World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 23221 – 23240 of 30345 publications

Detecting the influence of rare stressors on rare species in Yosemite National Park using a novel stratified permutation test

Yosemite National Park — 2015 — WHE53D833B6C0

A novel statistical approach confirms that non-native fish negatively impact the endangered Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) in Yosemite National Park, while finding no evidence linking current packstock use to declines in the threatened Canyon treefrog (Anaxyrus canorus). The method combines predictive models with a stratified permutation test to assess rare stressors on rare species using observational data. By stratifying potential habitats based on predicted suitability and then testing stressor associations, researchers bypass traditional model interpretation challenges, offering a robust tool for conservation priority-setting.

Detection of Leptospira spp. and Brucella abortus Antibodies in Free-Living Jaguars (Panthera onca) in Two Protected Areas of Northern Pantanal, Brazil

Pantanal Conservation Area — 2015 — WHE5647FD2DEB

A study detecting antibodies to Leptospira spp. and Brucella abortus in free-living jaguars (Panthera onca) in the Pantanal, Brazil, revealed that 18.2% of the sampled jaguars were seroreactive for Leptospira, with a Brazilian isolate of serovar Canicola identified as the most infective strain. All jaguars tested negative for Brucella abortus antibodies. The research employed autochthonous antigens from Brazil, combined with reference antigens, to diagnose leptospirosis using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and the Rose Bengal test for B. abortus. This approach significantly increased the detection of reactive animals, suggesting that incorporating local antigens can alter the epidemiological profile of Leptospira infections in wildlife.

Determinantes do Comportamento Ambiental em Brasília

Brasilia — 2015 — WHE8CBFAFF1EA

Environmental consciousness in Brasília is strongly linked to higher education levels and the perception of personal effectiveness in environmental actions, even when these actions are small or isolated. This finding emerges from a study that analyzed socio-demographic and psychographic factors influencing environmental behavior among residents. Researchers used logistic regression on questionnaire data to identify key determinants, providing insights for environmental marketing strategies. The results suggest that while education plays a significant role, the belief in one's ability to make a difference—regardless of scale—is a critical driver of pro-environmental behavior.

Determinants of bird assemblage composition in riparian vegetation on sugarcane farms in the Queensland Wet Tropics

Wet Tropics of Queensland — 2015 — WHE3E418F97C4

Riparian vegetation remnants on sugarcane farms in the Queensland Wet Tropics can significantly support bird biodiversity, but their effectiveness depends critically on width and proximity to source forest. Research found that even narrow riparian strips (>10 m) benefit edge and open-vegetation species, while widths exceeding 90 m are necessary to sustain closed-forest specialists. Distance from the nearest intact forest also plays a pivotal role, with bird assemblages transitioning gradually—rainforest and dense-vegetation species giving way to more open-habitat species as distance increases. This study highlights the dual value of remnant riparian zones: they act as vital conservation corridors for generalist species while requiring strategic management (e.g., width maintenance) to retain specialist species, underscoring their potential in agricultural landscapes within UNESCO-listed regions.

Developing Local Resources in Community-Based Rehabilitation Programme in Sri Lanka: Follow-up Study in Anuradhapura

Sacred City of Anuradhapura — 2015 — WHEA230349F15

A follow-up study on the Sacred City of Anuradhapura reveals that community workshops, a key component of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programs, hold significant potential for developing local resources. The research highlights strong support from disabled individuals and local government officers, suggesting that local communities can effectively leverage opportunities to address weaknesses in resource development. Using an action research approach with qualitative methods—including interviews, focus group discussions, and field notes—the study analyzed data through a SWOT framework (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). Findings indicate both positive and negative attributes of these workshops, offering insights for improving CBR programs in rural Sri Lanka. The study underscores the importance of community engagement and local governance in sustainable rehabilitation efforts.

Developing the pattern of ancient city of Tauric Chersonese valorisation: risks, values, identity

Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora — 2015 — WHE9CB60A1B4E

A comprehensive approach to valorizing the UNESCO-listed Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese reveals that its authenticity hinges on preserving and developing three interconnected values: archaeological, religious, and touristic. Research demonstrates that isolating any single value risks fragmenting the site's identity, undermining its historical integrity. The study proposes a balanced pattern for valorization, emphasizing concerted preservation efforts to maintain the site's multifaceted significance. This approach not only safeguards its cultural heritage but also maximizes potential benefits through sustainable tourism and religious reverence.

Development of a Bikeability Index to Assess the Bicycle-Friendliness of Urban Environments

City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg — 2015 — WHE7A24AAE077

A Bikeability Index developed for Graz, Austria, reveals that cycling infrastructure, bicycle pathways, and green areas significantly enhance bicycle-friendliness, while main roads and topography deter cyclists. This index, derived from GIS data analysis of 278 bicycle trips, demonstrates predictive validity by correlating with actual cycling behavior (OR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 - 1.17). The resulting high-resolution bikeability map provides a visual tool for urban planning and evaluation, offering insights into the transport environment's impact on cycling habits in mid-sized European cities.

Devising an electronically supported heritage conservation method for the Valley of Flowers in the Indian Himalayas

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks — 2015 — WHE6A9EB1123D

A novel electronically supported heritage conservation method for the Valley of Flowers National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India's Himalayas, demonstrates potential to balance tourism and ecological preservation. The study proposes a computerized permit system with dynamic pricing (currently Rs 150 per person) to optimize visitor distribution across the park's 3.5-month season while maintaining its maximum carrying capacity of 60 persons daily. By integrating fallow periods and targeted internet marketing for educated tourists, this approach aims to mitigate overcrowding risks to the fragile ecosystem—valued at millions in both monetary and intangible heritage terms—while enhancing revenue for conservation efforts in resource-constrained Uttarakhand.

Diazotroph community succession during the VAHINE mesocosm experiment (New Caledonia lagoon)

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems — 2015 — WHE57958FB2B3

A study conducted in the low-nutrient, low-chlorophyll waters of the Noumea lagoon (New Caledonia) revealed that unicellular cyanobacterial Group C (UCYN-C) exhibited rapid growth under specific conditions, reaching among the highest net growth rates reported for diazotrophs. The VAHINE mesocosm experiment demonstrated that UCYN-C became dominant in response to fertilization with dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP), despite low abundances outside the mesocosms. This suggests that DIP fertilization and increasing temperatures created favorable conditions for UCYN-C growth, while other diazotrophs like heterocyst-forming Richelia associated with Rhizosolenia (Het-1) dominated early in the experiment. The study also highlighted a diverse field population of diazotrophs in the lagoon, including two ecotypes of Braarudosphaera bigelowii symbiont unicellular group A (UCYN-A), with UCYN-A2 being more abundant than UCYN-A1.

Die ADGB-Bundesschule in Bernau bei Berlin – eine Erweiterung der Bauhaus-Welterbestätten in Weimar und Dessau?

Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau — 2015 — WHEA15CDB095D

The ADGB-Bundesschule in Bernau, designed by the Dessau Bauhaus under Hannes Meyer's leadership (1928-1930), stands as a significant yet overlooked architectural achievement of the Bauhaus movement. This building, the only large-scale project from Meyer’s tenure, was excluded from UNESCO World Heritage status despite its revolutionary design and material innovation. The study highlights how the school’s preservation—restored in 2007 and repurposed as an internat for Berlin’s Handwerkskammer—revealed its original authenticity and functional continuity with its educational purpose. This case underscores the potential for expanding Bauhaus World Heritage recognition to include Meyer’s influential works, which remain undervalued in public perception despite their pivotal role in shaping 20th-century architecture.

Die Hamburger Speicherstadt

Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus — 2015 — WHE4C93283F18

A rare collection of historical and mid-20th-century photographs of the Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hamburg, Germany, offers a visual record of its architectural evolution. The publication, featuring images from Hans Meyer-Veden and texts by Manfred Sack and Rolf Lange, leverages archival materials provided by the Staatsarchiv Hamburg to document changes over nearly a century. This monograph, published in ICOMOS' journal series, serves as both a historical resource and a tool for understanding the cultural significance of this iconic district.

Die Heilung des Territoriums. Das Saakhelu-Ritual der Nasa (Páez) von Tierradentro (Cauca, Kolumbien).

National Archeological Park of Tierradentro — 2015 — WHECE36B9C163

The Saakhelu ritual of the Nasa (Páez) people, practiced at the National Archeological Park of Tierradentro in Cauca, Colombia, serves as a periodic healing ceremony for their territory. Following a devastating mudslide in 1994, which the Nasa interpreted through their mythology, traditional 'medicine men' revived ancient rituals to address the 'heated' land, ward off negative energies from the condor kduul, and nourish cosmic entities. The ritual, rooted in indigenous cosmovision, treats nature not merely as a resource or object of contemplation but as an active field for healing, reflecting a dynamic relationship between humans and their environment.

Diet and ecomorphological relationships of an endemic, species-poor fish assemblage in a stream in the Iguaçu National Park

Iguaçu National Park — 2015 — WHE07ACEFF07F

A study of the fish assemblage in Iguaçu National Park reveals that low species richness does not lead to broader trophic niches or the absence of key ecomorphotypes. Researchers analyzed the diet and morphology of seven endemic fish species, finding low diet overlap and distinct ecomorphological traits, suggesting niche partitioning even in species-poor environments. The study used quarterly electrofishing sampling from 2011 to 2012, analyzing stomach contents and body morphology through PCA, with a partial Mantel test confirming the independence of diet and morphology from phylogeny.

Diet of mala (Lagorchestes hirsutus) at Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park and comparison with that of historic free-ranging mala in the Tanami Desert: implications for management and future reintroductions

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park — 2015 — WHE8DF299DE2B

A study on the diet of mala (Lagorchestes hirsutus), a threatened small macropod, reveals that their dietary range is narrow and consistent across two distinct regions: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the historic Tanami Desert. The research, utilizing fecal pellet analysis, found that mala primarily consume grasses and supplementary foods, with no significant correlation to rainfall patterns. Notably, they exhibit a preference for specific plant species such as Aristida holathera and Eragrostis eriopoda, which should be monitored to assess carrying capacity in reintroduction sites. The findings suggest that botanically diverse areas supporting these plants are optimal for mala conservation efforts.

Differential Distribution of Metals and Enzymes in Quanzhou Bay Estuarine Wetland Soils under Three Mangrove Species

Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China — 2015 — WHE723CE7210E

Research in Quanzhou Bay's estuarine wetland reveals distinct metal and enzyme distributions under three dominant mangrove species: Avicennia marina, Aegiceras corniculatum, and Kandelia obovata. These differences, attributed to variations in root systems, planting times, and soil conditions like pH and salinity, highlight how each species influences elemental stoichiometry and enzymatic activity. Specifically, A. corniculatum aggregates Mn, urease, and phosphatase; K. obovata accumulates Cu, urease, and phosphatase; while A. marina activates Zn and promotes urease, phosphatase, and catalase. These findings suggest that mangroves enhance wetland biodiversity by altering soil microenvironments, offering valuable insights for estuarine wetland restoration strategies.

Digital 3D Borobudur – Integration of 3D surveying and modeling techniques

Borobudur Temple Compounds — 2015 — WHE20CDA19CFF

A comprehensive digital 3D documentation of the Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's greatest Buddhist monuments, has been achieved using advanced photogrammetric techniques. This study successfully integrated UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and terrestrial imaging to create high-resolution DEMs (digital elevation models), orthoimages, and maps at scales of 1:100 and 1:1000, providing unprecedented detail for monitoring the temple's structural integrity. The resulting data has been leveraged by local government organizations to inform conservation policies and heritage management strategies, with a web-based information system facilitating easy access and visualization of the 3D models. This approach offers a scalable solution for preserving cultural heritage sites facing deterioration due to natural disasters.

Digital models applied to the analysis, intervention and management of architectural heritage

Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville — 2015 — WHEEC7A0AB5C4

Advanced digital modeling techniques, rooted in CAD evolution, offer transformative potential for analyzing, managing, and disseminating architectural heritage. This study demonstrates their application to the chapel of La Virgen de la Antigua in Seville Cathedral, revealing how these models can capture and interrelate diverse data—morphological, material, structural, historical, and cultural—beyond mere physical elements. By integrating immaterial aspects like spatial traces, functionality, and furnishings, the approach enables comprehensive heritage management, conservation, intervention, investigation, and dissemination. The experimental model developed here serves as a versatile tool for multiple disciplines, bridging gaps between tangible and intangible heritage attributes.

Digital models based on images taken with handheld cameras – examples on land, from the sea and on ice

Stevns Klint — 2015 — WHE5FB6F3FB3C

Advancements in Structure from Motion (SfM) and photogrammetry enable the creation of detailed 3D digital outcrop models using images captured with handheld cameras, significantly reducing costs and effort. This study demonstrates the versatility of this approach by generating point clouds at varying scales—from metres to kilometres—across different environments: land (Faxe limestone quarry), sea (Stevns Klint coastal cliff), and ice (A.P. Olsen Land, Greenland). The models reveal outcrop topography or micro-topography with high precision, showcasing the method's potential for geological documentation in diverse and challenging settings.

Digitalización 3D automática con láser escáner, fotogrametría y videogrametría. El caso práctico del Templo de Diana (Mérida).

Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida — 2015 — WHE1A9702E567

Automated 3D digitalization techniques, including laser scanning, photogrammetry, and videogrammetry, have emerged as efficient and rapid methods for documenting complex heritage sites. This study demonstrates their application at the Temple of Diana in Mérida, Spain—a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993—showcasing how these non-contact techniques can streamline documentation while preserving historical data with precision. The research highlights the adaptability of these methods to diverse applications, offering a scalable solution for heritage conservation that balances speed and accuracy.

Dinitrogen fixation and dissolved organic nitrogen fueled primary production and particulate export during the VAHINE mesocosm experiment (New Caledonia lagoon)

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems — 2015 — WHE638C83E851

A significant finding from the VAHINE mesocosm experiment in New Caledonia's lagoons reveals that dinitrogen (N2) fixation and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) play crucial roles in fueling primary production and particulate export, especially under nitrate-depleted conditions. The study demonstrated that while diazotrophic communities, such as diatom–diazotroph associations (DDAs) and unicellular cyanobacteria UCYN-C, both contribute to N2 fixation, UCYN-C-driven production was more efficient at promoting carbon export compared to DDAs. Additionally, DON consumption during the latter phase of the experiment suggested its importance as an additional nitrogen source, highlighting its potential significance in nitrogen-limited oceanic ecosystems.