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Recent invasion of European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) on to Fraser Island (K'gari) and South Stradbroke Island

K’gari (Fraser Island) — 2017 — WHEA6004D858E

A recent study confirms the invasion of European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) onto Fraser Island (K’gari) and South Stradbroke Island, two significant RAMSAR wetland areas off Queensland’s southeast coast. Through camera trap footage and scat analysis collected between 2012 and 2016, researchers documented seven fox observations on Fraser Island and verified fox presence on South Stradbroke Island via DNA testing and subsequent camera traps in 2016. This discovery indicates the establishment of small fox populations, posing a critical threat to native fauna that have historically lacked exposure to these predators. The findings underscore the urgent need for predator eradication efforts to prevent widespread ecological damage before it becomes irreversible.

Recent stability of resident and migratory landbird populations in National Parks of the Pacific Northwest

Olympic National Park — 2017 — WHEB66D587BC5

A recent study found stable or increasing landbird populations in three Pacific Northwest National Parks—Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic—between 2005 and 2014. Contrary to expectations in a changing climate, most species showed positive trends, particularly migratory birds across all parks and resident birds in one park. The research linked this stability to a regional snowfall deficit, as population density inversely correlated with precipitation-as-snow but weakly correlated with spring temperature. Using Bayesian hierarchical N-mixture models, the study integrated advanced statistical techniques to account for detection probabilities, spatial autocorrelation, and environmental covariates, providing a robust framework for climate impact assessment. This work highlights the resilience of park ecosystems while offering tools for adaptive management in the face of climate change.

Reconciling National and International Interests: The Rockefeller Museum and Its Collections

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2017 — WHEE1C60D0A1F

A recent Israel Supreme Court ruling has allowed the transfer of the Rockefeller Museum's collections, library, and archives from East Jerusalem to West Jerusalem, challenging international law governing institutions in occupied territories. The decision asserts Israeli jurisdiction over antiquities in East Jerusalem, despite its non-recognition as part of Israel under international law. This case highlights tensions between national interests and international legal frameworks, particularly concerning the status of cultural heritage in contested regions. The Rockefeller Museum, established in 1938 during the British Mandate, has served as a pivotal institution for Palestinian antiquities, with its collections spanning Ottoman, British, Jordanian, and Israeli periods. The ruling raises broader questions about the future of institutions in East Jerusalem and the implications for cultural heritage preservation.

Reconfiguring Patriarchal Space: Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908) and the Reconstruction of the Gardens of Nurtured Harmony (Chapter 6)

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2017 — WHE8F0B5110E2

Empress Dowager Cixi redefined patriarchal spaces by transforming the Gardens of Nurtured Harmony into an arena of female agency, challenging traditional gender norms. The study reveals how she leveraged architectural reconstruction to assert her authority as a ruler and matron of art, hosting significant events like a formal reception for Prince Henry of Prussia in 1897. Cixi's patronage extended to pioneering photographic and oil portrait experiments, culminating in an unprecedented opening of imperial domestic space to international scrutiny when American painter Katharine Carl documented her stay in a widely circulated memoir (1905). The research scrutinizes these strategies, arguing that the garden became a symbol of Cixi’s influence and female empowerment within Qing imperial culture.

Reconsidering the Hera-Pottery from the Samian Heraion and Its Distribution

Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos — 2017 — WHE9D1A1505A8

A detailed analysis of inscribed pottery from four Hera sanctuaries reveals that only two—those on Samos and Naukratis—produce the distinctive red-marked 'Hera-vases.' Contrary to prior assumptions, these vases were likely utilitarian work tools rather than ritual dining ware. The study correlates their production with major construction phases at the Samian Heraion, offering new insights into their functional significance.

Reconstructing Cultural Heritage in Conflict Zones: Should Palmyra be Rebuilt?

Site of Palmyra — 2017 — WHE58EEE8E55A

The reconstruction of cultural heritage sites, such as Palmyra, destroyed by conflict, serves political agendas and is deployed to rewrite history. This study examines the semantics of continuous attempts to reconstruct Syria’s heritage during ongoing war, highlighting how destruction and reconstruction are used to erase physical evidence and impose ideological narratives. It explores the deliberate targeting of archaeological monuments from prehistoric, Byzantine, Roman, and Islamic periods by non-state radical actors like Daesh, who also targeted local people, museum staff, and facilities. The research approach involves analyzing the political dimensions of heritage reconstruction in conflict zones, emphasizing its role in erasing cultural significance and serving socio-political objectives.

Reconstructing Inca Socioeconomic Organization through Biography Analyses of Residential Houses and Workshops of Pucara De Tilcara (Quebrada De Humahuaca, Argentine)

Quebrada de Humahuaca — 2017 — WHE71EE59916F

A new analysis of residential houses and workshops at Pucara de Tilcara, a key Inca site in Quebrada de Humahuaca (Argentina), reveals intricate patterns of socioeconomic organization. By applying biographical analyses—tracking the life histories of structures through their construction, use, and abandonment—the study uncovers how the Inca adapted pre-existing Tiwanaku traditions to their own administrative needs. This approach highlights the dynamic interplay between indigenous practices and Inca governance, offering a nuanced understanding of how large-scale societies managed labor, resources, and cultural continuity in the region.

Reconstructing the Alhambra: Rafael Contreras and Architectural Models of the Alhambra in the Nineteenth Century

Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada — 2017 — WHE0A4E0F8609

Rafael Contreras, head restorer of the Alhambra from 1847 to 1889, played a pivotal role in shaping the palace's modern appearance by introducing an 'Oriental' aesthetic. His restoration efforts were paralleled by a thriving business selling architectural models and plaster casts, reviving ancient Nasrid techniques while innovating new ones. These objects, marketed as souvenirs, particularly to British tourists, disseminated Contreras' vision of the Alhambra globally. The study highlights his dual role in conservation and commercialization, illustrating how restoration practices intertwined with tourism during the 19th century.

Recording Information on Architectural Heritage Should Meet the Requirements for Conservation Digital Recording Practices at the Summer Palace

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2017 — WHE31434DBF11

Accurate and purpose-driven digital recording of architectural heritage information is essential for effective conservation, management, and research. The study highlights that understanding the nature and value of heritage sites should guide technology selection rather than being driven by it. It emphasizes that appropriate accuracy levels, tailored to specific needs such as structural analysis or display, are more critical than high precision alone. Using the Summer Palace in Beijing as a case study, the research demonstrates how digital recording practices—including Close Range Photogrammetry and 3D Laser Scanning—can support heritage conservation when aligned with clear objectives. The findings underscore that technology should serve as a means to an end, not the primary goal, in heritage preservation efforts.

Recovery of ancient bioclimatic strategies for energy retrofit in historical buildings: the case of the Infants’ Tower in the Alhambra

Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada — 2017 — WHE9DB168E023

Medieval Muslim architects in al-Andalus employed intuitive bioclimatic strategies to mitigate extreme Mediterranean climates, with a focus on passive cooling and thermal comfort. A study on the Infants’ Tower in the Alhambra of Granada reveals that its eight mashrabiyas (lattice windows) significantly enhance indoor thermal comfort during summer through natural ventilation. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, researchers demonstrated how these ancient design elements optimize energy efficiency while preserving historical integrity. The findings highlight the potential for integrating traditional bioclimatic solutions into modern energy retrofit projects for heritage buildings.

Redeploiement Spatial et Dynamique Territoriale : le Cas de Transfert des Ateliers Artisanaux de la Medina de Fes vers de Nouvelles Zones d’Activites

Medina of Fez — 2017 — WHEFB6E36E4D6

A spatial redeployment of craft workshops from Fez's medina to new activity zones has sparked significant territorial revitalization, combining local economic, political, and social dynamics. This shift, exemplified by the brassware industry in Fez, reveals an emerging form of economic organization with far-reaching effects on training, spatial planning, and territorial dynamism. The study employs a conceptual framework rooted in 'territory' and 'territorial approach,' analyzing how diverse factors—ranging from industrial dynamics to social structures—interact to drive local development. By examining this case, the research underscores the potential for localized economic transformation through strategic spatial reorganization.

Redesigning historic cities facing rapid tourism growth

Historic Centre of Macao — 2017 — WHE1A7D52AD33

Rapid tourism growth in Macao's historic centre has exacerbated traffic congestion and pollution, particularly along narrow streets like San Ma Lou Avenue, where tall buildings trap particulate matter. This study identifies the urban design flaws contributing to these issues and proposes green solutions that could mitigate environmental impacts while preserving the area's historic integrity. Drawing on experiences from other global tourist cities, the research advocates for interventions that enhance liveability for residents and visitor experience without compromising the built environment.

Rediscovery of the hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal after three decades

Chitwan National Park — 2017 — WHED0E7FCF110

After being presumed extinct for over three decades, the critically endangered hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus) was rediscovered in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, in January 2016. This marks its first confirmed presence in the park since 1984, expanding its known range within Nepal's national parks. The discovery was documented through photographic evidence, confirming the species' survival in isolated grassland patches. The study highlights the urgent need for further research on the hare's population status and distribution across Nepal's lowland grasslands, given the rapid decline driven by anthropogenic pressures and grassland fires. This finding underscores the importance of conservation efforts to protect this rare mammal, which is found only in Nepal, India, and Bhutan.

Rediscovery of the type series of the Sacred Shrew, Sorex religiosus I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1826, with additional notes on mummified shrews of ancient Egypt (Mammalia: Soricidae)

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2017 — WHEE8C275810E

Scientists have rediscovered the type series of the Sacred Shrew, Sorex religiosus, previously believed lost since 1968. The specimens, part of Joseph Passalacqua's collection from ancient Thebes, were found in the Ägyptisches Museum, Berlin, and include 22 embalmed shrews used by Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire to describe the species in 1826. This discovery resolves taxonomic ambiguity surrounding S. religiosus, which was later reclassified as Crocidura religiosa. The study also identified an additional shrew species, Crocidura pasha, previously unrecorded from ancient Egypt, suggesting greater biodiversity in past Egyptian ecosystems. Researchers designated a lectotype to stabilize the species' taxonomic status and provided insights into ancient mummification practices.

Reducing barriers how the Jews of Djerba are using tourism to assert their place in the modern nation state of Tunisia

Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory — 2017 — WHE315900C481

The Jewish community of Djerba, Tunisia, is leveraging tourism to reassert its role within the modern nation-state while preserving the vitality of its annual pilgrimage to El Ghriba, the oldest synagogue in North Africa. This strategy addresses challenges such as population decline and political underrepresentation, as well as security concerns following a 2002 attack and the 2011 revolution. The study analyzes how tourism serves as a tool for the community to affirm its citizenship, with the pilgrimage now supported by state officials and protected by military forces, underscoring its significance to Tunisia's economic and security landscape.

Regional and long-distance exchange of an emblematic ‘prestige’ ceramic in the Indo-Iranian Borderlands. Results of Neutron Activation Analysis

Shahr-i Sokhta — 2017 — WHEB063C8DAC6

A groundbreaking analysis of Late Shahi-Tump ware, a high-quality ceramic from the Indo-Iranian Borderlands dating to ca. 3000 BC, reveals significant patterns of regional and long-distance exchange during the Early Bronze Age. Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) demonstrated that this 'prestige' ceramic, often associated with Emir Grey ware, circulated not only intraregionally in Southwestern Pakistan but also across a vast interregional sphere, indicating dynamic trade networks. The study underscores the Indo-Iranian Borderlands as a pivotal hub for ceramic production and exchange, a trend that intensified during the 3rd millennium BC. This finding provides rare insights into the social and economic relationships of Early Bronze Age communities in this region.

Regulating groundwater use: The challenges of policy implementation in Guanajuato, Central Mexico

Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines — 2017 — WHECBE81E36C9

Despite efforts by both national and state governments to regulate groundwater use through multiple mechanisms—including direct state control, groundwater markets, energy pricing, and user self-regulation—the effectiveness of these policies has been undermined in Guanajuato, Mexico. The study reveals that the close interdependencies among regulatory instruments have hindered their ability to reduce groundwater consumption, preventing progress toward sustainable exploitation levels. Researchers analyzed policy outcomes in the field, demonstrating how complex governance structures can inadvertently weaken environmental sustainability efforts.

Reintroduction of the greater stick-nest rat (Leporillus conditor) to Heirisson Prong, Shark Bay: an unsuccessful attempt to establish a mainland population

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2017 — WHEEC0C2518EC

An attempt to re-establish the greater stick-nest rat (Leporillus conditor) on the mainland of Western Australia, after over 60 years of absence, proved unsuccessful despite efforts to mitigate predation. Forty-eight rats were translocated from Salutation Island to Heirisson Prong in Shark Bay between 1999 and 2001, with a focus on creating a predator-free refuge (17 ha) within a larger controlled area (1200 ha). While the rats dispersed beyond the refuge and showed signs of reproduction—with 28 recruits detected over eight years—the population declined steadily. Predation by monitors and small birds of prey within the refuge, along with feral cats outside it, likely contributed to the failure, compounded by an irruption of other rodents that increased predator pressure. Despite better mean condition than source populations, survivorship among later cohorts and recruits was significantly lower, highlighting the challenges of reintroduction in such ecosystems.

Relaciones tróficas entre mamíferos herbívoros nativos y exóticos del Parque Provincial Ischigualasto (San Juan, Argentina)

Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks — 2017 — WHE6CFE3C625A

Research in Ischigualasto Provincial Park reveals that exotic herbivores exhibit broader and more consistent trophic niche breadth compared to native species, which show narrower niches, particularly during the dry season. Despite low densities of exotic species, diet overlap between natives and exotics remains stable across seasons, suggesting minimal competition for food resources. The study highlights the importance of permanent monitoring to assess potential future impacts of exotic species on native herbivore communities in this hyper-arid Monte region.

Relationship between Tourists’ Expectations and Experiences: Empirical Evidences from Visitors to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

Serengeti National Park — 2017 — WHE2EB5B41CE4

A study of 390 tourists visiting Serengeti National Park (SENAPA) found that visitors generally experienced more than they expected, except for the availability of fast internet and Wi-Fi. The research, conducted in August 2016, revealed a strong positive correlation between tourists' expectations before their trip and their actual experiences after visiting. Wildlife was identified as the primary motivation for tourism in SENAPA. The findings suggest that SENAPA management should invest in expanding tourist activities, provide more comprehensive information about park attractions through effective advertising, and improve internet connectivity to better meet visitor expectations.