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Where the Law Rock Lies

Þingvellir National Park — 2015 — WHEE5472B74AF

Þingvellir National Park, the historic site of Iceland's Alþing, the oldest parliament in Europe, holds the memory of a nation shaped by oral tradition and legal debates. The exact location of the Law Rock, central to these proceedings, remains uncertain despite its symbolic importance as a pilgrimage site for modern Pagans. This study explores the cultural significance of Þingvellir through personal narrative, blending historical research with the author's journey as a second-generation Pagan drawn to Iceland's pagan heritage. The approach combines fieldwork observations, historical analysis, and introspective reflection, offering a unique perspective on how memory and place construct national identity.

Who built what at Mont Saint-Michel during the 10 th Century ?

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2015 — WHE7B8BD1170C

A re-evaluation of Mont Saint-Michel's 10th-century construction phases suggests that the Notre-Dame-sous-Terre chapel was built in two distinct periods: approximately 930-950 for its initial phase, and shortly after a fire around 992 for its second. The study challenges the prevailing view that the foundations discovered by Paul Gout east of Notre-Dame-sous-Terre were an early abbatial church, proposing instead they likely belonged to the Benedictines' initial conventual buildings. Additionally, it argues that the basilica structure identified as 'the chapel of the year 1000' may have served a secular purpose, potentially functioning as a ducal palace built by Richard I in anticipation of dynastic marriages between Norman and Breton noble families around the turn of the millennium. This research relies on historical analysis and architectural interpretation to propose new hypotheses about Mont Saint-Michel's early medieval development.

Widespread Cytotypic Variation, Cytogeography and Dynamic Analysis of Lysimachia mauritiana (Primulaceae) on Amamioshima, Kakeromajima and Tokunoshima Islands in the Amami Group of the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2015 — WHEF3D0A4D78B

A study of the coastal herb Lysimachia mauritiana on Amamioshima, Kakeromajima, and Tokunoshima Islands in Japan's Ryukyu Archipelago revealed significant intraspecific karyotypic diversity, with 15 cytotypes identified across five chromosome numbers (2n=16, 17, 18, 19, 20). Each locality hosted multiple cytotypes, suggesting dynamic evolutionary processes. Amamioshima and Tokunoshima showed distinct dominant cytotypes (16(6m) and 18(6m), respectively), while Kakeromajima lacked the 16(6m) cytotype. The research combined karyomorphological and cytogeographical analyses of 452 individuals from 27 sites, indicating potential future convergence of cytotypes in Amamioshima's northeast region.

Wildflower harvesting on the Agulhas Plain, South Africa: Challenges in a fragmented industry

Cape Floral Region Protected Areas — 2015 — WHE8E21164B2F

A fragmented wildflower harvesting industry on South Africa’s Agulhas Plain poses risks to the sustainability of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) and the livelihoods of disadvantaged communities. The study identifies that poor communication and competition among stakeholders hinder collective progress, threatening both biodiversity conservation and socio-economic stability. It proposes the establishment of a 'Wildflower Harvesting Forum' as a solution to foster cooperation and address challenges collaboratively. Using qualitative data from stakeholder interviews, the research underscores the urgent need for industry-wide coordination to ensure the long-term viability of this economically vital yet ecologically sensitive sector.

Wildlife Habitat Suitability Analysis at Serengeti National Park (SNP), Tanzania Case Study Loxodonta sp

Serengeti National Park — 2015 — WHE816E59D596

A study on elephant habitat suitability in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, identified that open tree areas with 65-40% crown cover and forests are the most critical habitats for elephants, providing essential protection, resting, and feeding zones. The research used a combination of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to map and weight five key habitat factors: rivers, roads, forests, woodlands, and grasslands/bush lands. This method successfully generated a thematic map highlighting suitable elephant habitats, addressing the challenges posed by habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflicts due to encroachment, poaching, and commercial agriculture. The findings underscore the importance of forest conservation for long-term elephant survival and suggest that this approach can be replicated in similar environments.

Will Ngorongoro Conservation Area remain a world heritage site amidst increasing human footprint?

Ngorongoro Conservation Area — 2015 — WHE0D3B637AB8

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, faces significant ecological threats due to rapid human population growth, diversified livelihoods, and increasing tourism. Research indicates a 5.6% annual population growth rate and a 1.1% rise in livestock numbers, alongside a 46% increase in cropland, which has led to the decline of grasslands and natural forests. These changes are contributing to wildlife population declines and ecosystem transformation. The study also highlights tensions between the Maasai community and the NCA Authority (NCAA) over land use restrictions, as well as rising tourism pressures. Without effective management measures, the future of the NCA's unique ecosystem—and its World Heritage status—is at risk.

Wine and cultural heritage. The experience of the Alto Douro Wine Region

Alto Douro Wine Region — 2015 — WHE4CE938FCDF

A study on the Alto Douro Wine Region reveals that visitors prioritize the preservation of vineyards supported by schist walls and the region's characteristic landscape mosaic. Using a mixed logit model, researchers found that wealthier, employed, better-educated individuals with deeper knowledge of the site's culture are more willing to engage in heritage conservation. The research highlights structural changes in the region's economy, driven by wine production and tourism, which threaten traditional cultural landscapes. This analysis underscores the need for public attention and preservation efforts to maintain the region's unique identity.

Wooden Structures and Cultural Symbolism in Ohio Hopewell

Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks — 2015 — WHE482BA20AEC

A comprehensive analysis of wooden structures in Ohio's Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks reveals their multifaceted roles during the Hopewell Era, spanning architectural and ritualistic functions. The study identifies that thousands of trees were harvested to create posts for load-bearing structures, including single and multi-roomed buildings, as well as extensive land enclosures and short screens. Notably, some posts, both within and outside these structures, appear to have been used for ceremonial purposes, suggesting a deep cultural symbolism. The research examines examples from prominent complexes such as Seip, Tremper, Liberty, and Hopewell, providing insights into the sophisticated construction techniques and symbolic significance of wooden features in this ancient society.

World heritage and landscape change – heritage buildings and their changed visibility in the coastal landscape of Vega, Norway

Vegaøyan – The Vega Archipelago — 2015 — WHE84D4537284

A significant decrease in open land surrounding heritage buildings has been observed in the buffer zone of Vegaøyan, Norway's UNESCO World Heritage site. This change, regardless of building category, suggests that agricultural practices play a crucial role in maintaining the traditional open coastal landscape. The study used aerial photographs and land cover maps from 1965, 1986, and 2009 to analyze landscape openness and viewsheds, revealing that many visitors do not reach the outer archipelago, which is the core of the listed site.

World Heritage listing and the globalization of the endangerment sensibility

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park — 2015 — WHECE050248FA

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park's World Heritage listing reflects the globalization of an 'endangerment sensibility,' where administrative processes prioritize documentation over tangible conservation. The study highlights how cultural heritage, particularly intangible traditions and practices, has seen exponential growth in protection efforts due to government support for museological management techniques. While natural sites like Uluru-Kata Tjuta were listed earlier (1987), the expansion of such sensibilities now encompasses broader cultural preservation frameworks.

World Heritage site as a label in branding a place

Maritime Greenwich — 2015 — WHEAC1903D3A0

World Heritage Site (WHS) status significantly boosts tourism and reinforces the identity of a place, such as Maritime Greenwich. Research demonstrates that WHS labeling motivates both general and heritage tourists to visit, enhances their confidence in selecting destinations, and promotes awareness. However, it emphasizes the critical need for balancing branding efforts with sustainability and conservation to preserve heritage value and maintain public trust. The study employed qualitative methods, including interviews and a case analysis of Maritime Greenwich, highlighting the dual role of WHS status in marketing and long-term preservation.

World Heritage, Tourism and Community Involvement: A Comparative Study of the High Coast (Sweden) and Kvarken Archipelago (Finland)

High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago — 2015 — WHE95E5B3EAB0

Local communities in the High Coast (Sweden) and Kvarken Archipelago (Finland), both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exhibit predominantly positive attitudes toward tourism development but demonstrate limited understanding of the UNESCO World Heritage concept. While residents in the High Coast region are generally more supportive of increased tourism compared to their counterparts in Kvarken, Finnish authorities show a stronger inclination to leverage World Heritage status for economic benefits than Swedish authorities. The study, based on empirical attitude surveys and focus group interviews, reveals that World Heritage designation alone does not drive regional tourism development but rather fits into broader destination-building efforts. However, collaboration between communities and authorities remains limited and often conflict-laden, suggesting that improved cooperation could enhance the positive image of these sites while supporting sustainable tourism growth.

Writing Self, Writing Empire: Chandar Bhan Brahman and the Cultural World of the Indo-Persian State Secretary

Taj Mahal — 2015 — WHE1CBC4FAD4D

Chandar Bhan Brahman's writings offer unprecedented insight into the pluralistic and intellectually vibrant culture of the Mughal court during its peak, under emperors Akbar to Aurangzeb. His Indo-Persian poetry and prose, spanning administrative, mystical, and ethical themes, reveal the complex interplay between Hindu and Muslim traditions in early modern South Asia. Through his letters and autobiographical works, Chandar Bhan provides rare examples of self-fashioning, challenging conventional narratives of Mughal courtly life. This study reconstructs a neglected yet crucial period of Mughal history, blending literary analysis with historical context to illuminate the empire's cultural and political dynamics.

XAFS study of Zr in Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary clays from Stevns Klint

Stevns Klint — 2015 — WHEB787959CE9

A groundbreaking study reveals that zirconium (Zr) in Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary clays from Stevns Klint, Denmark, retains structural signatures of thermal quenching linked to a meteorite impact. Using Zr K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), researchers found that the Zr-O bonding distance and coordination number closely resemble those in rhyolitic volcanic glass and tektites—materials formed during high-temperature, reductive conditions. Notably, the partial reduction of zirconium ions (Zr^3.8+–3.9+) suggests rapid cooling after formation, preserving unique chemical states absent in natural glasses. This discovery offers a novel method to identify sedimentary rocks deposited during extinction events by analyzing Zr's local structure, providing critical insights into the environmental conditions following catastrophic impacts.

Yabancı Turistlerin Safranbolu'daki Çevre Kirliliği Algısı

City of Safranbolu — 2015 — WHECC087FE3A8

Foreign tourists visiting Safranbolu between 2009 and 2011 were most disturbed by billboards (23.08%) and air pollution (21.15%), with traffic congestion being a consistent concern across years and tourist groups. Visual pollution from solar heating systems and satellite dishes also drew attention. The study, analyzing data from three consecutive years, highlights the impact of urban elements on tourists' environmental perception in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yamato as cultural memory: Maekawa Samio's poetry on Nara

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara — 2015 — WHE2D36BEFF38

Maekawa Samio, a celebrated 20th-century tanka poet and modernist pioneer, deeply embedded the landscape of Nara—his birthplace and cultural heartland—in his poetry, crafting over 1,000 verses that celebrate its Arcadian beauty and historical richness. Through a detailed analysis of his works, including Shokubutsusai (1930), Yamato roppyakuka (1971), and Yamato mahoroba no ki (1982), this study reveals how Nara's topography and traditions shaped Maekawa's poetic evolution. His verse not only reflects the enduring allure of rural Yamato but also traces shifts in his perception of landscape, from youthful reverence to a mature synthesis of history, culture, and personal memory. The research employs close textual analysis to illustrate Nara's significance as both a physical and symbolic foundation for Maekawa's poetic identity.

Zadoff, Mirjam William Templer (review)

The Great Spa Towns of Europe — 2015 — WHEBE8B75227D

Mirjam Zadoff's study reveals the Great Spa Towns of Europe, particularly Carlsbad, Marienbad, and Franzensbad, as dynamic 'Jewish places' characterized by diverse Jewish cultures, not static units. Through a rigorous analysis spanning 1870s to 1938, Zadoff examines how these spas functioned as 'compensatory heterotopias,' offering sanctuary and healing amid rising antisemitism. By leveraging memoirs, travel guides, fictional texts, and archival sources in multiple languages, she uncovers the complex interactions among Jewish physicians, tourists, writers, and Chassidic rebbes, highlighting both their self-segregation and shared spaces. The study underscores the spas' role as microcosms of Jewish life, bridging cultural differences while navigating political tensions.

Zircon formation in impact melts: Complications for deciphering planetary impact histories

Vredefort Dome — 2015 — WHE2A6FF82CCB

Zircon grains in impact melts may not reliably record planetary impact events, challenging their use as geochronological markers. Modeling suggests zircon formation is rare (~2% of melting events) and requires high zircon abundance, making it unlikely for lunar meteorites like SaU 169 to reflect Imbrium impact ages. Analysis of poikilitic zircons from the Vredefort Dome, Earth's largest terrestrial impact crater, reveals they are inherited from Archean target rocks with Pb loss, not formed during the impact. This complicates the interpretation of zircon textures in lunar samples and underscores the need for further study on shock-induced isotopic effects to accurately decipher planetary impact histories.

Zur Bedeutung des Faktors Nachhaltigkeit für die Unternehmenskommunikation am Beispiel des Kuratoriums UNESCO-Weltkulturerbe Museumsinsel Berlin

Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin — 2015 — WHE87358D7D54

A study on the Museumsinsel, Berlinreveals that while member companies of its Kuratorium value social engagement significantly, they rarely communicate their involvement externally. This discrepancy suggests potential for greater emphasis in internal corporate communication. The research, based on qualitative analysis of interviews with representatives from the Kuratorium and Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz, explores how sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are prioritized within these companies' engagement strategies.

‘European’ and ‘Asian’ approaches to cultural landscapes management at Borobudur, Indonesia in the 1970s

Borobudur Temple Compounds — 2014 — WHEAF1C4F9689

In the 1970s, Borobudur Temple Compounds' nomination for UNESCO World Heritage List reflected European-dominated heritage discourses, prioritizing monument-centric conservation over community involvement and cultural landscapes. This approach delayed the shift toward Asian-led heritage management, which emphasizes participatory preservation and broader landscape protection. The study contrasts these paradigms through Borobudur's restoration efforts, highlighting how obligatory World Heritage criteria reinforced post-colonial monument-focused practices. It underscores the Nara Document's role in challenging European authenticity standards and promoting alternative, community-driven heritage conservation models.