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Fossil shorelines at Corfu and surrounding islands deduced from erosional notches

Old Town of Corfu — 2014 — WHE691C92AA30

A new geomorphological study of the Old Town of Corfu and its surrounding islands reveals that fossil shorelines, marked by tidal notches, provide evidence of past sea-level changes and tectonic stability. The research identified a 'modern' tidal notch submerged at approximately -20 cm across all studied islands, indicating no significant vertical tectonic movements since its formation during the 19th and 20th centuries. Corfu shows distinct signs of both emergence and submergence due to ancient earthquakes, with notable displacements such as +130 ± 11 cm (dated around 790–400 cal. bc) and multiple submerged notches suggesting repeated coseismic subsidences. Paxoi and Antipaxoi exhibit primarily Holocene subsidence, with additional submerged tidal notches found at varying depths. This study combines field observations of erosional notches with geological analysis to reconstruct past sea-level positions and tectonic activity in the region.

Fossil treasure house for exploring the Cambrian explosion

Chengjiang Fossil Site — 2014 — WHEE32BC02BC5

The Chengjiang Fossil Site has emerged as a pivotal 'fossil treasure house' for unraveling the Cambrian explosion—a rapid diversification of life forms during the early Cambrian period. This site, along with other Burgess Shale-type fossil Lagerstatten, preserves soft-bodied fossils in exceptional detail, offering unique insights into marine biodiversity and evolutionary trends. The recently discovered Xiazhuang Assemblage, similar to the Chengjiang fauna, includes arthropods, brachiopods, priapulids, lobopods, and problematic taxa, though with notable absences like Kunmingella douvillei. Comparative studies across these sites reveal chronological changes in biological communities, while limited specimen collections highlight the need for intensified fossil excavation to further enrich our understanding of this critical period.

Foundations of an African civilisation: Aksum and the northern Horn 1000 BC – AD 1300

Aksum — 2014 — WHE5FE099D27B

Archaeological, epigraphic, and historical evidence reveals the rise and fall of the Aksumite polity from 1000 BC to AD 1300, offering a comprehensive understanding of an ancient African civilization. The study meticulously analyzes inscriptions, material culture, and historical records to trace the development and decline of Aksum's political, economic, and cultural systems. Key insights include the evolution of Aksumite statecraft, its trade networks, and religious transformations, particularly the adoption of Christianity in the 4th century AD. This work challenges traditional narratives by emphasizing Aksum's role as a major power in the northern Horn of Africa during antiquity.

Four new species and sixteen new lichen records for North America from Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park — 2014 — WHE6BF5D04E1F

A groundbreaking lichen study of Everglades National Park has uncovered four new species—Cryptothecia fuscopunctata, Diorygma basinigrum, Herpothallon hyposticticum, and Platygramme coccinea—as well as sixteen lichen taxa previously unknown to North America. These discoveries expand the continent’s lichen biodiversity, including records of Coenogonium isidiatum, Pyrenula pleiomera, and others, with implications for understanding tropical forest ecosystems. The research builds on extensive field collections, comparing Everglades lichen richness and density with Central and South American lowland forests to highlight its unique ecological significance.

Four new species of Symmerista Hübner, 1816 (Notodontidae, Nystaleinae) from Costa Rica

Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park — 2014 — WHED984F24FD6

Researchers have identified four new species of moths belonging to the genus Symmerista (Notodontidae, Nystaleinae) from the cloud forests of the Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves in southern Costa Rica. These newly described species—Symmerista luisdiegogomezi, S. inbioi, S. minaei, and S. aura—contribute to the biodiversity documentation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, the study reclassifies Symmerista tlotzin as Elymiotis tlotzin, expanding our understanding of moth taxonomy in the region. The research combines morphological analysis with genetic barcoding to distinguish these species, providing a robust foundation for future studies on their ecology and conservation.

Frederic Mompou: El eterno recomenzar by Adolf Pla i Garrigós (review)

Works of Antoni Gaudí — 2014 — WHECA35BB0771

Adolf Pla i Garrigós' book, 'Frederic Mompou: El eterno recomenzar,' explores the life and music of the underappreciated Spanish Catalan composer Frederic Mompou (1893–1987), highlighting his unique artistic voice influenced by Chopin, Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Satie, and Spanish folk traditions. Pla, a pianist and professor at ESMUC, presents Mompou's work as deeply spiritual and distinctive, contrasting it with more prominent contemporaries. The book accompanies a four-CD set of Mompou’s complete piano works and is part of the multimedia concert 'The Sound of Light,' which links Mompou’s music to Antoni Gaudí’s architecture through photographs by Marc Llimargas. Pla’s work aims to broaden public appreciation for Mompou, offering insights into his artistic evolution and spiritual depth.

Frequency Analysis and Sismic Vulnerability Index by Using Nakamura Methods For Microzonation at Prambanan Temple and Its Surrounding Area, Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2014 — WHE3BEA4A4F64

A seismic vulnerability index ranging from 0.1 to 28 was identified for the Prambanan Temple Complex and its surrounding area, indicating significant variability in earthquake risk across the region. This finding stems from a microzonation study using Nakamura's method, which analyzed dominant frequencies (0.2–21 Hz) and amplification factors (0.2–7) derived from 60-minute seismograph measurements at 89 points spaced 1000 meters apart. The research, conducted in response to the devastating 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake that damaged nearby temples, provides critical data for assessing seismic vulnerability and guiding mitigation efforts in culturally significant heritage sites.

Fresco-Icons on Façades of Churches in Upper Svaneti (Georgia)

Upper Svaneti — 2014 — WHE85DEF4F461

Fresco-icons on the south facades of 13th-century churches in Upper Svaneti, Georgia—specifically the Church of the Archangels in Iprari and St. George church in Ipkhi—serve as liminal markers, functioning as visual references to the chancel barrier (templon) and addressing the space in front of them. These exterior murals, depicting the Deesis iconography, play a crucial role in the spatial and symbolic organization of Christian churches, bridging the gap between the sanctuary and the laity. The study interprets the facade fresco-icons as templon imagery, highlighting their significance in religious architecture and ritual practice.

Freshwater ichthyofauna of Solovetsky Islands (white sea): Natural colonization and recent introductions

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2014 — WHEDFF976FAA4

The freshwater ichthyofauna of the Solovetsky Islands, located in the White Sea (Arctic Ocean), exhibits significant patchy distribution patterns that vary markedly between lakes. The study identified two main groups of species: aboriginal and introduced. Aboriginal species include rainbow smelt, perch, pike, roach, burbot, crucian carp, sticklebacks, and ruff. Introduced species comprise sterlet, brown trout, vendace, tench, and goldfish, with the origins of whitefish and ide remaining uncertain. The research, conducted from 1989 to 2012 across 40 lakes on Bolshoi Solovetsky and Anser islands, suggests that economic activities have differentially affected watersheds, necessitating individual assessments for each lake to determine species origin. This patchy distribution highlights the complex interplay between natural colonization and human-induced introductions in shaping the region's ichthyofauna.

Freshwater macroinvertebrates of Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island Group — 2014 — WHEB168F777F7

Lord Howe Island Group boasts the highest recorded freshwater macroinvertebrate richness per unit area (3.9 taxa/km²), with 54 taxa identified, including two undescribed chironomid species. The survey revealed high endemism across most taxonomic groups, though further genetic analysis is needed to confirm true levels of endemism compared to nearby islands. The majority of taxa belonged to Insecta, with notable contributions from Diptera (15 species), Hemipterans (5 species), and Trichopterans (5 species). Additional arthropods, gastropods, and mites were also documented, highlighting the island's unique biodiversity despite its small size.

Freshwater Reservoir Offsets Investigated Through Paired Human-Faunal14C Dating and Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Analysis at Lake Baikal, Siberia

Lake Baikal — 2014 — WHE4AE721891B

A maximum freshwater reservoir effect (FRE) offset of 622 years was identified at Lake Baikal, Siberia, using paired radiocarbon dating of human and terrestrial faunal remains from Neolithic and Early Bronze Age graves. The study found a strong positive correlation between stable nitrogen isotope (δ15N) values and FRE offsets, with each per mil increase in δ15N corresponding to an additional 77 ± 10 years of offset. This relationship varied by microregion: on the southwest shore and along the Angara River, δ15N alone explained most of the variation (r² = 0.814), while in the Little Sea, both δ13C and δ15N significantly contributed to the model (adjusted r² = 0.878). These findings refine our understanding of Lake Baikal's complex carbon ecology—one of the widest-ranging natural ecosystems—and provide critical insights for reconstructing regional culture-history and hunter-gatherer dynamics.

Freshwater Ribbon Worms (Nemertea) from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park — 2014 — WHE65BD2AF48B

A previously undocumented presence of freshwater ribbon worms (Nemertea) was discovered in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. All six specimens collected between 2007 and 2010 belonged to the genus Prostoma, though species identification remains inconclusive, and it is uncertain whether any represent new or undescribed species. The study employed a descriptive approach, analyzing specimen characteristics through photography and morphological examination. This finding marks the first report of ribbon worms in this UNESCO-listed site, highlighting potential biodiversity overlooked in prior surveys.

Friction or Closure: Heritage as Loss

Stone Town of Zanzibar — 2014 — WHEE75E582FFC

Heritage narratives often aim to fixate the past, but they frequently exclude or oversimplify complex historical realities. In Stone Town, Zanzibarthis tension is evident as competing accounts of identity, trade, slavery, and tourism clash under the umbrella of 'heritagization.' The study employs Anna Tsing's concept of 'friction' to analyze how diverse narratives—from informants, authorities, and texts—interact, construct, and contest each other. Through her role as a researcher, the author negotiates these conflicting stories, questioning what constitutes valid or invalid accounts. The research reveals that heritage designation, while preserving certain aspects of history, also risks erasing or marginalizing others, particularly in contexts marked by political tension, globalization, and religious shifts like Islamization.

From critically endangered to least concern?—A revised population trend for the Kittlitz's Murrelet in Glacier Bay, Alaska

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2014 — WHE9B48AAC050

A revised population trend for the Kittlitz's Murrelet in Glacier Bay, Alaska, challenges its critically endangered status. Contrary to previous reports of steep declines, a reanalysis of surveys conducted between 1993 and 2010 shows no significant change in population size. The study replicated earlier surveys with standardized methods, including transect lines and lead observers, and combined data from multiple federal agency surveys spanning 1991–2010. Analysis revealed no decline (P = 0.51), with high statistical power to detect a −11% annual decline if one had occurred. The prior conclusion of decline was likely influenced by an outlier survey in 1991, highlighting the risks of anchoring bias. These findings suggest Kittlitz's Murrelets in Glacier Bay are not at imminent risk of extinction.

From the Iron Age to Angkor: new light on the origins of a state

Angkor — 2014 — WHE4D0BBE766C

Recent excavations at four Iron Age moated sites in Thailand's Mun Valley reveal seminal innovations that shed new light on the rapid formation of the Angkor kingdom between AD 400 and 800. These findings, combined with research at Angkor itself, challenge conventional timelines by demonstrating a remarkably accelerated cultural transformation—comparable to developments in Mesoamerica and Mesopotamia—that included the rise of charismatic leadership, god-like ideologies, expanded economic productivity, and intensified warfare. The study highlights parallels in state formation across ancient civilizations, emphasizing the role of emergent properties in shaping complex societies.

From the Pass to the Pueblos: El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail by George D. Torok (review)

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro — 2014 — WHE0B6A62F506

George D. Torok's book, 'From the Pass to the Pueblos: El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail,' offers a comprehensive overview of the historic trail that served as a lifeline during Spanish colonial times in New Mexico and West Texas. The work provides a transnational perspective, starting from Chihuahua, Mexico, and traversing northward through significant parajes (campsites), detailing their history, geography, and cultural significance. Torok's approach, while repetitive at times, highlights overlooked locations and serves as an invaluable guidebook for historic preservation efforts in the Southwest. The book bridges ancestral Puebloan connections to Mesoamerican civilizations and reflects on contemporary developments around Santa Fe, making it a valuable resource for both academic readers and those interested in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

From tourism to multilocal residence?

The Dolomites — 2014 — WHE390305935C

A shift from tourism to multilocal residence is underway in the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, driven by selective population growth in urban and periurban areas. This transformation reflects broader trends in the Alpine arc, where agglomeration advantages and institutional settings play a pivotal role. While permanent residents are increasing in economically stable regions, declining areas attract mainly multilocal residents. The study highlights that second homes are not uniformly complementary to tourism, signaling a transition toward a residential economy. Despite the Dolomites' joint UNESCO application, demographic and economic disparities persist across provincial borders, underscoring the path-dependent nature of development. Institutional differences and agglomeration advantages are more influential than local tourism strategies in shaping the region's future.

Full-Waveform Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Extracting a High-Resolution 3D Topographic Model: a Case Study on an Area of Archaeological Significance

Archaeological Area of Agrigento — 2014 — WHED672AF23AE

Full-waveform terrestrial laser scanning emerges as a powerful tool for creating high-resolution 3D topographic models of archaeologically significant slopes, offering critical insights into geomorphological processes and structural instability risks. This study applied the technology to the slope below the Temple of Juno in Agrigento's Valley of the Temples (Sicily), revealing potential hazards from large rock blocks that could threaten nearby archaeological structures. By analyzing the full waveform data, researchers generated a detailed 3D model capable of supporting geotechnical assessments and interpreting complex surface dynamics. The approach demonstrates the method's potential for monitoring unstable terrain in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, where precision topographic data is essential for conservation planning.

Fungal diversity of the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park – indicator species of nature value and conservation

Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe — 2014 — WHE5403901DD6

A decade-long study of the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe,' revealed a rich fungal diversity with 613 macromycete species recorded. Notably, 31 species are threatened in Germany, while 27 meet IUCN criteria for conservation interest, including 10 with German-scale nature value and five with European significance. The park's ecosystem, characterized by fewer tree species on poor soils compared to other UNESCO sites, is poised to develop toward near-naturalness due to its old-growth stands and relict primeval forest fragments. This study underscores the park's ecological importance as an indicator for biodiversity conservation.

Fungus moths (Lepidoptera, Tineidae) of the Białowieża Forest

Białowieża Forest — 2014 — WHEF407145252

A new record of the fungus moth species Dryadaula irinae (Savenkov, 1989) from Poland and three additional species (Nemaxera betulinella, Nemapogon fungivorella, and Elatobia fuliginosella) as novel to the Białowieża Forest are reported. The study, based on laboratory breeding of adults from wood-decaying fungi sporocarps and light trapping, expands the known distribution of saproxylic tineid moths in Poland. Key insights include the first documentation of D. irinae in Poland and updates to the fauna of Białowieża while also providing biological notes on these species.