World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 27721 – 27740 of 30315 publications

Microbial community structure and sulfur biogeochemistry in mildly‐acidic sulfidic geothermal springs in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park — 2012 — WHEFC75E356CF

Researchers identified a new archaeal isolate (strain WP30) belonging to the order Thermoproteales, which thrives in mildly-acidic sulfidic geothermal springs of Yellowstone National Park. This strain produces sulfide during growth, contributing to the formation of sulfur phases like orpiment, stibnite, and pyrite under specific solution conditions. The study integrated geochemical analysis with molecular techniques, revealing that high-temperature, hypoxic sulfur sediments in these springs are dominated by Crenarchaeota, particularly Desulfurococcales and Thermoproteales. These microorganisms require complex carbon sources and respire elemental sulfur, playing a crucial role in the biogeochemistry of sulfur species such as thiosulfate and arsenite. The findings highlight the interplay between microbial metabolism and geochemical processes in extreme environments.

Microbial Iron Cycling in Acidic Geothermal Springs of Yellowstone National Park: Integrating Molecular Surveys, Geochemical Processes, and Isolation of Novel Fe-Active Microorganisms

Yellowstone National Park — 2012 — WHEFD09FA18D3

A comprehensive study of acidic iron oxide mats in Yellowstone National Park's geothermal springs reveals that microbial community structure is intricately linked to iron cycling across a broad temperature range (53–88°C). The research integrates geochemical, molecular, and physiological analyses, identifying novel iron-oxidizing and iron-reducing microorganisms, including Sulfolobales str. MK5 and Acidicaldus str. MK6. These microbes exhibit distinct biomineralization patterns, producing ferric oxyhydroxides, K-jarosite, goethite, hematite, and scorodite under varying geochemical conditions. The study highlights the diverse metabolic strategies employed by these microorganisms, with some strains capable of autotrophic iron oxidation while others utilize mixotrophic pathways or anaerobic reduction of ferric iron.

Microbially induced deterioration of architectural heritages: routes and mechanisms involved

Taj Mahal — 2012 — WHE1EAE42232C

Microorganisms such as algae, cyanobacteria, and fungi significantly contribute to the deterioration of historic monuments, including the Taj Mahal. These microbes invade stone substrates like marble and limestone, interacting with their mineral matrix under varying environmental conditions. This interaction leads to a loss of structural integrity, durability, and aesthetic appeal through multiple biodeterioration mechanisms. The study reviews these routes and mechanisms, while also discussing current remedial methodologies and suggesting future research directions to better understand and mitigate microbial damage to architectural heritage.

Middle Horizon Imperialism and the Prehistoric Dispersal of Andean Languages

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2012 — WHE466D8C0E0B

Research suggests that the Wari Empire, not Tiwanaku, was likely responsible for the prehistoric dispersal of Quechua languages during the Middle Horizon (cal. ad 650–1050). While both empires shared religious iconography, archaeological evidence indicates cultural and administrative unity in Wari, particularly in its core territory in southern Peru, which aligns with the modern distribution of Southern Quechua. Tiwanaku, by contrast, exhibits greater ethnic and linguistic diversity, especially in Moquegua. The study proposes that if a language dispersal occurred, it would reflect Wari's centralized control, whereas its influence appears less direct or absent in regions like Moche and Aguada, warranting further investigation.

Middle Ordovician (late Dapingian–Darriwilian) conodonts from the Cow Head Group and Lower Head Formation, western Newfoundland, Canada1This article is one of a series of papers published inCJES Special Issue: In honour of Ward Nealeon the theme of Appalachian and Grenvillian geology.

Gros Morne National Park — 2012 — WHEE41C96706F

A new conodont (phylo-)Zone, the Periodon macrodentatus Zone, is established for global correlation based on Middle Ordovician (late Dapingian–Darriwilian) conodonts from Gros Morne National Park. The study clarifies age relationships between the Cow Head Group and the Lower Head Formation by analyzing three sections, revealing a middle Dapingian age for the upper lower Bed 13 and an early Darriwilian (Dw 1) age for Bed 15 of the Shallow Bay Formation. New genera and species, including Nealeodus, Periodon hankensis n. sp., Spinodus wardi n. sp., and Yangtzeplacognathus n. sp. A, were identified, contributing to the understanding of Ordovician biostratigraphy in western Newfoundland.

Ming China's Support for Sultan Mahmud of Melaka and Its Hostility towards the Portuguese after the Fall of Melaka in 1511

Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca — 2012 — WHEC9DEDD53FD

Ming China's diplomatic and economic response to the Portuguese occupation of Melaka in 1511 was characterized by sustained support for Sultan Mahmud and hostility towards Portugal, contradicting the misconception that relations lapsed after Admiral Zheng He's last voyages. The study reconstructs this episode using Ming dynasty records and Portuguese accounts, revealing that tribute missions from Melaka continued to China until the 1520s, despite anti-Portuguese measures such as trade bans and imprisonment of officials. This challenges the narrative of declining Sino-Malay relations post-Zheng He, highlighting instead a dynamic period of resistance and adaptation.

Mitigating the impacts of rainforest roads in Queensland’s Wet Tropics: Effective or are further evaluations and new mitigation strategies required?

Wet Tropics of Queensland — 2012 — WHEB15880C43B

Research on mitigating the ecological impacts of rainforest roads in Queensland’s Wet Tropics reveals that while engineered structures like faunal underpasses and canopy bridges are frequently used by various species, their effectiveness is not fully assessed. Current mitigation efforts primarily focus on road mortality and terrestrial habitat fragmentation but often overlook edge effects, traffic disturbance, exotic invasions, and stream habitat fragmentation. Long-term monitoring of these structures suggests they aid movement and dispersal for both generalist and specialized rainforest animals, yet population and genetic connectivity remain understudied. The study calls for more holistic approaches to road mitigation, including landscape-scale replication and comprehensive assessments that address broader ecological impacts.

Mobility and modernity in Luang Prabang, Laos: re-thinking heritage and tourism

Town of Luang Prabang — 2012 — WHE5340358CC2

A critical re-evaluation of tourism's impact on Luang Prabang challenges conventional narratives that depict tourism as inherently disruptive to heritage values. The study reveals that the relationship between heritage, community, and tourism is more nuanced than previously assumed, shaped by global, regional, and local mobilities under modernity. While acknowledging issues such as urban encroachment, loss of traditional dwellings, and shifts in community dynamics, the research argues for a broader conceptual framework that recognizes these changes as part of evolving cultural landscapes rather than solely as threats to heritage integrity.

Model industrial settlements and their continuing governance

New Lanark — 2012 — WHE4E3BFFDCAE

Urban governance plays a pivotal role in the preservation of model industrial settlements, as demonstrated by the cases of New Lanark (UK), Saltaire (UK), and Pullman (USA). These settlements, initially developed by private entrepreneurs, transitioned from private ownership to public stewardship while maintaining their historical integrity. The study highlights that effective governance requires collaboration between public sector actions, civil society support, and private sector initiatives. This interplay underscores the importance of understanding governance structures in urban history to ensure the long-term sustainability and preservation of such heritage sites.

Modeling Spring Habitat Requirements of the Endangered Brown Eared PheasantCrossoptilon mantchuricumin the Huanglong Mountains, Shaanxi Province, China

Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area — 2012 — WHE02C4F669C1

A predictive model identifies critical habitat factors for the endangered brown eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) in Huanglong, China. The study found that spring habitat selection is strongly influenced by proximity to water, slope degree, tree cover, and leaf litter depth—factors that can guide targeted conservation efforts. Researchers surveyed 206 grid plots across two years (2007–2008), quantifying environmental variables and validating the model's accuracy through logistic regression. Key recommendations include restricting tourism, prohibiting resource extraction in core areas, and protecting mixed forests and water sources to safeguard pheasant populations.

Modeling the Habitat Range of Phototrophs in Yellowstone National Park: Toward the Development of a Comprehensive Fitness Landscape

Yellowstone National Park — 2012 — WHE750FF8BC0D

Temperature is the primary constraint shaping the distribution of phototrophic microorganisms in Yellowstone National Park's geothermal springs, accounting for nearly 40% of the variation in their habitat range. This finding emerges from a study analyzing 439 spring observations, where generalized additive models (GAMs) revealed that temperature alone explained more variance than pH or sulfide concentrations—though combined variables improved predictive accuracy further. Laboratory experiments confirmed that phototroph activity declines with higher sulfide levels and temperatures exceeding in situ conditions, particularly in acidic algal systems. These insights provide a quantitative framework to understand how environmental constraints have influenced the evolution of phototrophic metabolisms over geological time.

Modelling and reconstruction of the River Kennet palaeohydrology and hydrogeology: Silbury Hill and Avebury in 4,400 BP

Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites — 2012 — WHE5799A61267

Around 4,400 years ago, the River Kennet region experienced significantly wetter conditions with higher river flows and groundwater levels compared to today. These findings, derived from hydrogeological modeling using Global Circulation Model (GCM) outputs, suggest that ancient populations in the Avebury and Silbury Hill area had access to more stable water sources during drier summer months. The research reconstructs past hydrological conditions to understand how these environmental factors may have influenced the construction of man-made structures like Silbury Hill, which was built over a prolonged period. By integrating GCM data with hydrogeological techniques, the study provides insights into the palaeohydrology of the upper Kennet, offering a clearer picture of past climatic and water resource dynamics in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Modelling geographic patterns of population density of the white‐tailed deer in central Mexico by implementing ecological niche theory

Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica — 2012 — WHEB2EE8EA704

Researchers developed a robust method to predict white-tailed deer population density using ecological niche theory, achieving high accuracy (62–65%) in two Mexican regions: the Balsas Basin and Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley. The approach combines occurrence data with environmental variables to map species distribution, then calculates ecological distance from niche centroids to model density patterns. This science-based correlative method offers a spatially explicit tool for conservation, applicable where abundance or relative abundance data exist. Validated via bootstrapping, it provides a novel framework for predicting population density in white-tailed deer and potentially other species.

Modelos con Nivel de Detalle Variable Realizados Mediante un Levantamiento Digital Aplicados a la Arqueología

Villa Adriana (Tivoli) — 2012 — WHE114AF86938

A novel methodology for optimizing digital survey data in archaeology has been developed, enabling the creation of high-geometric-detail digital models through laser scanning. This approach allows for interactive assembly and variable-level detail representation, significantly advancing archaeological documentation techniques. The study focuses on the Villa Adriana in Tivoli particularly examining the intricate decoration of Emperor Hadrian's Maritime Theatre. By leveraging these methods, researchers can more accurately capture and analyze complex architectural features, offering new insights into historical structures.

Modernism after Wagner (review)

Margravial Opera House Bayreuth — 2012 — WHE0198617C88

Modernism after Wagner by Juliet Koss explores the enduring influence of Richard Wagner's concept of Gesamtkunstwerk (total artwork) on modernist architecture and theatre design, revealing its central role in shaping national identity through performance spaces. Koss demonstrates how Wagner's vision for a Festspielhaus in Bayreuth—characterized by amphitheater seating and an orchestra pit—became a blueprint for future theatres, including Max Littmann's Prinzregententheater and Walter Gropius's Total Theatre. The study traces the genealogy of this concept from its 19th-century origins to mid-20th century reconfigurations, emphasizing its impact on modernist aesthetics in architecture and visual arts. Koss also examines Wagner's nationalist motivations, contrasting his German music dramas with the bombastic operas of Paris, while analyzing theories of spectatorship such as 'Einfühlung' (embodied response) to further contextualize the audience's aesthetic experience.

Mohenjo-daro (Sind, Pakistan)

Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro — 2012 — WHE638519A12F

Mohenjo-daro, located on the Indus River in southern Pakistan, stands as the largest city of the Indus Valley civilization, which thrived during the third and second millennia BCE. Excavations initiated in 1922 have uncovered a sophisticated urban culture marked by advanced planning, wealth, and complexity. The site's mounds reveal evidence of a highly organized society with significant architectural achievements, offering insights into one of the earliest known urban civilizations in South Asia.

Moisture expansion associated to secondary porosity: an example of the Loseros Tuff of Guanajuato, Mexico

Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines — 2012 — WHEE58FC4DBA8

Research on the Loseros Tuff, a volcanic rock used extensively in Guanajuato's UNESCO-listed colonial buildings, reveals that moisture expansion—driven by secondary porosity and high clay mineral content—is a key factor in its deterioration. The study found that once liquid water penetrates the rock, it triggers matrix dissolution, creating additional pores that amplify expansion. This process is influenced by pore radius distribution, which affects water transport and porosity effectiveness. To uncover these mechanisms, scientists analyzed the tuff's petrographic, mineralogical, geochemical, and petrophysical properties, providing critical insights into its weathering behavior and potential conservation strategies for historic structures.

Monitoring indicates greater resilience for birds than for mammals in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia

Kakadu National Park — 2012 — WHE6FCE5EF305

A study comparing trends in bird and mammal populations in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia, from 2001 to 2009 found that birds exhibited greater resilience than mammals. While native mammal species experienced significant declines during this period, bird richness and total abundance increased, with more species increasing than decreasing. The study also investigated the potential impacts of cane toad invasions and fire regimes on these trends but found limited influence from fire history. However, two threatened bird species, the partridge pigeon and white-throated grass-wren, showed significant declines. This contrasting resilience between birds and mammals underscores the need for comprehensive biodiversity monitoring and targeted conservation efforts, particularly for threatened species that may have been overlooked or already in decline before the study period.

Monolith Experiment in Vilnius: Between Idea and Pragmatism / Monolito Eksperimentas Vilniuje: Tarp Idėjos ir Pragmatiškumo

Vilnius Historic Centre — 2012 — WHE587792754F

The monolithic reinforced concrete experiment in Vilnius, spanning from 1974 to 1990, exemplifies the interplay between ideological innovation and pragmatic necessity in Soviet-era architecture. This study reveals that the technology was driven by a demand for rapid, cost-effective housing solutions while also serving as a platform for architectural experimentation, allowing for greater freedom in design and structural expression. The experiment, initially applied to tower-blocks, evolved into barrier blocks and terraced houses, reflecting contextual ideas aimed at reinterpreting historic architecture within modern urban landscapes. However, the monolithic approach failed to achieve widespread adoption due to limited technological capabilities and was ultimately discontinued with the end of the Soviet era. Today, its legacy persists in individual buildings, primarily as interior structures, rather than exterior facades.

Monumental landscapes

Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne — 2012 — WHE6EE275E6B9

Irish Neolithic landscapes, as represented by sites like Brú na Bóinne and Loughcrew, are characterized by monumental additions spanning 1,500 years. These include megalithic tombs, large-scale henge monuments such as the Giant’s Ring at Ballynahatty, and smaller portal tombs, reflecting a diverse range of architectural and cultural expressions. The study highlights the physical scale and impact of these monuments on the landscape, emphasizing their significance in understanding Neolithic Ireland's material culture and societal organization.