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Integrated Helicopter ZTEM-gravity-magnetic System Results over the Vredefort Dome Structure, South Africa

Vredefort Dome — 2016 — WHECA5E50FBE0

A groundbreaking integrated helicopter-borne geophysical survey over the UNESCO-listed Vredefort Dome in South Africa successfully demonstrated that high-quality gravity measurements can be simultaneously acquired with ZTEM (Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetics) and magnetics, offering a deep-penetrating, multi-parameter mapping tool. The 2016 survey covered 650 km² with nine flight lines, totaling 640 km, using an on-board gravimeter and towed-bird ZTEM system with a caesium magnetometer. Results from 2D and 3D inversions correlated well with existing geophysical data and geological knowledge, validating the approach's potential for mineral exploration and structural mapping. This study marks a significant advancement in multi-parameter geophysical surveying techniques.

Integration of Cretaceous Morro do Chaves rock properties (NE Brazil) with the Holocene Hamelin Coquina architecture (Shark Bay, Western Australia) to model effective permeability

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2016 — WHE62578425F5

Effective permeability in coquina reservoirs, critical for pre-salt exploration in Brazil and Angola, is best estimated by integrating outcrop data with modern analogues. This study combines porosity and permeability measurements from a Cretaceous coquina bed in NE Brazil with the Holocene Hamelin Coquina architecture at Shark Bay, Western Australia, to model reservoir behavior. The research reveals that effective permeability lies between geometrical and harmonic averages of plug data, with moderate flow anisotropy favoring alignment along beach ridges. This approach improves reservoir characterization by leveraging both ancient outcrops and modern environments, offering a novel method for predicting fluid flow in coquina reservoirs.

Integration of Decorative Iron with Architecture for Modern Art

Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta (Brussels) — 2016 — WHEE0D27EAB10

A key insight from this study is that decorative ironwork, when integrated with modern architecture using Art Nouveau principles, achieves high aesthetic value while remaining economically viable and applicable across social classes. The research focuses on Victor Horta's innovative use of iron in structures like the Hotel Tassel (1892–1893), demonstrating how this material could bridge technological advancement and artistic expression. By analyzing design foundations—such as stairs, balconies, and doors—the study proposes a curriculum to teach these techniques, emphasizing natural inspiration and functional luxury. It also highlights Hector Guimard's contributions, including the Paris Metro entrances (1899–1904), as exemplars of Art Nouveau’s enduring influence. The approach combines historical analysis with practical design methodology to advance both education and architectural innovation.

Interacting effects of forest edge, tree diversity and forest stratum on the diversity of plants and arthropods in Germany’s largest deciduous forest

Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe — 2016 — WHE0E615AC4BB

A groundbreaking study reveals that increasing tree diversity in forests can mitigate the negative impacts of forest fragmentation on plant and arthropod species richness, particularly in herb layers. Conducted in Germany's largest deciduous forest, the Hainich National Park, the research found that high tree diversity buffers edge effects, allowing forest specialist species to thrive even near edges, unlike in low-diversity beech-dominated stands where specialist species decline sharply with distance from the edge. Additionally, habitat generalist arthropods, especially smaller species, benefit from increased tree diversity, while forest specialists remain largely unaffected. The study also highlights the importance of considering forest strata, as edge effects are weaker in the canopy compared to the understory, and tree diversity has stronger, more direct impacts on beetle richness in the canopy. These findings suggest that diversifying deciduous tree species could help preserve regional biodiversity, though some forest species may still depend on old-growth pure beech forests, which are protected within UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Interactions of social, terrestrial, and marine sub-systems in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Galápagos Islands — 2016 — WHE7852049648

The Galápagos Islands face growing tensions between conservation and economic development, particularly due to tourism pressures that threaten unique species, terrestrial landscapes, and marine environments. This study uses dynamic systems models and agent-based models to analyze human-environment interactions, rooted in complexity theory. It identifies key relationships and processes linking social and ecological systems, revealing how political policies shape human responses—often with detrimental effects on sustainability. The research formalizes knowledge of coupled human-natural systems through statistical and theoretical functions, offering practical insights for policymaking.

Interactive Projection Mapping: Proyecto Patrimonio ANGLO

Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape — 2016 — WHEA313C06EFA

Interactive projection mapping offers a novel way to enrich the experience of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as demonstrated by its application to Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape. This technique combines digital fabrication, videomapping, and immersive environments to create an engaging and educational exploration of heritage. By developing a representative model of the site, researchers showcased how projection mapping can integrate images, information, and interactive elements to make cultural experiences more attractive and informative. The approach highlights the potential for this method to bridge gaps between technology and heritage preservation, providing both academic and public audiences with a deeper understanding of historical landscapes.

Interactive Virtual Archaeology: Constructing the Prehistoric Past at Avebury Henge

Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites — 2016 — WHECE8D76F279

A groundbreaking project has successfully addressed the limitations of traditional virtual reconstructions by creating an interactive, immersive digital environment for Avebury Henge, one of Europe's largest Neolithic stone circles and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike previous simulations, this reconstruction enables real-time user interaction with both the virtual landscape and other users, providing unprecedented personal presence in a prehistoric setting circa 2300 BCE. The study evaluates the construction phase, demonstrating how advanced virtual world technology can enhance archaeological research by bridging the gap between digital models and human experience.

International Criminal Justice Rendered Concerning the Attack Against Timbuktu Mausoleums and Mosque: Focus on Religion-Related Considerations

Timbuktu — 2016 — WHE225A19B10B

The first International Criminal Court (ICC) judgment for attacking protected religious and historical sites was delivered in 2016, convicting Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi of war crimes related to the destruction of ten Timbuktu mausoleums and a mosque during Mali's armed conflict. The case, involving an Ansar Dine (AQIM-affiliated) attack between June and July 2012, marked a landmark in international law for its focus on religion-related considerations. Al-Mahdi was sentenced to nine years imprisonment, with the study analyzing legal elements of the war crime, sentencing criteria, and the religious-historic significance of the sites. The reconstruction of these UNESCO-listed structures concluded in mid-2015.

Interpreting Medieval Architecture through Renovations: The Roof of the Old Basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura in Rome

Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura — 2016 — WHEA9269CBD83

A dramatic fire in 1823 destroyed the roof of the Basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura, Rome's oldest standing basilica, marking the final chapter in a series of 21 recorded restorations spanning from the fifth to nineteenth centuries. This study reveals that these renovations, often driven by structural failures or accidents like the carpenter's neglected candle, offer valuable insights into medieval architectural practices and historical preservation efforts. By analyzing the sequence of roof reconstructions, researchers can reconstruct the basilica's evolution, uncovering details about materials, techniques, and the challenges faced during each restoration phase.

Interrogating the ‘universal’ in St. Lucia’s Pitons Management Area

Pitons Management Area — 2016 — WHE08378A616A

St. Lucia’s Pitons Management Area (PMA), inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, serves as a 'zone of contestation' where debates over national sovereignty, cultural and natural heritage, and economic development intersect. The study highlights that the PMA's universal significance is not universally accepted, with conflicts resurfacing due to intensified resort development in the Soufrière region. These tensions reflect broader patterns seen in World Heritage contexts, where local and global actors engage in contested mediation over history, culture, and economic strategies. The research approach involves analyzing these debates, drawing on theoretical frameworks that emphasize the socially and historically situated nature of such contestations.

Interspecific association in ungulates of the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Bale Mountains National Park — 2016 — WHEEC5E144427

A study on the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, reveals that ungulates form interspecific associations at frequencies significantly different from expected, with each species showing preferences for certain partners. The research found 444 instances of such associations among five species—bohor reedbuck, common warthog, grey duiker, Menelik's bushbuck, and mountain nyala—accounting for 26.8% of the total 1657 groups observed in forest patches and open grasslands between 2009 and 2011. These associations likely serve antipredator or mutual grazing purposes, benefiting one or all species involved. Notably, group sizes increased for bohor reedbuck and mountain nyala when in interspecific associations, with larger mean group sizes also observed in open habitats compared to forests.

Intrareef variations in Li/Mg and Sr/Ca sea surface temperature proxies in the Caribbean reef‐building coral Siderastrea siderea

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System — 2016 — WHE4BF129D52B

A new study reveals that sea surface temperature (SST) reconstructions using coral skeletal proxies can vary significantly within the same reef system, with forereef corals providing more reliable and precise SST records than backreef corals. Researchers analyzed Sr/Ca and Li/Mg ratios in the Caribbean coral Siderastrea siderea from the Belize Barrier Reef, finding that these proxies are highly sensitive to temperature changes in the forereef but less so in the backreef due to additional influencing factors. The study demonstrates that combining both proxies improves SST reconstruction accuracy, though site-specific calibrations remain essential for reliable paleoclimate reconstructions.

Intraspecific Karyotypic Polymorphism and Cytogeography of Lysimachia mauritiana (Primulaceae) on Several Islands in the Okinawa and the Daito Groups of the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2016 — WHE3DA3D0055B

Lysimachia mauritiana, a coastal biennial herb, exhibits remarkable karyotypic diversity within the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan. Across 10 islands, including Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, and Iriomote Island, researchers identified five distinct chromosome numbers (2n=16, 17, 18, 19, 20) and 13 cytotypes. Notably, Okinawajima Island showed intra- and inter-populational polymorphism in northern and western areas facing the East China Sea, while southern, eastern, and northeastern regions facing the Pacific Ocean exhibited a single cytotype per locality. Additionally, the study documented the presence of a previously unknown cytotype (20 (4m) TS), likely originating from currents in southern Taiwan or the Philippines, marking its first recorded occurrence in Japan.

Intraspecific variability in diet and implied foraging ranges of whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Ningaloo Coast — 2016 — WHE37A6801C92

Whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef exhibit significant intraspecific variability in diet, suggesting they forage over wide and deep-ranging habitats. Using signature fatty acid (FA) analysis of subdermal tissue, researchers identified distinct dietary groups among whale sharks, indicating differences in feeding habitats rather than sex or size-class. This method revealed that whale sharks likely feed on prey from meso- and bathypelagic sources, including deeper waters beyond accessible sampling depths. The study also found year-to-year variations in dietary patterns, potentially linked to changes in primary and secondary producers. These findings imply that whale sharks inhabit patchy tropical and open ocean environments, requiring extensive foraging ranges to meet their dietary needs.

Intraspecific variability in diet and implied foraging ranges of whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, from signature fatty acid analysis

Ningaloo Coast — 2016 — WHE181E7B59C6

Whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef exhibit significant intraspecific variability in diet and foraging ranges, as revealed by signature fatty acid analysis of their sub-dermal tissue. The study identified four to five distinct groups based on fatty acid profiles, suggesting diverse feeding habitats used by these animals, independent of sex or size. Temporal changes in dietary patterns were also observed, likely due to shifts in primary and secondary producers. The research demonstrates that whale sharks feed across a wide range of habitats, including deep waters, and that signature fatty acids can effectively trace broad trophic pathways and spatial-temporal dietary changes in these large, wide-ranging species.

Introduction. Nicolaus of Damascus: The Life of Augustus and the Autobiography

Ancient City of Damascus — 2016 — WHE7933C378A6

A rare glimpse into the life and career of Nicolaus of Damascus, a first-century BCE scholar from Damascus, reveals his elite lineage, education, and significant role at the court of Herod the Great. Through excerpts from his autobiography and Josephus' accounts, researchers have uncovered insights into Nicolaus' relationships with key historical figures like Herod and Augustus, as well as his nuanced perspectives on political assassinations and power dynamics during this pivotal period. This study provides one of the earliest pieces of evidence for the social and cultural character of Damascus, offering a unique window into its intellectual milieu.

Introduction. Roots and Branches of the Tree of Liberty

Colonial City of Santo Domingo — 2016 — WHE27A5CF0DA0

A pivotal moment in the history of Santo Domingo, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is illuminated through the symbolic destruction of the Tree of Liberty in 1864. This event marked the collapse of Dominican-Haitian unification and the reimposition of colonial rule, revealing the fragility of anticolonial struggles on Hispaniola. The study employs historical analysis to trace the tree's significance as a symbol of emancipation and independence, contrasting its celebratory origins under Jean-Pierre Boyer's administration with its violent demise amid political upheaval. By examining primary sources and poetic responses, it underscores the enduring impact of colonial power dynamics on Caribbean identity.

Inversion of coeval shear and normal stress of Piton de la Fournaise flank displacement

Pitons Management Area — 2016 — WHEA20465A157

A new method to invert quadrangular curved sources under simultaneous pressure and shear stress changes reveals that the posteruptive eastern flank displacement of Piton de la Fournaise is likely due to compaction and slow slip on a shallow detachment fault. This finding challenges the traditional view that flank displacement is solely induced by fault slip, suggesting instead that it may be linked to lithological discontinuities or sheared sills. The study analyzed data from six Envisat orbits over 14 months post-April 2007 eruption, identifying a large (5 km by 8 km) and shallow (500 m) trapezoidal fracture parallel to the flank. It also ruled out thermal contraction or degassing of a coeruptive sill as the primary cause, given the implausible dimensions and solidification time required.

Investigating patterns of tiger and prey poaching in the Bangladesh Sundarbans: Implications for improved management

The Sundarbans — 2016 — WHE0E389CF9AD

Recent research in the Bangladesh Sundarbans reveals alarming poaching patterns threatening tiger survival, with an estimated 6268 snare loops and six instances of Carbofuran-laced baits used to poison tigers. Poachers strategically target areas away from guard posts but near riverbanks, avoiding protected zones. This high intensity—147 snares per 100 km²—likely contributed to a decline in tiger abundance. The study recommends stricter regulation of Carbofuran and the use of remote camera traps to identify poachers. A simple yet effective method for assessing poaching threats, this approach could be replicated globally to guide conservation efforts.

Investigating the drivers of mobile learning acceptance among young adults in the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, Laos

Town of Luang Prabang — 2016 — WHE9F70246A5A

A study on mobile learning acceptance among young adults in Luang Prabang, Laos, reveals that perceived usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment directly influence their intention to adopt mobile learning for heritage site awareness. Social influence and self-efficacy indirectly impact this acceptance through perceived usefulness and ease of use, respectively. Using structural equation modeling with data from 349 higher education students, the research provides actionable insights for policy recommendations in Luang Prabang, contributing to global understanding of mobile learning adoption in least developed countries.