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The Warden of World Heritage: UNESCO and the Rescue of the Nubian Monuments

Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae — 2015 — WHEB9A678F3D0

A monumental rescue effort led by UNESCO successfully saved two dozen Nubian monuments, including the iconic Abu Simbel and Philae temples, from submergence under Lake Nasser's waters. This achievement, marked by a ceremonial sunrise event attended by 500 people, demonstrated the power of international collaboration in preserving ancient civilizations. The study highlights how coordinated action—spanning logistics, cultural diplomacy, and engineering—can achieve what was once deemed impossible. It underscores UNESCO's role as a global guardian of heritage, emphasizing that such efforts not only protect historical treasures but also foster peace and collective responsibility for future generations.

The world largest cork oak Maamora forest: challenges and the way ahead

Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage — 2015 — WHEACCA41E936

The Maamora forest, once the world's largest cork oak forest spanning 300,000 hectares, has declined to less than 50,000 hectares with significant ecological disruption. This regression is primarily driven by heavy and unregulated human pressure, despite numerous conservation efforts. The study suggests that natural restoration, potentially aided by fencing, could be the most effective approach to reversing this decline. As a synthetic review, it compiles existing research on the forest's ecological, socio-economic, and cultural aspects while highlighting the urgent need for sustainable management strategies to safeguard this critical green heritage.

The World of the Nabataeans. Vol. 2

Petra — 2015 — WHEDE73E34323

The Nabataeans, a nomadic people renowned for their architectural prowess and trade networks, are the focus of this comprehensive volume. It reveals how they integrated diverse cultural influences—from South Arabian spice trade routes to Roman rule—to shape Petra's monumental architecture, domestic spaces, and urban development. Key insights include the continuity of Nabataean culture into the Byzantine period, their sophisticated water management systems, and the interplay between pastoral nomadism and sedentary life. The volume synthesizes archaeological, epigraphic, and historical evidence to reconstruct their society, religion, art, and economic practices, offering a nuanced understanding of this ancient civilization's legacy.

Theatricality, Dark Tourism and Ethical Spectatorship: Absent Others by Emma Willis (review)

Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection — 2015 — WHEDEB59E9993

Emma Willis's book, Theatricality, Dark Tourism and Ethical Spectatorship: Absent Others, challenges conventional critiques of dark tourism by examining its potential for ethical engagement. The study argues that theatrical elements in memorial sites—such as those related to the Khmer Rouge prisons and Killing Fields in Cambodia—can foster meaningful reflection on trauma, rather than merely exploiting macabre curiosity. Willis juxtaposes site visits with performance artworks (e.g., Photographs from S-21 and Maria Kizito) to demonstrate how spectatorship can serve as an indictment of human failure while attempting to understand others' experiences through embodied witnessing. The research avoids evaluating success or failure, instead focusing on the complex dynamics between personal, collective, and state-sanctioned narratives in dark tourism.

Thematic dimension of geological heritage: An evidence from the Western Caucasus

Western Caucasus — 2015 — WHE23F19FB2DF

Mountainous Adygeja in the Western Caucasus hosts a geodiversity hotspot with 14 geological heritage sites that offer unique insights into Earth's history. These geosites, spanning from the Precambrian to the Quaternary, provide evidence of significant palaeotectonic shifts, including the transition of the Greater Caucasus Terrane from Gondwana to Laurussia and later Laurasia. The study highlights how these sites can be thematically grouped to enhance their scientific and educational value, making them more appealing for geoconservation efforts and geotourism. This thematic approach ensures that visitors can observe rocks, fossils, and facies characteristic of key geological periods such as the Permian, Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous, while also acknowledging other significant geological features to avoid underestimation.

Theory and Practice in Heritage and Sustainability

Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura — 2015 — WHED2179A234E

A critical link between heritage preservation and social sustainability emerges from the study of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, revealing how inclusive practices can foster resilience and cohesion. The research demonstrates that equitable engagement with cultural heritage—such as community participation in Bristol or memory-based urban development in Dubrovnik—enhances social bonds and sustainable city growth. It also explores challenges like balancing tourism pressures in Cyprus or navigating historical burdens in Rome, underscoring the need for adaptive strategies. By analyzing case studies across Europe, the study highlights how language revitalization (e.g., Jersey) and place narratives (e.g., Rjukan) can strengthen cultural sustainability, offering a framework for resilient heritage management.

Thermal and chemical evolution of the subarc mantle revealed by spinel-hosted melt inclusions in boninite from the Ogasawara (Bonin) Archipelago, Japan

Ogasawara Islands — 2015 — WHEAB80B43E2E

A groundbreaking analysis of spinel-hosted melt inclusions in boninites from the Ogasawara Islands reveals two distinct geochemical groups, high-Si and low-Si, with ultra-depleted and less-depleted rare earth element patterns. These findings provide critical insights into the thermal and chemical evolution of the subarc mantle, showing that the onset of Pacific slab subduction at 52 million years ago triggered complex mantle dynamics. The study estimates primary boninite temperatures ranging from 1345 °C to 1421 °C under varying pressures, illustrating how slab fluid introduction led to distinct melting events in the mantle wedge. This research sheds light on the processes shaping arc magmatism and the role of mantle convection in subduction zones.

Thermodynamics of Coral Diversity — Diversity Index of CoralDistributions in Amitori Bay, Iriomote Island, Japan and Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2015 — WHE74A540C1DA

Research in Amitori Bay, Iriomote Island, Japan, reveals that coral diversity and distribution are significantly influenced by physical variables, with the bay's pristine environment—free from human impact—offering a unique opportunity to study these relationships. The study found that coral life forms, coverages, sizes, and species vary distinctly across different locations within the bay, supporting the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (IDH). This hypothesis suggests that moderate levels of disturbance can enhance biodiversity by preventing competitive exclusion among species. By analyzing these patterns, the research provides insights into how environmental factors shape coral ecosystems in undisturbed marine environments.

TheTasmanian Dam Case: an advocate's memoir

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2015 — WHE33602EA27C

The Tasmanian Dam Case offers a unique perspective on the intersection of environmental advocacy and legal precedent, highlighting its significance in shaping Australian law. The memoir provides insight into the 1980s case, focusing on the application for leave to intervene by the Tasmanian Wilderness Society and the subsequent oral submissions, which were heard as amicus curiae arguments. It underscores the importance of context in legal proceedings and reflects on the role of the High Court in Canberra during its early years, contributing to the development of the Australian Bar and legal profession. The account balances anecdotal details with broader observations on legal practice, offering a nuanced view of advocacy in environmental cases.

This Way to the Middle Ages: The Spaces of Medievalism (Chapter 3)

Historic Centre of Warsaw — 2015 — WHE01198F54A7

The reconstruction of the Old Town of Warsaw reveals the challenges and complexities of medievalism. Originally established in the 13th century, the area was nearly entirely destroyed during World War II, with only 15% surviving. The post-war reconstruction aimed to restore the late medieval cathedral of St John and other buildings, creating an illusion of historical permanence. However, this process is fraught with modern interventions, much like the restoration of Notre Dame in Paris. The study highlights how these reconstructed spaces, while visually reminiscent of the Middle Ages, are in fact palimpsests of various historical eras, often heavily influenced by 19th and 20th-century renovations. This raises questions about the authenticity and continuity of such sites, challenging the notion that they offer a genuine connection to the past.

THREE / Capitalism and Cartography in Amsterdam

Droogmakerij de Beemster (Beemster Polder) — 2015 — WHEFCA28EF479

Published maps of Amsterdam during its Golden Age not only documented the city's economic expansion but also reflected and reinforced contemporary humanist ideals about property, governance, and civic duty. A key focus on the Beemster Polder project reveals how these maps visually established Amsterdam as a global emporium while embedding capitalist principles into the cultural and legal fabric of the young Dutch nation. The study argues that cartography during this period was instrumental in shaping perceptions of land ownership, industry, and the relationship between citizens and the state, all of which were driven by capitalist expansionism.

Three Cases of Severe Hyponatremia During a River Run in Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park — 2015 — WHE6C4968E538

Three cases of severe hyponatremia, distinct from exercise-associated forms, occurred during a river rafting trip on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. The patients, all women, exhibited symptoms such as fatigue, emesis, disorientation, or seizure within 24 hours of each other and required intensive care. Unlike typical cases linked to prolonged endurance activities, these instances were not associated with significant physical exertion, highlighting unique diagnostic and treatment challenges in austere settings. The findings underscore the need for preventive measures to avoid overhydration driven by concerns about dehydration.

Three new species of Ametadoria Townsend (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Area de Conservación Guanacaste — 2015 — WHEE483565DF4

Researchers have identified three new species of parasitic flies, belonging to the genus Ametadoria, within the Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in Costa Rica. These species—Ametadoria karolramosae, Ametadoria leticiamartinezae, and Ametadoria mauriciogurdiani—were reared from wild-caught caterpillars of the Zygaenidae and Lacturidae families, highlighting their role in local ecosystems. The study integrates morphological, life history, and molecular data to describe these species, alongside proposing new synonyms and combinations for related taxa. This discovery contributes to the understanding of fly biodiversity in ACG while also resolving taxonomic ambiguities within the Tachinidae family.

Three new species of Begonia endemic to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan

Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park — 2015 — WHE3C594EBAEC

Researchers have discovered three new species of Begonia endemic to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, highlighting the unique flora supported by its limestone habitats. This finding underscores the biodiversity richness and the importance of protecting this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study employed field surveys and morphological analyses to characterize these new species, demonstrating that significant botanical diversity remains undocumented even in well-studied areas.

Three new species of Trigonospila Pokorny (Diptera: Tachinidae), from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica, with a key for their identification

Area de Conservación Guanacaste — 2015 — WHE7B7F972143

Researchers have identified three new species of Trigonospila flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) from the Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), Costa Rica, bringing the total known in the New World to ten. These discoveries—Trigonospila edwinbermudezi, T. uniformis, and T. josemariamoragai—were made through a comprehensive study integrating morphological analysis, photographic documentation, life history data, and molecular evidence. The study also describes the previously unknown male of Trigonospila panamensis. All species were reared from ACG caterpillars during an ongoing inventory of caterpillar-parasitoid interactions across dry, rain, and cloud forests, contributing to biodiversity documentation in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Three newStirtoniafrom Everglades National Park with a key to neotropical species

Everglades National Park — 2015 — WHE231D5C5BF3

Researchers have discovered three new species of lichen, Stirtonia byssoidea, S. coei, and S. latispora, within the coastal hammocks of Everglades National Park. These findings expand the known biodiversity of the region and contribute to the understanding of Neotropical lichen diversity. The study employed morphological and chemical analyses to distinguish these species from existing ones, noting unique characteristics such as thallus type, ascospore size, and absence or presence of specific substances like perlatolic acid. A key identifying feature is the distinct ascigerous zones and ascospore morphology, which differentiate them from closely related species like Stirtonia alba and S. curvata. Additionally, a key to six Neotropical Stirtonia species was provided, aiding future taxonomic studies in this group.

Thrust-fault architecture of glaciotectonic complexes in Denmark

Møns Klint — 2015 — WHEFD38120812

A glaciotectonic complex affecting comparable rock units to those at Møns Klint was recently recognized in seismic sections from Jammerbugten in the North Sea, providing a unique opportunity for comparative studies of upper and lower structural levels in thin-skinned thrust-fault deformation. The study highlights the importance of the décollement zone, located 50 to 100 meters below sea level, which separates undeformed bedrock from displaced thrust-sheet units. While structures above sea level at Møns Klint are well-documented, those below remain poorly understood and require further documentation despite previous modeling efforts.

Tidal day organic and inorganic material flux of ponds in the Liberty Island freshwater tidal wetland

Statue of Liberty — 2015 — WHE25D8A59251

A single-day study on Liberty Island's freshwater tidal wetland revealed that small vegetated ponds, despite their limited area, are significant contributors to the export of organic and inorganic material. These ponds accounted for up to 81% of organic and 61% of inorganic material flux within the wetland, highlighting their crucial role in material exchange. The research also underscored the importance of small-scale physical processes, such as tidal asymmetry, which facilitated a 40% greater export of materials during ebb tide. In contrast, a larger open-water pond imported substantial amounts of both inorganic and organic material from the adjacent river. This study provides critical insights into the dynamics of freshwater tidal wetlands and their potential impact on fishery production.

Tidal flats of the Y ellow S ea: A review of ecosystem status and anthropogenic threats

Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats — 2015 — WHED79B537614

Yellow Sea tidal flats, spanning over 4000 km along the coasts of China, North Korea, and South Korea, are classified as endangered according to IUCN Red List criteria due to significant areal decline (50-80%) in the last 50 years. This degradation is marked by increased algal blooms, hypoxic dead zones, jellyfish blooms, and declines in commercial fisheries and migratory bird populations. The study applies standardized remotely sensed habitat data and historic topographic maps to assess ecosystem status, highlighting urgent threats from pollution and coastal exploitation. Mitigation strategies proposed include improved regional and national coastal planning, expansion of protected areas, and enhanced management to curb illegal land reclamation.

Tigers of Sundarbans in India: Is the Population a Separate Conservation Unit?

The Sundarbans — 2015 — WHEF4FB3D1754

Sundarbans tigers, though morphologically distinct from other Bengal tiger subspecies, are not genetically separate but should be managed as a unique 'evolutionarily significant unit' (ESU) due to their ecological non-exchangeability. The study analyzed nine microsatellites and 3 kb of mitochondrial DNA from four genes to assess genetic variability, population structure, and connectivity between Sundarbans tigers and mainland Indian populations. Findings revealed that while Sundarbans tigers are not a distinct subspecies, they exhibit stronger genetic differentiation in mitochondrial DNA compared to nuclear DNA, indicating recent divergence within the last 2000 years. The research suggests that historical habitat fragmentation has reduced gene flow, making these tigers ecologically distinct and warranting separate conservation strategies under the adaptive evolutionary conservation (AEC) concept.