World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 22041 – 22060 of 30345 publications

Life Cycle and Host Specificity of the Parasitoid Conura annulifera (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), a Potential Biological Control Agent of Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae) in the Galápagos Islands

Galápagos Islands — 2016 — WHE4F18C7BF5A

Research identifies Conura annulifera as a potential biological control agent for Philornis downsi, an invasive fly threatening Darwin's finches in the Galápagos Islands. The study reveals that C. annulifera is a solitary pupal ectoparasitoid with high host specificity, successfully reproducing only when exposed to P. downsi pupae and causing developmental mortality in hosts beyond successful parasitism. Field collections from Ecuador and laboratory experiments demonstrated its narrow host range, including no progeny production on non-target dipteran, lepidopteran, or hymenopteran species. This first record of C. annulifera in Ecuador provides foundational data for evaluating its efficacy as a biocontrol agent to mitigate the ecological impact of P. downsi on vulnerable finch populations.

Light Beams And Architecture Marked Celestial Events In Colonial Churches And Missions In New Spain And Perú: New Evidence From Morelia

San Antonio Missions — 2016 — WHEADB07026ED

Research reveals that colonial churches and missions in New Spain (modern-day Mexico) and Peru incorporated architectural designs to mark celestial events, such as equinoxes and solstices, through light beams projected via windows. While similar phenomena are documented in European architecture, this study highlights their presence in the Americas for the first time outside of California missions, with new evidence from Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. The findings demonstrate that these designs were not unique to Chiapas or Lima but were also employed in other colonial towns, challenging previous assumptions about regional architectural practices. The study combines archival research and astronomical analysis to trace light alignments, offering insights into the intersection of ecclesiastical iconography and celestial symbolism during the colonial period.

Limits of Acceptable Change and Heritage Management on the Island of Mozambique

Island of Mozambique — 2016 — WHEAF8196137C

Heritage conservation often prioritizes curbing change, but this approach can overlook user needs and limit local acceptance. A study on the Island of Mozambique demonstrates that the 'Limits of Acceptable Change' (LAC) framework, when thoughtfully integrated into institutional planning, can positively influence heritage management in dynamic political, social, and environmental contexts. By embracing the potential of change, LAC enhances heritage conservation efforts while improving local engagement—a critical factor in governing urban Africa. The research highlights the importance of balancing preservation with adaptability to foster sustainable heritage management.

Linpan Community: a Framework of Protection and Development of Rural Landscape in Chengdu Plain

Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System — 2016 — WHE241983E491

Linpan, a traditional rural settlement in Sichuan, China, offers a sustainable model for balancing conservation and development of rural landscapes. This study introduces the concept of 'Linpan Community,' which integrates ecological wisdom with modern community living to address challenges like environmental pollution and cultural loss. The framework emphasizes distinctive leading industries such as agriculture and tourism to support local economies while preserving landscape characteristics. By proposing a new rural landscape planning approach that merges traditional practices with contemporary living conditions, this research provides actionable insights for safeguarding and utilizing Linpan's unique heritage. The findings highlight the potential of community-based models in mitigating urbanization pressures on rural landscapes.

Lisa Golombek. The So-Called ‘Turabeg Khanom’ Mausoleum in Kunya Urgench: Problems of Attribution

Kunya-Urgench — 2016 — WHE05C673CD16

A critical reassessment of the 'Turabeg Khanom' Mausoleum in Kunya-Urgench challenges its traditional attribution, questioning whether it predates or aligns with known Timurid architectural styles. The study, led by Lisa Golombek, a renowned expert on Timurid architecture, examines the mausoleum's exceptional tilework and mosaic quality to evaluate its historical placement. By analyzing stylistic elements and comparing them to other documented structures, the research aims to clarify the mausoleum's origins and significance within Central Asian architectural history.

Listing The Sacred Mijikenda kaya Forests as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: “The Long Journey”

Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests — 2016 — WHE2B68C4D29E

Kenya's Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests, recognized for their high biodiversity and traditional conservation, were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites following a decade-long process initiated by the Kenya State Party. The study highlights the unique role of these forests in preserving cultural identity and natural heritage, with local communities successfully protecting them from encroachment for most of the 20th century without state involvement. Legal gazettement in 1992 marked a pivotal step, leading to their inclusion on the UNESCO candidate list in 1999. The paper meticulously documents this 'long journey,' offering firsthand insights into the nomination process and the criteria that underscored their outstanding universal value.

Liverworts of Putorana Plateau (East Siberia): an updated checklist

Putorana Plateau — 2016 — WHED33D6C7E5E

A comprehensive updated checklist of liverworts from the Putorana Plateau, East Siberia, reveals 118 species, with 47 recorded for the first time. Notable discoveries include Odontoschisma francisci and Saccobasis polymorpha, which exhibit amphi-oceanic distribution patterns, along with other rare taxa like Endogemma caespiticia and Marchantia romanica. The study confirms the plateau's Hemiarctic flora while debunking 26 previously reported species that could not be re-verified. This research synthesizes recent collections with historical data to refine our understanding of this unique Arctic ecosystem.

Livestock for Sale: Animal Husbandry in a Roman Frontier Zone

Frontiers of the Roman Empire — 2016 — WHE281C6D396E

Archaeological excavations at the civitas Batavorum, a key settlement on the northwestern frontier of the Roman Empire, reveal significant insights into its economy, military importance, and domestic life. The study employs advanced archaeological techniques to uncover details about livestock trade, food supply for the Roman army, and town infrastructure, including religious and domestic buildings. This research provides the most comprehensive understanding yet of animal husbandry in a Roman frontier zone, offering valuable data on provincial rural economies during this period.

Living in extreme environments: modeling habitat suitability for jaguars, pumas, and their prey in a semiarid habitat

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2016 — WHE5DD524F4FD

In the semi-arid Caatinga biome of Brazil, water management strategies implemented since 1994 have significantly enhanced habitat suitability (HS) for jaguars, pumas, and their prey species. A study using camera traps and Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) revealed that distance to waterholes was the most critical factor influencing HS across all species examined—including 3-banded armadillos, 9-banded armadillos, collared peccaries, and gray brocket deer. The research applied an 'edge of niche' algorithm to account for the physiological constraints faced by these species in extreme environments. By combining topographic data with waterhole locations, the study demonstrated that proactive water management in Serra da Capivara National Park (SCNP) is pivotal for maintaining biodiversity in arid ecosystems.

Local Economic Benefit in Shopping and Transportation: A study on Tourists’ Expenditure in Melaka, Malaysia

Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca — 2016 — WHE5763D7B817

Tourists in Melaka, Malaysia, contribute modestly to the local economy through low expenditure on transportation and shopping. A study using Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) revealed that most tourists spent RM18.50 or less on transportation, often opting for walking, which limits economic benefits. Similarly, their spending in the shopping sector was generally below RM75, yet they supported local businesses, particularly along Jonker Street. This analysis highlights the importance of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and targeted retail strategies to maximize economic returns from tourism.

Local recruitment of humpback whales in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, Alaska, over 30 years

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2016 — WHEA7156B6046

A study tracking humpback whales over 33 years reveals that local recruitment and fidelity, rather than immigration from other regions, drive population recovery in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait (GBIS), Alaska. Using photoidentification and DNA analysis, researchers found that 73.6% of contemporary whales were either returning founders or descendants of founder mothers, with 96% of founder females represented or having descendants in the contemporary stratum. No significant genetic differences between temporal strata suggest minimal immigration from other feeding grounds, emphasizing the importance of local habitat protection for this culturally migratory species.

Location of breeding warrens as indicators of habitat use by maras (Dolichotis patagonum) in Península Valdés, Argentina

Península Valdés — 2016 — WHECC1267D8D3

Breeding warrens serve as reliable indicators of mara (Dolichotis patagonum) habitat use throughout the year, revealing that these animals concentrate their activities around these sites without relying on alternative areas. The study found a strong association between warren location and microhabitat preferences, with maras favoring patches characterized by bare soil and proximity to infrastructure elements. By analyzing fecal counts along transects emanating from warrens, researchers demonstrated that intensively used patches are small and dispersed, suggesting multipurpose use of these areas for both breeding and resource exploitation. This insight underscores the ecological significance of warrens in understanding mara spatial behavior.

Long-distance dispersal and inter-island colonization across the western Malagasy Region explain diversification in brush-warblers (Passeriformes: Nesillas )

Aldabra Atoll — 2016 — WHE262634F147

Aldabra Atoll's brush-warblers (Nesillas) reveal a complex history of long-distance dispersal and inter-island colonization across the western Indian Ocean, challenging previous assumptions about their evolutionary relationships. Phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian methods uncovered that Comoros-endemic species are paraphyletic, while Madagascar's Nesillas typica and N. lantzii are not sister taxa despite diverging around 0.9 million years ago (Mya). The genus began diversifying ~1.6 Mya, with distinct ecological niches emerging in Malagasy lineages. This pattern aligns with the taxon cycle hypothesis, suggesting repeated dispersal events shaped their diversification. Ecological niche modeling and demographic analyses further supported these findings.

Long-term aspen dynamics, trophic cascades, and climate in northern Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park — 2016 — WHEBBFAF75E46

A significant recovery of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) in northern Yellowstone National Park, driven by reduced ungulate herbivory and a re-established trophic cascade, has been documented. The study found that aspen recruitment increased over 60-fold within 25 years after exclosure construction, despite a drying climatic trend since 1940, indicating that long-term aspen decline was primarily caused by high levels of elk (Cervus elaphus) herbivory rather than climate change. Following the reintroduction of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in 1995–1996, aspen density and height surged from 1997 to 2012, coinciding with high predator-prey ratios, declining elk numbers, and decreased browsing rates. This recovery supports the hypothesis that trophic cascades play a crucial role in ecosystem dynamics.

Long-Term Monitoring of the Flooding Regime and Hydroperiod of Doñana Marshes with Landsat Time Series (1974–2014)

Doñana National Park — 2016 — WHE274719C257

Doñana National Park's marshes exhibit contrasting hydroperiod trends, with the northwestern region experiencing increased flooding duration while the southwestern area shows a steady decline. This finding emerges from a long-term analysis (1974–2014) using Landsat satellite imagery, which identified a reliable threshold in near-infrared reflectance to distinguish flooded areas with high accuracy (Kappa = 0.65). The study employed a semi-automatic classification method based on band 5 reflectance values from TM and ETM+ sensors, validated against extensive ground truth data. By retroactively applying this technique across the entire Landsat archive, researchers reconstructed historical flooding patterns, providing critical insights for hydrodynamic modeling and evaluating management interventions.

Long‐Distance Pilgrimage and the Counter Reformation in France: Sacred Journeys to the Mont Saint‐Michel 1520 to 1750

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2016 — WHE42F10A8518

Long-distance pilgrimage to Mont-Saint-Michel in northern France played a significant role during the Counter Reformation (1520–1750), serving as both a spiritual and social challenge for pilgrims seeking deeper devotional experiences. This revival of ancient pilgrimage routes contributed to the spread of reformed Catholic values across northern France, emphasizing spiritual healing and intimacy with God alongside traditional requests for physical healing or thanksgiving. The study highlights how Mont-Saint-Michel's universal cult of St Michael, tied to the struggle against heresy and increasingly linked to Christ through the Eucharist, fueled its resurgence as a pilgrimage destination. Young men, in particular, undertook these journeys to prove their Catholic identity, while the pilgrimage itself became a vehicle for disseminating Counter Reformation ideals.

Long‐term patterns in Iberian hare population dynamics in a protected area (Doñana National Park) in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula: Effects of weather conditions and plant cover

Doñana National Park — 2016 — WHEEAC6A6B824

A long-term decline in the Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) population was observed in Doñana National Park between 1995 and 2012. The study, conducted using spotlighting surveys in marshland and ecotone habitats, revealed that hare abundance varied significantly with weather conditions and plant cover. Early flooding in October, which partially submerged the marsh, positively correlated with hare abundance in both habitats, while dense grass and graminoid growth reduced hare numbers. These findings highlight the sensitivity of this endemic species to environmental changes, underscoring the need for targeted conservation strategies in protected areas.

Longstanding Design: Roman Engineering of Aqueduct Arcades

Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments — 2016 — WHEBD409A7C86

Roman aqueduct arcades, such as those at the Simian Bridge and Vallon des Arcs near Arles, demonstrate that ancient engineers relied on geometric rules of thumb for stable arch design. Retrospective analysis shows these principles could predict structural failures, explaining why some arches required later reconstruction—often shifting from stone blocks to concrete. This shift suggests Roman engineers refined their understanding of arch stability over time. The study highlights the enduring effectiveness of these geometric criteria in preserving aqueduct systems that supplied water to industrial sites like the Barbegal Mill and the city of Arles in the first century A.D.

Looking back towards the future: historical analysis of Machu Picchu planning documents as a key to site conservation

Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu — 2016 — WHEAA5C66853A

Historical analysis of planning documents for the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu reveals critical insights into tourism-related threats to World Heritage Sites (WHSs) and offers a pathway for sustainable conservation. The study highlights how past planning efforts, often influenced by tourism pressures, have shaped current challenges at Machu Picchu, including degradation of archaeological and architectural ensembles. By examining these documents, researchers demonstrate the importance of integrating historical perspectives with technical solutions to address threats such as over-tourism, environmental impact, and infrastructure strain. This approach provides a blueprint for rehabilitating WHSs globally by balancing preservation needs with sustainable tourism practices.

Los primeros misioneros jesuitas entre guaraníes y la experiencia de las “aldeias” de Brasil

Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil) — 2016 — WHE7A8B675CB6

Portuguese Jesuit missionaries' early evangelization efforts among the Guaraní people, particularly their work with 'aldeias' (villages) in Brazil and Paraguay during the 16th century, significantly contributed to the foundation of future Jesuit missions. This study highlights their successful language acquisition, cultural adaptation, and establishment of Christian indigenous communities, notably in Guayrá, which served as a model for later reductions. Unlike prior research that focused on Spanish Jesuit or Franciscan experiences, this work emphasizes the Portuguese Jesuits' unique approach, drawing parallels to earlier missionary strategies in the West Indies while advancing their own methodologies.