Tongariro National Park
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Tongariro National Park's visual representation has persisted with ahistorical colonial narratives, contrasting sharply with Uluru-Kata Tjuta's postcolonial transformation. This study reveals that while Uluru-Kata Tjuta underwent significant revisions to highlight Aboriginal cultural presence and economic recovery, Tongariro's imagery remains unchanged, prioritizing tourism and filmic consumption over Maori cultural associations. The analysis compares 20th-century archival materials with early 21st-century government branding strategies, exposing enduring colonial influences in landscape representation.
Maloti-Drakensberg Park
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Transfrontier conservation projects, often touted as 'win-win' solutions for biodiversity protection and regional development, are more deeply intertwined with neoliberal political economies than previously acknowledged. Bram Büscher's study of the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Project reveals that these initiatives derive their strength from strategies of consensus, antipolitics, and marketing rather than genuine on-the-ground development efforts. Through extensive ethnographic research, Büscher argues that transfrontier conservation reframes environmental protection and sustainable development to align with a contradictory global order, often at the expense of local priorities.
Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces
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The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, one of the oldest continuously cultivated terraced landscapes (1,300 years), face existential threats due to rapid global change despite their 2013 UNESCO World Heritage designation. While such listings aim to preserve cultural heritage, the study argues that the real challenge lies in adapting to an increasingly transient world where permanence is eroding—accelerated by urbanization, tourism pressures, and shifting economic conditions. The research contextualizes this dilemma within broader historical trends, from Alvin Toffler's 1970s warnings about 'future shock' to UNESCO's 1972 Convention on World Heritage, which, though successful in expanding protections (now 981 sites), reflects the very threats it seeks to mitigate. The analysis highlights a paradox: heritage conservation's growth mirrors the destruction it aims to prevent.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
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Translocation of wild <em>Trochus niloticus</em> gastropods demonstrates promise for enhancing depleted reef populations, with individuals growing 2–3 times faster at severely overexploited mainland Palawan reefs compared to pristine Tubbataha Reefs. A study tracking 1,251 individuals across three sites found high survival rates (0.77–0.92) over 5–9 months, suggesting that translocation is a viable strategy for species with short-lived planktonic larvae. The research indicates that previously inhabited sites remain suitable for growth and survival if overfishing is controlled, offering a potential tool for marine invertebrate conservation in the Philippines.
Shark Bay, Western Australia
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A study on Shark Bay, Western Australia, reveals that environmental conditions play a more significant role in shaping faunal assemblages than trawl intensity. The research recorded 241 fish and 360 invertebrate species, with the top 20 most abundant species accounting for over 80% of fish and 88% of invertebrates caught. Depletion experiments showed varying catchability among species, suggesting that long-term trawl impacts can be mitigated by restricting trawling to current areas (20–40% of the fishery) and implementing daily vessel monitoring. This approach aims to ensure adherence to spatial and temporal closures for effective biodiversity management.
Urnes Stave Church
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A significant connection between Norse/Germanic mythology and northern Christianity has been identified, revealing that the myth of Yggdrasil—the cosmic tree of life—was symbolically linked to the cross of Christ. This association was evident in various artifacts, architecture, and literary works, such as the Jelling stone in Denmark, Norwegian stave churches (including Urnes Stave Church), Viking crosses, and poetic texts like 'The Dream of the Rood.' The study suggests that Yggdrasil's narrative elements foreshadowed key events in the New Testament, particularly the crucifixion and resurrection, emphasizing a shared symbolism of salvation and eternal life. The research draws on evidence from runic inscriptions, architectural motifs (e.g., Urnes portal), and cultural traditions like the Yule wreath and Christmas tree to support this interpretation.
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
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From 2001 to 2012, conservation efforts significantly reduced large-scale illegal logging in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, from 731 hectares affected annually to none by 2012. However, small-scale logging persists as a growing concern. The study used aerial photographs, satellite images, and field surveys to monitor forest cover changes, revealing that 2,179 hectares were deforested or degraded during this period, with illegal logging being the primary driver. While enforcement by Mexican authorities and financial support for alternative income generation proved effective against large-scale threats, regional socio-economic challenges remain critical to the reserve's long-term protection, essential for safeguarding the monarch butterfly's overwintering colonies.
Monte San Giorgio
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2013 —
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New discoveries of actinopterygian fish faunas from the Early and Middle Triassic of the Tethys, particularly in southern China, reveal that the recovery of these fishes after the end-Permian extinction crisis occurred earlier and more rapidly than previously thought. The research indicates a major radiation event during the Early-Middle Anisian stage, predating earlier assumptions based on Western Tethys sites like Monte San Giorgio. Additionally, it suggests an early diversification among basal neopterygians rather than subholosteans, which were dominant in the Western Tethys from the Late Anisian onward. These findings challenge existing models of post-extinction recovery and highlight the significance of Eastern Tethyan localities in understanding Triassic fish evolution.
Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
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Two new species of Oxalis, Oxalis nivea and Oxalis rosettifolia, have been discovered in the Richtersveld National Park, South Africa. These species exhibit strong morphological similarities to members of the South African Oxalis section Cernuae but are distinguished by unique traits such as white flowers in O. nivea and a combination of flat basal rosette leaves, terete petioles, flask-shaped floral tubes, and enlarged bracts in O. rosettifolia. Phylogenetic analyses using nuclear ITS and plastid trnSG data confirmed their placement within a clade containing Oxalis pes-caprae, highlighting their close relationship with other species like O. copiosa and O. cf. haedulipes. This discovery contributes to the understanding of biodiversity in the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape.
Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
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Two new species of Oxalis, O. petricola and O. rubricallosa, have been discovered in the Ai-Ais / Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. These species, distinguished by their unique morphology, are closely related to other southern African Oxalis species such as O. pes-caprae and O. compressa, as revealed by molecular analyses of ITS and trnS-trnG DNA sequences. O. petricola is notably rare, with fewer than 500 individuals in a single isolated population, while O. rubricallosa is known from two small populations. The discovery underscores the urgent need for further floristic surveys in southern African desert regions to document biodiversity before it potentially disappears due to habitat loss.
Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
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Researchers have identified two new species of crayfish, Euastacus binzayedi and Euastacus angustus, within the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. These species, distinguished by unique morphological traits such as dorsal and ventral chelae protrusions in E. binzayedi and a laterally compressed body with prominent ventromesial carpal spine in E. angustus, exhibit significant genetic divergence from closely related species, with estimates of 4.8% and 8.7%, respectively. Both species are exceptionally rare, known only from single localities. The study highlights the biodiversity richness of the Gondwana Rainforests while emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect these newly discovered taxa.
Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment
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Two Slavonic manuscripts, a 17th-century Ruthenian Gospel book and late 16th-century Serbian Acts and Epistles, were identified at the Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma. The Gospel book contains inscriptions linking it to Ivaškovicja in Ukraine's Transcarpathian region, contributing to a broader cataloging effort of Cyrillic manuscripts in Hungary. Both texts are well-preserved examples of their kind, offering insights into historical manuscript production and circulation in the region.
Curonian Spit
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Research identifies four main sediment types and sections in the Curonian Spit, revealing that paleostraits filled with peat and sapropel are geologically unstable. These sections—peaty, peaty-sandy, gravelly-sandy, and muddy-sandy-sapropelic—are correlated with adjacent Baltic Sea and lagoon regions to assess sediment sources and coastal dynamics. The study compares erosion and accumulation processes in the spit's coastal areas, providing insights into its vulnerability to sea-level rise. This findings offer critical data for understanding the geological stability of this UNESCO World Heritage Site under future climate scenarios.
Burgos Cathedral
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A new typology of central chapel, often octagonal and covered with openwork star vaults, emerged in Burgos Cathedral during the second half of the 15th century, becoming a defining feature of the Burgos School. This innovation, attributed to Juan and Simon de Colonia and their patrons, drew inspiration from earlier chapels within the cathedral and set a precedent for subsequent funeral architecture across the Iberian Peninsula. The study highlights the significance of these architects in shaping late Gothic and Renaissance architectural traditions, demonstrating their enduring influence on burial structures well into the 16th century.
Serra da Capivara National Park
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Researchers have identified two distinct species of Toxodontidae, a family of extinct notoungulate mammals, from Upper Pleistocene deposits in the Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil. The study describes <em>Piauhytherium capivarae</em>, a new genus and species, alongside <em>Toxodon platensis</em>. Analysis of over 140 fossil remains, including well-preserved skulls and mandibles, reveals significant morphological differences between the two species, distinguishing them from other known Toxodontidae. The study also suggests that both species exhibited periaquatic adaptations similar to hippos, indicating a semi-aquatic lifestyle. This discovery sheds light on the biodiversity of South American mammals during the Pleistocene and their ecological niches.
Strasbourg, Grande-Île and Neustadt
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A comprehensive study of Strasbourg's Neustadt, conducted since 2010 by the Alsace region's heritage inventory service, reveals its significance as more than a political and military project but as a pioneering urban laboratory with lasting architectural and urbanistic influence. This research, involving systematic archival analysis and field observations, transcends its geographical boundaries to explore broader impacts on urban development. Collaborating with the University of Strasbourg, the study integrates students from a master's program in art, architecture, and heritage history, ensuring public engagement and academic rigor. The Neustadt's remarkable architectural quality and conservation state further underscore its historical and contemporary importance.
Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena
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A comprehensive analysis of Fort San Fernando de Bocachica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, reveals urgent structural concerns and the need for restoration. The study, conducted between October 2012 and January 2013, identified significant material degradation, crack patterns, and structural failures, particularly in the 'necesarias' room—a T-shaped, vaulted space with problematic construction choices. Geometric and material surveys highlighted the fort's architectural uniqueness but also underscored its precarious state, necessitating immediate consolidation efforts. To enhance its cultural value, the researchers propose a functional upgrade to transform this undervisited historical site into a tourist attraction.
Statue of Liberty
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Ellis Island, long symbolizing hope and new beginnings for immigrants, harbored a darker narrative during the early Cold War as a detention center for suspected communists and political radicals. This study reveals how the 1950 Internal Security Act and the 1952 McCarran-Walter Act transformed the island into an embodiment of exclusion, isolating and deporting prominent radical voices like C. L. R. James, Claudia Jones, Carlos Bulosan, and Richard Wright. Through literary analysis, the research examines how these 'unbecoming Americans' were marginalized at the intersection of race and politics, challenging notions of citizenship during a pivotal era in U.S. history.
Angkor
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Lidar technology has uncovered a vast, previously undocumented urban landscape at Angkor, revealing the intricate integration of major temples like Angkor Wat within a formally planned city. This groundbreaking discovery challenges the understanding of the Khmer Empire's medieval capitals (9th–15th centuries C.E.) and sheds light on the scale of anthropogenic landscape modifications. The study used airborne laser scanning to penetrate dense forest cover, creating high-precision digital elevation models that exposed hidden archaeological features. Additionally, the data support the hypothesis that infrastructural complexity, unsustainable subsistence practices, and climate variation played pivotal roles in the decline of classical Khmer civilization.
Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge
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A rare thirteenth-century hanging keystone, previously unpublished, has been identified in the collegiate church of Saint-Urbain de Troyes. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that such architectural ornaments first appeared in mid-fourteenth-century Gothic structures like the Avignon Papal Palace and Strasbourg Cathedral. Through critical analysis of stylistic features and construction phases, researchers dated the keystone to 1280-1290, making it the oldest known example on French soil. The study also explores its theological significance within the context of the Fête-Dieu observance established by Pope Urban IV, founder of the church.
Península Valdés
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A concerning surge in unexplained calf mortality among southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) at Península Valdés, Argentina, between 2003 and 2011, threatens the recovery of a critically depleted subpopulation. During this period, hundreds of calves died, with mortality rates increasing faster than the growth of living calves over the preceding three decades. The pattern of deaths varied seasonally, with some calves reaching at least one meter in length before perishing, suggesting they were healthy prior to death. Large calves (>6 m) also died in early calving seasons (2008-2009), hinting at potential population-wide stressors like nutritional deficiencies. Despite extensive tissue sampling and analysis, no consistent lesions, pathogens, or algal biotoxins have been identified as the cause. This study documents these mortality events, contextualizes them historically, and highlights ongoing efforts to pinpoint their causes, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation action to prevent further decline of this endangered species.
Archaeological Area of Agrigento
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Research reveals that the mechanical behavior of unsaturated sands is a critical factor contributing to the instability of the cuesta underlying the Temple of Hera Lacinia in Agrigento, Italy. The study found that the presence of an open metastable structure, influenced by bonding mechanisms generated through suction or cementing materials like clay and salts, significantly impacts slope stability. To investigate this, the team conducted compositional and textural analyses, direct shear tests, and oedometer tests on sand samples at varying moisture levels—from natural state to full saturation. These findings highlight the role of unsaturated sands in landslide susceptibility, particularly in environments prone to toppling calcarenite blocks, and underscore the need for targeted interventions to mitigate risks to historic structures like those in the Valle dei Templi.
Archaeological Site of Atapuerca
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A new palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Atapuerca karst system reveals distinct climatic shifts over the last 20,000 years, linking human occupation to changing environmental conditions. The study identifies four key stages: a cold and dry Upper Pleistocene transitioning to wetter warmth; a significant erosion event marking the Pleistocene-Holocene shift (12.8–7.7 kyr BP); a Late Neolithic climatic optimum with pronounced seasonality (~5.9 kyr BP); and increasing aridity from 4.2 kyr BP, possibly exacerbated by Bronze Age agricultural intensification. Researchers integrated speleothem crystal fabrics and pollen analysis to reconstruct this inland site's climate, addressing gaps in regional palaeoclimatic records dominated by coastal or high-elevation data.
Susa
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A recent reanalysis of forgotten cuneiform tablets from Ur, rediscovered in the archives of the University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Anthropology, reveals that the strategic conquest of Susa was achieved by Ur-Nammu(k), the founder of the Third Dynasty of Ur, rather than his successor as previously believed. This challenges long-standing historical narratives and redefines the significance of Ur-Nammu(k)'s reign in Mesopotamia's political landscape. The study leverages Woolley's original excavations, offering new insights into the dynamics of early urban dominance through epigraphic evidence.
The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes
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Research demonstrates that production practices and sensory attributes can distinguish protected designation of origin (PDO) wines within the same geographic area, even under similar climatic and soil conditions. The study analyzed 33 commercial red wines from the Loire Valley, France, assessing factors such as vineyard training systems, harvest timing, winemaking techniques, and aging practices. Descriptive sensory analysis identified key attributes like color intensity, viscosity, blackcurrant aroma, and bitterness that differentiated these wines. Statistical analyses revealed significant relationships between specific production practices—such as the percentage of Cabernet franc grapes, leaf removal timing, and oak aging—and distinct sensory profiles. This finding underscores the nuanced role of production methods in shaping wine characteristics within well-defined terroirs.
Virunga National Park
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Immersive and interactive approaches to interpreting traumatic experiences for tourists at UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) offer significant potential for enhancing visitor engagement while balancing the ethical implications of such experiences. This study examines how these methods can be applied in iconic African destinations like Virunga National Park, known for its mountain gorillas, without causing distress or harm to visitors. The research employs a qualitative approach, analyzing the effectiveness and limitations of immersive storytelling techniques in conveying complex historical narratives related to trauma. Findings suggest that while these approaches can deepen understanding and empathy, they require careful design to avoid retraumatization, particularly in sensitive contexts like Virunga National Park.
Temple of Preah Vihear
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Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Preah Vihear, Cambodia, reveals that iron production continued at the temple complex of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay long after its masonry construction phase. Using radiocarbon dating of in-slag charcoal from surface slag cakes, scientists identified distinct clusters of late or 'terminal' metallurgical activities spanning the mid-13th to late 17th centuries, with significant activity between the late 13th and late 15th centuries. This challenges previous assumptions about the timeline of industrial activities in the region during the Angkorian period (9th–15th centuries AD) and provides the first robust dates for such activities in Cambodia. The study suggests that Preah Khan served as an outpost to monitor iron production, leveraging its proximity to Phnom Dek, a rich source of iron oxide.
Galápagos Islands
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Numerical modeling reveals that the intrusion patterns observed on Fernandina volcano, Galápagos Islands, arise from minor variations in magma reservoir geometry. Inflation of a mildly oblate reservoir can trigger either radial or circumferential intrusions, while more oblate reservoirs produce gently dipping radial dikes through lateral sill injection and stress rotation—consistent with recent InSAR data. These findings bridge petrological and surface displacement data, offering a unified explanation for near-surface intrusion configurations.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
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A unified phylogenetic plant classification, developed by the Vascular Plant Classification Committee (VPCC), has emerged as a globally accepted framework for organizing vascular plant collections in botanic gardens and herbaria. This breakthrough addresses longstanding inconsistencies caused by disparate, outdated systems that hindered international research. The VPCC, formed in 2008 through collaboration between European and Australian botanical organizations, achieved consensus on family circumscriptions and linear sequences among six major institutions in 2009—a landmark scientific and political achievement. Adoption of this classification is now expanding across five continents, with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew leading efforts to reorganize extensive collections. The study underscores the need for dynamic, evolution-reflective sequences and outlines practical strategies for integrating taxonomic updates into existing systems.
Tassili n'Ajjer
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Tourism-driven heritage valorization in Algeria shows divergent impacts on territorial development between Kabylie (Béjaïa) and Tassili n'Ajjer (Djanet). While Béjaïa's approach relies on limited generic resources, lacks strong local integration, and shows minimal territorial linkage, Djanet demonstrates a promising model of sustainable development. This is evidenced by the mobilization of specific regional resources, active Tuareg participation, localized learning dynamics, effective tourism regulation, and international openness—factors absent in Béjaïa's underdeveloped tourism sector. The study highlights that successful heritage-led tourism requires tailored strategies, local actor engagement, and institutional proximity to foster territorial development.
Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht
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The Netherlands stands out as Europe's most meticulously planned land, with a deep-rooted culture of spatial planning that emphasizes order and efficiency. This book, 'The Selfmade Land,' offers a unique cultural-historical perspective on Dutch urban and regional planning, blending scientific rigor with accessible storytelling to engage both academics and the general public. It traces the evolution of planning from Amsterdam's 17th-century canal ring to modern developments like Vinex districts, highlighting how Dutch planning has adapted to societal changes while maintaining its core principles. The work builds upon a long-standing Dutch tradition of spatial planning, first introduced in 2003 and now expanded with contributions from four authors, providing an English-language update that bridges historical analysis with contemporary challenges.
Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines
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A significant increase in the frequency of extreme heat days—more than doubling—has been observed in Guanajuato, Mexico, between 1979 and 2011, while the number of days with heavy rainfall exceeding the 90th percentile has remained stable. This shift toward hotter conditions, coupled with a near-halving of days with temperatures below the 10th percentile, suggests a growing water scarcity threat to agriculture, a key economic activity in the region. The study also reveals that precipitation patterns are strongly influenced by the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), with phases 1-3 correlating with above-normal rainfall and phases 4-7 with below-normal rainfall. These findings were derived from surface station data across Guanajuato and North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) data, analyzing atmospheric anomalies linked to wet and dry conditions.
Bardejov Town Conservation Reserve
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A study on the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) from Slovakia reveals significant variability in baculum traits, with strong positive correlations between several dimensions such as length and dorsoventral or laterolateral thickness. These findings suggest a protective relationship between the baculum's size and structure to prevent fractures during copulation. The research analyzed 10 morphological traits from 119 mature male foxes collected near Bardejov in the Slovak Carpathians, providing detailed insights into the baculum's quantitative characteristics and variability in this region.
Curonian Spit
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A study on the Curonian Spit identified a significant relationship between ozone concentration and radon progeny activity, revealing that wind direction plays a crucial role in their variation. During an extreme weather event in summer, ground-level ozone concentrations exceeded the health threshold of 120 µg m−3, highlighting the potential negative impact on human health. The research employed simultaneous measurements to track these variations, providing insights into atmospheric dynamics and the influence of breeze phenomena in this unique coastal environment.
Curonian Spit
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Research on the Curonian Spit reveals significant variations in radon decay products' activity concentration, influenced by meteorological factors. Activity levels ranged from 2 to 16 Bq/m³, with day-night differences of up to sevenfold. A strong negative correlation (–0.77) was found between these concentrations and temperature, while a positive correlation (0.8) existed with relative humidity. Wind speed, direction, and the rare phenomenon of periodic breeze also played a role in these variations. The study highlights the Curonian Spit's unique environmental dynamics, offering insights into how meteorological parameters shape radon decay product levels in coastal regions.
Lakes of Ounianga
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A 6100-year sediment record from Lake Yoa, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lakes of Ounianga in Chad, reveals a progressive drying trend in the eastern Central Sahara. The study, utilizing high-resolution sedimentological and geochemical analyses, including X-ray fluorescence core scanning, demonstrates that decreasing monsoon rainfall combined with strong evaporation transformed the once hydrologically open and fresh lake into its current hypersaline state, which has persisted for about the last 1050 years. The data also indicate a gradual increase in aeolian input, supporting the notion of a progressive rather than abrupt transition from a humid to an arid Sahara during the Mid to Late Holocene.
Skogskyrkogården
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Skogskyrkogården, the Forest Cemetery in Stockholm designed by Asplund and Lewerentz, exemplifies how symbolic 'dis-velamento' can reveal the invisible within the visible landscape. Through the concept of Stimmung and references to Emanuel Swedenborg's Science of Correspondences, the study demonstrates that the cemetery does not merely mimic nature but constructs a tension between natural and artificial elements, making the intangible tangible. The 1914 competition tables, which combine annotated drawings and photographs, serve as tools for abstraction and re-signification, contrasting with contemporary realistic architectural simulations. This approach highlights Skogskyrkogården's unique role in Nordic landscape design.
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
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The construction of two upstream dams on the Nakdong River in Hahoe, Korea, led to significant vegetation recruitment on previously nonvegetated sandbars. The study found that decreased peak flows and aggradation of the sandbars resulted in lower shear stress across more of the area, facilitating vegetation colonization. Drought conditions further accelerated this process, with notable encroachment occurring within just three years after the second dam was operational. Numerical analysis revealed that dimensionless shear stress is a key predictor for vegetation recruitment. The findings suggest that optimizing dam operation rules to differentiate peak release flows between germination and flood seasons could sustainably manage riparian vegetation in regulated rivers.
Macquarie Island
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A reappraisal of vegetation-banked terraces on Macquarie Island reveals that previously described 'windward' and 'leeward' types are not distinct but instead represent a continuum influenced by hillside aspect. The study documents dynamic processes, including mobile gravel, substrate erosion, and vegetation growth, challenging the notion of separate terrace forms. Additionally, stone-banked terraces, not previously reported on the island, were identified. Recent die-offs of the cushion plant <em>Azorella macquariensis</em> may threaten long-term terrace stability. The research combines morphological documentation with process-based analysis to provide new insights into these unique subantarctic landscapes.
Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville
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A unique demographic model emerges for Mesoamerica's Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, where the absence of violent Hispanic conquest and encomendero exploitation during the Colonial period offers a rare opportunity to test alternative theories of population decline. This study provides critical data on the Kekchi, Pokom, and Choloid Maya communities, derived from newly discovered but mostly unpublished documents in the Archivo General de Indias, Seville, Spain. By analyzing these archival records, researchers can now construct and validate models that challenge conventional narratives of colonial impact, offering fresh insights into the region's demographic history.
Serengeti National Park
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Research on Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) fungi in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, reveals distinct differences in VAM diversity and morphotypes across various land use types. The study identified four dominant genera—Scutellospora, Glomus, Acaulospora, and Gigaspora—with Scutellospora being the most abundant, followed by Glomus and Acaulospora, while Gigaspora was the least prevalent. These variations were linked to soil parameters like pH, which ranged from 5.59 to 7.49 across different land use types. Notably, two main VAM morphotypes were observed: Arum-type (57%) and Paris-type (40%), with a small proportion of undifferentiated morphotypes (3%). The Arum-type was dominant in fast-growing woodland vegetation, suggesting its importance for reforestation efforts, whereas the Paris-type was more suited to slow-growing plants in grasslands. This study highlights the ecological significance of VAM fungi in savannah ecosystems and their potential role in vegetation dynamics.
Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan
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Archaeological evidence from Teopancazco, a peripheral neighborhood of the ancient city of Teotihuacán, challenges the long-held assumption that pre-Hispanic inhabitants had limited access to coastal resources. The study identifies multiple fish species, including bobo mullet (Joturus pichardi), red snapper (Lutjanus sp), common snook (Centropomus sp), mojarra (Diapterus sp), and barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), preserved in the archaeological context. This discovery suggests that Teotihuacans not only had access to but also valued coastal resources, contradicting previous notions about their dietary preferences. The research synthesizes findings from prior studies on ichthyofauna capture, preparation, and use, providing a comprehensive overview of marine resource exploitation in this central Mexican plateau setting.
Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture
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The enigmatic site of Tiwanaku, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Andes, has long defied conventional models of early cities and states. This volume, 'Visions of Tiwanaku,' presents diverse perspectives from senior scholars on the nature and significance of this ancient center. By examining artifacts and ruins across the southern Andes, researchers challenge existing interpretations, offering new insights into its role as a spiritual and political hub for over 500 years. The collection spans offerings to the departed in distant regions to the weathered ruins near the site, providing a nuanced understanding that bridges archaeology, history, and cultural studies.
San Antonio Missions
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A visual assessment of the San Antonio Franciscan Mission churches reveals their significant historical and architectural value, serving as well-preserved examples of Spain's influence during its 18th-century territorial expansion. This study highlights the importance of these mission compounds, located along the San Antonio River, in promoting sustainable cultural heritage tourism. The assessment provides a foundational understanding for further structural analyses, aiming to inform conservation efforts that could potentially boost regional tourism and economic growth if the missions are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The research employs visual evaluation techniques to evaluate the condition and safety of these historic structures, offering insights crucial for their preservation and maintenance.
Vézelay, Church and Hill
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This issue of <em>FKW // Zeitschrift Für Geschlechterforschung Und Visuelle Kultur</em> explores the production of Otherness in 12th-century European art and literature, revealing how visual representations reinforced social hierarchies. Contributions analyze the depiction of Muslims on Romanesque church facades, Jews at Vézelay Abbey and on the Ebstorf map, armed women, and the fluid boundaries of humanity in Marie de France’s <em>Eliduc</em>. The study employs interdisciplinary methods, integrating art history, literary analysis, and gender studies to dissect visual and textual strategies that constructed difference. Review essays further contextualize these findings within broader medieval European discourses on gender, sexuality, and monstrosity.
Tongariro National Park
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New Zealand's North Island is characterized by a dynamic geological landscape, featuring young volcanoes and the Taupo volcanic zone—a chain of large, active calderas that extends into the Pacific Ocean. This region, home to Tongariro National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), presents both risks and benefits: while it poses significant volcanic threats—with recent eruptions in 2012 (Tongariro) and 2007 (Ruapehu)—it also supports geothermal energy plants that generate 20% of the North Island's electricity. The study highlights the interplay between geological activity, cultural heritage, and sustainable energy development, emphasizing how these volcanic systems shape both natural hazards and economic opportunities in New Zealand.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)
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This research reveals that Japan's wartime memory is more complex than the traditional 'victim-victimiser' narrative suggests, highlighting how lesser-known museums present diverse perspectives on Japan's controversial past. By analyzing institutions such as the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots and the Showakan in Okinawa, the study demonstrates how the concept of 'peace' is recast to legitimize various wartime experiences. This approach challenges dominant discourses by engaging with nuanced representations of war memory in public spaces, offering a more comprehensive understanding of Japan's historical narratives.
Historic Centre of Warsaw
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2013 —
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Warsaw’s Poniatowski Viaduct stands as the world's first elevated urban expressway, embodying the visionary ideals of early 20th-century urban planning movements like Städtebau and City Beautiful. This monumental structure, designed by architect Stefan Szyller, overcame Warsaw's unique topography to connect a bridgehead with the upper town using an unprecedented scale of reinforced concrete and steel arches. Beyond its engineering innovation, the viaduct symbolized Poland’s cultural reassertion during Russian occupation, blending functional necessity with Renaissance-inspired architectural grandeur.
San Antonio Missions
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2013 —
WHE7E74B5BFAA
Spanish colonists' survival in San Antonio hinged on the ingenious use of acequias—ancient irrigation channels that channeled water from the San Antonio River to sustain missions and settlements. These systems, dating back to the 18th century, not only supported agriculture but also became a cornerstone of the region's cultural and economic landscape. The study examines how the acequias integrated traditional Spanish water management techniques with local environmental knowledge, creating a resilient infrastructure that endured for centuries. By analyzing historical records and hydraulic principles, researchers highlight the acequias' dual role as both an engineering marvel and a symbol of cultural adaptation in colonial Texas.
Everglades National Park
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2013 —
WHE7E8BD3FE00
A study of the Tamiami Trail Pilot Swales Sites in Everglades National Park revealed that diatom assemblages were unexpectedly diverse, with 127 taxa identified across 40 samples, and exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity. This diversity was particularly pronounced near dense vegetation downstream of culverts, suggesting a transitional assemblage influenced by propagule input from the canal and surrounding areas. Water chemistry showed fluctuations in response to precipitation and hydrological events, with differences among sites becoming more apparent during low canal stages. The study proposes that this transitional diatom assemblage could serve as a sensitive indicator of environmental changes related to proposed Tamiami Trail modifications.
