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Publications

Showing 20021 – 20040 of 30345 publications

Energy, macronutrient and water intake during a mountain ultramarathon event: The influence of distance

Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana — 2017 — WHE87255F9062

Most participants in mountain ultramarathon events consume insufficient carbohydrates, with less than half meeting recommended intakes of 30 g per hour. A study analyzing the 'Ultra Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana' event found that while average energy intake was stable across marathon (44 km), trail (67 km), and ultra (112 km) distances—at approximately 183 kcal/hour—a significant portion of runners, particularly in longer races, relied more on lipids for energy. Water intake also varied by distance, with the longest race showing the lowest hourly consumption despite adequate overall hydration. Surprisingly, race length did not significantly alter nutritional strategies, suggesting that endurance performance may not strictly depend on distance-specific fueling patterns.

Environmental distribution of genes for type II polyketidebiosynthesis pathways

Rideau Canal — 2017 — WHE85BCA0E69E

Research on the Rideau Canal, Ottawa-Gatineau, uncovers the environmental distribution of genes responsible for type II polyketide biosynthesis pathways. The study employed a dual extraction method to analyze soil samples, comparing conventional washing techniques with an additional scraping step to ensure comprehensive gene recovery. Findings highlight the presence and variability of these biosynthetic genes in canal sediments, suggesting their potential role in microbial ecology and biogeochemical processes within this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The approach involved lysis-based DNA extraction, followed by layering and washing procedures to isolate genetic material effectively, providing insights into the functional diversity of microbial communities in urban aquatic environments.

Environmental education in southern Africa: a case study of a secondary school in the Okavango Delta of Botswana

Okavango Delta — 2017 — WHE7EEB5AB9F1

A case study of a secondary school in Botswana's Okavango Delta reveals that while teachers incorporate environmental education and local knowledge into the curriculum, efforts are constrained by limited resources and inadequate teacher training. The study highlights the potential of place-based education to address postcolonial educational gaps, demonstrating its value in integrating local place names, flora, fauna, resource management issues, and traditional lifestyles. Despite these challenges, the findings underscore the importance of such approaches in southern African schools.

Environmental factors affecting mayfly assemblages in tufa-depositing habitats of the Dinaric Karst

Plitvice Lakes National Park — 2017 — WHE9711383D3E

Mayfly assemblages in Plitvice Lakes National Park's tufa-depositing habitats are strongly influenced by water temperature, pH, and ammonium concentration, with distinct species groupings based on habitat type. The study, conducted monthly over a year (2007–2008), identified 14 mayfly species (20 taxa) across springs, streams, mountainous rivers, and tufa barriers. It found that mountainous streams were the most favorable habitats, while springs were the least suitable. This research highlights the sensitivity of mayflies to physico-chemical water properties, underscoring their potential as environmental indicators in these unique karst ecosystems.

Environmental Observations of Solid Waste Management at High Altitude in Nepal: Case Study Along Trekking Route in Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park — 2017 — WHE8D57F8D4B0

Sagarmatha National Park faces significant solid waste management challenges due to the high volume of visitors—over 30,000 annually—along its trekking routes from Lukla to Everest Base Camp. The study highlights that plastics, cans, bottles, and papers are prevalent, with inadequate waste solutions in lodges, hotels, and restaurants. Key factors contributing to this issue include a lack of environmental awareness, limited public participation, and insufficient understanding of the complex mountain ecosystem's long-term impacts on tourism. Conducted by Nepalese and Swedish researchers in April 2010, the study identifies critical gaps in current waste management practices despite ongoing efforts by agencies like the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) and NGOs. Recommendations from this research aim to address these challenges and improve sustainable waste management strategies for the region.

Envisaging Eternity

Speyer Cathedral — 2017 — WHE5954805235

Salian women played a pivotal role in the foundation of Speyer Cathedral and the establishment of their dynasty's legitimacy through their interactions with the church. Their contributions, including cathedral founding, monastery establishment, and charitable donations, are documented in charters and chronicles, highlighting their influence on imperial burial practices in the cathedral's crypt. Notably, Agnes of Poitou's deathbed donations underscore the women's active participation in shaping family identity and memory. This study reveals how Salian queens leveraged traditional queenly activities to solidify their dynasty's position within the German realm.

Ephesus

Ephesus — 2017 — WHEBF7FBDA8B3

Ephesus remained a significant regional center and provincial capital from the sixth to the fourteenth centuries, despite experiencing shifts in settlement patterns. Paleo-geographical investigations reveal that its harbor basin was still functional until at least the twelfth century, while pollen analyses indicate an increase in pastoral farming and a decline in settlement intensity between the late seventh and tenth centuries. However, settlement activity rebounded in the eleventh century with the emergence of a second town around the pilgrimage site of St. John, which persisted under Turkish rule as Ayasoluk. The study combines archaeological evidence with environmental data to reconstruct Ephesus' dynamic evolution during this period.

Erkundung von Potenzialen und Strategien der Innenentwicklung und Nachverdichtung am Beispiel der Stadt Krems

Wachau Cultural Landscape — 2017 — WHE647A6EB9AB

A study on the Wachau Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and nature conservation area, identifies significant potential for sustainable urban development through infill development and redevelopment strategies in the city of Krems. By analyzing existing urban structures and infrastructure, the research demonstrates that these methods can reduce land consumption and associated costs while adhering to spatial planning constraints. The study highlights key areas within Krems where such approaches are feasible, providing a practical model for area-compatible redevelopment in well-equipped neighborhoods.

Escaping the oligotrophic gyre? The year-round movements, foraging behaviour and habitat preferences of Murphy’s petrels

Henderson Island — 2017 — WHE6F8E24D55C

Murphy's petrels, breeding on Henderson Island, exhibit unprecedented foraging ranges among seabirds, traveling over 4800 km during incubation to escape the nutrient-poor South Pacific Gyre. This study reveals their year-round movements and habitat preferences using geolocators, showing they migrate seasonally to the Subarctic Gyre in the North Pacific for more productive waters. Unlike many seabirds, Murphy's petrels do not show strong preferences for oceanographic or topographic features, instead favoring deep, unproductive waters. Their high activity levels, particularly during incubation, suggest a reliance on mesopelagic prey that undergo diel vertical migration. Conservation efforts should prioritize eliminating invasive threats at breeding sites while recognizing the challenges of protecting such wide-ranging species.

Essential metal and metalloid elements in the Philippi Horticultural area, and their uptake into selected vegetable crops

Archaeological Site of Philippi — 2017 — WHE371A77D50F

Soil amendments in the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA) significantly increase concentrations of essential metals and metalloids, but these elements remain largely retained in the soil with minimal uptake into vegetable crops. The study found that farmyard manures applied as fertilizers were the primary agronomic sources of cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), tin (Sn), and vanadium (V). However, these elements were not effectively transferred to the edible portions of crops, suggesting limited bioavailability. This raises concerns about potential micronutrient deficiencies in surrounding communities, while also highlighting the need for further research into crop selection, nutrient availability, and soil management practices to optimize mineral uptake.

Establishing new bathing sites at the Curonian Lagoon coast: an ecological-social-economic assessment

Curonian Spit — 2017 — WHE67F31B47DE

A new bathing site at the Curonian Lagoon coast can be established despite poor water quality, but its economic viability is uncertain. The study, using a participatory Integrated Coastal Zone Management approach, found that while lagoon water quality and swimming opportunities are not top priorities for tourists on the Curonian Spit, a beach could extend the summer bathing season and serve as an additional tourist attraction. Socio-economic analyses and model simulations were used to assess the feasibility of new beaches against the backdrop of improved sewage treatment. High lagoon water temperatures may help prolong the bathing season, but the study underscores the importance of systematic stakeholder involvement for successful implementation.

Establishment of early-stage planted seedlings of a native woody species under a closed canopy of invasive Casuarina equisetifolia in the subtropical oceanic Ogasawara Islands

Ogasawara Islands — 2017 — WHE4FE58FE600

A groundbreaking study in the Ogasawara Islands demonstrates that native tree seedlings, specifically Schima mertensiana, can successfully establish and grow under a closed canopy of invasive Casuarina equisetifolia without requiring its removal. This finding challenges conventional restoration practices, which often rely on extirpating invasive species to restore native ecosystems. Researchers planted seedlings of varying initial sizes and monitored their survival and growth for 69 months, observing over 75% survival rates with steady growth across all size classes. The study provides a novel approach to conservation, suggesting that planted native seedlings can thrive in invasive-dominated forests, at least for several years, thereby offering a potential strategy for restoring degraded ecosystems without the need for aggressive invasive species management.

Estimating Mangrove Canopy Height and Above-Ground Biomass in the Everglades National Park with Airborne LiDAR and TanDEM-X Data

Everglades National Park — 2017 — WHE3450A88896

Research indicates that mangrove forests in Everglades National Park (ENP) are experiencing significant growth, with canopy heights reaching up to 25 meters and above-ground biomass (AGB) approaching 250 Mg•ha−1. This study, utilizing Airborne LiDAR (ALS) and TanDEM-X (TDX) datasets from 2011–2013, demonstrates a strong correlation (R² = 0.85) between the two measurement techniques, with minimal error (RMSE = 1.96 m). Compared to earlier studies from 2000–2004, current data show increased mangrove stature and biomass, suggesting ongoing recovery post-Hurricane Wilma. These findings highlight ENP's mangroves as resilient carbon sinks, emphasizing their ecological importance in protected coastal ecosystems.

Estimating the preservation value of Jongmyo using two stage contingent valuation method

Jongmyo Shrine — 2017 — WHE8FEC6EE160

Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site symbolizing Confucian values and spiritual influence, holds an estimated economic value of 6.1 trillion Korean won (approximately $5 billion USD). This finding emerges from a study using the two-stage contingent valuation method (CVM), which distinguishes between hypothetical and real scenarios to assess willingness-to-pay for preservation efforts. Conducted across Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, the research surveyed 364 respondents, revealing that Jongmyo's value is primarily driven by its heritage significance (61.7%), followed by existence value (24.26%) and option value (14.07%). Key predictors of willingness-to-pay include financial capacity, attitude toward cultural heritage, marital status, education level, visit intention, and pro-Confucian sentiment. The study highlights Jongmyo's intangible yet profound impact on societal values and underscores its role in preserving Korea's cultural identity.

Estimating the value of the World Heritage Site designation: a case study from Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park, Nepal

Sagarmatha National Park — 2017 — WHE00004127EF

A World Heritage Site (WHS) designation can significantly boost economic value, as demonstrated by Sagarmatha National Park (Mount Everest), where knowledge of its WHS status increased visitors' willingness to pay (WTP) by $16.39 per trip—potentially adding up to $566,619 annually if better marketed. Using the contingent valuation method on 522 international visitors in 2011, researchers found that factors like age, education, and use of a guide influenced WTP, with a median value of $90.93 per trip. The optimal revenue-maximizing entry fee was determined to be $80, while 63.8% of visitors were already willing to pay more than the existing $30 fee. This study underscores the financial benefits of WHS designation and its potential to support sustainable tourism in protected areas amid declining public sector funding.

Estimating willingness to pay for desalinated seawater: the case of Djerba Island, Tunisia

Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory — 2017 — WHEBD19042D45

A significant majority of households on Djerba Island, Tunisia, support the use of desalinated water to address water scarcity, yet fewer are willing to pay for it. This study combines a contingent valuation survey with joint modeling to assess societal support and household willingness to pay (WTP) for desalinated seawater—a relationship not previously explored in research. Findings indicate that while desalination is widely accepted as a solution to water stress, the financial viability of such projects remains uncertain due to low WTP. The research underscores the need to evaluate WTP in developing countries before investing in large-scale desalination infrastructure, ensuring cost recovery and sustainable water management.

Estrategias para la difusión de los itinerarios culturales: el Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro — 2017 — WHEA206B3835B

The Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the first cultural route inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, presents unique challenges for dissemination and promotion due to its complexity and diversity. Effective conservation of such heritage relies on community engagement and ethical presentation strategies, guided by frameworks like those developed by ICOMOS. This study proposes strategies to enhance public awareness and appreciation of the Camino Real, leveraging territorial-scale approaches and scientific guidelines to ensure responsible and impactful communication.

Estructura y diversidad en selva inundable al centro y sur de Calakmul

Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche — 2017 — WHE4A0A33483C

A study of the flooded forest (selva inundable) in central and southern Calakmul, Mexico, revealed high species diversity with 112 tree species identified across nine sites. The research found that over 50% of individuals fell within the diameter range of 2.5 to 8.4 cm and height range of 5 to 10 m, indicating a consistent structural pattern. Key species included Coccoloba reflexiflora, Gymnanthes lucida, and Haematoxylin campechianum, with no significant differences in diversity among most sites. The findings highlight the ecological importance of these flooded forests for water and food provision to local fauna, emphasizing their priority for conservation efforts.

Estudo químico de eflorescências salinas do sítio arqueológico Toca Exú do Jurubeba do Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara, Piauí, Brasil

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2017 — WHEF12AFA2455

A study of saline efflorescences at the archaeological site Toca Exú do Jurubeba in Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, revealed four distinct chemical compositions: hydrated calcium oxalate combined with kaolinite, gypsum, tetrahydrate calcium nitrate, and fossilized aluminosilicates. These efflorescences, which often obscure rock art—part of the park's globally significant archaeological heritage—were analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The findings provide critical insights for developing conservation strategies to protect the site's vulnerable rock art from degradation.

Ethno-Botanical Diversity And Conservation Status Of Medicinal Flora At High Terrains Of Garhwal (Uttarakhand) Himalaya, India: A Case Study In Context To Multifarious Tourism Growth And Peri-Urban Encroachments

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks — 2017 — WHEAFCA777A67

A field survey in the high terrains of Garhwal, Uttarakhand, identified 242 medicinal plant species, with 6 (2.2%) critically endangered, 19 (7.1%) endangered, and 35 others classified as threatened or vulnerable. Despite conservation efforts like Biosphere Reserves and National Parks, rapid tourism growth and peri-urban encroachments—accelerated by Uttarakhand's infrastructure development since 2000—pose significant threats to biodiversity. The study highlights the urgent need for balancing visitor influx at sacred sites (e.g., Badrinath, Valley of Flowers) with biodiversity protection in this UNESCO World Heritage region.