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Bodh-Gaya: Ein internationales Zentrum des Buddhismus in nicht-buddhistischer Umgebung

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya — 2016 — WHEDE63C79C04

Bodh-Gaya, traditionally revered as the site of the Buddha's enlightenment, has evolved from a deserted Buddhist location to an international Buddhist center despite its non-Buddhist surroundings. Originally significant from the 3rd century BC to around 12th century AD, Bodh-Gaya was later integrated into Hindu pilgrimage routes and saw the establishment of a Saivite monastery in 1590. The 19th-century Buddhist revivalist Dharmapala reignited Buddhist presence, leading to prolonged conflicts with the Hindu mahant over temple management. Resolved in 1949 through the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, which established joint Hindu-Buddhist oversight, the site now hosts numerous Buddhist institutions. However, ongoing movements by Ambedkar Buddhists, including the radical 'All India Mahabodhi Mahavihara Liberation Action Committee,' seek full Buddhist control, with mixed success. The study highlights the complex interplay of religious politics and historical continuity in shaping Bodh-Gaya's contemporary significance.

Body and surface wave reconstruction from seismic noise correlations between arrays at Piton de la Fournaise volcano

Pitons Management Area — 2016 — WHEEA2416E9EA

Researchers successfully reconstructed body and surface waves propagating through Piton de la Fournaise volcano using ambient seismic noise correlations. By applying double beamforming techniques between three dense geophone arrays, they isolated waves traveling through the active magmatic system, including direct, reflected, and multipathing signals. This approach also revealed the impact of uneven noise source distribution on wave reflections. The study demonstrates a novel method for enhancing volcano imaging and monitoring by leveraging ambient seismic noise, offering valuable insights into subsurface structures and processes.

Bolt’s Farm Cave System dans le Cradle of Humankind (Afrique du Sud) : un exemple d’approche multidisciplinaire dans l’étude des sites à primates fossiles

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — 2016 — WHE14CEAD37BF

Bolt’s Farm Cave System (BFCS) in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind has yielded the earliest non-human primate remains, dated to the early Pliocene, providing critical insights into the region's paleodiversity. This multidisciplinary study, led by the Hope Research Unit since 2006, combines geological and paleontological techniques to analyze fossil preservation and environmental context. Key finds include BF42 (Cercopithecoides williamsi) and BF43 (Parapapio broomi), which are pivotal in paleoprimatology. Since 2011, systematic excavations have replaced prospecting, focusing on extracting microfauna from breccia using acid preparation methods to reconstruct the paleoenvironment and fossilization conditions. This approach aims to place these fossils within a precise temporal framework, enhancing our understanding of early hominid and primate evolution in the UNESCO-listed Cradle of Humankind.

Bomb‐produced radiocarbon in the western tropical Pacific Ocean: Guam coral reveals operation‐specific signals from the Pacific Proving Grounds

Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site — 2016 — WHE3489B06D23

A coral core from Guam reveals unprecedented bomb-produced radiocarbon (14C) spikes, providing operation-specific signals from nuclear tests at Bikini and Enewetak atolls. The 1954–1959 peaks, with the first rising an extraordinary ∼700‰ above pre-bomb levels, far exceed typical marine 14C patterns attributed to air-sea diffusion alone. These spikes correlate with thermonuclear tests during Operations Castle (1954), Redwing (1956), and Hardtack I (1958). The study attributes the signals to vaporized coral reef material in nuclear fireballs, neutron activation of atmospheric nitrogen, and subsequent 14CO2 absorption. High-resolution analysis and ocean current modeling confirmed the timing and origin of these anomalies.

Book Notes

Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville — 2016 — WHE651B09FF0E

A comprehensive exploration of Thomas Jefferson's personal and political life, this study highlights 56 items from the Massachusetts Historical Society's Jefferson collections, offering unprecedented insights into his vision for America. Through meticulously curated essays by leading scholars Peter S. Onuf, Andrea Wulf, and Henry Adams, the research delves into Jefferson's political ideals, revolutionary gardens, and architectural innovations. The volume features full-color reproductions of Jefferson's written artifacts, including letters, speeches, and architectural drawings, providing a nuanced understanding of his multifaceted legacy. This meticulous analysis not only contextualizes Jefferson's contributions but also sheds light on the evolution of his iconic building projects, such as Monticello and the University of Virginia.

Borobudur Temple as Buddhist Pilgrimage Destination in Indonesia: an Analysis of Factors that Affect Visit Intention

Borobudur Temple Compounds — 2016 — WHE528B52BD91

A study on Borobudur Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the world located in Central Java, Indonesia, reveals that the sacredness of the site significantly enhances visit intention among foreign tourists, particularly those who are Buddhist or have not visited before. The research, which surveyed 98 valid respondents and conducted in-depth interviews, found that while Buddhist visitors are strongly influenced by the temple's sacredness, non-Buddhist visitors are more affected by its image as a tourist destination. The study also highlights that for tourists who had previously visited Borobudur, the sacredness factor loses its influence on revisit intention, suggesting a shift in perception over time. These findings imply that Borobudur Temple holds unique appeal as both a religious and cultural pilgrimage site, warranting consideration for policies that support its role as a center of Buddhist activities.

Botanic Gardens: Changing Perceptions of Plants (Chapter 12)

Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico), Padua — 2016 — WHEF6EA5BABE6

Botanic gardens, with roots tracing back to ancient China and formalized in Europe by the 16th century, serve as vital repositories of plant collections for scientific study, education, and conservation. The Padua Botanical Garden (1545), one of the earliest European models, exemplifies this legacy, maintaining its original geometric layout for over 300 years—a design that influenced garden aesthetics across Europe. Key figures like Luca Ghini and Andrea Cesalpino pioneered plant classification and herbarium techniques, establishing foundational practices still central to botanic gardens today. These institutions reflect historical botanical advancements, from university-driven collections (e.g., Bologna, Leiden) to imperial expansions (e.g., Kew, Calcutta), while also promoting biodiversity conservation and public engagement with nature. Their enduring significance lies in their dual role as heritage sites and dynamic research hubs, bridging cultural history and scientific progress.

Brazilian coral reefs in a period of global change: A synthesis

Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves — 2016 — WHE0B210D65F3

Brazilian coral reefs exhibit unique structures and compositions distinct from global models, featuring mushroom-shaped pinnacles ('chapeirões') built by low-diversity yet endemic coral species, many of which are relic forms from the Tertiary. These reefs, distributed across four major sectors along Brazil's coast—northern, northeastern, eastern regions, and oceanic islands—are surrounded by siliciclastic sediments and include bank reefs, fringing reefs, isolated pinnacles, and an atoll. While global coral bleaching events have impacted other reefs, Brazilian reefs showed no mass mortality during the 2010 warming event. However, human activities, such as sedimentation from deforestation and effluent discharge, pose significant threats, particularly near rapidly growing urban centers and expanding tourism zones.

Breeding habitat selection of the Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius L. in Mediterranean forests

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula — 2016 — WHEE5E133925C

Southern Italy's Black Woodpecker populations are highly dependent on beech-dominated forests, unlike their northern counterparts. A study in the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park—Italy's first investigation of this species—revealed that 18.56 (± 6.19) breeding pairs were concentrated in beech-dominated woods, contrasting with other sympatric woodpecker species. Using playback surveys to detect occurrences and analyzing environmental factors like tree species and stand age, researchers found that the Black Woodpecker's habitat preferences in Mediterranean forests are narrower than those in northern Europe. This dependency on beech forests, which are threatened by climate change, underscores the vulnerability of southern populations. The study highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts to protect these critical habitats.

Britain and the Bonins: discovery, recovery and reclamation

Ogasawara Islands — 2016 — WHEF16357FE83

This study reveals that the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, though of minimal strategic importance to Britain and the United States, were actively negotiated for sovereignty between Japan and foreign powers during the 19th century. Despite their peripheral significance, diplomatic efforts involved high-level authorities from both countries, culminating in Japan's reclamation of the islands in 1876. The research highlights a novel perspective on Japan's modernization process within an international context, demonstrating that British authorities were willing to cede control as early as 1862 and expressed concern about shouldering responsibility for the islands by the mid-1870s.

Buddha’s birthplace (Lumbini, Nepal) is polluted

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha — 2016 — WHE03941A83A1

A first-of-its-kind study reveals alarming air pollution levels at Lumbini, Nepal, the UNESCO World Heritage Site revered as the birthplace of the Buddha. Measurements during April-June 2013 showed that pollutants like black carbon (BC), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) frequently exceeded WHO guidelines, posing significant health risks to residents and visitors. Peak pollution was linked to regional forest fires and meteorological conditions favoring pollutant transport. While the WRF-STEM model underestimated concentrations by a factor of 1.4–5, it successfully captured variability, providing insights into sources like biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion. The findings underscore the urgent need for long-term air quality monitoring in Lumbini to protect its cultural heritage, public health, and agro-ecosystems.

Buddhist Revival in China: Values of the Development of Mount Wutai

Mount Wutai — 2016 — WHE6E07606005

Mount Wutai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic Buddhist sacred mountain, has undergone significant development since the 1980s due to the interplay of Buddhist revivalism and politically motivated secularization. The study reveals that the Chinese government's recognition of Mount Wutai's secular values—such as tourism and economic potential—has reshaped its political environment, benefiting the local community, Buddhist community, and the Party-state. This shift contrasts with the suppression of religious groups during the Cultural Revolution and reflects a strategic approach by the CCP to leverage religion for broader societal goals.

Buffer zone use by mammals in a Cerrado protected area

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2016 — WHE947D91E4B0

A study on the Cerrado Protected Areas, specifically Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks, reveals that buffer zones are actively utilized by medium and large-sized mammals, including those of conservation concern. The research, conducted using camera traps from April to September 2013, modeled occupancy probabilities for five key species, finding that while some, like Myrmecophaga tridactyla (giant anteater) and Leopardus pardalis (ocelot), showed higher occupancy in the interior, others, such as Chrysocyon brachyurus (maned wolf), preferred the buffer zone. Puma concolor (puma) exhibited similar use across both areas. Despite overlapping confidence intervals suggesting weak differences, the study underscores that buffer zones are crucial for wildlife conservation, particularly when enforcement is lacking. The research also recorded 31 mammal species, with no significant difference in richness between interior and buffer zones, highlighting the importance of effective management strategies to mitigate external threats.

Building a Plant DNA Barcode Reference Library for a Diverse Tropical Flora: An Example from Queensland, Australia

Wet Tropics of Queensland — 2016 — WHECC11B3051A

A comprehensive DNA barcode reference library for tropical plants in Queensland, Australia, provides preliminary evidence that such libraries can infer biogeographic patterns at regional scales. The study compiled 1572 DNA barcode sequences from 848 species, representing 35% of the Wet Tropics Bioregion's flora and covering significant proportions of tree and shrub species. Researchers analyzed molecular variation across recognized biogeographic barriers using loci rbcLa, matK, and the trnH-psbA intergenic spacer region, offering insights into regional biodiversity patterns. This dataset is poised to support taxonomic, ecological, and conservation research, particularly in diverse tropical ecosystems.

Building a Sacred Mountain: The Buddhist Architecture of China's Mount Wutai

Mount Wutai — 2016 — WHED40BC896F2

Mount Wutai, once an obscure mountain range in pre-Buddhist China, transformed into a revered Buddhist sacred site during the medieval period. This study highlights its architectural evolution, emphasizing how Mount Wutai became a symbol of spiritual significance and cultural heritage. The research traces the development of its Buddhist structures, providing insights into their design, construction, and symbolic meanings. By analyzing historical records and architectural features, the study offers a comprehensive understanding of Mount Wutai's role in shaping Chinese Buddhist tradition.

Building Heritage In The Alto Douro Wine Region, Portugal – Tabique Wall Nails Characterization

Alto Douro Wine Region — 2016 — WHED1C3FDCAD2

A first-of-its-kind characterization of tabique wall nails in the Alto Douro Wine Region reveals significant dimensional variability, with iron as the predominant material. The study highlights that existing nails should be replaced during conservation efforts due to their deteriorating condition, and provides guidelines for rehabilitation and rust prevention. This research addresses critical gaps in knowledge about vernacular construction techniques, offering actionable insights for preserving this UNESCO World Heritage Site's building heritage.

Building Memory

ESMA Museum and Site of Memory – Former Clandestine Centre of Detention, Torture and Extermination — 2016 — WHE2EEF9B898D

Spaces of memory and museums, such as the ESMA Museum and Site of Memory in Argentina, serve as powerful tools to challenge historical silence and impunity surrounding state-sponsored violence. These sites reframe narratives through a politics of truth, countering the lack of documentary evidence left by U.S.-backed Latin American military dictatorships in the 1970s and 1980s. The dynamic process of memory-building is shaped by ongoing political debates, social movements, and justice policies, reflecting a multifaceted approach to confronting past atrocities.

Business & economics

White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal — 2016 — WHE5C5D8EEE67

Vladimir and Suzdal, the main tourist centers of the Vladimir region, are renowned for their well-preserved 12th-century white stone architecture, including landmarks like the Golden Gate, Assumption Cathedral, and St. Dmitry Cathedral. These monuments, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal,' serve as significant cultural and economic assets. The study examines their role in tourism, highlighting their historical value and contribution to regional business and hospitality sectors.

C.G. Jung and the indigenous psyche: two encounters

Taos Pueblo — 2016 — WHE720EC5F0C7

A critical analysis reveals that Carl Jung's encounter with Antonio Mirabal at Taos Pueblo was not a straightforward meeting with a 'primitive' leader but rather a staged interaction orchestrated by influential figures like Mabel Dodge Lujan, D.H. Lawrence, and Jaime de Angulo. Archival records and news accounts from the 1920s show that Mirabal, far from being an 'Indian chief,' was a sophisticated Native American impresario who later engaged with U.S. presidents. The study debunks Jung's misinterpretations, including his incorrect spelling of Mirabal's Tiwa name, Ochwiay Biano, and highlights the colonialist underpinnings in Jung's relationship with indigenous peoples, which have persisted in subsequent Jungian-indigenous encounters.

Calakmul como refugio de Swietenia macrophylla King ante el cambio climático

Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche — 2016 — WHECCEE7C32E0

By 2030, climate change will shrink the suitable habitat of Swietenia macrophylla—a prized hardwood known as ‘green gold’—by 60 % across the Yucatán Peninsula and neighboring countries. The only major refuge left is Calakmul’s Biosphere Reserve, where seed collection and ex-situ planting can help re-acclimate populations to future conditions. Researchers combined field records with MaxEnt species-distribution modeling under a mid-range greenhouse-gas scenario (RCP 6.0), projecting dramatic range contraction in Quintana Roo while identifying Calakmul as the last stronghold for conservation.