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Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Tugay forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve — 2025 — WHE208836C552

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, commonly known as silver carp, is established in the Tugay forests of Tajikistan's Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve, forming sustainable populations. This species, native to China, has been documented in the lower reaches of the Vakhsh River and its oxbows within the reserve, as well as in nearby reservoirs like Kairakkum and Nurek. Observations from 2003–2018 confirm its presence in floodplain lakes and riverbeds, contributing to local aquaculture efforts. The study highlights its ecological adaptability and economic significance, with potential implications for biodiversity management in UNESCO-listed wetlands.

hysicochemical properties of the soil and climatic factors linked to the dynamics of mangrove degradation in the Saloum Delta Biosphere Reserve: case of the Palmarin Community Nature Reserve, Senegal

Saloum Delta — 2025 — WHED5B6836C09

Mangrove degradation in the Saloum Delta Biosphere Reserve, Senegal, is linked to distinct physicochemical soil properties and land cover dynamics. Research reveals that mudflats exhibit significantly higher carbon (4–5 times) and organic matter (4–5 times) abundance compared to mangrove peripheries and tannes, with a p-value of 0.027. Nitrogen levels are also notably higher in mangrove peripheries than in tannes, while the C/N ratio is 1.6–2.7 times greater in mudflats. A diachronic land use study from 1992 to 2022 identified positive correlations for mangroves and mudflats but a negative one for tannes. These findings highlight critical soil and climatic factors influencing mangrove degradation, offering insights into ecosystem resilience under climate change.

Ice Jam Flooding of the Drying Peace-Athabasca Delta: Hindsight on the Accuracy of the Traditional Knowledge and Historical Flood Record

Wood Buffalo National Park — 2025 — WHE4C90B02D1F

A reassessment of the Peace-Athabasca Delta's (PAD) historical flood record, compiled in 1995 using traditional knowledge and historical data, reveals that while major ice-jam floods—critical for recharging wetlands—are reliably documented, minor events may be overestimated. Recent advances in hydrometric monitoring and climatic analysis, along with eyewitness accounts dating back to the early 1900s, support the accuracy of major flood events but cast doubt on the reliability of smaller, inferred floods. This study underscores the ecological significance of the PAD, a UNESCO-listed Ramsar wetland within Wood Buffalo National Park, and its vulnerability to drying trends, informing future park management strategies.

Iceland

Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice — 2025 — WHE503EBC3ECC

Iceland's dynamic volcanic landscape, marked by its unique subaerial exposure of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, offers insights into significant geological phenomena. The study highlights the impact of volcanic eruptions on air traffic, such as the 2010 shutdown caused by ash clouds, and the environmental consequences, including the 'killer fog' of the 1780s. It explores geothermal energy potential, basalt formations, and the effects of sub-glacial eruptions within Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The research also examines the tectonic plate boundary at Thingvallir National Park and the volcanic activity on Heimaey, where successful efforts were made to halt lava flows. Through field observations and geological analysis, the study provides a comprehensive overview of Iceland's diverse volcanic terrain, its geothermal resources, and its unique geological features.

Iconological Analysis of the Man and Lion Fight Tilework in Golestan Palace: Representation of the Qajar Discourse of Legitimization

Golestan Palace — 2025 — WHEEE26B02CE3

A new interpretation of the 'Fight of Bahram with the Lion' motif in Golestan Palace's tilework reveals its use by Qajar rulers, particularly Fath Ali Shah, as a symbol of political and military legitimacy. This study applies Erwin Panofsky's iconological method—description, analysis, and interpretation—to uncover how the motif, rooted in Mesopotamian traditions but deeply embedded in Persian literature and history, was strategically employed to legitimize monarchy. Findings from historical sources and field research indicate that the motif transitioned from ancient narratives to Qajar propaganda, associating Bahram's legend with ruling authority.

Identification and Distribution of the Brown and Cocos Boobies and Their Subspecies

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo — 2025 — WHE7D04180BF4

Research identifies five distinct taxa within the Brown–Cocos Booby complex, distinguishing them through key morphological traits such as head color, underwing covert patterns, iris darkness, culmen concavity, and bill color. These differences vary by sex and subspecies, with male Cocos Boobies exhibiting unique white neck markings that help identify subspecies in the Revillagigedo Islands. The study analyzed 50 museum specimens and 754 living birds from 47 locations, providing critical insights for field identification and tracking population movements under environmental changes.

Identification and Evolutionary Characteristics of Regional Landscapes in the Context of Rural Revitalization: A Case of Dujiangyan Irrigation District, China

Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System — 2025 — WHEF767F8373A

Over the past two decades, the Dujiangyan Irrigation District—a UNESCO World Heritage Site central to Chengdu’s rural revitalization—has experienced significant landscape transformations. Research reveals a sharp decline in idyllic agricultural landscapes (from 36.20% to 73.59%) alongside rapid growth in village woodlands and groves, driven by policies promoting urban-rural integration, ecological agriculture, and forestry protection. Urban settlement landscapes have expanded steadily, while low-hill forest landscapes show modest growth. These changes, analyzed through literature reviews, field surveys, and remote sensing data from 2000–2020, highlight the tension between modern development and heritage preservation in this culturally significant region.

Identification of Areas of High Humidity using a Set of Electrometric Methods on the Territory of Section of the Guest Courtyard of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — 2025 — WHEB6253A937A

A study conducted at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra identified zones of high humidity along section 2 of the Defensive Wall around the Near and Far Caves, which are linked to local depressions, underground galleries, buried structures, a drain, and a water supply system. These findings were derived using electrometric methods, including electrotomography and natural electric field analysis, revealing that these humid zones often coincide with negative anomalies in the natural field. The research highlights the need for compensatory measures to strengthen the emergency sections of the Defensive Wall, given the complex engineering and geological conditions combined with anthropogenic development at the site.

Identification of flood-prone areas in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India

Kaziranga National Park — 2025 — WHE093E9D9821

A significant increase in flood risk was identified in Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Assam, India, with the northeastern parts of the park showing the highest vulnerability. The study, conducted using GIS-based multi-criteria analysis for 2015 and 2019, revealed that high and very high flood-prone areas covered 36.83% and 31.26% of the study area in 2019, respectively. Key factors such as rainfall intensity and soil type were found to be most influential, with clayey soils near the Brahmaputra River exacerbating runoff, while sandy soils in the southern region mitigated flood risk due to higher infiltration. These findings underscore the need for strategic flood mitigation measures to protect the park's unique biodiversity, particularly the iconic one-horned rhinoceroses.

Identification of Priority Areas for Conservation of Threatened Agamid Lizards of Sri Lanka Using Species Distribution Modeling

Sinharaja Forest Reserve — 2025 — WHE77F6DC410B

Sinharaja Forest Reserve, along with the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and Knuckles Mountain Range, has been identified as a critical conservation hotspot for threatened agamid lizards in Sri Lanka. Using Species Distribution Modeling (SDM), researchers mapped the distribution of 14 endangered species, revealing that over 40% of their high-priority habitats remain unprotected despite some overlap with existing protected areas. This study highlights the urgent need to expand conservation efforts beyond current boundaries, particularly for poorly documented species. By integrating IUCN status, occurrence records, and range size, the research provides a data-driven approach to prioritize biodiversity protection in one of the world's most significant hotspots.

Identification of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitors from marine actinomycetes through integrated phylogeny-based metabolomics with functional screening and bioinformatic analysis

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park — 2025 — WHE40948F4B49

Researchers have identified promising SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitors from marine actinomycetes, with extracts from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and Nogas Island showing significant inhibitory effects. Among the 75 strains analyzed, 36% exhibited over 90% inhibition, and 27 demonstrated strong potency (IC₅₀ values: 2–8 µg/mL). Phylogenetic analysis linked antiviral activity to specific Streptomyces clades, while metabolomic profiling revealed shared bioactive compounds, including a bicyclic sesquiterpenoid and carbazole alkaloid. Molecular docking confirmed streptocarbazole C's strong binding affinity to the viral enzyme, suggesting potential for development as an antiviral agent. This study integrates phylogeny, metabolomics, and bioinformatics to advance natural product-based drug discovery.

Identifying corridors for Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in a part of Eastern Himalayas, India

Khangchendzonga National Park — 2025 — WHE9ED016C30F

Research identifies seven critical corridors and five pinch points for Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) movement in Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim, India. These corridors, validated by high model accuracy (AUC: 0.921), connect eight protected areas, with Khangchendzonga and Barsey emerging as highest-quality linkages. The study used MaxENT modeling and Circuitscape, analyzing 65 bear presence locations and 24 environmental variables to map suitable habitats and movement pathways. Pinch points near settlements like Mangan and Dikchu coincide with conflict zones, underscoring the impact of human infrastructure on bear connectivity. The findings highlight the importance of protected areas in maintaining genetic diversity and wildlife movement in fragmented landscapes.

Identifying Spatial Distribution of Urban Vitality Using Self-Organizing Feature Map Neural Network

Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital — 2025 — WHE9070DA8F08

Urban vitality in Beijing's central areas follows a distinct spatial pattern, decreasing from core to periphery in most dimensions except building diversity. A 15 km radius emerges as a critical threshold, aligning with urban planning circles outlined in the Master Plan of Beijing (2016–2035). This finding was derived using a Self-Organizing Feature Map (SOFM) neural network, which analyzed multisource geospatial big data to reveal nonlinear spatial distributions. The study highlights how urban vitality extends along key axes like the Beijing Central Axis and Chang’an Avenue, offering valuable insights for enhancing urban planning and sustainability.

Identifying the Role of Physical Elements in Forming Citizens’ Mental Maps of Urban Environments Case Study: Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan

Meidan Emam, Esfahan — 2025 — WHECE1D470CF7

A key insight from this study is that functional elements and their diversity are the most significant factors in shaping citizens' mental maps of urban environments, as demonstrated by Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan. The research analyzed visual perceptions by having participants draw cognitive maps of the square, revealing that functional elements dominated these mental representations, followed by structural elements like domes and columns, and then smaller architectural tools such as fountains. This finding underscores the importance of functionality in urban planning and spatial design, offering valuable implications for enhancing the spatial organization and appearance of urban environments.

II Die Region Thugga in byzantinischer Zeit

Dougga / Thugga — 2025 — WHEDE145D7A13

This study provides a detailed geographical and environmental analysis of the region around Dougga (Thugga) during the Byzantine period, offering insights into its landscape evolution and agricultural potential. The research identifies key topographical features such as the Dorsale mountain range, the fertile Tell region, and the Medjerda-Ebene, which collectively shaped settlement patterns and economic activities in ancient times. It highlights the region's Mediterranean climate, characterized by moderate rainfall (400-500 mm annually), supporting subsistence agriculture without extensive irrigation, particularly for crops like grain and olives. The study employs a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating historical records with modern environmental data to reconstruct the landscape dynamics of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

III Auswertung und Ausblick

Dougga / Thugga — 2025 — WHEF3060A4523

Research on the fortified landscape of Thugga during the Byzantine era reveals unified strategies for addressing 6th and 7th-century challenges, involving military, elite, urban, and rural populations. The study highlights that fortifications were strategically concentrated along the Oued Khalled valley and its tributaries, particularly around agricultural processing centers, reflecting a centralized defensive strategy coordinated by provincial and imperial administrations. Unlike previous studies that focused solely on military and urban fortifications, this research also examines rural fortifications, providing new insights into regional defense mechanisms. The distribution of known city walls and fortifications suggests heightened security needs and economic capacity in the region, with cities like Thugga, Uchi Maius, Aunobaris, Agbia, and Thignica playing central roles.

Il cantiere della Torre Garisenda. Rappresentazione ed esperienza tattile della Bologna turrita

The Porticoes of Bologna — 2025 — WHE3693552747

A multidisciplinary project aims to enhance the accessibility and dissemination of Bologna's Garisenda Tower through innovative tactile architectural models, visual narratives, and digital tools. The initiative, led by the Politecnico di Milano's Department of Design in collaboration with the Municipality of Bologna, leverages remote sensing data to monitor structural deformations and guide stabilization efforts. The project integrates Universal Design principles, offering non-verbal communication, easy-to-read captions, Italian Sign Language (LIS) videos, Braille translations, and a web app for hypertext content access. It also introduces an eco-compatible visual identity and logo for future digital applications, including an AI avatar. Challenges include ensuring durability of materials in the outdoor exhibition setup under the museum's portico, exposed to seasonal humidity and sunlight.

Il casino del Chiatamone come crocevia della “riscoperta” di Paestum

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula — 2025 — WHEE1CD54A4F2

A lesser-known chapter in the history of Paestum emerges from this study, highlighting the pivotal role of General Don Felice Gazzola's royal casino, Chiatamone, as a hub for the 'rediscovery' of the ancient site. The research reconstructs this period through the accounts of foreign travelers, notably French pensionnaire Pierre-Louis Moreau-Desproux, revealing how Gazzola used the casino not as a residence but as a strategic space to promote and display reliefs from Posidonian antiquities. These artifacts, commissioned by Gazzola, formed the visual foundation for an ambitious yet unpublished publishing project, later partially realized by Paolo Antonio Paoli. The study sheds light on the intersection of masonic influence, royal patronage, and archaeological rediscovery in 18th-century Paestum.

Il paesaggio terrazzato vitato in Italia

Costiera Amalfitana — 2025 — WHE1D6AFD5EE1

Italian terraced vineyard landscapes, such as those along the Amalfi Coast, represent a dynamic interplay between human ingenuity and ecological resilience. These 'built landscapes' have sustained marginal regions for centuries by integrating agricultural productivity with cultural and environmental functions. However, contemporary challenges—including agricultural abandonment, hydrogeological risks, tourism pressure, and climate change—threaten their survival. The study highlights that these terraces are not relics but living systems where traditional practices and modern technology can coexist sustainably. Their preservation depends on multifaceted governance strategies that balance agricultural needs, ecological protection, and cultural heritage. By serving as 'laboratories' for sustainable development, these landscapes offer critical insights for the future of Mediterranean rural areas.

Il santuario di Zeus Olympios ad Agrigento: da Akragas al Grand Tour, al 3D

Archaeological Area of Agrigento — 2025 — WHE67F12CBF72

Recent archaeological research at the Sanctuary of Zeus Olympios in Agrigento, Italy, has revealed the original spatial articulation and plurality of sacred structures that characterized the site during antiquity. These findings challenge centuries-old perceptions dominated by the monumental Olympieion, which overshadowed the broader sanctuary context. Using advanced 3D technologies, researchers from the University of Palermo have restored and reconstructed the sacred landscape, highlighting its close interconnection with nature—a defining feature designed by ancient Akragantines. This study bridges gaps between historical interpretations and modern reconstructions, offering a unified understanding of the sanctuary's evolution over time.