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Groundwater quality degradation due to salt water intrusion in Zanzibar Municipality

Stone Town of Zanzibar — 2015 — WHE5BF417B3F3

Groundwater in Zanzibar Municipality is progressively becoming more saline, indicating significant saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers. Analysis of water samples from production boreholes revealed increasing levels of chloride, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved salts over time, with trends showing that saltwater ingress is still limited near shoreline areas like Beit-el-Ras and Mbweni but poses a high risk to the historic Stone Town area. The study, which combined current water quality data with historical records, highlights the potential for groundwater salinization due to increased pumping. To mitigate this issue, researchers recommend controlled groundwater extraction and the establishment of long-term monitoring programs.

Group composition effects on aggressive interpack interactions of gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park — 2015 — WHEB7EA53F799

Gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park with a higher proportion of older members or adult males are more likely to win aggressive interpack interactions, even if numerically outmatched. This study analyzed 121 such conflicts over 16 years (1995–2010), revealing that relative pack size (RPS) generally favored the larger group but was moderated by composition. Packs with more experienced or dominant individuals had higher odds of victory, regardless of territory location. These findings suggest that while group living may offer advantages in territorial defense, certain individuals play a disproportionately critical role in interpack conflicts, offering insights into the adaptive benefits of wolf social structures.

Growth of Mangrove Forests and the Influence on Flood Disaster at Amami Oshima Island, Japan

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2015 — WHEED1825730F

A study on Amami Oshima Island, Japan, reveals that the current mangrove forest at the mouth of the Sumiyo River has minimal influence on local flooding. Researchers found that sediment deposition, accelerated by a sea dike in Sumiyo Bay, could potentially expand the mangrove forest in the future, offering potential benefits for flood mitigation. The study used field observations and data analysis to assess the ecological dynamics and impact of mangroves on riverine flooding, providing insights into their role in disaster risk reduction and coastal management.

Gypsum caves as indicators of climate-driven river incision and aggradation in a rapidly uplifting region

Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines — 2015 — WHE3A7F408396

Subhorizontal gypsum caves in the Northern Apennines, Italy, serve as indicators of climate-driven river incision and aggradation. These caves form during cold periods with stable river beds, while renewed cave formation occurs rapidly during river entrenchment. U-Th dating of calcite speleothems provides minimum age constraints for cave passage formation, revealing that speleothem ages coincide with warmer, wetter periods when CO2 availability in soils was greater. This climate-driven model suggests a broader applicability to karst systems in temperate, uplifting regions, offering insights into the interplay between geological processes and climatic conditions.

Habitat loss and the effectiveness of protected areas in the Cerrado Biodiversity Hotspot

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2015 — WHEF92C8732AB

Strict protected areas (PAs) in the Cerrado, such as Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks, are significantly more effective at reducing deforestation compared to sustainable use PAs. These strict PAs, which currently cover only 3% of the Cerrado, should form the backbone of Brazil's efforts to meet the Convention on Biological Diversity's (CBD) 17% conservation target. The study reveals that sustainable use PAs exhibit deforestation rates similar to non-protected areas, rendering them inadequate for biodiversity protection. Urgent expansion of strict PAs is critical to safeguard the Cerrado's unique biodiversity, one of the world's most threatened ecosystems.

Habitat preference of the endangered Ethiopian walia ibex (Capra walie) in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Simien National Park — 2015 — WHEDCCE55930C

Research reveals that the endangered Ethiopian walia ibex (Capra walie) exhibits a strong preference for rocky and shrubby habitats over herbaceous ones within Simien National Park, Ethiopia. The study, conducted from 2009 to 2011, analyzed pellet distribution and habitat characteristics during wet and dry seasons, finding minimal overlap between walia ibex and livestock presence (70% of quadrats with walia pellets lacked livestock droppings). A predictive spatial model identified key factors influencing ibex habitat use: herb cover, shrub cover, distance to cliff, road proximity, and altitude. Notably, walia ibex populations have shifted toward steeper eastern areas, likely due to increased human activity in lowland regions. This research underscores the challenges of balancing conservation efforts for endangered species with growing human encroachment.

Habitat use of ungulates in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Bale Mountains National Park — 2015 — WHE8901BE7B9F

A significant overlap (28% to 74%) exists among the habitat preferences of five ungulate species in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. While mountain nyala showed the highest habitat-use diversity and occupied all surveyed vegetation types, Menelik's bushbuck exhibited the lowest diversity and was the most selective. Grazers demonstrated lower intra-species overlap than with browsers, suggesting a strategy to mitigate competition. The study, conducted via total counts across 11 vegetation types in 2009, highlights complex habitat dynamics but calls for further research on feeding behavior to deepen understanding.

Hand Preference during Tool Use in Wild Bearded Capuchins

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2015 — WHE8932E28798

A right-hand preference during tool use was observed in wild bearded capuchins (Sapajus libidinosus) inhabiting the Caatinga forests of Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil. The study recorded 118 tool-use bouts, revealing that digging tools—used to extract tubers or roots—showed a trend toward right-hand dominance, likely due to the motor demands of these tasks. This finding suggests that the harsh Caatinga habitat may drive increased laterality and right-handedness in capuchins, though larger sample sizes are needed for conclusive evidence. The research highlights tool use as a potential driver of limb preference in non-human primates, challenging assumptions about the universality of human-like lateralization patterns.

Hands-On Heritage! Establishing Soft Authority over Heritage through Architectural Experiment: A Case Study from Jordan

Umm Al-Jimāl — 2015 — WHE8DC5112AE0

A groundbreaking approach to heritage engagement, 'heritage as practice,' challenges traditional preservation paradigms by treating heritage sites as dynamic sources of inspiration and creativity. This study demonstrates that architectural experimentation can empower individuals—particularly students—to develop a 'soft authority' over heritage through instinctual, creative interpretation rather than formal authorization. The research involved architecture students analyzing Umm el-Jimal in Jordan, producing 'creative material' that was further re-created during community engagement exercises. The findings suggest that this shift from authorized to informed, instinctual engagement not only fosters a deeper connection with heritage but also validates authority through continuous creative reinterpretation, offering a novel model for heritage education and participation.

Hani Rice Terraces of Honghe - The Harmonious Landscape of Nature and Humans

Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces — 2015 — WHEE4956AB237

The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2013, represent a unique cultural landscape shaped by the Hani people's millennia-old rice farming traditions. This study reveals that the terraces' spectacular spatial structure—integrating forest, water, and village systems—is sustained by a harmonious blend of physical factors and deep-rooted cultural practices, including land-use management and spiritual values. The research highlights how this landscape, now a global attraction for scholars and tourists, faces challenges from modern tourism and development, raising critical questions about its long-term preservation.

Head Extraction, Interregional Exchange, and Political Strategies of Control at the Site of Wata Wata, Kallawaya Territory, Bolivia, During the Transition between the Late Formative and Tiwanaku Periods (A.D. 200-800)

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2015 — WHE7B5C28F31C

A rare archaeological discovery at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tiwanaku, Bolivia, reveals evidence of trophy head taking during the transition between the Late Formative and Tiwanaku periods (A.D. 200-800). Unlike other Andean cultures where such practices are only depicted iconographically, this study presents physical remains of three individuals subjected to extreme violence, including beheading, cranial fracturing, defleshing, jaw removal, and possible eye extraction. The heads were found in a ritual cache at Wata Wata, a trade and ceremonial center in the Kallawaya region, suggesting they served as a strategic metaphor to strip power from the individuals, given the skull's symbolic significance in Andean culture. This finding sheds light on political strategies of control during this transitional period, particularly in a key interregional exchange corridor.

Hearth and home. Interpreting fire installations at Arslantepe, Eastern Turkey, from the fourth to the beginning of the second millennium BCE

Arslantepe Mound — 2015 — WHE3B6B3F87D3

Arslantepe Mound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Eastern Turkey, offers a unique window into the social and economic evolution of ancient Anatolia from 4200 to 1750 BCE. This study reveals that fire installations and culinary practices at Arslantepe were not merely functional but also served as markers of identity, reflecting social hierarchies, familial economies, and cultural shifts over nearly 2500 years. By analyzing the typology and spatial distribution of hearths and cooking tools, researchers identified patterns that correlate with significant historical transitions—from the emergence of state structures to their collapse, followed by the rise of semi-nomadic pastoral communities and small agricultural villages. The findings suggest that culinary practices were deeply intertwined with social organization, economic strategies, and cultural identity, providing a nuanced understanding of how ancient societies adapted to changing circumstances.

Heavy metal concentracions in the soils and vegetation of the Béke-cave watershed (Aggtelek-karst, Hungary)

Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst — 2015 — WHEDF302D66B9

Research on the karstic soils and vegetation of the Béke-cave watershed in Hungary's Aggtelek National Park revealed distinct patterns of heavy metal mobility. The study found that metals exhibited varying degrees of bioavailability depending on soil texture, with a clear sequence of metal transfer between soil and common plant species such as oak, hornbeam, and corn. By analyzing both total (acid-soluble) and bioavailable metal concentrations, the study established a hierarchy of metal mobility, providing insights into how these elements move through ecosystems in this UNESCO-listed karst region.

Heirlooms, Aphidrumata, and the Foundation of Cyrene

Archaeological Site of Cyrene — 2015 — WHEC5417FAEAA

Among the nearly 4,500 terracotta figurines discovered in the extramural sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone at Cyrene, Libya, six fragments stand out due to their early date, placing them at the beginning of the 6th century BCE. This predates the founding of Cyrene around 631 BCE by approximately 50 years and the establishment of the extramural sanctuary around 600 BCE by about 75 years. The antiquity of these figurines raises significant questions about their origins and potential functions within the sanctuary, challenging existing assumptions about the timeline of religious practices in early Cyrene.

Heliotropium (Boraginaceae) in the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia) with description of a new species

Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands — 2015 — WHE270D35E4A6

Researchers have discovered and described a new species of Heliotropium, Heliotropium perlmanii, endemic to the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia). This plant, found exclusively on Eiao Island, is closely related to another Marquesan endemic, Heliotropium marchionicum. The study provides an amended description of H. marchionicum and a key to distinguish between the two species, highlighting their morphological differences. This contribution advances the understanding of the region's vascular flora, particularly within the Boraginaceae family.

Hellenistic & Roman Delos: the city & its emporion

Delos — 2015 — WHE2E6B92E304

Recent research on Hellenistic and Roman Delos has revealed the island's pivotal role as a commercial, religious, and political hub. Delos, home to the Sanctuary of Apollo since the Archaic period, flourished during the Late Hellenistic period, particularly after gaining duty-free status under Roman rule and reverting to Athenian control in 167 BC. This strategic position at the center of the Aegean world facilitated extensive trade networks connecting the eastern and western Mediterranean. The study integrates new excavations, re-evaluations of existing material, and analyses of religious, economic, and political activities, providing a comprehensive understanding of Delos' significance during this period.

Herbivore population regulation and resource heterogeneity in a stochastic environment

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape — 2015 — WHEC26A4D8369

A study of goat populations in the Richtersveld National Park, South Africa, reveals that population dynamics are tightly coupled to dry-season forage availability. Despite environmental stochasticity, density-dependent declines in body condition due to resource depletion directly influence pregnancy rates, litter sizes, and juvenile survival, with adult survival depending on mid-dry season body condition. Population growth is primarily determined by the length of the dry season and previous year's population size, contradicting theories that extreme variability decouples consumer-resource dynamics. The research combines long-term monitoring of 500 tagged females with demographic data to link forage resource heterogeneity to population stability.

Heritage and cultural tourism: the role of the aesthetic when visiting Mỹ Sơn and Cham Museum, Vietnam

My Son Sanctuary — 2015 — WHEAC6F6AD50F

Aesthetic experiences play a pivotal role in transforming visitors' engagement with cultural heritage sites, often elevating their perception from mere interest to near-spiritual appreciation. This study highlights how the aesthetic dimensions of landscape and dance at Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary and the Cham Museum in Vietnam contribute to an evolutionary experience of place for tourists. By employing qualitative methods, researchers uncovered that these sensory elements significantly shape visitors' demand for heritage tourism, deepening their connection with indigenous Cham culture and its artistic expressions. The findings underscore the importance of aesthetic considerations in managing cultural tourist attractions, offering insights into how such experiences can foster a more profound and meaningful engagement with heritage.

Heritage and Social Class

Ironbridge Gorge — 2015 — WHE83603F799D

This study highlights the cultural and social significance of heritage sites, particularly those memorializing working-class lives and occupations. It reveals how these sites, such as Ironbridge Gorge, serve as poignant reminders of a lost era, evoking a sense of loss and powerlessness associated with the decline of traditional industrial sectors like coal mining. The research approach involves qualitative analysis, focusing on the narrative of an 'ordinary' miner, Bryn Rees, whose story encapsulates the collective strength and eventual demise of the UK's coal industry. This study underscores the role of heritage sites in preserving and interpreting the cultural image of the working class amidst rapid socio-economic transformations.

Heritage designation and scale: a World Heritage case study of the Ningaloo Coast

Ningaloo Coast — 2015 — WHEDBDB2A172A

Heritage designation and scale are not just hierarchical abstractions but dynamic relationships shaped by spatial politics. This study redefines 'scale' in heritage research to include size (geographical), level (vertical), and relation, revealing how these elements interact in specific contexts. Using the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Site as a case study, it demonstrates that heritage processes are constituted through complex interrelationships, with researchers' choices about scale being inherently political. The analysis highlights how spatial politics come into focus when examining configurations of size, level, and relation within heritage designation processes.