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Urban Transport Vibrations and Cultural Heritage Sites in Rome: the Cases of the Temple of Minerva Medica and of the Catacomb of Priscilla

Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura — 2017 — WHE7AD42CA990

Traffic vibrations from modern transport systems pose a significant threat to the aesthetic integrity of cultural heritage sites, even when structural damage is absent. A study on Rome's Temple of Minerva Medica and Catacomb of Priscilla revealed that ambient vibration monitoring produced markedly different outcomes for these two monuments, despite their exposure to similar traffic sources. The research, part of the CO.B.RA project, employed non-destructive tests (NDTs) and noncontact investigations to assess damage and structural conditions. Findings highlight the need for tailored sustainability measures for tramways, railways, and road traffic near diverse archaeological assets, emphasizing the importance of objective data in preserving cultural heritage.

Urbicide and the destruction of “bridge-ness” in Mostar

Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar — 2017 — WHE1152FACC88

The destruction of the Mostar Bridge, a UNESCO-listed Ottoman architectural masterpiece and symbol of Bosnian cultural heritage, exemplifies 'urbicide'—the deliberate targeting of monumental structures to erase historical identity. The bridge's significance extended beyond its functional role in trade; it embodied Ottoman colonial influence, religious pluralism, and Bosnian-Islamic urban fabric. As a global tourist icon, its demolition disrupted not only physical infrastructure but also the cultural narrative of Mostar. The study analyzes this destruction through the lens of conservationist Amir Pašić's observations, highlighting how monumental architecture serves as both a tool for colonial control and a marker of cultural resilience.

Usages et conservation des communs en contexte de changement climatique dans le delta du Saloum au Sénégal

Saloum Delta — 2017 — WHEF1810C77FD

Successful management of shared resources in the Saloum Delta, Senegal, demonstrates resilience against climate change through collaborative governance. This doctoral research reveals that community-led and mixed-stakeholder organizations—combining local actors, government, and NGOs—facilitate sustainable conservation of fisheries and forestry via negotiated social transactions. The 'connexity socio-institutionnelle' framework, an adaptive strategy rooted in the Niominka community’s history, enables collective action to mitigate climate vulnerabilities while sustaining biodiversity-rich delta ecosystems. Qualitative ethnographic methods, including documentary reviews, observations, and interviews, uncovered diverse discursive and factual materials, analyzed through dimensions of organization, interaction, intentionality, historicity, space, and prospective adaptation. The study underscores the critical role of inter/transdisciplinary approaches in environmental sciences to bridge psychosociological insights with ecological realities.

Use of Household Survey Data as a Tool to Assess the Carbon Footprint of Rural Tourist Accommodation and Related Services in China: A Case Study of Mount Qingcheng

Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System — 2017 — WHE8B67791A48

A detailed analysis of carbon emissions from rural tourist accommodation and services at Mount Qingcheng reveals that emissions amount to 30.27 kg CO₂ per person per day, with indirect sources accounting for 74.99% of the total. The study highlights that previous underestimations stemmed from omitting emissions from construction and durable goods production, which contribute significantly (13.08% and 21.58%, respectively). Emissions increase by 1412.08 kg CO₂ for every additional 10,000 yuan in revenue, positioning the tourism industry's carbon footprint between agriculture and processing/manufacturing sectors. The research underscores the importance of tourist consumption behaviors, operational strategies, and infrastructure longevity in shaping emissions, suggesting targeted interventions like behavioral guidance and portfolio optimization to mitigate environmental impact.

Use of multivariate control charts to assess the status of reef fish assemblages in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Papahānaumokuākea — 2017 — WHE1E5D4C99BD

A novel application of multivariate control charts reveals that reef fish assemblages in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), part of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, have remained largely stable over time. However, notable exceptions were detected in 2012 and 2015 at sites in the south region (Nihoa, Mokumanamana, and French Frigate Shoals), where changes in native species abundances exceeded statistical thresholds. These shifts may be linked to low survey site density and limited coral cover, particularly in 2015. The study demonstrates that multivariate control charts, leveraging bootstrapping techniques on species composition data, can effectively monitor large protected areas for ecological disturbances. Future monitoring should incorporate habitat or environmental variables to investigate potential causes when alarms are triggered.

Use of Structural Steel Frames for Structural Restoration of URM Historical Buildings in Seismic Areas

Historic Areas of Istanbul — 2017 — WHE68FD7294B9

Structural steel frames offer a promising solution for enhancing the seismic performance of unreinforced masonry (URM) historical buildings, particularly in earthquake-prone regions like Istanbul. This study demonstrates that attaching internal steel frames to URM walls significantly reduces inter-story drifts and increases lateral stiffness and strength, even in buildings with plan irregularities. The technique preserves the building's historic fabric, avoids architectural space occupation, and allows for easy replacement post-earthquake if minor damage occurs. Applied to a five-story historical masonry building in Istanbul, the proposed method effectively mitigates seismic risks while maintaining structural integrity and cultural heritage.

Using a Graphic Model to Explore the Range of Cross-Cultural Interaction in Ancient Borderlands

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2017 — WHE3FBCAD78BE

A graphic model has been developed to represent the complex range of cross-cultural interactions in ancient borderlands, addressing challenges faced by archaeologists studying peripheral regions influenced by expansive states or colonial powers. This model captures multiple simultaneous levels of interaction, integrating indigenous perspectives with colonial aspirations. Its utility is demonstrated through research on the early Middle Horizon (ca. A.D. 550–800) in the Moquegua Valley, Peru, a borderland between the Wari and Tiwanaku States, offering new insights into cultural contact dynamics in such settings.

Using automated acoustic monitoring to detect elevational migration in the avian community of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia

Gondwana Rainforests of Australia — 2017 — WHE05CDD40A44

Automated acoustic monitoring revealed seasonal elevational migration among resident bird species in Australia's Gondwana Rainforests, marking the first comprehensive avian biodiversity survey in the region. This study demonstrated that affordable bioacoustic recorders could efficiently collect large-scale, long-term data on species distributions, migratory patterns, and breeding behaviors—previously challenging to obtain. By analyzing 14 months of continuous recordings along two elevational gradients in northern New South Wales, researchers identified key insights into avian ecology, including the arrival and departure times of migratory species and the reproductive activity of cryptic species. These findings provide critical baseline data for understanding climate change impacts on rainforest avifauna and guiding conservation strategies.

Using eDNA to detect the distribution and density of invasive crayfish in the Honghe-Hani rice terrace World Heritage site

Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces — 2017 — WHEBDF9520308

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis emerges as a highly sensitive tool for detecting invasive crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Honghe-Hani rice terraces, offering potential to revolutionize pest management strategies. The study found that eDNA sampling from paddy water could reliably detect even low-density crayfish populations—outperforming traditional bottle traps—which missed 32% of infested paddies. Real-time qPCR analysis confirmed the presence of crayfish in all observed cases (100% accuracy) and none in uninfested ones, with eDNA concentrations correlating positively with crayfish counts. While not perfect (one false negative), repeated eDNA sampling proved feasible for tracking invasion fronts and monitoring geographic spread, addressing critical gaps in current farmer-led pesticide applications. This approach could enhance regional control efforts by enabling early detection of small, cryptic populations before they cause structural damage to terraces or rice yields.

Using laser scanner technology to analyse mud-brick architecture in the ancient Near East: the Palatial Complex of Arslantepe (Malatya, Turkey)

Arslantepe Mound — 2017 — WHE831C336559

Laser scanning technology has proven highly effective in analyzing the complex, ever-changing structures of mud-brick architecture at Arslantepe Mound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate in eastern Turkey. This study demonstrates that laser scanning can provide extremely accurate measurements and structural monitoring over time, addressing the challenges posed by the irregular designs typical of such ancient buildings. The research, conducted on the Palatial Complex dating back to the 4th millennium BCE, offers valuable insights into the architectural evolution and condition assessment of these monumental structures, aiding in their preservation and interpretation.

Utilising aversive conditioning to manage the behaviour of K’gari (Fraser Island) dingoes (Canis dingo)

K’gari (Fraser Island) — 2017 — WHE74CE99AB14

Aversive conditioning shows promise as a non-lethal alternative to lethal control for managing aggressive dingo behavior on K’gari (Fraser Island), reducing risks to human safety. The study reviews eight experimental approaches, including electric fencing, chemical repellents, and fear-evoking stimuli, with some—like exclusion fencing and personal protection tools—offering effective mitigation. However, methods such as conditioned taste aversion are deemed ineffective. While not a universal solution, aversive conditioning provides a viable gap-filling strategy in dingo management.

Utilization of Aerial Photograph for Spasial Data Using Quadcopter (Ijo Temple Complex, District Prambanan, Yogyakarta)

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2017 — WHEC84C74DFFF

Aerial photography using quadcopters achieves high accuracy in capturing spatial data for cultural heritage sites, with orthophoto maps of the Ijo Temple Complex (Prambanan, Indonesia) demonstrating 99.73% horizontal and 98.62% vertical accuracy at a scale of 1:1,400. This method, employing Bundle Block Adjustment to process images into mosaic form, offers efficient, cost-effective documentation for small areas with detailed resolution (1.64 cm). The study highlights the potential of UAVs in heritage conservation, providing rapid data acquisition that surpasses traditional methods while maintaining precision.

Utilization of Bantak and Merapi Volcanic Ash for Porous Paving Block as Drainage Control in the Prambanan Temple Yard

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2017 — WHE84C7DCDF48

A novel solution for drainage control at the Prambanan Temple Compounds involves the use of porous paving blocks made from volcanic materials, specifically bantak and Merapi volcanic ash. These blocks, with an optimal mixture containing 30% volcanic ash, demonstrate superior permeability compared to traditional paving blocks and soil, with a coefficient of 1.93 cm/s—8 times faster than normal blocks and 18 times faster than the temple's current soil. This innovation effectively eliminates ponding during rainfall, reducing runoff levels by up to 81.6% and preventing water accumulation entirely due to their permeability exceeding local rainfall intensity (1.5×10⁻³ cm/s). Additionally, these blocks exhibit a strength capacity of 6.05 MPa, supporting forklift loads up to 9 tons, ensuring durability in high-traffic areas.

Validating the Use of Graphical Thrust Line Analysis for Pier Buttresses: The Case Study of Amiens Cathedral

Amiens Cathedral — 2017 — WHE4111CAF2FC

Graphical thrust line analysis emerges as the most appropriate method for studying pier buttresses in historic masonry structures, such as Amiens Cathedral, challenging the widespread misuse of continuous modeling techniques like photoelasticity and finite element methods. This study demonstrates that discontinuous approaches—specifically discrete element methods and graphical thrust line analysis—more accurately reflect the physical behavior of unreinforced masonry, resolving longstanding debates about structural stability, including the placement of pinnacles. By comparing results from two prior continuous models with new discontinuous analyses, the research validates graphical thrust line analysis as a reliable tool for assessing historic structures while questioning the validity of continuous methods in such contexts.

Validation of the Calakmul–Laguna de Terminos corridor for jaguarsPanthera oncain south-eastern Mexico

Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche — 2017 — WHEFC31AFD75D

Research confirms the Calakmul–Laguna de Terminos corridor as a critical pathway for jaguar movement in southeastern Mexico, validating its role in maintaining connectivity between two key conservation units. Using camera traps across four sections of the corridor from 2012 to 2014, scientists captured 106 jaguar images, including resident individuals and females, in three sections. While no single jaguar was recorded moving between sections, the presence of multiple residents suggests the corridor facilitates population stability. The study recommends integrating portions of this corridor into existing conservation units to strengthen regional strategies. However, further research is needed to document long-distance movement among sections to fully confirm its functionality.

Valorización inmobiliaria reciente en la Quebrada de Humahuaca. El caso de la localidad de Tilcara, Provincia de Jujuy, Argentina

Quebrada de Humahuaca — 2017 — WHEE4B84AFCC7

A significant surge in real estate values in Tilcara, Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, has been driven by the rapid growth of tourism over the past decade. This study identifies how tourism expansion has not only inflated property prices but also reshaped land use and urban habitat conditions, deepening socio-spatial segregation within the town. Researchers analyzed land prices and usage patterns through surveys and data collection, revealing substantial transformations in the area's landscape and social dynamics.

Van Vrije Gemeente tot Paradiso 125 jaar podium voor cultuur, maatschappij en muziek in Amsterdam

Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht — 2017 — WHEBEB09CD82F

A key insight from this study is the identification of the former Vrije Gemeente building, now Paradiso, as a pivotal urban artifact in Amsterdam's Singelgracht area. Its strategic location and architectural transformations reflect significant shifts in cultural, social, and musical landscapes over 125 years. The research employs a chronological approach to analyze the building's evolution, focusing on its role as a transitional element between major urban structures like Leidseplein and Weteringschans, while also examining its adaptive changes to serve as a modern pop venue. This study highlights how architectural adaptations and urban planning intersect with cultural identity, offering a nuanced perspective on Amsterdam's heritage.

Varga, Bálint The Monumental Nation: Magyar Nationalism and Symbolic Politics in Fin-de-siècle Hungary (review)

Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment — 2017 — WHE4F70DA2C0F

Bálint Varga's 'The Monumental Nation' reveals how late 19th-century Hungarian nationalism sought to assert Magyar dominance through monumental statues across the kingdom, symbolizing the Árpád conquest and state doctrine. The study highlights the multi-ethnic tensions in Habsburg Hungary, where monuments like those at Pannonhalma Benedictine Abbey and Munkács Castle were strategically placed to reinforce nationalist narratives while facing competing local interpretations. Varga's analysis, based on multilingual sources, demonstrates that national integration efforts were most effective in monoglot Hungarian regions, offering a nuanced view of symbolic politics during the fin-de-siècle period.

Variability in the trade wind regime and wet season of Northeastern Queensland

Wet Tropics of Queensland — 2017 — WHEFABD328B81

A significant shift in trade wind direction from southeast to east has been identified along the northeastern Queensland coast, with increasing trends in trade wind inversion (TWI) frequency and modest increases in inversion base height, particularly in subtropical regions. This variability is closely linked to the subtropical ridge (STR), influencing rainfall patterns during the wet season (November–March). While the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) strongly affects intraseasonal rainfall variability across most regions except the northern Queensland region (NQL), NQL exhibits a notable relationship between warm rain precipitation features and MJO phases. Interannual rainfall variability is primarily driven by El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), with stronger associations observed during the wet season. The study also reveals that trade winds dominate daily rainfall in the Wet Tropics, contributing nearly half of total rainfall annually and approximately 40% during the wet season. No significant trends were found in the frequency of rainfall clusters.

Variation of Morphometric Traits within Populations of Ground Beetles Anthia Sexmaculata (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Located in Different Ecogeographical Regions in Egypt

Saint Catherine Area — 2017 — WHE46CD2D166D

A study on the ground beetle Anthia sexmaculata in Egypt reveals distinct morphometric differences among populations across three ecogeographical regions: the Western Mediterranean Coastal Desert (WMCD), the Western Desert, and South Sinai. Using multivariate analysis, including cluster and discriminant analysis, researchers identified 21 key morphometric traits that clearly differentiate these populations, with the first two discriminant axes accounting for 99.9% of the variation. Notably, the South Sinai population exhibits unique morphological characteristics compared to other Egyptian populations, suggesting significant regional adaptation or speciation. The study employed an eyepiece micrometer for precise measurements and utilized multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) to quantify these differences, providing insights into the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of this carabid beetle species.