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Realização social da natureza pelo turismo na Chapada dos Veadeiros

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2015 — WHE49A0F5A792

Tourism emerges as a pivotal economic driver for communities surrounding the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, one of Brazil's most preserved Cerrado biomes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study reveals that the park's unique physiographic and cultural landscape attracts thousands of annual visitors, significantly boosting local economies. Through fieldwork, documentary analysis, and bibliographic review, researchers mapped the socio-spatial dynamics shaping tourism in Alto Paraíso de Goiás and Vila de São Jorge, highlighting its role as a modern economic force while preserving the region's ecological and cultural integrity.

Recent Rates of Carbon Accumulation in Montane Fens of Yosemite National Park, California, U.S.A.

Yosemite National Park — 2015 — WHEBED2569F48

Montane fens in Yosemite National Park, California, are accumulating carbon at rates comparable to those observed in rich fens of western Canada. This study quantifies recent carbon accumulation (past 50–100 years) using peat cores collected from three sites spanning elevations of 2070 to 2500 meters. Analysis revealed organic carbon densities ranging from 0.026 to 0.065 g C cm⁻³, with mean vertical accretion rates of 0.28 (±0.09) cm yr⁻¹ (1960–2011) and 0.18 (±0.04) cm yr⁻¹ (1910–2011). Corresponding carbon accumulation rates were 95.4 (±25.4) and 74.7 (±17.2) g C m⁻² yr⁻¹, respectively. These findings suggest that temperate montane fens may play a significant but understudied role in regional carbon storage, though further research is needed to compare peat formation processes between boreal and temperate ecosystems.

Reconceptualizing the Early Bronze Age Southern Levant without Cities

Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan — 2015 — WHEF08AFE4E92

Challenging the long-held belief that the Early Bronze Age (EBA) in the southern Levant marked the emergence of urban society, this study argues that EBA evidence does not meet standard definitions of urbanism. Key elements such as large-scale social differentiation, localized cultural diversity, and a rural-urban dichotomy are absent. Instead, the research suggests that EBA societies pursued a distinct societal project—characterized by population aggregation, fortified communities, agricultural intensification, water management innovations, and regionalized material culture—without undergoing urbanization. By analyzing mortuary practices at Jericho and Bab adh-Dhra`, the study highlights the lack of cultural coherence and social stratification, proposing a reconceptualization of EBA society based on its unique regional context.

Reconciliation and Perpetrator Memories in Cambodia

Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection — 2015 — WHE38C7EA0BAB

A critical examination of perpetrator memories reveals their complex and contradictory role in reconciliation efforts, particularly within the context of Cambodia's Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). The study, conducted through ethnographic and interview data from Anlong Veng—a former Khmer Rouge stronghold—highlights how memories of atrocity can both disrupt and align with reconciliation narratives. While perpetrator and victim memories often appear irreconcilable, they also demonstrate surprising commensurability within the ECCC's framework. This duality challenges conventional understandings of reconciliation, offering new insights into the place of perpetrator memories in human rights scholarship.

Records of Two Manefishes, Platyberyx andriashevi and P. rhyton (Teleostei: Perciformes: Caristiidae), from off the Ogasawara Islands, Japan

Ogasawara Islands — 2015 — WHE03CD32E999

Researchers document the first records of two rare manefish species, Platyberyx andriashevi and P. rhyton, from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. The study identifies three specimens of P. andriashevi, expanding its known range in Japan, while also providing the third recorded specimen of P. rhyton, previously known only from northeastern Japan. Morphological data for both species were collected, and a new Japanese name was proposed for P. andriashevi. Additionally, the study presents an identification key for the five Caristiidae species currently recognized in Japan, contributing to the taxonomic understanding of these deep-sea fishes.

Redescription of UALVP 40, an unusual specimen of Chasmosaurus Lambe, 1914 (Ceratopsidae: Chasmosaurinae) bearing long postorbital horns, and its implications for ontogeny and alpha taxonomy of the genus

Dinosaur Provincial Park — 2015 — WHE123F7BA3BC

A newly redescribed Chasmosaurus skull (UALVP 40) from Dinosaur Provincial Park, Canada, reveals significant asymmetries and developmental features suggesting it is a subadult. The right postorbital horncore inclines at a steeper angle (60°) than the left, while unfused cranial sutures and a short predentary support its immature status. Analysis of UALVP 40 alongside other Canadian Chasmosaurus specimens with long postorbital horns (>150 mm) indicates an isometric relationship between interorbital width and horn length, implying these may represent an ontogenetic series of a single species. The study also introduces a novel diagnostic trait for the genus: a straight squamosal dorsal border adjacent to the supratemporal fenestra, sloping posteroventrally before ascending to form the parietal fenestra's lateral border.

Redeveloping the historical centre of Saint Petersburg, Russia: a new approach

Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments — 2015 — WHEDB869F95E8

Redevelopment of Saint Petersburg's historic centre, built as intricate networks to foster trade and social interaction, faces challenges due to its confined layouts, which deter modern commercial developers. This study proposes five distinct types of historic urban areas based on functionality, development regularity, and perimeters, offering tailored redevelopment strategies for each. By comparing Saint Petersburg with other European cities like Paris, Versailles, Stockholm, Budapest, and Berlin, the research aims to address ongoing decay, piecemeal reconstruction, and lack of planning strategy through a systematic approach.

Refining Our Understanding of Howiesons Poort Lithic Technology: The Evidence from Grey Rocky Layer in Sibudu Cave (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa — 2015 — WHE0985820910

A detailed technological analysis of the Grey Rocky Layer in Sibudu Cave, South Africa, reveals significant advancements in Howiesons Poort lithic technology during the late Pleistocene. The study highlights the importance of blade production using diverse knapping methods, alongside flaking techniques tailored to coarse-grained rock types. Additionally, it identifies new strategies for bifacial production and microlithism, demonstrating a versatile reduction strategy influenced by rock characteristics. This technological variability suggests potential diachronic, functional, or organizational differences among Howiesons Poort sites, while also showing clear links with other Middle Stone Age assemblages. The findings underscore the unique character of the Howiesons Poort technocomplex and its connections to pre-Still Bay and post-Howiosons Poort industries.

Refining the Chronology of the Neolithic Settlement at Pool, Sanday, Orkney: Implications for the Emergence and Development of Grooved Ware

Heart of Neolithic Orkney — 2015 — WHE533DD5A2CD

New radiocarbon dating refines the chronology of the Neolithic settlement at Pool, Sanday, Orkney, revealing two distinct phases of Grooved Ware pottery development. Phases 2.2 and 2.3, featuring flat-based Grooved Ware with incised decoration, likely spanned the 31st to 28th centuries cal BC, followed by a century-long hiatus before Phase 3, characterized by applied decoration, emerged between the 26th and 24th centuries cal BC. This study provides critical insights into the emergence and evolution of Grooved Ware, shedding light on the trajectory of settlement and monumentality in Sanday during this period.

Reflections on an Orientalist: Alexander Kuhn (1840–88), the Man and his Legacy

Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz — 2015 — WHE34019459DA

Alexander Kuhn's legacy, previously under-recognized, sheds light on his significant contributions to the documentation of Central Asia during the 19th century. As a Russian Orientalist, Kuhn collected vast amounts of manuscripts, archives, and photographic materials during his service in Turkestan, including key sites like Kītāb of ShahriSabz (Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz). His work, particularly the 'Turkistan Albums,' provided invaluable visual documentation of Central Asian cultures. This study delves into Kuhn's personal archive to uncover his motivations and the extent of his influence on historical records, revealing a more nuanced understanding of his role in preserving cultural heritage.

Registros notables del puerco espín tropical Sphiggurus mexicanus (Erethizontidae) en el estado de Oaxaca, México

Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica — 2015 — WHE2D369918A1

Researchers have significantly expanded the known distribution and ecological range of the tropical porcupine, Sphiggurus mexicanus, in Oaxaca, Mexico. Five new records—including a camera-trap capture—document the species' presence at higher altitudes (1,673 to 2,668 meters) within cloud forests, marking its first confirmed occurrence in this habitat type in Oaxaca. These findings extend its geographical range by 34 kilometers southwestward and suggest that S. mexicanus breeds in these environments, as evidenced by an immature female specimen. The study relied on field observations, voucher specimens, and camera traps to gather data, underscoring the importance of distributional records for conservation efforts.

Registros y Distribución Potencial del Jaguar (Panthera onca) en Honduras

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve — 2015 — WHE7827F48938

A potential distribution model for jaguars (Panthera onca) in Honduras, developed using MaxEnt with 100 jaguar records and 19 bioclimatic variables, identified the Moskitia and Caribbean regions as critical habitats spanning approximately 42,192 km². This area encompasses 18 protected zones but faces significant threats from agricultural expansion (27.65% of the modeled region). Four key connectivity bottlenecks were pinpointed, where habitat fragmentation risks disrupting movement between vital protected areas, such as Cusuco National Park and Jeannette Kawas National Park. The Moskitia Indigenous territory emerged as a less disturbed jaguar stronghold, underscoring its conservation importance. The study emphasizes the urgent need for implementing the Jaguar Conservation Plan to safeguard habitats and maintain population health in Honduras.

Registros y Distribución Potencial del Murciélago Blanco Hondureño (Ectophylla alba) en la RegióN de la Moskitia, Honduras

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve — 2015 — WHE6D9C900DA1

A new study reveals the rediscovery of the Honduran white bat (Ectophylla alba) in six previously unknown locations within Honduras, expanding its known distribution. Using historical and contemporary records, researchers modeled the species' potential distribution, finding it primarily concentrated in the broadleaf forests of the Honduran Mosquitia region, including protected areas such as the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Warunta and Mocorón mountain forests, and indigenous territories like Mabita and Rus Rus. These forests form a continuous corridor spanning approximately 4,775 km², connecting northern lowland tropical rainforests with riparian broadleaf forests and pine savannas to the east. The study highlights the importance of these ecosystems for the species' survival.

Reimagining the City of Fire and Iron: A landscape archaeology of the Angkor-Period Industrial Complex of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay, Cambodia (ca. 9th to 13th centuries A.D.)

Angkor — 2015 — WHEDBE28A3902

A groundbreaking study challenges conventional views of the Preah Khan of Kompong Svay complex, revealing it as more than just a military outpost or industrial center during the Angkor period (9th to 13th centuries A.D.). Using remote sensing and comprehensive ground surveys, researchers produced the first detailed archaeological map of the site, uncovering its multifaceted role in Khmer imperial dynamics. This research sheds new light on early urbanism, industrial production, and regional governance within the vast Khmer Empire, which once spanned much of mainland Southeast Asia. The findings suggest a more complex and integrated function for this remote monumental center than previously understood.

Reinventing Westminster Abbey, 1642–1660: A House of Kings from Revolution to Restoration

Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church — 2015 — WHEA434F20B80

Westminster Abbey, unlike other cathedrals, played a pivotal role during England's Civil War and Interregnum (1642–1660), serving as a symbol of legitimacy for non-monarchical regimes. Contrary to widespread assumptions about its destruction, the Abbey was repurposed to support political and religious transitions, including the establishment of the Commonwealth. This study reveals how its 'reclamation' during the Restoration (1660) reflected broader efforts to reinterpret national identity. By analyzing archival records and historical accounts, the research challenges conventional narratives, demonstrating the Abbey's adaptive significance in shaping England's post-revolutionary cultural politics.

Relationship Between Massive Coral Distribution and Physical Variables in Amitori Bay, Iriomote Island, Japan

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2015 — WHEF6727A287B

In Amitori Bay, Iriomote Island, Japan, massive coral distribution shows distinct relationships with physical variables. Key findings reveal that massive coral cover inversely correlates with water depth and other coral forms, while weakly correlating with average wave height due to the resilience of their structure. Additionally, soil particle quantity exhibits an inverse relationship with coral species diversity but a positive correlation with the dominance of certain coral types like Acropora, likely due to their superior sediment removal capabilities. The study integrated coral distribution surveys, ocean-atmosphere-river observations, and wave models to elucidate these patterns.

Relationship between Turbid Water and Coral Damage Distribution Using ALOS AVNIR-2 Images and Diving Survey Data Immediately after the Heavy Rain Disaster of the Amami-Oshima Island, Japan

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2015 — WHE162478109B

A significant correlation was found between areas of high turbidity and coral damage distribution following a heavy rain disaster on Amami-Oshima Island, Japan. The study utilized ALOS AVNIR-2 satellite imagery with 10-meter resolution, captured before and after the disaster in October 2010, to map red-silt deposition indices (RSI). Field surveys conducted via spot check diving in December 2010 validated these findings, demonstrating that satellite data can effectively monitor coral reef damage post-disaster. This approach highlights the potential of remote sensing tools like AVNIR-2 for rapid and large-scale assessment of environmental impacts on coral ecosystems.

Religious Activities and their Tourism Potential in Sukur Kingdom, Nigeria

Sukur Cultural Landscape — 2015 — WHE8FD262C761

Religious tourism in Sukur Kingdom, Nigeria, offers significant potential for sustainable development by leveraging faith-based travel and spiritual experiences. This study highlights how religious sites in the region attract tourists seeking fellowship, inspiration, and participation in significant religious events, while also providing opportunities for humanitarian engagement. Using ethnographic methods, researchers gathered insights from respondents to analyze the tourism dynamics of Sukur Kingdom's diverse belief systems. The findings suggest that harnessing these spiritual attractions could foster economic growth, cultural preservation, and community development in the area.

Remote sensing, landscape and archaeology tracing ancient tracks and roads between Palmyra and the Euphrates in Syria

Site of Palmyra — 2015 — WHE136DC27B7F

A study using remote sensing and satellite imagery reveals that the area between Palmyra and the Euphrates in Syria was more militarily organized by the second and third centuries AD than previously believed, coinciding with the 'golden age' of Palmyrene caravans. The research, conducted by the Finnish archaeological survey project SYGIS before the Syrian civil war, documented ancient roads, bridge points, military sites, water harvesting structures, and civilian settlements, demonstrating active desert-steppe development during this period. Topography and landscape played crucial roles in constructing graves and sign-posts, guiding caravans through the desert.

Renovation of the Centennial Hall

Centennial Hall in Wrocław — 2015 — WHE79523E4AA4

A major renovation of the Centennial Hall in Wrocław, conducted between 2009 and 2011, successfully preserved its historical integrity while adapting it to modern public building standards. The study highlights the use of remedial technologies that prioritized maintaining the authenticity of original materials, such as reinforced concrete, ensuring the building's longevity without compromising its architectural significance. Designed by Max Berg in 1911-1913, the Centennial Hall is renowned for its pioneering ribbed dome, which was the largest in the world at the time and set a precedent for modernist architecture. The renovation process addressed challenges posed by the building's precursor construction solutions, reinforcing its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a landmark of 20th-century architectural innovation.