World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 20121 – 20140 of 30345 publications

From landscape resources to landscape commons: focussing on the non-utility values of landscape

Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces — 2017 — WHE0276C2D2E8

Landscape conservation projects that balance use, existence (e.g., aesthetic), and intrinsic values tend to avoid deadlock, as demonstrated by the Lavaux UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study argues for a shift from viewing landscapes solely as resources to recognizing them as commons, aligning with the Florence Declaration on Landscape. This approach requires a nuanced understanding of landscape values, which the research explores through a phenomenological conceptualization. By distinguishing between these values, the study establishes a framework that promotes dialogue and resolves conflicts in real-life conservation efforts.

From old town to new town: the state of the science 30 years after the Edinburgh declaration

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh — 2017 — WHE142BF72FD8

A retrospective analysis of the Edinburgh Declaration, published 30 years prior, reveals its enduring influence on medical education and urban development. The 2018 State of the Science issue provides a comprehensive evaluation of the declaration's impact, assessing advancements in research methodologies, policy implementations, and educational reforms in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh. This analysis highlights the declaration's role in shaping sustainable urban growth and preserving cultural heritage while addressing contemporary challenges. The study employs a comparative approach, examining historical data, policy documents, and case studies to trace the evolution of these sites over three decades.

From Ouro Preto to Diamantina: remaking Spix and Martius’ journey in 1818

Historic Town of Ouro Preto — 2017 — WHE1745C76BCA

A segment of Spix and Martius’ historic 1817–1820 expedition through Brazil was re-traced in 2017, revealing significant environmental and urban transformations over two centuries. The journey, from Ouro Preto to Diamantina, documented changes in landscapes, settlements, and ecosystems, including the impact of a 2015 disaster on Mariana’s small towns and the preservation of the Serra da Caraça National Park and Sanctuary. The study highlights the continuity of natural and cultural heritage along this route, bridging the Atlantic Rainforest and Cerrado biomes at Itambé Mountain (2052 m). This re-enactment provides a comparative framework for understanding historical ecological shifts in one of Brazil’s most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

From Perceived Values to Shared Values: A Multi-Stakeholder Spatial Decision Analysis (M-SSDA) for Resilient Landscapes

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula — 2017 — WHE77D4CAD3B6

A novel methodology, Multi-Stakeholder Spatial Decision Analysis (M-SSDA), has been developed to identify and promote shared landscape values for resilient tourism strategies. Combining multi-stakeholder decision analysis with GIS tools, this approach integrates interviews, semantic analysis, and geo-statistical techniques to enhance decision-making reliability. Applied in the Cilento National Park (Southern Italy) as part of the 'Cilento Labscape' project, M-SSDA successfully transitioned from perceived landscape values to acknowledged shared values, enabling the design of sustainable thematic itineraries. This collaborative, adaptive framework empowers local communities to actively contribute to preserving and promoting their unique resources through bottom-up decision-making processes.

From state agencies to ordinary citizens: reframing risk-mitigation investments and their impact to disrupt urban risk traps in Lima, Peru

Historic Centre of Lima — 2017 — WHE02F6AEDD02

Urban risk traps, characterized by cycles of everyday risks and small-scale disasters, disproportionately affect impoverished urban dwellers. A study on Lima, Peru, reveals that such traps persist not due to a lack of risk-mitigation investments but because these investments often have unintended consequences that erode the capacity of at-risk communities to act, thereby perpetuating risk accumulation cycles. The research, based on the action-research project cLIMA sin Riesgo, analyzed state agency and community-led investment actions in Barrios Altos (historic center) and José Carlos Mariátegui (periphery). It argues for a re-evaluation of risk-mitigation strategies to disrupt these cycles effectively.

From the Summer Palace 1860

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2017 — WHE6D84F760E5

A significant portion of objects labeled as originating from the Summer Palace, Beijing, lack verifiable provenance, despite some having clear ties to the 1860 sacking. The study highlights how Western markets in the 19th century often used vague descriptions like 'From the Imperial Summer Palace' for newly acquired items, obscuring their true origins. This practice exacerbated China's political humiliation and cultural loss during colonial-era conflicts. The research examines historical records, sales data, and government responses to trace the movement of artworks, architectural fragments, and manuscripts from Yuanmingyuan (the Old Summer Palace) to Western collections.

From universal to local: perspectives on cultural landscape heritage in South Africa

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape — 2017 — WHE4F2AF5CA43

A biocultural diversity perspective on heritage strengthens the agency of local communities to safeguard their landscapes, aligning global conservation values with local identity and practices. This study compares the formally designated Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape and Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape in South Africa with the unrecognized emaXhoseni landscape, revealing how cultural landscapes can be both universal conservation areas and locally meaningful places of identity. By integrating expert and local perspectives, the research highlights the importance of recognizing indigenous beliefs, values, and practices in heritage management, ensuring that conservation efforts are culturally relevant and sustainable.

Frontiers and Mobilities: The Frontiers of the Roman Empire and Europe

Frontiers of the Roman Empire — 2017 — WHE0148274542

Roman frontiers, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offer valuable insights for contemporary Europe by serving as sites of encounter and transformation. This study bridges the fields of border studies and Roman Frontier Studies to explore how ancient frontiers can inform modern debates on integration and border dissolution. By analyzing the relationship between the Roman Frontiers initiative and the European Union's goals, it advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration to reflect on current challenges facing Europe. The research emphasizes frontiers as dynamic spaces where cultural exchange and transformation occurred, providing a lens through which to examine present-day border dynamics.

Frugivory and potential seed dispersal by the exotic-invasive marmoset Callithrix jacchus (Primates, Callitrichidae) in an urban Atlantic Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea — 2017 — WHEA59769004C

Exotic common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) introduced to Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca National Park (TNP) demonstrate potential as seed dispersers for native plant species, despite being an invasive primate. Analysis of 60 feeding records over 361 hours revealed that fruits constituted nearly half (48.3%) of their diet, with seeds from four species swallowed intact and seven others found in feces, indicating successful dispersal. This finding is significant as it highlights the ecological role of an invasive species in an urban Atlantic Forest where native callitrichids are absent, providing critical insights for managing marmoset populations and conserving biodiversity in TNP.

Frustrated Seeing: Scale, Visibility, and a Fifteenth‐Century Portuguese Royal Monument

Monastery of Batalha — 2017 — WHEA81676AE3D

The Founder's Chapel at the Monastery of Batalha, Portugal, was a remarkable microcosm of fifteenth-century European artistry. Commissioned by King João I, it featured contributions from renowned architects and stonemasons from France, Flanders, England, and Germany, alongside Portuguese artisans. The chapel once housed magnificent wall paintings and altarpieces, including a notable panel attributed to Rogier van der Weyden, though much of this decoration was lost in the nineteenth century. A significant surviving element is the polychromed limestone tomb of King João I and his wife Philippa of Lancaster, commissioned in 1426 and completed by 1434. This monument stands as a testament to the chapel's historical and artistic significance, reflecting the cultural exchange and craftsmanship of the period.

Fuel accumulation in a high-frequency boreal wildfire regime: from wetland to upland

Wood Buffalo National Park — 2017 — WHEF778DD9490

A significant increase in flammable biomass was observed in upland sites within Wood Buffalo National Park over 97 years, particularly in mature moist conifer forests dominated by black spruce or white spruce. This accumulation was not consistent across all wetlands, except where tree cover was dense. The study, conducted in a high-frequency fire regime, measured fuel loading and structure at 66 sites, revealing that canopy fuels drove the increase, while surface fuels remained relatively constant. These findings highlight the role of fuel availability and structure in wildfire dynamics within boreal ecosystems.

Functional flows: an environmental flow regime benefits riparian cottonwoods along the Waterton River, Alberta

Waterton Glacier International Peace Park — 2017 — WHE2F490D336D

An environmental flow regime implemented in the Waterton River, Alberta, significantly benefited riparian cottonwoods (Populus trichocarpa and P. angustifolia) by increasing minimum flows and introducing gradual recession after spring peaks. The study found that these 'functional flows' enhanced tree growth and colonization, particularly by raising the minimum discharge from 0.93 to 2.27 m³/s. Tree ring analyses revealed improved growth patterns in established trees, while spatial distributions indicated that cottonwood colonization elevated with increased flow. Historical comparisons across four dam operation intervals—pre-dam, early post-dam, drought period, and environmental flow regime—highlighted the ecological benefits of regulated flows for riparian ecosystems.

Functional Villa Tugendhat and its Geological Subsoil - Design of a New Geotourism Place

Tugendhat Villa in Brno — 2017 — WHEAC2E986EAF

The Tugendhat Villa, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and built between 1928 and 1930, stands as a significant pre-war architectural masterpiece. Recognized for its cultural importance, the villa has faced historical challenges, including confiscation during World War II and subsequent renovations that revealed geological instability, such as landslides. These findings highlight the interplay between architectural heritage and geological subsoil, making it an ideal candidate for geotourism. The study emphasizes the villa's potential to serve as a unique educational and tourist destination, blending architectural history with geological insights.

Future streamflow simulation in a snow-dominated Rocky Mountain headwater catchment

Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks — 2017 — WHED71928C3A9

Future streamflow in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, particularly in the Athabasca River catchment within Jasper National Park, is projected to decrease significantly by up to 86% compared to baseline periods due to reduced precipitation. Summer streamflow is expected to drop from 58% to 39%, while spring streamflow may increase by 13-26%, potentially altering the seasonal hydrological patterns. The study, using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) calibrated with data from global circulation models under the Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES), predicts colder winters with increased snowfall but overall lower precipitation, which could lead to water scarcity in the region.

Gamma Irradiation Effect of 60Co on the Germination of two subtropical species in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley

Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica — 2017 — WHE27CB743124

Sunflower seeds exhibit significantly higher radiosensitivity to gamma irradiation from cobalt-60 compared to roselle, with no observed LD50 (lethal dose 50%) within the tested range of up to 35 Gy. The study employed a randomized complete block design to assess germination rates across increasing radiation doses (0–35 Gy) for both species in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley. While sunflower's sensitivity was markedly greater, neither species reached 0% germination, suggesting that LD50 values likely exceed 1000 Gy. The radiosensitivity curves were modeled linearly with high accuracy, indicating a proportional relationship between radiation dose and germination inhibition. These findings highlight the differential resilience of subtropical plant species to ionizing radiation, with implications for ecological studies in irradiated environments.

Gamzigrad, Serbien: Der spätantike Kaiserpalast Felix Romuliana und sein Umfeld

Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius — 2017 — WHE8BC67C9E0B

A comprehensive analysis of the late antique palace complex Felix Romuliana, associated with Emperor Galerius (283–311 AD), reveals significant insights into the diachronic development and historical framework of its micro-region. This study, part of the TOPOI Excellence Cluster in Berlin, goes beyond previous research by examining not only the palace itself but also its immediate and wider hinterland from prehistoric to medieval times. The findings provide a new understanding of settlement patterns, offering valuable context for the palace's role within its historic and topographic landscape.

Gaps and opportunities for the World Heritage Convention to contribute to global wilderness conservation

Central Suriname Nature Reserve — 2017 — WHECE0787A47F

Only about 1.8% of the world's wilderness is protected under UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS), with notable exceptions like the Okavango Delta and Central Suriname Nature Reserve. A global analysis identified significant gaps in wilderness representation across 22 terrestrial biorealms, despite WHS containing some excellent examples. The study used a 'last-of-the-wild' method to map remaining wilderness areas and assessed their coverage under existing protected designations. It also pinpointed 840 large protected areas—predominantly wilderness—that could serve as candidates for future WHS designation, addressing critical biodiversity gaps. The research underscores the urgent need for the World Heritage Convention to prioritize ecological integrity in preserving these irreplaceable landscapes.

Gastrointestinal parasites in feral cats and rodents from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil

Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves — 2017 — WHE772A906192

A comprehensive study of gastrointestinal parasites in feral cats and rodents from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil, revealed that 100% of the samples tested positive for these pathogens. The research identified 17 genera or species, with Ancylostoma sp., Strongyloides sp., Trichuris campanula, and Toxocara cati being prevalent in feral cats, while Eimeria sp., Strongyloides sp., and Trichuris muris were more common in rodents. This finding underscores the significant risk of parasite transmission to the human population due to the presence of infected feral animals. The study highlights the complex dynamics of parasitic infections in insular regions, where confined populations of hosts and parasites coexist, and emphasizes the need for further research to address knowledge gaps in this area.

Gemelli Careri’s Description of Persepolis

Persepolis — 2017 — WHEB4109CF73E

Gemelli Careri’s 17th-century description of Persepolis, one of the Achaemenid Persian Empire’s capital cities (ca. 550–330 BCE), offers a unique lens into the transition from imaginative to more scientific travel writing about archaeological sites. His detailed account—spanning twenty pages with two engraved plates—stands out for its precision and insight, even as it remains largely overlooked in modern studies of Achaemenid Persia. By comparing his observations with those of contemporary travelers and current archaeological knowledge, this study highlights the significance of Gemelli Careri’s work as a bridge between earlier, more fanciful narratives and later, more rigorous scientific approaches to site documentation.

General Characteristic of the Findings of Stove Tiles of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — 2017 — WHE74753A9AA5

Archaeological findings of stove tiles from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra reveal significant insights into the evolution of Ukrainian tile-making traditions and the history of the monastery. The collection, spanning XV–XIX centuries, showcases distinct stylistic and typological developments, including early pot-like tiles (XV–XVI centuries), decorated tablet tiles with sacral or mythological themes (XVI–XVII centuries), and a diverse range of products from XVIІ–XVIII centuries. Comparative analysis with synchronic examples from Pechersk suggests potential for further chronological differentiation, linking tiles to specific periods or household objects within the monastery. The findings also highlight urgent conservation needs, which could transform this collection into a comprehensive museum exhibit.