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Mitigating Human-Tiger Conflict: An Assessment of Compensation Payments and Tiger Removals in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Chitwan National Park — 2016 — WHE1C817FA68D

A significant increase of 976% in annual compensation payments for human-tiger conflict was observed in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, from 2007 to 2014. The study, which analyzed data from government offices and interviews with stakeholders (n=83 questionnaires, n=13 key informants), found that most payments (65%) were for human killings, while livestock depredations accounted for 29.3%. On average, compensations covered 80.7% of medical expenses and 61.7% of livestock losses, with goats being the most affected livestock. Additionally, 15 tigers—mostly healthy adults—were removed due to conflicts, with a majority killed or dying post-removal, highlighting the severe impact of tiger removals. The research suggests that faster compensation disbursement, insurance schemes in buffer zones, improved management of live-removed tigers (including radio-tracking), and targeted awareness programs could enhance community engagement and mitigate conflict more effectively.

Mitologi Lakon Wahyu Eka Bawana dalam Pandangan Masyarakat Sangiran

Sangiran Early Man Site — 2016 — WHEBD52807E1A

A study reveals that the traditional Javanese performance art 'Lakon Wahyu Eka Bawana' holds significant cultural and spiritual value for the community of Sangiran. This form of 'Lakon Carangan,' which narrates Puntadewa's journey to seek divine revelation through meditation, is frequently requested by local wayang performers due to its perceived ability to bring blessings, peace, and prosperity. The research highlights the enduring belief in the art's positive impact on daily life, underscoring its role as a cultural practice deeply intertwined with the community's values and spiritual aspirations.

Mixed reality based interaction system for digital heritage

Group of Monuments at Hampi — 2016 — WHE5A64FFE7F5

A mixed reality (MR) system enhances the exploration and dissemination of cultural heritage by integrating 3D-printed replicas with synchronized computer-generated imagery. This approach increases immersion and user engagement, enabling untrained individuals to interact intuitively with historical artifacts. Demonstrated through an interactive inspection of the 15th-century Vittala Temple in Hampithe system uses monoscopic projection mapping on a tabletop replica and a vertical projection wall. Users control navigation and selection via a laser pointer or steering wheel, creating a seamless semantic link between actions and visual outcomes. The UI supports dual functionalities: architectural inspection and multimedia data retrieval, offering a novel method for preserving and experiencing digital heritage.

Mobility and Sustainable Cultural Tourism (Case Study: Cracow and Warsaw Old Towns Accessibility)

Historic Centre of Warsaw — 2016 — WHE39065876B0

Despite legal mandates requiring accessibility, nearly 70% of museums and tourist attractions in Cracow and Warsaw Old Towns—UNESCO World Heritage Sites—remain inaccessible to individuals with motor impairments. This study highlights the gap between policy requirements and practical implementation, particularly in preserving historical integrity while accommodating disabled tourists. Researchers analyzed current accessibility challenges through field observations, regulatory reviews, and local strategies from 2012 to 2015, identifying key barriers such as insufficient Braille or audio-visual aids and structural limitations. The findings underscore the need for context-specific solutions rather than universal models, balancing cost, heritage conservation constraints, and sustainable tourism goals. Recommendations include targeted modifications to enhance mobility while respecting historical preservation standards.

Modeling Dryness Severity Using Artificial Neural Network at the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Okavango Delta — 2016 — WHE3C9CFF81C2

Research at the Okavango Delta, Botswana, reveals that over 90% of inflow is lost to evaporation, threatening its ecohydrology amid declining rainfall and rising temperatures. Using the standardized precipitation and evaporation index (SPEI), the study found that extreme dryness and wetness are rare, with near-normal conditions prevailing for 67% of the time across one-, three-, and twelve-month scales. While artificial neural network simulations predicted no major changes in the next five years, the Delta's vulnerability to severe droughts persists due to high rainfall variability and its semi-arid location. The study analyzed long-term trends in rain onset, cessation, and rainy days, revealing a decrease of 0.16 days/year in rainy days and 0.25 days/year in the rainy season duration between 1970/71 and 2013/14.

Modeling Low-Salinity Waterflooding in Chalk and Limestone Reservoirs

Stevns Klint — 2016 — WHE90017819F5

Low-salinity waterflooding can significantly enhance oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs by altering rock wettability from oil-wet to water-wet. A new process-based model, incorporating geochemical interactions between crude oil, brine, and chalk surfaces, reveals that mineral dissolution reactions—particularly those involving anhydrite—play a critical role in improving oil recovery (IOR). Unlike previous empirical models, this approach dynamically adjusts relative permeability and residual oil saturation based on the concentration of oil acids attached to mineral surfaces. Core flooding experiments from Stevns Klint (SK) chalk and Middle Eastern limestone cores were used to validate the model, which predicts IOR ranging from 5% to 20% depending on aqueous chemistry and sweep efficiency. The findings underscore the importance of mineralogy in low-salinity waterflooding simulations.

Modulation of thermal noise and spectral sensitivity in Lake Baikal cottoid fish rhodopsins

Lake Baikal — 2016 — WHEDC447A2154

Lake Baikal cottoid fish rhodopsins exhibit a blue-shift in spectral sensitivity with increasing depth, linked to reduced thermal noise. This adaptation enhances vision in deep-water low-light environments. Researchers combined homology modeling, quantum chemical calculations, and experimental measurements to reveal a Barlow-type relationship between absorption maxima and thermal isomerization rates. Nakanishi point-charge analysis identified amino acid residues that simultaneously modulate spectral tuning and visual sensitivity, suggesting natural variation at these sites drives both thermal noise reduction and spectral shifting.

Molecular Characterization of Aquatic Bacterial Communities in Dinaric Range Caves

Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno — 2016 — WHE3F8855C61A

Dinaric limestone cave systems, recognized as biodiversity hotspots, harbor unique microbial communities with significant ecological and evolutionary implications. A study analyzing filamentous microbial biofilms from three Dinaric caves—Vjetrenica, Veternica, and Izvor Bistrac—revealed distinct phylogenetic distributions, highlighting the prevalence of Nitrospirae in Vjetrenica (60%) and Veternica (36%), while Alphaproteobacteria (41%) and Firmicutes (32%) dominated in Izvor Bistrac. The research also identified three novel uncultured candidate divisions (OP3, WS5, OD1), underscoring the unexplored diversity of subterranean microbial life. This molecular characterization, combining 16S rRNA-based phylogeny with protein-coding gene analysis, provides critical insights into the structure and function of cave bacterial communities, offering potential new avenues for studying microbial evolution and its role in supporting subterranean ecosystems.

Molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy of the genus Rhodymenia (Rhodymeniaceae, Rhodymeniales) from Australia reveals overlooked species diversity

Lord Howe Island Group — 2016 — WHE5765222F6F

A molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy study of the genus Rhodymenia (Rhodymeniaceae, Rhodymeniales) from Australia has uncovered significant overlooked species diversity. The research resolved 188 specimens into 12 genetic species groups, identifying seven novel taxa (R. compressa, R. contortuplicata, R. gladiata, R. insularis, R. lociperonica, R. norfolkensis, and R. womersleyi) and confirming the presence of R. novazelandica in Lord Howe Island, expanding its biogeographic range. The study employed DNA barcoding (COI-5P) alongside morphological and biogeographic analyses to provide a reliable means of species identification, highlighting the importance of integrating multiple approaches for accurate taxonomic resolution.

Monitoring and Mitigation Works in Unsaturated Archaeological Deposits

Bryggen — 2016 — WHEAD9392EBAE

Even minor increases in soil moisture can significantly reduce oxygen diffusion, slowing the decay of archaeological materials at Bryggen. This finding stems from a long-term monitoring project (since 2001) that integrated water management strategies to mitigate deterioration in unsaturated deposits. Researchers analyzed in situ oxygen concentrations alongside soil moisture, temperature, groundwater levels, precipitation, and reactivity, revealing how small changes in moisture dynamics impact decay rates. The study's water-management system, designed to raise groundwater levels, demonstrates a practical approach to preserving archaeological sites by balancing oxygen exposure with soil conditions.

Monitoring Cultural Heritage Sites with Advanced Multi-Temporal InSAR Technique: The Case Study of the Summer Palace

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2016 — WHEAB4717DB70

A novel Multi-Temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (MTInSAR) technique revealed that the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Summer Palace in Beijing, remains largely stable but faces localized risks. The study identified mm/cm-level instabilities in Longevity Hill's ruins and monuments, likely due to human activities and natural decay. Subsidence near East and South Gates was linked to urbanization, while groundwater variations and over-tourism contributed to instability along Kunming Lakeside. This advanced approach, combining Persistent Scatterers (PSs) and Distributed Scatterers (DSs), offers a high-precision tool for early risk detection and preventive conservation of cultural heritage sites.

Monitoring Forest Cover Change and Fragmentation Using Remote Sensing and Landscape Metrics in Nyungwe-Kibira Park

Nyungwe National Park — 2016 — WHEC20334A509

Between 1986 and 2015, Nyungwe-Kibira Park—a transboundary UNESCO World Heritage Site—lost approximately 4.97 km² of dense forest annually while regenerating only 1.22 km², revealing a net degradation trend despite its status as a protected area. Remote sensing analysis using Landsat imagery and FRAGSTATS software showed that dense forests dominated the park (over 70% coverage), but fragmentation was significant, with even higher disruption in the surrounding 5 km buffer zone where cultivated lands prevailed. These findings underscore critical threats to the park’s ecological integrity, emphasizing the need for urgent policy interventions to curb deforestation and degradation.

Monitoring of Erosion Preventive Structures Based on Eco - Engineering Approaches: The Case of the Mixed Check Dams of Masonry and Forest Residues

Teide National Park — 2016 — WHE2FF544302B

A novel erosion control technique using mixed check dams, combining masonry and forest residues, has demonstrated significant success in mitigating sediment loss in Teide National Park. These eco-engineered structures, designed to decompose within 5-10 years, effectively stabilize slopes by trapping sediment while allowing natural decomposition of their core. Field monitoring conducted up to August 2012 confirmed satisfactory sedimentation rates, validating the approach's potential for sustainable erosion prevention. The study highlights the effectiveness of integrating natural materials and engineering principles in restoring post-disturbance landscapes, offering a scalable model for similar environments.

Monitoring plant tissue nitrogen isotopes to assess nearshore inputs of nitrogen to Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park — 2016 — WHE3CB0EF13CD

Researchers found that nearshore inputs significantly contribute to nitrogen levels in Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park. By analyzing nitrogen isotopes in plant tissues, the study revealed distinct signatures of terrestrial and aquatic nitrogen sources, highlighting the importance of understanding nutrient dynamics in protected ecosystems. The approach involved sampling plant tissues along the lake's shoreline, measuring stable isotope ratios, and comparing them to known nitrogen sources. This method provides a novel way to track nitrogen inputs, offering insights crucial for managing water quality in pristine environments like Olympic National Park.

Monstrosity by Monstrous Means: Cambodian Memorial Sites

Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection — 2016 — WHE82358B8281

Cambodian memorial sites to the genocide (1975–1979) employ visually and aesthetically 'monstrous' means, contrasting sharply with Holocaust memorials that prioritize restraint and ethical representation. While Cambodian sites depict atrocities unflinchingly—often without consideration for victims or visitors—they challenge traditional genocide memorial ethics by forcing confrontation with uncomfortable truths. This approach, though problematic, carries transformative potential: it exposes dilemmas inherent in memorialization while advocating for rethinking standards of representation. The study argues that these sites, by violating the 'Holocaust Bilderverbot' tradition (avoiding graphic depiction), provoke critical reflection on whether ethical boundaries should be abandoned to better confront historical horrors.

Monuments and Metabolism

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha — 2016 — WHEAD0E89F653

Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha, serves as a case study illustrating the challenges and complexities of designing ecumenical religious sites. The research highlights how Kenzo Tange's vision for Lumbini, intended to foster a culture of peace and mutual respect among Buddhists from diverse cultures, faced significant hurdles in its realization. Despite its noble intent, the site has struggled to attract large numbers of Buddhist pilgrims, leading to many building projects being abandoned. Instead, it has been transformed into a leisure destination for local tourists, predominantly Muslim and Hindu, which diverges from its original purpose. This transformation underscores the difficulties in achieving pan-Buddhist ecumenism and the need to consider local cultural contexts in architectural designs for religious sites. The study also draws comparative examples, such as Suối Tiên monument in Vietnam and Phutthamonthon Park in Thailand, to further illustrate these dynamics.

Mooring subjects of heritage: proprioceptive emplacement at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump — 2016 — WHE9A485592FD

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (HSIBJ) employs proprioceptive emplacement to immerse visitors within a heritage landscape that intertwines Blackfoot and settler-colonial narratives. The Interpretive Centre uses motion-triggered projections to anchor visitors in official national heritage narratives, confirming their subjectivity through physiological awareness of body position and movement. This proprioceptive grounding places visitors within an 'ancient' narratology of nation, addressing settler anxieties about latecoming status while reinforcing broader archaeological and heritage frameworks.

Moral assemblages of volunteer tourism development in Cusco, Peru

City of Cuzco — 2016 — WHED7E9CEFB93

Volunteer tourism in Cusco, Peru, is shaped by complex moral landscapes formed through interactions among human and non-human actors. This study introduces assemblage theory as a framework to analyze volunteer tourism development, revealing it as a dynamic, relational process influenced by geopolitical discourses, historical contexts, and socio-economic factors. By treating volunteer tourism as an assemblage, the research provides deeper insights into its unequal and mobile nature, challenging conventional planning approaches. The findings underscore the need for more inclusive strategies in tourism policy that account for these multifaceted dynamics.

Morphological and genetic features of cisco (coregonidae: coregonus sp.) from lake Sobachye (Putorana plateau)

Putorana Plateau — 2016 — WHEFEE56F6CF3

A study of cisco (Coregonidae: Coregonus sp.) from Lake Sobachye on the Putorana Plateau reveals that this population is genetically and morphologically closer to European vendace (C. albula) than to other regional cisco species, such as those found in the River Pyasina. The research combined morphological analysis of 60 specimens with mitochondrial DNA sequencing of two gene fragments (ND1 and COI) from nine individuals, demonstrating minimal genetic divergence between Lake Sobachye cisco and vendace. This finding challenges previous taxonomic assumptions based solely on vertebral counts and highlights the importance of integrated morphological and molecular approaches in fish species identification.

Morphological peculiarities as indicators of natural history of sable (Martes zibellina) in North-Asia Pacific coast

Central Sikhote-Alin — 2016 — WHE7FF9D9D8CD

Research on sable (Martes zibellina) populations across the North Asia Pacific coast reveals distinct morphological patterns linked to natural history. Sables from Central Sikhote-Alin exhibit the smallest cranial size and highest phene expression, while those near the Uda River and Goryun/Amgun rivers display the darkest fur coloration. A trend of increasing skull size, reduced cranial phene, and lighter fur intensity is observed as populations move away from these core areas. Insular populations, such as those on Bolshoi Shantar, Iturup, and Hokkaido islands, show minimal FFCI expression but larger skull sizes, with Kamchatka sables notably exhibiting the largest cranial dimensions. The study suggests that the lower Amur Basin served as a postglacial dispersal source for sable across Eurasia, aligning with Bergmann’s rule. This work provides baseline data on morphological diversification, offering insights into sable phylogeny and adaptive traits.