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Myth-Making Through Music: The “lost songs” of St Kilda

St Kilda — 2017 — WHE804F66902B

A contemporary album of piano pieces, reportedly taught to a Scottish mainlander by a St Kildan music teacher, has captured the British fascination with St Kilda, a remote and 'lost' island society. The album, 'The Lost Songs of St Kilda,' reached the top of the British classical music chart in 2016, becoming the fastest-selling posthumously released debut album in British chart history. This study explores how the recordings and packaging of the album create emotional geographies of St Kilda, constructing a mythical place-time or 'mythscape.' The research approach involves analyzing the album's impact on public perception and its role in shaping myths around remote island cultures.

Myth, Memory and Militarization: A Case of Selective Amnesia at Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia

Landscape of Grand Pré — 2017 — WHE7FFF1F7910

Selective historical memory plays a pivotal role in the construction of national identity, as demonstrated by the case of Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia. This study reveals how militarization and myth-making have contributed to a form of collective amnesia, distorting the site's history and its significance within Canadian heritage narratives. By analyzing cultural representations, historical records, and public discourse, the research exposes how certain aspects of Grand-Pré’s past—particularly those tied to conflict or displacement—have been systematically marginalized or forgotten, reinforcing dominant national myths while erasing alternative histories. The findings underscore the political dimensions of memory, challenging simplistic narratives of heritage preservation and nation-building.

Naledi: An example of how natural phenomena can inspire metaphysical assumptions

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — 2017 — WHEE76415718F

A new fossil site, discovered in the Rising Star Cave within South Africa's Cradle of Humankind, has yielded over 1550 hominin bones, making it one of the richest palaeoanthropological sites globally. The remote location and concentration of a single hominid species' remains sparked speculation about purposeful disposal or burial by early hominins, potentially indicating the earliest evidence of metaphysical awareness. However, an alternative hypothesis suggests that water and gravity were responsible for the deposition of these remains. This study critically examines the tenuous evidence supporting the metaphysical assumption while proposing a more plausible natural explanation.

Nationalism and Memory at the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide Crimes, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection — 2017 — WHE29D9731D32

A significant shift in Cambodian memorialization practices is highlighted, where the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide Crimes emerged as a pivotal site for national and international remembrance. Originally a Khmer Rouge secret police institution, it now serves as a space where social and symbolic order is produced, reflecting Vietnam's influence on genocide discourse. The study reveals how this site aligns Cambodia's historical atrocities with the European Holocaust, embedding it within a globally recognized framework of genocide memory. This transformation underscores the power of public sites in shaping collective memory and affirming national identity.

Nature, state and conservation in the Danube Delta

Danube Delta — 2017 — WHE5882B44628

The Danube Delta's relationship with state conservation efforts has evolved significantly, marked by a historical disconnect between policy and practice. While Romania's state discourse on nature conservation has shifted since the early 20th century—reflecting global conservation movements—the implementation on the ground remained limited during socialism. Ethnographic research reveals how local fishermen perceived and interacted with state authority, critiquing or accommodating its presence. This study historicizes these dynamics through interviews, showing that while scientific work on conservation flourished, actual conservation measures were rarely enforced. The findings underscore the tension between theoretical discourse and practical action in environmental governance.

Navigating Critical Thresholds in Natural Resource Management: A Case Study of Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park — 2017 — WHE09CA8BD429

Park management strategies for wildlife conservation in Olympic National Park face significant challenges due to climate change-induced ecological thresholds. Research highlights that warming temperatures, altered species interactions, and habitat degradation pose critical risks to species like the Olympic Marmot and anadromous fish. Interviews with 30 park managers reveal barriers such as limited monitoring resources, a focus on current conditions over future projections, and the need for cross-boundary cooperation. Successful adaptation requires increased resources, flexibility, and collaboration beyond park boundaries to proactively address ecosystem changes.

Navigating from government-centralised management to adaptive co-management in a marine protected area, Paraty, Brazil

Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity — 2017 — WHE69831035B6

A shift from centralized, government-led management to adaptive co-management can significantly improve the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs), particularly for artisanal fisheries. This study highlights the successful implementation of a Term of Agreement between the Tamoios Marine Reserve in Paraty, Brazil, and the local community of Tarituba, which facilitated participatory social and ecological monitoring. The approach demonstrates that adaptive co-management, characterized by collaboration between government agencies and local stakeholders, can address the challenges of traditional top-down management while fostering sustainable fisheries practices. Key to this transition was the establishment of a framework that balanced conservation goals with community needs, offering a scalable model for other MPAs facing similar governance hurdles.

Near-road sampling of PM 2. 5 , BC, and fine-particle chemical components in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Kathmandu Valley — 2017 — WHEFD08B5F0F1

A significant contribution of vehicle-related emissions to air pollution in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, persists throughout both the dry spring and monsoonal seasons. Despite lower overall PM2.5 concentrations during the monsoon, black carbon (BC) levels remained high, indicating strong vehicular influence year-round. The study, conducted using near-road sampling by volunteer traffic police officers at six major intersections in 2014, found that BC accounted for 39% of PM2.5 during the monsoon compared to 18% in spring, alongside increased contributions from crustal elements and heavy metals. Silica, calcium, aluminum, and iron were dominant elements in both seasons, with minimal spatial variation observed in PM2.5 and BC concentrations.

Nearshore Turbid-Zone Corals Exhibit High Bleaching Tolerance on the Great Barrier Reef Following the 2016 Ocean Warming Event

Great Barrier Reef — 2017 — WHEE50794422F

Nearshore turbid-zone corals on the Great Barrier Reef exhibit remarkable resilience to thermal stress, showing no significant changes in coral cover or community structure following the severe 2015/2016 ocean warming event. Unlike offshore reefs, where bleaching was widespread and mortality high, nearshore corals at Paluma Shoals displayed minimal bleaching, with only one colony fully bleached and just 1.5% showing partial pigmentation loss. This tolerance contrasts sharply with clear-water reef assessments, where Acropora corals—typically highly susceptible to bleaching—were least impacted in turbid zones. The study utilized a novel pre- (2013/2014) and post-warming (2016) assessment of 2,288 video frames covering ~1,200 m², including 11,374 coral colonies across 24 genera. These findings suggest that nearshore reefs, often overlooked, may serve as critical refugia for corals during climate-related disturbances, offering a more optimistic outlook than previously assumed.

Negotiation, bargaining, and discounts: generating WoM and local tourism development at the Tabriz bazaar, Iran

Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex — 2017 — WHEEE0EEFF2BC

Tourists visiting Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex are more likely to engage in word-of-mouth (WoM) promotion when they experience satisfaction through negotiation and bargaining, as well as with the discounts received. This finding, derived from a survey of 615 respondents, highlights the significance of experiential satisfaction in driving WoM behaviors that can foster local tourism development. The study contributes to social exchange theory by demonstrating how negotiation dynamics influence tourist behavior, offering valuable insights for policymakers aiming to boost tourism through strategic interventions.

Neki suvremeni sociogeografski procesi u povijesnoj jezgri grada Dubrovnika

Old City of Dubrovnik — 2017 — WHEDE5F49A6FA

The historic center of Dubrovnik has undergone significant transformation due to modern socio-economic pressures, particularly driven by tourism. The study reveals that the population of the old city declined drastically from 5,181 to 1,241 between 1953 and 2006, while the number of jobs tripled, creating a stark contrast between seasonal and off-season economic activity. Daily visitor numbers, reaching up to 40,000 in summer months—with 87.7% being tourists—have further exacerbated this shift. The research highlights how Dubrovnik’s historic core has become a cultural tourist product, with cruising tourism intensifying these trends. The study employs sociogeographical analysis to examine these processes, offering insights into the challenges faced by heritage sites in balancing development and preservation.

Neoproterozoic basement history of Wrangel Island and Arctic Chukotka: integrated insights from zircon U–Pb, O and Hf isotopic studies

Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve — 2017 — WHEE2AD724D34

New zircon geochronology and isotope geochemistry from Wrangel Island and western Chukotka reveal the Neoproterozoic basement history of the Arctic Alaska-Chukotka (AAC) terrane, shedding light on its long-standing geological mysteries. The study identifies a range of zircon U–Pb ages between 612±7 Ma to 711±4 Ma in granitic and volcanic samples, indicating significant Cryogenian–Ediacaran magmatism in a peripheral orogenic setting, likely a fringing arc on rifted continental margin crust. Detrital zircon spectra from metasedimentary strata suggest a Grenville–Sveconorwegian provenance, correlating with strata from Arctic Alaska and Pearya. This research provides critical insights into the AAC terrane's pre-Cenozoic kinematic and tectonic history, previously obscured by Mesozoic crustal processes.

Neotectonics of interior Alaska and the late Quaternary slip rate along the Denali fault system

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2017 — WHE261E6FD7E7

The Denali fault system, the largest active strike-slip fault system in interior Alaska, exhibits varying late Quaternary slip rates with a peak of approximately 13 mm/year near its central section. This study, utilizing cosmogenic surface exposure dating from 107 samples at 19 sites, confirms that slip rates decrease both eastward and westward along the fault system, reaching as low as 5 mm/year over 575 km in the western part. Additionally, a slip rate of around 2 mm/year is inferred for an eastern section near Kluane Lake, Yukon, while the Totschunda fault shows a maximum slip rate of about 9 mm/year. The research explores geometric models—rotation, indentation, and extrusion—to explain these slip rates, concluding that a combination of all three best accounts for the observed tectonic activity in southern Alaska.

Nest-site characteristics and aspects of the breeding biology of the endangered Timneh Parrot Psittacus timneh in Guinea-Bissau

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omatí Minhô — 2017 — WHE57D537B65D

A critical finding is that the endangered Timneh Parrot's breeding population may be limited by the availability of suitable nest cavities, with nests predominantly found in secondary cavities within 17 tree species, often aggregated at densities up to 14 nests per hectare. This suggests that protecting mature trees and potentially installing artificial nest cavities could significantly boost reproductive success. The study, conducted in Guinea-Bissau's Bijagós Archipelago—a known hotspot for the species—revealed nesting efforts span from January to late March, with fledgling chicks most vulnerable during February to May. Researchers analyzed nest-site characteristics, breeding phenology, and reproductive productivity across two islands, employing field observations and data collection to inform targeted conservation strategies, particularly in mitigating poaching and habitat loss.

New Apatite Fission‐Track Ages of the Western Kuqa Depression: Implications for the Mesozoic–Cenozoic Tectonic Evolution of South Tianshan, Xinjiang

Xinjiang Tianshan — 2017 — WHE8F0DBDF480

Researchers have identified four distinct pulses of tectonic exhumation in the South Tianshan region, spanning from the Early Cretaceous to the late Miocene. Using apatite fission-track dating on 12 sandstone samples from the Kapushaliang section in the western Kuqa Depression, the study reveals peak exhumation events at 112 and 105 Ma (Early Cretaceous), 67 Ma (Late Cretaceous), 60, 53, and 36 Ma (Paleocene–Eocene), and 23 and 14 Ma (early Oligocene to late Miocene). These findings challenge previous reconstructions by highlighting a differential uplift in the Kuqa Depression during the late Cenozoic, with exhumation in the western segment occurring later than in the eastern segment. The study links these tectonic events to significant geological processes, including the docking of the Lhasa block and the far-field effects of the India–Eurasia collision.

New Data on Biota of Some Lakes in the Western Part of the Putorana Plateau

Putorana Plateau — 2017 — WHEEA8E7DC113

A recent study on the Putorana Plateau's lakes, including Norilsk Lakes (Lama and Sobach’e) and Kutaramakan Lake, identified two new species: Senecella calanoides in zooplankton and five water mite species in zoobenthos. The research, conducted in 2013–2014, revealed that Lama and Sobach’e lakes share similar zooplankton compositions, differing from Kutaramakan Lake by the presence of specific copepods. A total of 64 benthic invertebrate taxa were found, with Chironomidae dominating. Kutaramakan Lake lacked amphipods, while Cobach’e Lake exhibited higher biomass, classifying it as oligotrophic to α-mesotrophic based on zooplankton and zoobenthos metrics. Lama and Kutaramakan lakes were deemed ultraoligotrophic.

New Hettangian tracks from the Causses Basin (Lozère, southern France) complement the poor fossil record of earliest Jurassic crocodylomorphs in Europe

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2017 — WHE6E4DE8CBF6

A new ichnological assemblage from the Hettangian Dolomitic Formation of the Causses Basin, southern France, reveals rare insights into early Jurassic crocodylomorphs. The tracks, attributed to Batrachopus isp., represent the first occurrence of this ichnogenus in Hettangian deposits of the region and the third in European lowermost Jurassic formations. The unique trackway, featuring tetradactyl pes and pentadactyl manus imprints, co-occurs with dinosaur tracks (Dilophosauripus williamsi and Grallator isp.), suggesting crocodylomorphs inhabited marginal-littoral environments alongside theropod-dominated faunas. Sedimentological analysis indicates these tracks were formed in a tidal to supratidal flat marsh periodically exposed above sea level, providing evidence of the ecological dynamics of this UNESCO World Heritage Site's early Jurassic landscape.

New Lichen Records from the Mountains Kinabalu and Tambuyukon (Kinabalu Park, Malaysian Borneo)

Kinabalu Park — 2017 — WHE88F04F3E94

A significant discovery of 126 new lichen species in the Kinabalu region, including six previously unknown to Sabah and 90 to Malaysia, underscores the rich biodiversity of Kinabalu Park. Among these, 15 are novel to Southeast Asia and another 15 to Asia, highlighting the area's unique ecological significance. The research, conducted by Paukov et al., employed systematic field surveys and taxonomic analysis to document this lichen diversity, contributing valuable data for conservation efforts in one of the world's most biodiverse regions.

New Light from Haiti's Royal Past: Recent Archaeological Excavations in the Palace of Sans-Souci, Milot

National History Park – Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers — 2017 — WHE8798C4395D

Recent archaeological excavations at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sans-Souci, Haiti, have revealed new insights into the architectural chronology and material life of the Kingdom of Haiti during Henry Christophe's reign. Using a multidimensional approach that includes 3-D modeling, ground-penetrating radar, and targeted excavation, the Milot Archaeological Project (MAP) has uncovered evidence of the palace's historical significance and its role in regional and long-distance economic networks. These findings challenge the limited historical record and provide a deeper understanding of this pivotal period in Haitian history.

New locality records of Rhagomys longilingua Luna & Patterson, 2003 (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Peru

Manú National Park — 2017 — WHECE77FAE866

Researchers have expanded the known range of Rhagomys longilingua, one of South America's rarest sigmodontine rodents, by documenting three new localities in Peru. This discovery extends its geographic distribution 613 km northeast from its type locality in Manu National Park (Cusco department) and suggests a broader range spanning Bolivia to Colombia along the eastern Andes slope. The study utilized potential distribution models to infer the species' historical and current habitat preferences, providing critical insights into its ecology and conservation needs.