m-wide ductile shear zone with an ultralocalized central slip zone experiencing periodic extreme deformation akin to stick-slip events. The study demonstrates that such large-scale geological features emerge from non-conservative thermodynamic forces and can be characterized by the modified Gruntfest number (Gr), which measures dissipative processes reaching quasi-steady states. These findings highlight the importance of considering time and microstructure in THMC feedback simulations, providing a multiscale theoretical framework to understand earth's instabilities, including faults, folds, and convective patterns.
Gros Morne National Park
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2013 —
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Intense moose browsing in Gros Morne National Park (GMNP) alters songbird assemblages at multiple spatial scales, with early successional species like the mourning warbler thriving in moose-browsed landscapes while forest interior specialists and generalists decline. The study used point count surveys and vegetation data to model bird occurrence across local, neighbourhood, and landscape scales, revealing that moose-induced habitat changes could lead to long-term declines in specialist and generalist species if browsing pressure persists. Management strategies aimed at reducing moose density are recommended to preserve the park's characteristic forest structure and bird assemblages.
Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin
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A successful reconstruction of the Neues Museum on Berlin's Museum Island, completed under David Chipperfield's guidance, serves as a model for balancing historical preservation with contemporary display. This achievement stems from an extensive research process that involved architects, curators, and conservators, leading to widespread acclaim. The publication, 'Museale Spezialisierung und Nationalisierung ab 1830,' compiles presentations from around the museum's reopening in 2009, offering new insights into its history, collections, architecture, and international significance within a European context.
Old City of Dubrovnik
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The XXI Congress of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery (EACMFS) highlighted Korea's growing influence in craniofacial surgery, particularly in jaw surgery and congenital facial deformity treatment. The congress, held in Dubrovnik, Croatiafeatured presentations by Korean physicians, demonstrating advanced techniques in hemifacial microsomia and microtia. The event also showcased international collaboration among surgeons from diverse regions, including Europe, Japan, and Korea. Attendees engaged in academic sessions, networking, and cultural activities, with a notable folk performance during the opening ceremony. The congress underscored the importance of cross-border knowledge exchange in advancing craniofacial surgery while offering a unique blend of scientific and cultural experiences.
Tasmanian Wilderness
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2013 —
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Kylie Crane's monograph challenges the myth of wilderness as pristine, revealing its role in erasing Indigenous histories in Australia and Canada. By analyzing six contemporary narratives—spanning fiction, memoir, and nature writing—the study exposes how settler perspectives perpetuate the absence of Indigenous voices in environmental discourse. Crane employs thematic criticism and narratology to dissect constructions of wilderness, contrasting Australian and Canadian narratives with dominant U.S. models. A key finding is the trope of survival in wilderness literature, which paradoxically reinforces colonial legacies by marginalizing Indigenous presence. The study critiques the 'post-settler' framework for its limitations but contributes valuable insights into how wilderness narratives shape environmental postcolonialism.
Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments
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2013 —
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A review of Paul Shore's 'Narratives of Adversity: Jesuits on the Eastern Peripheries of the Habsburg Realms (1640-1773)' reveals that Jesuit efforts to revive Catholicism in eastern Slovakia and northeastern Hungary were significantly shaped by political dynamics, state support, and violent repression. The study highlights a pivotal turning point in the 1670s when Habsburg centralization and anti-non-Catholic measures benefited Jesuits, who often served as chaplains for Habsburg armies. Despite their strategic alliance with the state, Jesuits faced persistent opposition from Protestant communities and were eventually expelled after the Rákóczi rebellion (1703–1711). Shore argues that while the Jesuits maintained a narrative of resilience, their mission lacked ambition and creativity in later years, ultimately becoming obsolete due to external pressures. The analysis is based on extensive archival research, including diaries and records from Jesuit residences.
Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection
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2013 —
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A significant shift is observed in the perception and commemoration of Cambodia's memorial sites, particularly Tuol Sleng (S-21) and Choeung Ek, from symbols of repression under the Khmer Rouge regime to places of peace and reflection. This transformation is notably influenced by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), which facilitated a process of historical reckoning and personal remembrance. The study employs qualitative research methods, including interviews with survivors and analysis of ECCC proceedings, to explore how these sites have become venues for public memory and reconciliation. This approach highlights the role of formal legal processes in shaping societal narratives around trauma and loss.
Sagarmatha National Park
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Nepal's high Himalayan national parks, including Sagarmatha National Park (SNP), present a unique case where indigenous peoples, such as the Sharwa (Sherpa) community, have sustained and even developed Indigenous Peoples' and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs) despite lacking state recognition or coordination. This resilience offers Nepal an opportunity to reform its laws and policies to align with international standards for ICCA recognition, set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), while also respecting indigenous rights and contributions to conservation. The study highlights the political ecology of ICCAs in these regions, emphasizing the need to reverse historical marginalization and dispossession of indigenous peoples to foster inclusive and effective protected area governance.
Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
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2013 —
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A comprehensive valuation of the natural landscape in Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Zhangjiajie City, reveals its total economic value to be approximately 89.01 billion RMB (2011 data), significantly surpassing previous estimates and current tourism revenue. The study, published in <em>Acta Ecologica Sinica</em>, highlights that the landscape's value is predominantly derived from usage (79.30 billion RMB) with a notable non-usage component (9.71 billion RMB). Researchers employed the travel cost method for usage value assessment and contingent valuation method for non-usage value, emphasizing the urgent need for ecological conservation amid rising tourism pressures. This finding underscores the critical importance of integrating economic valuation into sustainable development strategies for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
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A decade-long study reveals that natural regeneration of beech forests in the strict protection zone of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, is significantly influenced by passive protection measures. The research, conducted from 1998 to 2009 on a permanent experimental plot, found a fourfold increase in beech seedlings—rising from 3,556 to 12,694 per hectare—with beech becoming the dominant species among young growth. However, most of these seedlings exhibit poor quality, raising doubts about their long-term survival under current conditions. The study also introduced a novel approach using three-dimensional visualization to analyze crown structures and regeneration dynamics, providing more intuitive insights into forest development. To ensure sustainable management in protected areas, particularly amid climate change, the authors advocate for expanding monitoring networks with permanent plots across all protected forests.
The Sundarbans
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Residents of the Sundarbans mangrove forests, a UNESCO World Heritage and Ramsar site, significantly depend on ecosystem services for both cash income and subsistence. The study reveals that local households generate income by selling products like fish, honey, and nipa palm, while also relying on natural resources for food, fresh water, and timber. However, improved resource management—such as reducing corruption and enforcing better laws—could substantially boost residents' livelihoods without compromising biodiversity conservation. This case study highlights the delicate balance between sustainable development and ecological preservation in one of the world's largest mangrove ecosystems.
Venice and its Lagoon
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Venice's subsidence shows distinct natural and anthropogenic components, with natural processes contributing 0.9 ± 0.7 mm/year due to heterogeneous subsoil, while human activities cause localized displacements ranging from -10 to 2 mm/year. This distinction was achieved using Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) with C-band and X-band satellite data, revealing the effectiveness of high-resolution sensors in monitoring short-term movements linked to urban interventions.
Kinabalu Park
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A study reveals that tourism significantly contributes to the economic growth of local communities around Kinabalu National Park, Sabah. Residents express strong willingness to engage in tourism activities, highlighting its role in employment creation and improving living standards. However, concerns about sustainability, particularly regarding infrastructure provision, are raised. The research underscores the need for stakeholders to implement thoughtful policies that balance economic benefits with the park's limited carrying capacity. This case study provides valuable insights into the economic impact of nature-based rural tourism and advocates for government intervention to address future challenges.
Island of Gorée
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British efforts to establish and maintain the Province of Senegambia (1765–1779) as West Africa's first formal colony were undermined by a flawed coastal patrol scheme, compounded by dysfunctional local governance and insufficient resources. Despite its profitability in gum arabic and slave trading, the province faced persistent Franco-British rivalry, particularly due to France's stronghold on the nearby island of Gorée. Naval power was central to British operations, yet systemic failures—including neglect from London—hindered its effectiveness.
Grand Canyon National Park
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A study of the Colorado River near its confluence with the Little Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park found no significant thermal gradients between nearshore environments and the mainstem, despite expectations that such gradients could influence fish habitat-seeking behavior. The research, conducted over 10 to 27-day periods in summer and fall 2010 across four geomorphic unit types, used high-precision instruments (0.2°C accuracy) but detected no persistent temperature differences greater than this threshold. This lack of substantial gradients contrasts with the known importance of thermal variability for native fish species, such as the endangered humpback chub, which are adapted to warmer, seasonal water conditions. The study highlights the limited understanding of nearshore thermal dynamics in dam-regulated river systems and their potential ecological implications.
Historic City of Yazd
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Urban transformation in Yazd's historic courtyard houses can reconcile conservation with modernization, challenging restrictive policies that isolate introverted Islamic neighborhoods. The study reveals that by critically re-evaluating existing regulations and integrating new technologies, these traditional structures can adapt to contemporary lifestyles while preserving their unique spatial patterns. Analyzing recent physical remodeling efforts, the research proposes controversial yet practical solutions to connect private courtyards with street networks, advocating for policies that balance heritage preservation with urban redevelopment.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park
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2013 —
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A recent survey of meiofauna in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, uncovered two species of Neogosseidae (Gastrotricha, Chaetonotida), one of which is proposed as new to science. Using differential interference contrast and scanning electron microscopy, researchers identified Neogossea acanthocolla, originally described from Brazil, and Kijanebalola devestiva sp. n., revealing fine anatomical details that necessitate a revision of diagnostic traits for the genera Kijanebalola and Neogossea, as well as the entire Family Neogosseidae. This study not only expands our understanding of the biodiversity within this protected area but also provides crucial insights for future phylogenetic studies of Gastrotricha, enhancing the selection and precision of morphological trait coding.
Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands
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Scientists have discovered <em>Neoliomera moana</em>, a new species of cavernicolous xanthid crab endemic to the Marquesas Islands, part of Te Henua Enata. This unique crab, characterized by its double crest on the chela palm and distinctive red-spotted carapace, was found in submarine caves at depths of 6–28 meters. Belonging to a group of six cristate species within the genus <em>Liomerinae</em>, this discovery highlights the Marquesas Islands' rich biodiversity and potential for harboring additional endemic marine life. The findings were based on hand-collected specimens, offering new insights into the region's subterranean ecosystems.
Western Tien-Shan
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A comprehensive study of the western Kyrgyz Ridge reveals significant new insights into the Neoproterozoic-Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Northern Tian Shan. Key findings include the identification of a diverse age spectrum spanning from the Neoproterozoic to the Early Ordovician for sedimentary units, the reconstruction and dating of Cambrian ophiolite complexes in suprasubduction settings, and the discovery of an Early-Middle Ordovician volcano-sedimentary complex with island-arc affinity. Additionally, the study confirms the widespread presence of Late Ordovician granitoids, some of which host Cu-Au-Mo ores. The research also elucidates the multi-stage thrust-and-fold structure formation from the Middle Cambrian to the Middle Ordovician, highlighting the critical role of the Early Ordovician stage and the intrusion of large batholiths in the early Late Ordovician, which marked the culmination of the Caledonide structural evolution. These findings suggest a prolonged and complex evolutionary history for the active continental margin.
Stevns Klint
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A diverse elasmobranch fauna, including the earliest European records of Chlamydoselachus and Heptranchias howelli, was discovered in early to middle Danian deposits at Stevns Klint, Denmark. The study reveals that the K-T boundary did not mark the complete extinction of Cretaceous fauna; several species persisted into the early Paleogene. The research analyzed teeth from 27 shark species across three formations (Rødvig, Stevns Klint, and Faxe), highlighting a transition from an impoverished Maastrichtian fauna to a pronounced cold-water assemblage in slightly younger deposits. This provides critical insights into shark diversity and paleoecological shifts during the earliest Paleogene in the Boreal Sea.
Manú National Park
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Researchers document the first detailed nesting biology of the Yellow-breasted Warbling-Antbird (<em>Hypocnemis subflava</em>), revealing unique incubation behaviors within the <em>Hypocnemis cantator</em> complex. The study, conducted in Peru's Manu National Park, found that both parents engage in prolonged incubation sessions (averaging 93.7 minutes) and maintain high nest attentiveness (85.8%), resulting in stable inner nest temperatures around 32.3°C. Nestlings were brooded and fed by both parents for approximately 11 days. While nest structure and location mirrored other species in the complex, egg coloration varied significantly. The findings highlight species-specific adaptations within this antbird group.
Yosemite National Park
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Subalpine meadows in Yosemite National Park exhibit distinct responses to climate variability, with net primary productivity (ANPP) showing contrasting trends across xeric, mesic, and hydric conditions. Xeric meadows experience reduced ANPP under higher snow water content and increased thawing degree days, while mesic meadows show a negative relationship with snow water content alone. Hydric meadows, however, display high within-year variability in ANPP, limiting sensitivity to climatic factors. These findings suggest that under projected warmer and drier conditions, ANPP may increase in mesic meadows but remain stable in xeric ones due to offsetting declines from temperature increases. The study employed a mixed-effects analysis of covariance model to evaluate relationships between ANPP and climatic variables—spring snow water content, snow-free date, and thawing degree days—across 64-m² plots sampled annually from 1994 to 2000.
Monte San Giorgio
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A new coelacanth specimen from the Middle Triassic Prosanto Formation in eastern Switzerland reveals anatomical features that challenge previous assumptions about its juvenile status. This sub-complete individual, larger than the holotype of Ticinepomis peyeri, shares diagnostic characters with this species and provides additional details on its branchial apparatus, including relatively large ceratobranchial teeth and possible ossified hypobranchials. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that Ticinepomis is nested within the Latimeriidae family, contributing to a better understanding of post-Palaeozoic coelacanth diversity. The study also assesses taxic diversity trends, suggesting that an Early Triassic peak likely resulted from biological radiation, while a Late Jurassic peak may be attributed to Lagerstätten effects.
Salonga National Park
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Researchers present new evidence supporting the hypothesis that bonobos engage in self-medication by consuming leaves and stemstrips of <i>Manniophyton fulvum</i> without chewing, a behavior observed at LuiKotale in Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. The study meets four out of six criteria proposed by Huffman for identifying plants ingested for medicinal purposes, suggesting that bonobos may use this plant to alleviate parasite infestations or other stressors. Analysis of 1,094 dung piles and phenological data revealed that ingestion occurred seasonally, correlating with rain and temperature patterns, which are predictors for parasite development and immune response challenges in hosts. The findings also highlight potential pharmacological effects of the plant, drawing parallels to its ethnomedicinal uses by humans.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park
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Spatial conflicts in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (IWP) highlight tensions between state-led conservation goals and local community needs. The study reveals that market-based modernization strategies alienate local people from land and management practices, perpetuating historical insecurities while reshaping ethnic identities and imposing new social-ecological values. Using Henri Lefebvre's theory on the production of space, the research examines two key conflict arenas: fencing and punitive actions against conservation transgressors, illustrating how state power interacts with local space. The findings underscore the socially differentiated effects of governance rules and the challenges of balancing ecological preservation with livelihood generation in a globalized context.
Wadi Rum Protected Area
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Wadi Rum's landscape is marketed and experienced as a gendered, racialized, and classed 'adventure space' through intersecting discourses of risk, extremism, and ethnic difference. The study reveals how Western climbing tourists perceive the site as a performance of extreme leisure, with marketing emphasizing its harsh environment, Bedouin inhabitants, and the climbers' need to conquer inhospitable summits. This analysis highlights the role of individual narratives in shaping perceptions of otherness and selfhood within tourism contexts.
Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar
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A decline in non-sanctuary personnel and juvenile workers is evident after the early Angkorian period, suggesting shifts in labor availability and workforce demographics. The study reveals that sanctuaries employed more females than males, while non-sanctuary lists reflected natural sex ratios. Additionally, the relative status of male categories si and gho reversed after Jayavarman IV's reign, potentially indicating his rule from Koh Ker to consolidate power and prevent an impending shift in the power structure.
New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands
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A groundbreaking revision of Lepidium species in New Zealand identifies sixteen distinct species, ten of which are newly described. These include Lepidium castellanum from the Kermadec Islands and Lepidium seditiosum, the sole vascular plant endemic to the remote Bounty Islands group—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study leverages morphological traits alongside molecular data from three DNA markers (two rDNA and one cpDNA) to segregate species, revealing a rich diversity of Lepidium in New Zealand's subantarctic islands. Notably, two North Island species, Lepidium amissum and Lepidium obtusatum, are now extinct, while others like Lepidium juvencum extend to Stewart Island. The research also clarifies taxonomic ambiguities by typifying key species, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding this genus in the region.
Western Caucasus
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A recent study reports new records of 28 Neuroptera species from the North-Western Caucasus, including four species documented for the first time in the region: <em>Chrysopa hummeli</em>, <em>Micromus lanosus</em>, <em>Hemerobius marginatus</em>, and <em>Neuroleon nemausiensis piryulini</em>. Additionally, <em>Micromus lanosus</em> is recorded from Dagestan and Azerbaijan for the first time. The research contributes to the understanding of Neuroptera distribution in the North-Western Caucasus, with notable additions to the fauna of Adygea, Karachaevo-Cherkessia, and Krasnodar Province. The study likely employed field surveys and taxonomic identification to document these new records.
Samarra Archaeological City
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A novel application of polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) techniques using ALOS PALSAR data has advanced the study of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly Samarra Archaeological City and Djebel Barkal. The research demonstrates that polarimetric parameters such as Freeman and Yamaguchi decompositions can effectively validate backscattered responses in SAR images as archaeological structures, offering a non-invasive method to analyze and monitor these sites. This approach provides deeper insights into scattering mechanisms, revealing the prevalence of double-bounce and volume scattering, which are crucial for understanding the integrity and changes in these heritage areas. The study also highlights the potential of multi-temporal SAR data to track urban and agricultural expansions affecting site preservation.
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte)
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Researchers have uncovered new fossil evidence of the logrunner, Orthonyx kaldowinyeri, from the Oligo-Miocene period in Australia's Riversleigh World Heritage Area. This discovery extends the known temporal range of the Orthonychidae family into the late Oligocene, marking the oldest record for this group and the earliest Cenozoic passerine fossils confidently linked to an extant family in Australia. The study analyzed eight fossil tarsometatarsi and a distal tibiotarsus, revealing distinctive features associated with the bird's unique foraging behavior. These findings provide valuable insights into the palaeoenvironment of Riversleigh during this period, assuming similar vegetation requirements to extant logrunners.
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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A comprehensive analysis of the Catholic Church's role in Latin America, from conquest to present, reveals its dual legacy: significant contributions to social justice and pastoral care alongside notable failures. The study, by distinguished historian John Lynch, employs a top-down approach focusing on the church hierarchy, intellectual debates, intrachurch dynamics, and church-state relations. While strong in addressing institutional and philosophical aspects, particularly in 19th and 20th centuries, it faces limitations in incorporating recent scholarship on grassroots religious practices and daily experiences of the faithful. The book underscores Catholic religion's dominance over five centuries but acknowledges challenges from non-Catholic religions. It serves as a selective yet authoritative synthesis on the church's history, offering deep insights into key topics while leaving gaps in areas like popular religion.
Statue of Liberty
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A century ago, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island stood as symbols of hope and freedom for millions of immigrants arriving in New York Harbor. These landmarks represented both a beacon of opportunity and a gateway through which newcomers navigated complex regulations, examinations, and challenges to gain entry into the United States. Many immigrants fled political or religious oppression and economic hardship, making their journey a profound one of resilience and aspiration. The study highlights the historical significance of these sites as pivotal elements in the immigrant experience, capturing the emotional and psychological dimensions of their passage.
Historic Site of Lyon
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Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, is recognized for its unique horizontal urban development that preserves structures from Roman times to the present. The city's historical significance as the capital of the silk trade and France's gastronomic hub was highlighted during the 2014 European Nuclear Medicine Congress, which took place there. The congress featured discussions on radiopeptide therapy and dosimetry, including the imminent introduction of radium-223 chloride (Xofiga), an alpha particle-emitting radiopharmaceutical for treating castration-resistant prostate cancer. This marks a significant advancement in molecular radiotherapy, addressing previous challenges such as limited gamma emissions from daughter products. The congress also addressed regulatory hurdles, such as the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) focus on centrally licensed products and the need for harmonized clinical trials processes. Additionally, it covered the approval of amyloid imaging agents like florbetapir and flutemetamol, which are subject to restrictive indications for use.
Yellowstone National Park
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Novel Thaumarchaeota lineages, endemic to Yellowstone National Park's acidic geothermal springs, exhibit unique metabolic adaptations. These archaea, thriving in high-temperature (65-72 °C) and low-pH (~3) environments, display niche specialization by coupling growth with oxygen or nitrate reduction in iron oxide habitats and sulfur reduction in hypoxic sediments. Metabolic reconstruction reveals their chemoorganotrophic nature, including a novel reverse sulfate reduction pathway for sulfide oxidation, and the use of aromatic compounds, carbohydrates, oligopeptides, and amino acids as carbon sources. Phylogenetic analysis positions these populations near the root of the Thaumarchaeota branch, indicating deeply rooted lineages within this phylum. The study integrated metagenome sequencing, geochemical measurements, and reverse-transcriptase PCR to confirm in situ activity, providing insights into their ecological roles and evolutionary significance.
Ningaloo Coast
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Hyperspectral remote sensing emerges as a powerful tool for mapping and monitoring shallow marine habitats, particularly in large, remote, and inaccessible areas like the Ningaloo Marine Park in north-western Australia. This study demonstrates that hyperspectral imagery can efficiently classify benthic cover with high accuracy (70% for the most detailed maps), revealing that macro-algal communities dominate the seabed while hard and soft corals constitute only about 7%. Dense tabulate coral was identified as the largest coral mosaic type, accounting for 37% of all corals. The research utilized HyMap airborne hyperspectral imagery corrected for atmospheric and water column influences, combined with field-validated spectra and fuzzy logic techniques to generate five thematic classification levels. This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, enabling detailed habitat mapping crucial for conservation and management efforts.
Maritime Greenwich
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This study reveals that Bram Stoker's <em>Dracula</em> (1897) reflects the tension between quantitative and qualitative understandings of time during a period of global spatiotemporal standardization. The novel embodies the conflict between positivist science, represented by the vampire hunters who reject subjective experience in favor of clock time and scientific measurement, and metaphysical interpretations of time, embodied by Dracula's Bergsonian <em>durée</em>. Written after the 1884 International Meridian Conference established Greenwich as longitude zero, <em>Dracula</em> critiques the repression of intuitive, qualitative time in favor of standardized, measurable time. The research analyzes how the novel destabilizes the vampire hunters' faith in narratives and scientific rationality, exposing the fragility of their worldview when confronted with Dracula's supernatural, subjective experience of time.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia
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Archaeological research at Porolissum, a Roman fort in Dacia, has identified a previously unknown ballistarium—a specialized building for storing artillery projectiles and war machines. Excavations between 2010 and 2012 uncovered a 25 × 10-meter structure near the fort's main gate, characterized by five distinct habitation layers dating from AD 140 to 180/190. The discovery of approximately 90 stone projectiles (9 cm diameter) and other military artifacts, along with parallels from British auxiliary forts, confirms its role as a ballistarium. Additionally, geophysical surveys revealed extensive civilian habitation, including large stone buildings and dwellings, expanding knowledge of the Roman town municipium Septimium Porolissensis.
Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains
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A nonlinear relationship between group size and collective action, particularly forest monitoring, has been identified, with intermediate-sized groups (neither too small nor too large) demonstrating the highest levels of cooperation and leading to the greatest gains in forest cover. This finding challenges previous assumptions about group dynamics and suggests that both direct and indirect effects of group size influence outcomes. The study analyzed data from Wolong Nature Reserve since 1995, controlling for confounding factors. It proposes strategies to enhance collective action and resource management, such as punishing free-riding behavior, improving enforcement and social capital, and facilitating self-selection during group formation. These insights offer practical guidance for the governance of common-pool resources, including those in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries.
Mesa Verde National Park
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A century-long decline in piñon-juniper woodlands on the Northern Colorado Plateau, including areas near Mesa Verde National Park, has been attributed to increased fire frequency since Euro-American settlement. Analysis of General Land Office survey records and modern datasets revealed net declines of 3–7% in piñon-juniper woodlands and 12–19% in montane shrublands, with corresponding increases in sagebrush shrublands (16–26%). Fire rotations, both natural and human-caused, have shortened to 188–216 years, contradicting the expectation that fire exclusion would lengthen them. Cheatgrass expansion, linked to shorter fire rotations in sagebrush, threatens landscape stability. To restore historical vegetation patterns, managers are advised to reduce intentional burning, minimize human-set fires, and control cheatgrass. These findings suggest that without intervention, the region may transition to a landscape dominated by early seral sagebrush and grassland, outside its historical range of variability.
Shark Bay, Western Australia
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A dead Shepherd’s beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi), a species with one of the least understood distributions among cetaceans, was found on a beach in Shark Bay, Western Australia, extending its known range northward to 26°20′S—the northernmost record for this species. Genetic analysis confirmed the identification, while age estimation via tooth dentine growth layers suggested the specimen was between 12 and 15 years old. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about T. shepherdi’s circumpolar distribution in temperate Southern Hemisphere waters (33°S–50°S) and provides critical data on its range, morphology, and genetics.
Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago
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Research identifies at least 33 plant species, primarily shrubs from secondary evergreen moist forests on limestone, as key dietary components for the Southwest China serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii) in Vietnam's Cat Ba Archipelago. The study, combining ranger interviews and field surveys, reveals that these plants—many with medicinal or edible value—are under severe local exploitation, posing potential threats to the species' survival. As a browser, the serow predominantly consumes leaves and twigs of low-growing vegetation, highlighting its specialized foraging behavior in limestone ecosystems.
Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island
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2013 —
WHE710A0324F9
A numerical analysis of sediment transport in Amitori Bay, Iriomote Island, Japan, reveals distinct seasonal patterns and the impact of extreme weather events on sediment distribution. During summer, sediment particles from the eastern reef are more prevalent than those from the western reef, while winter shows an almost equal distribution between both reefs. Extreme events like Typhoon 1109 and heavy rainfall lead to widespread sediment dispersion across the bay due to strong winds and increased river flow. The study used a multi-sigma coordinate coastal ocean model (CCM) to simulate water movement under varying conditions, followed by particle tracking analysis to assess sediment transport dynamics.
The Sundarbans
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2013 —
WHEADA00AA2CB
Nutrient levels in the Sundarbans mangrove estuarine system of Bangladesh exhibit significant seasonal and tidal variations, with monsoon periods characterized by elevated phosphate, sulfate, and ammonia concentrations alongside reduced dissolved oxygen and salinity. Unlike other areas, the western Sundarbans experiences limited freshwater input during monsoons, which mitigates variability in nutrient dynamics. The study analyzed water samples from six locations across high and low tides during post-monsoon, winter, and monsoon seasons (2010–2011), revealing distinct seasonal patterns in nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, and ammonia levels without consistent tidal fluctuations. These findings advance the understanding of nutrient distribution seasonality and its potential tidal influence, offering critical data for the sustainable management of coastal mangrove ecosystems.
Historic Centre of Lima
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2013 —
WHEC025CAB058
A predominant commercial use characterizes the current landscape of Jirón de la Unión Street, a central artery within Lima's Historic Centre. This finding emerges from a study that employed bibliographical, cartographic, photographic, and documentary surveys alongside fieldwork to analyze land use and urban scenery. The research, conducted by Gregório de Andrade and Morais Soares (2013), sheds light on the evolving dynamics of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where patrimonial management policies have been in place since the 1980s. By examining these new uses, the study offers insights into the complex spatial organization challenges faced by Lima's historic urban core.
Kakadu National Park
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2013 —
WHE8D6503C75C
A multi-temporal Landsat 5 TM time-series analysis significantly enhances the accuracy of mapping native wetland vegetation and para grass (<em>Urochloa mutica</em>) in Kakadu National Park, achieving an overall accuracy of 82% (kappa = 0.80) compared to single-date classifications. This approach improves segmentation quality and spectral separability, offering a reliable tool for strategic conservation efforts. The study demonstrates that integrating object-based classification with multi-temporal satellite data can effectively distinguish vegetation classes in monsoonal wetlands.
The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes
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2013 —
WHEBAA3F24190
Climate change is significantly altering temperature patterns in the viticultural terroirs of the Loire Valley, with projections indicating a decrease in frost risk by April but an increase in extreme heat events (>30°C and >35°C) during veraison and berry ripening. This study analyzed spatial temperature variability using regional weather stations and high-resolution modeling (RAMS at 5 km resolution), revealing that local factors can sometimes influence temperatures as significantly as larger-scale climate trends. Multicriteria modeling on the Coteaux du Layon vineyards identified key local drivers of temperature variability, while RAMS simulations reduced large-scale biases compared to ARPEGE-Climat (50 km resolution). The findings underscore the complexity and fine-scale nuances of climate impacts on viticultural regions.
