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Showing 27161 – 27180 of 30315 publications

An ATK-based approach to management of critical caribou ranges in northern Alberta

Wood Buffalo National Park — 2012 — WHE22F3F17F25

Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) from the Little Red River Cree Nation (LRRCN) reveals that current maps of critical caribou habitat around Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) may be inaccurate. This insight suggests that integrating ATK with scientific data could enhance conservation strategies for caribou recovery. The proposed approach would use WBNP as a foundational 'anchor' and designate extensive provincial crown forest lands as protected areas, fostering collaborative management to support caribou population restoration.

An Early Christian Church in the Tropics: Excavation of the N.ª S.ª da Conceição, Cidade Velha, Cape Verde

Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande — 2012 — WHE17D9FA2096

Excavations at the historic site of Cidade Velha, Cape Verde, have revealed the earliest known European-built Christian church in the Tropics. The N.ª S.ª da Conceição, dating back to the early 16th century, was reconstructed as a large, two-storey structure with distinct architectural features such as a vaulted side-chapel and buttressed corners. Two tombstones found within its floor provide further evidence of its antiquity. This discovery sheds light on the early Christian presence in tropical regions during the colonial period.

An Economic Analysis of Carbon Sequestration and Storage Service by Mangrove Forests in Everglades National Park, Florida

Everglades National Park — 2012 — WHEA7A1AA088C

Mangrove forests in Everglades National Park (ENP) store significantly more carbon per hectare—7,144 Mg C/ha—than tropical, boreal, or temperate forests, with an estimated economic value ranging from $50,000 to $614,000 per hectare depending on valuation methods. This study provides the first comprehensive framework for estimating and valuing carbon storage in ENP mangroves, incorporating social, economic, and political factors specific to the region. It also assesses how changes in sea level rise could impact the economic value of this critical carbon stock. The research combines ecological data with economic modeling to highlight the dual role of mangroves as both carbon sinks and protected ecosystems.

An ever-changing place: interpreting landscape change in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal; re-photographic survey and encounter

Sagarmatha National Park — 2012 — WHEB07DBDBC70

Repeat photography over five decades reveals significant landscape changes and socio-economic transformations in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal. The study highlights shifts in land cover and cultural persistence, demonstrating how this method can rapidly provide insights into environmental dynamics and management implications. By re-taking historical photographs from identical viewpoints, researchers identified patterns of change while also using these visuals to engage with local communities through interviews. This approach underscores the value of combining long-term photographic surveys with qualitative data to understand complex landscape evolution in protected areas.

An exceptional picture of a Spanish colonial city: Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox, Colombia

Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox — 2012 — WHE3F3D7C9A92

The Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox, Colombia, stands as an exceptional example of a Spanish colonial city, preserving its architectural and cultural heritage over centuries. This study highlights the site's unique urban layout, characterized by narrow streets, whitewashed buildings, and traditional plazas, which reflect the colonial era's influence on urban planning. The research employs a combination of historical analysis, architectural documentation, and comparative studies with other UNESCO World Heritage Sites to underscore Mompox's significance as a living testament to Spanish colonial urbanism. Its well-preserved state offers valuable insights into the social, economic, and cultural dynamics of colonial Latin America.

Análise comparativa da abundância do coral invasor Tubastraea spp: (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) em substratos naturais e artificiais na Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity — 2012 — WHE615668BBCB

Invasive sun corals (Tubastraea spp.) are reshaping marine communities in Ilha Grande, Brazil. Research shows that Tubastraea tagusensis is nearly twice as abundant as T. coccinea, with both species significantly altering native biodiversity. While T. coccinea thrives more on artificial structures like piers and decks, T. tagusensis dominates natural substrates, suggesting competitive superiority. Abundance varies with depth and location, but both species exploit older artificial structures for establishment. The study highlights the dual threat these invasives pose to coastal ecosystems, emphasizing their potential to spread and disrupt native communities.

Analysis of the re colonization of San Benito Archipelago by Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi)

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo — 2012 — WHE13416DD266

Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi) have shown significant population growth and successful re-colonization at the San Benito Archipelago (SBA), with an annual growth rate of 21.6% from 1997 to 2007, reaching a total of 2,227 individuals. This study reveals that SBA's colony exhibits similar reproductive biology and food preferences compared to the Guadalupe Island population, primarily consuming three squid species (Loligo opalescens, Onychoteuthis banksii, Dosidicus gigas). The research also highlights differences in maternal care strategies between the two colonies, suggesting varying nursing-foraging behaviors. Additionally, the SBA colony's proximity to key feeding areas may contribute to its growth potential, with no apparent limitations on reproductive space or food resources.

Analyzing the Impacts of Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Trails on Watershed Processes in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2012 — WHE137CB7CB2A

Off-road vehicle (ORV) trails in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska, significantly alter watershed processes, leading to increased drainage density and potential downstream impacts on flow regimes, water quality, and aquatic habitat. The study found that these trails cause earlier and deeper thaw of permafrost soils, which, combined with upslope expansion around stream channel initiation points, results in headward erosion of silt and peat soils during rainfall-runoff events. Researchers used aerial photography from 1957 to 2004 and ground surveys in 2009 to track trail evolution, revealing a marked increase in trail length and number. Soil monitoring and process studies confirmed that trails lower soil resistance and enhance runoff accumulation, suggesting broader ecological consequences beyond local vegetation damage.

Ancestral polymorphism at the major histocompatibility complex (MHCIIß) in the Nesospiza bunting species complex and its sister species (Rowettia goughensis)

Gough and Inaccessible Islands — 2012 — WHEF161935DA7

A study of the major histocompatibility complex (MHCIIβ) in the Nesospiza bunting species complex and its sister species, Rowettia goughensis, reveals that ancestral polymorphism rather than local selective forces drives population variation. Analysis of 23 unique alleles across 14 Nesospiza and 2 R. goughensis individuals showed no evidence of ongoing selection on the peptide binding region (PBR), with shared alleles between islands and species indicating deep historical divergence. Gene tree analysis further supported preserved ancestral polymorphism, clustering Nesospiza-specific groups distinctively while R. goughensis alleles were interspersed among them. This suggests weak or absent parasite-driven selection, possibly due to low parasite load in these isolated Atlantic islands, and provides rare evidence of extensive ancestral polymorphism in birds.

Ancient Alterity in the Andes

Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa — 2012 — WHEA0FF1503A8

Ancient Alterity in the Andes introduces a groundbreaking framework for understanding how past societies perceived and interacted with others, addressing a significant gap in archaeological theory. The study focuses on the Recuay culture (AD 1-700) to explore alterity—how individuals or groups visualized others, such as kinsfolk, animals, predators, enemies, or ancestral dead—and its implications for cultural relationships, social systems, and cosmologies. By analyzing visual representations and material evidence from the Nasca and Palpa geoglyphs, the research reveals previously unknown patterns in Andean prehistory, offering insights into interactions with neighboring civilizations like the Moche, Nasca, Chavín cult, and the Wari Empire. This holistic approach combines multiple lines of evidence to demonstrate how alterity can be examined through archaeological records, providing a novel method for studying past societies.

Ancient Migratory Events in the Middle East: New Clues from the Y-Chromosome Variation of Modern Iranians

Lut Desert — 2012 — WHE7255DCA1A6

A study of Y-chromosome variation among 938 Iranian males from 15 ethnic groups reveals that the Iranian gene pool is shaped by both geographic barriers and language, with significant contributions from western Eurasia, Central Asia, Asia Minor, and southern Mesopotamia. The research identifies post-glacial and Neolithic expansions toward western Eurasia, as well as recent migrations into Iran, highlighting the Iranian plateau's role as a source and recipient of gene flow. This comprehensive analysis provides insights into ancient migration routes and the genetic diversity of the Middle East.

Animal Figurines from Neolithic Çatalhöyük: Figural and Faunal Perspectives

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2012 — WHE190D37CD36

Neolithic Çatalhöyük's animal figurines, predominantly found in midden contexts, suggest practical use rather than intentional breakage. A sub-study of 104 relatively complete quadruped figurines reveals that while they exhibit wide morphological variation, there is a clear consistency in depiction within 'taxon' groups, implying an intention for recognition over extensive time periods. The figurines also show careful attention to specific body parts like heads, horns, and tails, indicating a hierarchy in representation. Additionally, the study found that figurine makers were adept at expressing different forms of the same animal type, including adults and juveniles, removable features, and movement. When viewed alongside faunal remains and other animal portrayals, these figurines likely played roles in everyday activities such as animal exchange, herding, management, hunting, and tracking, reflecting aspects of human–animal engagements not witnessed by other archaeological finds.

Animation in Palaeolithic art: a pre-echo of cinema

Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche — 2012 — WHE8CC9FDB0D5

Palaeolithic artists may have invented the concept of animation, predating cinema by millennia. Researchers Marc Azéma and Florent Rivère analyzed parietal art from the Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc (Ardèche) and La Baume Latrone (Gard), revealing sophisticated systems for depicting animal movement and graphic narrative. They discovered that some animals were drawn on spinning discs, creating flickering images that suggest an early form of animated storytelling. This groundbreaking study challenges traditional views of prehistoric art, proposing that Palaeolithic humans experimented with dynamic visual techniques long before the invention of cinema.

Anthropogenic Metal Content and Natural Background of Overbank Sediments from the Mining District of Guanajuato, Mexico

Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines — 2012 — WHEA8491515C7

Research reveals that overbank sediments in the Guanajuato River, Mexico, exhibit significant metal contamination, with moderate to strong levels of Cu, Zn, Sb, and Pb linked to historical mine tailings discharges. The study established geochemical background values using direct and indirect methods, showing natural anomalies for elements like Cu, Cs, and Pb that exceed crustal levels due to mineral deposits in the region. Ni and Cr were attributed to ultramafic rocks, while contamination was confirmed by the geoaccumulation index (Igeo). These findings highlight the potential threat of anthropogenic metals stored in the fluvial plain as a pollutant source for downstream waters in the Lerma-Santiago basin.

Anuran Species Composition and Distribution Patterns in Brazilian Cerrado, a Neotropical Hotspot

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2012 — WHEC6E6607007

A comprehensive analysis of anuran amphibian species distribution in the Cerrado, a neotropical hotspot, reveals distinct spatial patterns influenced by adjoining biomes. Among 209 identified species, only 14% are widespread within the Cerrado, while others exhibit highly structured distributions linked to Amazonian, Atlantic, Caatinga, and Chaco domains. Narrow endemics (<60,000 km²) are confined to mountain ranges in central, southeastern, and southwestern regions, underscoring the influence of independent species pools. The study combines extensive fieldwork and zoological collection data to provide an updated species list and hypotheses for future research on species distribution dynamics.

Apolar Compounds in Seaweeds from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (Northeastern Coast of Brazil)

Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves — 2012 — WHE9F78F5196D

A study analyzing apolar compounds in seaweeds from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fernando de Noronha Archipelago reveals that the fatty acid profiles of eleven species are typical of warm-region seaweeds, with no unique taxonomic indicators detected. The research employed hyphenated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify common compounds like phytol and fatty acids (e.g., 14:0, 16:0, 20:5), suggesting these algae could serve as comparative models for studying pollution impacts in less pristine areas due to their widespread presence and the archipelago's minimal human influence. This finding underscores the potential of such studies to assess environmental changes while highlighting the lack of species-specific biomarkers in this context.

Application of digital techniques in monument preservation

The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes — 2012 — WHE0B0BA9C95B

A comprehensive digital health record for monument preservation has been developed, offering a detailed diagnosis of structural degradation at the Château de Chambord in France. This approach integrates 3D modeling, photogrammetry, laser scanning, and historical archives to create a spatially referenced database that tracks deterioration patterns with high precision. The NUBES platform serves as the foundation for this health record, enabling real-time monitoring and restoration planning by associating degradation data directly with the monument's digital twin. This method enhances the accuracy of conservation efforts by combining in situ surveys with advanced imaging techniques and archival research.

Application of non-destructive techniques to assess the state of Hagia Sophia's mosaics

Historic Areas of Istanbul — 2012 — WHE699FF5F8AB

Non-destructive techniques, including ground-penetrating radar, infrared thermography, and fiber-optic microscopy, successfully identified the grid of rendered mosaics beneath Hagia Sophia's external plaster surfaces. The study revealed that high relative humidity combined with salt damp and air pollutants are primary decay factors accelerating mosaic degradation. Notably, prior incompatible conservation interventions exacerbated these processes, highlighting their detrimental impact on preservation efforts. These techniques also pinpointed sub-layers at risk of detachment or further decay, offering a strategic approach for targeted conservation planning.

Application of travel-time seismic tomography for archaeological studies of building foundations and basements

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2012 — WHE930FCFC4D2

Travel-time seismic tomography with adaptive environment parameterization successfully revealed the detailed structure of the St. Onuphrius Church basement and underlying geological layers on Big Solovetsky Island. The study demonstrated that this method can recover architectural and archaeological features inaccessible to other geophysical techniques. Synthetic experiments confirmed the accuracy of the recovered 3D velocity pattern, aligning with historical and archaeological data. This approach offers a powerful tool for non-invasive investigation of buried structures in culturally significant environments.

Archaeological Site Monitoring: UAV Photogrammetry Can be an Answer

Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia — 2012 — WHE79D9D7EA9A

Aerial photogrammetry using UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) offers a rapid and accurate alternative to traditional total station surveys for daily monitoring of archaeological excavations. This study demonstrates that UAV-based photogrammetry can capture high-resolution images at distances of 4–20 meters, enabling the generation of orthophotos, digital surface models (DSMs), and excavation plans with centimeter-level precision. Tested at a Roman villa site in Aquileia, Italythis low-cost system, developed by researchers at Politecnico di Torino, provides archaeologists with timely, comprehensive data to plan future excavation activities without the risk of 'loss of memory' associated with traditional methods. The approach leverages pre-planned flight schemes and digital photogrammetric software for automated orientation and rapid output generation, offering a scalable solution for archaeological site management.