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Showing 25441 – 25460 of 30315 publications

Spatial and nycthemeral distribution of the zooneuston off Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves — 2014 — WHE6C4B749A61

Island environments, such as Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas in Brazil, significantly alter ocean hydrodynamics, leading to increased vertical turbulence and nutrient upwelling. This phenomenon boosts plankton biomass, particularly zooneuston communities. A study revealed that both density and biomass of zooneuston were significantly higher at night and in the upper neuston layer (epineuston) compared to the lower layer (hyponeuston). The research, conducted using a David-Hempel neuston net with a 500 µm mesh size, recorded 21 taxa, including Copepoda, Chaetognatha, Teleostei eggs, and Hydrozoa. Notably, this study documented phoronid larvae for the first time in the Tropical Atlantic waters. The findings suggest that zooneuston aggregation at the surface and vertical migration from deep waters at night contribute to these patterns.

Spatial behaviours of Early Oldowan toolmakers in the Shungura Formation (Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia): Proposal for an integrated approach

Lower Valley of the Omo — 2014 — WHE06EC7CFB72

Early Oldowan toolmakers in the Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia, demonstrated evolving spatial behaviors over time, particularly between 2.3 and 2 million years ago. This study integrates archaeological and environmental data—including paleontological, geological, and isotopic records—to propose a multiscale approach that examines raw material procurement and hominid habitats at three levels: occurrence complexes, study areas, and the broader Shungura Formation. By analyzing Member F and lower Member G, researchers reveal how spatial behaviors adapted to changing environmental conditions, offering new insights into the ecological and technological dynamics of early human occupation in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spatial cohesion of adult male chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire

Taï National Park — 2014 — WHEC5C05F44FB

Adult male chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, exhibit remarkable spatial cohesion even when out of visual range, suggesting active mechanisms—likely involving auditory communication—to maintain group unity during fission-fusion dynamics. High-resolution GPS tracking over three years revealed that males remained within auditory range (<1 km) for 70% of the time when separated into different parties, with median inter-individual distances (IIDs) averaging 73 meters and mean IIDs at 483 meters. These findings challenge assumptions about group cohesion in dense forest environments and highlight the importance of acoustic signals in primate social behavior.

Spatial Configuration in Tiwanaku Art: A Review of Stone Carved Imagery and Staff Gods

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2014 — WHEAD20D53103

Research on Tiwanaku stone carvings (South-Central Andes, AD 600-1000) reveals that the spatial configuration of imagery surrounding 'Staff Gods' suggests these figures were likely human representations engaged in ritual actions rather than divine entities. This challenges traditional interpretations by proposing Andean divine anthropomorphism, where deities are depicted with human traits. The study compares Tiwanaku iconography with Moche and Recuay configurations to support this hypothesis, offering new insights into the cultural and symbolic significance of these artifacts.

Spatial distribution of Madeira Island Laurisilva endemic spiders (Arachnida: Araneae)

Laurisilva of Madeira — 2014 — WHE4F29D324F7

A recent biodiversity survey on Madeira Island's native Laurisilva forest revealed a significant spider diversity, with approximately 33.3% of the recorded species being Madeiran endemics. This study identified two new spider species to science—Ceratinopsis n. sp. and Theridion n. sp.—and documented the first records for Poeciloneta variegata and Tetragnatha intermedia on the island, which had not been previously reported. The research utilized standardized samples from various Laurisilva patches across Madeira, providing insights into species richness and abundance patterns. Distribution maps for endemic species were also generated, contributing to a better understanding of spider diversity in this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spatial genetic structure of the sea sandwort ( Honckenya peploides ) on Surtsey: an immigrant's journey

Surtsey — 2014 — WHE09606A767C

Sea sandwort (Honckenya peploides) on Surtsey, Iceland, exhibits high genetic diversity and multiple colonization episodes. The study found that Surtsey's populations had the highest proportion of polymorphic markers (55.5%) and genetic diversity (0.1974 HE), suggesting rapid expansion or multiple immigrant origins during early colonization. Genetic differentiation among Surtsey populations was lower than mainland Iceland, indicating substantial gene flow on islands. Most variation (79%) occurred within localities, likely due to outcrossing and subdioecious nature. Significant genetic distance correlated with colonization age, pointing to multiple immigration events from Heimaey and southern Iceland. The research used AFLP markers on 347 plant samples, analyzing spatial genetic structure to uncover these insights.

Spatial Variability Analysis of Soil Nutrients Based on GIS and Geostatistics: A Case Study of Yisa Township, Yunnan, China

Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces — 2014 — WHEC6FE89AD9F

A study on the Hani rice terraces, a UNESCO-recognized Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), reveals significant spatial variability in soil nutrients critical for sustainable land use. Using geostatistics and GIS, researchers analyzed pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium in Yisa Township, Yunnan, China. The findings indicate that while most nutrients (pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen, and available potassium) exhibit medium spatial variability with coefficients of variation ranging from 12.54% to 40.14%, available phosphorus shows strong variability at 102.13%. The spatial distribution patterns suggest that total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium are strongly influenced by soil structural factors, whereas pH, organic matter, and alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen are affected by both structural and random factors. Kriging interpolation was used to visually characterize these distributions, providing insights for targeted agricultural management practices such as fertilization.

Spatio-temporal Assessment of Land Use/ Land Cover Dynamics and Urban Heat Island of Jaipur City using Satellite Data

Jaipur City, Rajasthan — 2014 — WHEFE96480FB8

Jaipur City, India, has experienced significant intensification and expansion of its Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect from 2000 to 2011. The study, using Landsat satellite data, found an average rise of 2.99°C in summer surface temperatures, with new suburbs showing increases of 2° to 4°C. This UHI expansion correlates inversely with vegetation cover and positively with built-up areas, indicating that rapid urbanization has reduced green spaces while increasing land surface temperatures (LST). The research highlights the spatial-temporal dynamics of LULC changes and their direct impact on UHI phenomena in Jaipur, providing critical insights for urban planning and climate adaptation strategies.

Specialized Mapping using Climatic Zones for Habitat Conservation.

Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area — 2014 — WHE980CA52EAA

A specialized mapping approach using climatic zones effectively delineated vegetation strata within the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA), revealing 14 distinct forest and non-forest classes, including temperate, sub-alpine, and alpine forests and grasslands. The study utilized remote sensing and GIS techniques, combining satellite imagery with ground truthing to create a detailed classification scheme based on canopy cover density. Key findings highlighted that slope grasses around habitation covered 28.13 km², while escarpments and exposed rocks accounted for 211.12 km², with glaciers and snow covering an additional 18.68 km². This method provides a robust framework for habitat conservation, offering precise insights into the spatial distribution of vegetation across GHNPCA's diverse climatic zones.

Species composition and community structure of the typical evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Wuyi Mountains of Southeastern China

Mount Wuyi — 2014 — WHE05EA4280FC

A study of the typical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Mount Wuyi, Southeastern China, reveals distinct species composition and community structure patterns. Analyzing a 1.44-hectare fixed plot, researchers identified 139 woody plant species (9,116 individuals) belonging to 34 families and 65 genera, with notable rarity and occasional species. The forest exhibits strong regional characteristics, particularly at the family and genus levels, with temperate traits dominating. Diameter structure analysis of key species shows a classic inverted 'J' shape, while spatial distribution indicates clustered patterns, though varying in intensity across species and diameter classes.

Species Composition, Distribution and Habitat Types of Odonata in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and the Associated Conservation Implications

iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park — 2014 — WHEF4FECEF614

A comprehensive survey of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa, identifies 86 species, including 13 newly recorded for the area. The study highlights the park's significance as a biodiversity hotspot, with eight red-listed species and 12 restricted to northern KwaZulu-Natal’s coastal plains. Using the Dragonfly Biotic Index (DBI), researchers found that water bodies with similar habitats harbored comparable Odonata assemblages, underscoring their role as indicators of ecosystem health. This baseline data is critical for monitoring environmental changes and guiding conservation efforts, particularly in protecting diverse habitat types to maintain species richness.

Spectroscopic analysis of soil metal contamination around a derelict mine site in the Blue Mountains, Australia

Greater Blue Mountains Area — 2014 — WHE82041EAA8E

Spectroscopic analysis reveals that first derivative models of reflectance data provide significantly more accurate estimates of heavy metal contamination in soil around derelict mine sites compared to original or second derivative models. The study, conducted at the abandoned silver-zinc mine in Yerranderie, Australia, demonstrates that arsenic and lead can be estimated with greater precision than other metals, while silver proves the most challenging. This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional ground-based monitoring, addressing critical environmental concerns related to water resources, flora, and fauna in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Greater Blue Mountains Area.

Spiders from the Ionian islands of Kerkyra (Corfu) and Lefkada, Greece (Arachnida: Aranei)

Old Town of Corfu — 2014 — WHED638453562

A comprehensive survey of spider species on the Ionian islands of Kerkyra (Corfu) and Lefkada, Greece, reveals significant new records for both islands and the country. The study identified 94 spider species in Kerkyra, including 37 previously unrecorded, and 98 in Lefkada, with 71 being new to the island. In total, 243 species are now known from Kerkyra and 117 from Lefkada, with five species—Agyneta mollis, Tenuiphantes herbicola, Trichoncus sordidus, Tmarus stellio, and Xysticus cor—recorded for the first time in Greece. The research highlights the poorly understood arachnid fauna of these islands, emphasizing gaps in knowledge that warrant further exploration.

Splintering Skylines in a Fractured City: High-Rise Geographies in Jerusalem

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2014 — WHE3CF4AB1A98

High-rise geographies in Jerusalem reveal three distinct urban landscapes shaped by planning policies, ethnonational tensions, and economic ambitions. The Old City remains a protected, visually significant space, while Israeli Jerusalem embraces tall buildings as symbols of entrepreneurial growth. In Arab Jerusalem, informal development pathways allow for taller structures despite systemic exclusion. This study highlights how high-rise geographies reflect Jerusalem's fractured identity, blending formal planning practices with the realities of ethnonational conflict and capitalistic aspirations. Researchers analyzed planning documents and conducted in-depth interviews to map these contrasting urban trajectories.

Sponges from the Ilha Grande Bay, Rio de Janeiro State: two new records for Brazilian south-east region

Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity — 2014 — WHEDC6A962056

Researchers have documented two new sponge species in Ilha Grande Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Iotrochota arenosa and Echinodictyum dendroides. This marks the first record of these species for Brazil and the southeastern coast, respectively. Additionally, the genus Echinodictyum was redefined to clarify its morphological variations compared to Caribbean specimens. The study highlights Ilha Grande Bay's ecological significance as a biodiversity hotspot within Angra dos Reis, contributing valuable data to marine conservation efforts in UNESCO-recognized areas.

St Anselm and the Good Samaritan Window at Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church — 2014 — WHE447B4BCEC9

A long-lost Good Samaritan Window at Canterbury Cathedral can be reconstructed using historical records of panel titles and inscriptions, revealing its striking similarity to an extant window at Sens Cathedral. This reconstruction suggests that the imagery program was devised in the circle of St Anselm around 1100, reflecting his theological interests during this period. The study also contextualizes the window within Canterbury's broader glazing sequence, originally consisting of twelve (likely thirteen) typological windows spanning the choir, transepts, and sanctuary. By analyzing surviving records and comparing them to known examples, the research provides a unique insight into medieval ecclesiastical art and its theological underpinnings.

Stability and seismic analyses of leaning towers: the case of the minaret in Jam

Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam — 2014 — WHEDFA581576B

A groundbreaking stability and seismic analysis of the leaning Minaret of Jam, Afghanistan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals critical insights into its structural resilience. The study demonstrates that the minaret maintains global stability against soil collapse under increasing bending moments at its base, assuming elastic-perfect plastic behavior for the soil. Using advanced finite element modeling, researchers conducted modal and seismic push-over analyses, employing both single and multi-modal approaches to assess its seismic response. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the minaret's structural dynamics and inform conservation strategies for this iconic landmark.

Stability and Sustainability Analyses of the Retaining Walls Built by the Incas

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System — 2014 — WHEE80A4C3925

Incan retaining walls, constructed without cement using granite rocks ranging from 10 cm to 2 meters, have remained stable for over 500 years due to frictional resistance between rock pieces exceeding soil pressures. These freely drained structures, built for both road embankments and agricultural terraces on steep slopes, demonstrate remarkable sustainability under static and earthquake loads. The study analyzed their stability through field investigations and theoretical models, highlighting the Incas' advanced engineering techniques. This knowledge offers potential applications for modern sustainable construction, emphasizing durable, low-maintenance designs.

Stable Isotope and Trace Element Studies on Gladiators and Contemporary Romans from Ephesus (Turkey, 2nd and 3rd Ct. AD) - Implications for Differences in Diet

Ephesus — 2014 — WHE76A369FE55

A comparative analysis of gladiators and contemporary Romans from Ephesus (2nd–3rd century AD) reveals distinct dietary patterns, with gladiators exhibiting significantly higher strontium-to-calcium ratios—a marker suggesting frequent consumption of a plant ash beverage, as documented in ancient texts. Stable isotope analysis of 53 individuals, including 22 gladiators, indicates that while both groups primarily consumed C3 plants like wheat and barley, a few showed signs of C4 plant intake. Notably, two outliers—one female from the gladiator cemetery and one gladiator—displayed isotopic signatures (δ13C and δ34S) suggestive of migration or distinct dietary sources. Low nitrogen isotope values across the sample may reflect legume consumption, a feature uncommon in other Roman-era populations.

Stable nitrogen isotope analysis of dentine serial sections elucidate sex differences in weaning patterns of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Taï National Park — 2014 — WHE7C597F41B1

Research reveals sex differences in weaning patterns among wild Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. Male chimpanzees exhibit slower decreases in stable nitrogen isotope (δ15N) values during weaning compared to females, indicating prolonged maternal investment in males. This finding was derived from analyzing serial sections of dentine from deciduous and permanent teeth, providing quantitative δ15N data that confirm sex-based variations in nursing duration. The study underscores the potential of isotopic analysis in investigating weaning behaviors in non-human primates and offers insights into ancestral patterns that may inform research on human evolution.