World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 20781 – 20800 of 30345 publications

Seasonal Variations in Heart Rate Variability as an Indicator of Stress in Free-Ranging Pregnant Przewalski's Horses (E. ferus przewalskii) within the Hortobágy National Park in Hungary

Hortobágy National Park - the Puszta — 2017 — WHE7DCE0722E8

Przewalski's horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) in Hungary's Hortobágy National Park exhibit seasonal stress patterns, as indicated by decreased heart rate variability (HRV), particularly during winter and spring. This novel finding, derived from telemetric HRV measurements, reveals that these free-ranging mammals experience heightened allostatic load—likely due to limited resources in winter and increased energy demands during pregnancy or dietary transitions in spring. Unlike traditional stress indicators like glucocorticoid levels, HRV provides a non-invasive, long-term method to study undisturbed cardiovascular responses in wildlife. The study employed implanted transmitters to continuously monitor HRV, heart rate (HR), body temperature, and activity over a year, offering insights into the physiological challenges faced by mammals in seasonal ecosystems.

Seaweed Competition: Ulva Sp. has the Potential to Produce the Betaine Lipid Diacylglyceryl-O-4'-(N,N,N,-Trimethyl) Homoserine (DGTS) in Order to Replace Phosphatidylcholine (PC) Under Phosphate-Limiting Conditions in the P-Limited Dutch Wadden Sea and Outcompete an Aggressive Non-Indigenous Gracilaria vermiculophylla Red Drift Algae Out of this Unique Unesco World Heritage Coastal Area

Wadden Sea — 2017 — WHEFAA5B08BDD

Indigenous seaweed Ulva sp. may outcompete the invasive Gracilaria vermiculophylla in phosphate-limited Wadden Sea ecosystems by synthesizing diacylglyceryl-O-4'-(N,N,N,-trimethyl) homoserine (DGTS), a betaine lipid that replaces phosphatidylcholine (PC). This adaptive strategy could help preserve biodiversity in the UNESCO-listed coastal area, where invasive algae threaten native species. The study analyzed lipid profiles under low-phosphate conditions to assess Ulva's competitive advantage over G. vermiculophylla, suggesting DGTS production as a key mechanism for survival and dominance in nutrient-poor environments.

Secrets of Quito: Discovering a city through TripAdvisor

City of Quito — 2017 — WHECE158CA063

Analysis of TripAdvisor reviews reveals that user-generated content on social networks can serve as a valuable tool for understanding urban dynamics, such as those in Quito. By combining geo-referenced and lexical data with clustering algorithms (k-means) and TF-IDF statistical analysis, researchers identified distinct patterns in how the city is described by users. These findings were compared to municipal field studies, offering insights into public perception versus official observations. The study highlights the potential of social media data for urban research, providing a novel approach to studying human behavior in cities.

Sediment transport in the presence of large reef bottom roughness

Ningaloo Coast — 2017 — WHEA1602E734E

A study at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, reveals that large bottom roughness—such as reef structures and benthic organisms—significantly alters sediment transport dynamics. Traditional models overestimate the shear stress required to suspend coarse sediments due to reduced near-bed flow in rough environments. By accounting for this roughness-induced flow reduction, researchers improved predictions of suspended grain sizes, demonstrating that ignoring these effects leads to inaccurate sediment transport estimates. The findings highlight the need to incorporate roughness impacts on both overlying flow and bed stresses in shallow coastal ecosystems, where such features are common.

Seeing Like a State

Brasilia — 2017 — WHEEC6D731662

James C. Scott's analysis reveals that large-scale authoritarian planning schemes, such as those seen in Brasilia and other global contexts, often fail due to their disregard for complex local interdependencies and practical knowledge. These plans, driven by high-modernist ideologies and state power, impose schematic visions that disrupt rather than improve human conditions. The study identifies four common conditions leading to these disasters: administrative ordering of nature and society, overconfidence in scientific progress, authoritarian interventions, and weak civil resistance. By contrasting formal epistemic knowledge with local practical knowledge, Scott argues for a more inclusive approach to development that respects the values and objections of affected communities.

Segmentation and motivation of foreign tourists in world heritage sites. A case study, Quito (Ecuador)

City of Quito — 2017 — WHE8E148E30D0

Research on foreign tourists visiting Quito, Ecuador, reveals that hedonic-gastronomic motivations significantly influence visitor satisfaction and loyalty. Three motivational dimensions—cultural, circumstantial, and hedonic-gastronomic—were identified, along with four distinct tourist segments: hedonic-gastronomic cultural tourists, hedonic-gastronomic tourists, circumstantial hedonic-gastronomic cultural tourists, and alternative tourists. The study highlights that only the hedonic-gastronomic dimension plays a critical role in shaping perceived satisfaction and loyalty among visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. This finding underscores the importance of gastronomic experiences in enhancing tourist engagement and long-term attachment to cultural destinations.

Seigneurial Power and the Development of Towns in the Holy Roman Empire

Naumburg Cathedral — 2017 — WHEA35E5C10B8

Feudal powers, including princes and ecclesiastical leaders, were pivotal in driving the urbanization of central Europe during the Middle Ages. A key example is Naumburg Cathedral, where seigneurial power closely intertwined with the merchant class to shape early town development. The study reveals that medieval town laws evolved through statutes issued by town councils, interpretations by judges, and later by Roman law-trained lawyers. This dynamic process reflected broader territorial competition among princes, dynasts, bishops, and abbots in the Holy Roman Empire, highlighting the complex interplay between political power and urban growth.

Semiarid ethnoagroforestry management: Tajos in the Sierra Gorda, Guanajuato, Mexico

Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines — 2017 — WHEAFC098FA7A

Tajos, traditional biocultural systems in Mexico's Sierra Gorda, demonstrate exceptional agrobiodiversity and subsistence value. These stone-walled terraces, adapted to semiarid conditions, support high levels of native and introduced plant species, including maize and beans, while providing nearly 70% of household subsistence needs. The study, conducted through qualitative interviews and vegetation sampling in three communities, highlights tajos as a heritage of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) that integrates pre-Columbian and Mediterranean agricultural techniques with modern practices. Their ability to create fertile soils in arid valleys underscores their potential as sustainable models for similar regions worldwide.

Sense of place: using people’s experiences in relation to a rural landscape to inform spatial planning guidelines

Vredefort Dome — 2017 — WHECAB0BCA035

A transdisciplinary, qualitative study at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vredefort Dome in South Africa revealed that residents' emotional and physical experiences with the rural landscape—such as safety, tranquility, hope, curiosity, and relational connections—can directly inform spatial planning guidelines. Participants, through interviews, focus groups, and visual collages, developed two- and three-dimensional design recommendations to preserve the site's 'sense of place,' including low-density development, conservation zones, and stylistic unity with diverse details. The research proposes an integrated, participatory approach that bridges human experiences with spatial planning, offering a novel framework for balancing heritage conservation with community needs.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free-ranging and feral cats on Amami Oshima Island, Japan

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2017 — WHE4A077197CE

A study on Amami Oshima Island, Japan, revealed that 9.0% of free-ranging and feral cats tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite harmful to wildlife. The seroprevalence was notably higher in rural areas where endangered species coexist with wild animals, suggesting increased infection risk from these cats. Researchers used a novel Gaussia luciferase immunoprecipitation system assay to analyze 1,363 cats, highlighting the potential threat to local biodiversity and emphasizing the need for effective cat management strategies to protect wildlife populations on the island.

Sex Differences and the Heritability of Scute Pattern Abnormalities in the Green Sea Turtle from the Ogasawara Archipelago, Japan

Ogasawara Islands — 2017 — WHED79A6AA1DF

A significant sex difference in scute pattern abnormalities was observed in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from the Ogasawara Archipelago, with adult females exhibiting a higher frequency of non-modal patterns compared to males. The study suggests that warmer incubation temperatures, which favor female production, may also induce these abnormalities due to overlapping developmental periods for sex and scute pattern determination. Additionally, the heritability of scute abnormalities was demonstrated, as females with non-modal patterns produced offspring with similar traits at a higher frequency than those with modal patterns. These findings imply that cooling incubation environments could reduce abnormality rates while preserving natural sex ratios, offering a potential conservation strategy.

Shaping Terrain: City Building in Latin America ed. by René Davids

Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas — 2017 — WHE806B2E6B2C

Urban design in Latin America, often perceived as a one-way influence from European models, is revealed to be a reciprocal process shaped by the region's 'violent and sublime landscapes.' The book 'Shaping Terrain: City Building in Latin America,' edited by René Davids, explores how urban morphology in cities like Mexico City, Panama, and Caracas has been influenced by both topographical factors and socioeconomic divisions. Through case studies, it demonstrates that architectural design in these cities is not isolated but deeply intertwined with physical and social geographies. The book introduces three overarching themes—buildings, terrain, and form; cities and water; and hills, infrastructure, and social order—to connect specific architectural examples to broader urban landscapes, political goals, and national identity.

Shared Landscape Model Integrating the Management of Culture and Nature: Thesis and Exegesis

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2017 — WHED597729F23

A novel landscape management model integrating Culture, Nature, and Art (CNA) has been proposed to address the ineffectiveness of current heritage management approaches. This model shifts away from the Western dualist perspective, which separates cultural and natural heritage management, towards a more holistic approach inspired by traditional Aboriginal perspectives of 'Country'. The research, conducted through case studies at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Purnululu National Park and Reserve, and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, demonstrates that integrating intangible heritage as the primary driver for policy development can enhance cross-cultural understanding and reciprocity. Additionally, the study explores negotiation processes within landscapes, providing a qualitative basis for informed management priorities through visual practices such as photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, and installation.

Sharon Rotbard, White City Black City: Architecture and War in Tel Aviv and Jaffa

White City of Tel-Aviv – the Modern Movement — 2017 — WHE48648B5519

Sharon Rotbard's 'White City Black City' reveals the intricate interplay between architecture, politics, and culture in Tel Aviv and Jaffa during the 20th century. The book highlights how these cities evolved in opposition to one another, with Tel Aviv's modernist identity emerging as Jaffa's historic character was marginalized. Through a three-part structure—'White City,' 'Black City,' and a concluding reflection—the work deftly explores the urban transformation shaped by colonialism, nationalism, and war. Rotbard's approach combines archival research with critical analysis to uncover the layers of history embedded in these UNESCO-listed sites.

Shipping in Dubrovnik between the fifteenth and seventienth centuries

Old City of Dubrovnik — 2017 — WHE4A7E4A01A7

Dubrovnik's maritime trade, a cornerstone of its political and economic power, was predominantly seaborne by the 15th century, with land-based trade accounting for only a quarter. The Ragusan Republic (later Dubrovnik) flourished through strategic investments in shipping, pioneering the world's first maritime insurance law in 1568—a century ahead of similar regulations. Its shipbuilding prowess was unmatched in the Mediterranean, ranking third globally by the 16th century after Spain and the Netherlands. The study highlights Dubrovnik's resilience against piracy (e.g., Rhodes, 1507–1509) and its extensive network across Europe, including shipyards on nearby islands like Lopud and Šipan. Historical records, such as those by Coronelli (1688) and Crescentio (1602), underscore Dubrovnik's dominance in naval craftsmanship and trade, cementing its legacy as a maritime powerhouse.

Shrub Communities, Spatial Patterns, and Shrub-Mediated Tree Mortality following Reintroduced Fire in Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Yosemite National Park — 2017 — WHEE868998D18

Reintroduced fire in Yosemite National Park significantly reduced shrub patch area, biomass, and spatial density, while increasing the mean distance between patches by 135%. The study found that fire-related tree mortality within shrub patches was marginally lower (67.6%) compared to areas without shrubs (71.8%), contrasting with findings in chaparral-dominated ecosystems where most trees are killed by fire. Researchers used extensive continuous mapping of trees and shrub patches across a 25.6-ha study site, along with new allometric equations for beaked hazel, to assess changes post-fire. The research highlights the complex role of shrubs in forest fuel load, tree mortality, and regeneration, providing critical insights into fire ecology in lower montane forests of the Sierra Nevada.

Sidewalk Accessibility at Melakas Traditional Streets for People with Disabilities (PwDs)

Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca — 2017 — WHE691164A98A

Sidewalks along Jalan Hang Jebat in Melaka, Malaysia, are largely inaccessible to people with disabilities (PwDs) due to physical barriers and design flaws. A study involving on-site access audits and simulations with actual PwDs revealed that current sidewalks fail to meet basic accessibility standards, such as those outlined in MS1184:2014. The research highlights the urgent need for improved sidewalk design, suggesting the adoption of 'shared space' concepts to enhance accessibility in historic urban areas like Melaka and George Town, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sigiriya Narratives

Ancient City of Sigiriya — 2017 — WHE030E99B032

A critical examination of local narratives challenges the historical account of Sigiriya's construction in the Mahavamsa, particularly its depiction of King Kashyapa building the ancient site within 18 years. By comparing these narratives with contemporary archaeological practices and historical writings, the study reveals discrepancies that cast doubt on established interpretations. The research employs a comparative approach, analyzing the 'Ten Kings' and 'Two Kings' chapters of the Mahavamsa alongside local texts to highlight inconsistencies in the timeline and construction feasibility. This work not only questions the reliability of traditional sources but also reflects on the broader implications for archaeological methodology.

Sigmodontine rodents (Rodentia, Cricetidae) from Quaternary cave deposits of Serra da Capivara, Northeastern Brazil

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2017 — WHEDBB8A3102B

A groundbreaking discovery in the Quaternary cave deposits of Serra da Capivara National Park, Northeastern Brazil, reveals the first record of Bibimys, a sigmodontine rodent genus, extending its paleobiogeographic range beyond its current distribution. This finding challenges existing assumptions about the historical distribution of this group. Researchers analyzed sigmodontine remains from three caves—Toca do Gordo do Garrincho, Toca do Barrigudo, and Toca do Serrote das Moendas—and identified seven taxa, including Bibimys sp., Necromys lasiurus, Pseudoryzomys simplex, Holochilus sciureus, Cerradomys sp., Calomys sp., and Wiedomys sp. The study underscores the significant paleontological potential of Serra da Capivara’s deposits in elucidating biogeographic dynamics during the Quaternary period.

Sign – symbol – decoration: the relationship of image and text in 16th –17th century Hungarian calendars

Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments — 2017 — WHEAA519624FA

Research reveals that 16th–17th century Hungarian calendars and popular works, such as penny books and manuscript song collections, exhibit complex relationships between image and text, blending late Renaissance and Baroque influences. The study highlights non-traditional figures like mermaids/sirens in the 1578 calendar (Kolozsvár-Cluj), which later appeared on 18th-century Calvinist church furniture and ceiling panels in Hungary. Additionally, it analyzes title pages from Upper Hungary calendars (e.g., Calendarium Tyrnaviense) and those by David Frölich (Wrocław, 1623–1646), demonstrating how cultural topoi and archetypes evolved across time and space. The findings underscore the dynamic interplay between visual symbolism and textual content in these works.