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Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe (Vienne). Place de La Libération

Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe — 2012 — WHE1809286872

Recent archaeological research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe reveals that remnants of the abbey's convent buildings, previously thought to date only to the 12th century or later, may include earlier medieval structures. Investigations focused on surviving 17th-century constructions—such as the sacristy and capitulary—that obscure underlying medieval architecture, including a partially identified cloister first documented in 1990. The study suggests that the abbey's origins could extend further back than previously assumed, challenging long-held assumptions about its development.

Saintete et Lumieres. Hagiographie, Spiritualite et propagande religieuse dans la France du XVIIIe siecle

Bourges Cathedral — 2012 — WHE2405BDDB93

Contrary to the traditional perception that sainthood declined during the Enlightenment, Eric Suire's study reveals a resurgence of interest and production in hagiographical literature in 18th-century France. The research demonstrates that the number of hagiographical editions published between 1761–88 surpassed those from 1680–1715, indicating sustained public fascination with miracles and saintly figures. Suire argues that this renewed interest was driven by both lay curiosity and the Counter-Reformation's canonization efforts, notably under Pope Clement XI (1700–21). The study also highlights the integration of worldly narrative techniques, such as the epistolary novel, into hagiographical works, reflecting a shift from legendary saints to more recent, historically grounded figures. This evolution is exemplified by the inclusion of minor local saints in Bourges Cathedral's choir, completed in the 1760s, alongside relics like Saint-Etienne.

Salman Rushdie's Cities : Reconfigurational Politics and the Contemporary Urban Imagination

Fatehpur Sikri — 2012 — WHE64600359DB

This interdisciplinary study reveals how Salman Rushdie's literary works serve as a lens to explore the dynamic interplay between historical and contemporary urban landscapes, particularly focusing on cities like Bombay, Karachi, Islamabad, London, and New York. It uncovers the complex ways these cities—both real and imagined—interact, transform, and influence each other through cultural, political, and historical narratives. The research employs Rushdie's novels as a framework to analyze urban development, cultural contexts, and global influences, such as earthquakes, translations, and artistic inspirations, which reshape cities and their inhabitants on the contemporary urban map.

Samos Heraion ve Ephesos Artemis Kutsal Alanlarındaki Oryantal Objeler

Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos — 2012 — WHEBC00C110E0

A comparative analysis of oriental objects in the Samos Heraion and Ephesos Artemision reveals that these Ionian sacred sites, particularly during the Archaic period, exhibit a rich context of imported items. This suggests strengthened ties with major powers in the Near East and sustained connections across the Mediterranean, shaping significant transformations in this era. However, such changes were not uniform across all sacred spaces, indicating variability in their nature and intensity. The study highlights that detailed contextual examination of these sites is crucial for understanding the scope and limits of these 7th-century BCE developments.

Sardis: A First Millennium B.C.E. Capital in Western Anatolia

Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe — 2012 — WHE367771C2B1

Sardis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in western Anatolia, emerged as a significant political and cultural capital during the first millennium BCE under Lydian rule. Excavations reveal its dynamic history spanning over three millennia, from ca. 1500 BCE to the present, with layers of Anatolian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Turkish influences. The site's settlement fluctuated between a prosperous urban center and modest hamlets, often coexisting with transhumant populations. From the seventh century BCE to the seventh century CE, Sardis thrived as a major city, occupying up to 200 hectares of land. Its strategic location in the Hermus, Kayster, and Maeander river valleys shaped its cultural significance, blending Lydian traditions—including their distinctive Indo-European language—with subsequent civilizations.

Science behind management of Shark Bay and Florida Bay, two P-limited subtropical systems with different climatology and human pressures

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2012 — WHE4D414EB1D7

Shark Bay, Western Australia, and Florida Bay serve as critical case studies for understanding subtropical embayments with phosphorus-limited ecosystems. A recent compilation of research highlights the need for a more integrated, multidisciplinary approach to stewardship, addressing gaps in ecological resilience knowledge under increasing anthropogenic pressures. While individual studies provide valuable insights, they often lack cohesion, hindering effective management strategies. The research emphasizes the importance of studying interactions between physical environmental drivers and biological controls, such as behavioral and trophic dynamics, to enhance conservation efforts. Shark Bay's relatively pristine state offers a unique opportunity for large-scale, international collaborative studies that could inform broader marine conservation strategies.

Scorpions from Ennedi, Kapka and Tibesti, the mountains of Chad, with descriptions of nine new species (Scorpiones: Buthidae, Scorpionidae)

Ennedi Massif: Natural and Cultural Landscape — 2012 — WHECA915DEED7

A comprehensive study of scorpions from the Ennedi, Kapka, and Tibesti mountain massifs in Chad has unveiled nine previously undescribed species, including Androctonus pallidus, Buthacus golovatchi, and Scorpio ennedi. These discoveries highlight a unique and potentially endemic fauna in these Saharan regions. The research employed systematic analysis of collected specimens to identify and describe the new species, contributing valuable insights into the biodiversity and biogeography of scorpions in North African mountain ranges. The findings also provide comparative context for understanding scorpion distributions across other Saharan massifs.

Sculture asturiane del IX secolo

Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias — 2012 — WHE91729527D3

Asturian art, particularly during the reign of King Ramiro I, exhibits a distinct and original style characterized by significant architectural and sculptural achievements. This 'Ramirense' period, marked by maturity in the Kingdom of Asturias, is represented by masterpieces such as the Santa María de Naranco palace and the San Miguel de Liño palatine church, both located near Oviedo on Monte Naranco. While the Santa Cristina de Lena church is also linked to this style, its attribution remains debated among scholars, with some associating it with King Ordoño I. The research highlights the importance of sculptural decoration in these monuments, contributing to the understanding of artistic development during this pivotal era.

Sea-level variation and the zonation of microbialites in Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay, Western Australia

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2012 — WHEE8CEBDDF72

Astronomical tides are not the primary driver of microbial zonation in Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay. Instead, seasonal oceanic cycles and short-term irregular variations dominate sea-level fluctuations, dictating the duration of immersion and exposure that shapes microbial community distribution. The study analyzed a 1983–1985 sea-level record using time-series analysis, revealing five key components: seasonal cycles, short-term irregularities, complex tidal systems, isolated major events, and wind-stress-induced variations. Microbial communities are stratified into three zones—Zone 3 (permanently submerged microbialite-forming mats), Zone 2 (lower littoral environments with exposed, colonized microbialites), and Zone 1 (ephemeral communities inundated only under exceptional conditions). This zonation is fundamentally controlled by seasonal cycles rather than tidal forces.

Searching in heterogeneous and limiting environments: foraging strategies of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari)

Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche — 2012 — WHE68BC640B57

White-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, exhibit foraging strategies characterized by short-range intensive searching interspersed with occasional long-distance movements. Research identified a zero-inflated lognormal distribution as the best model to explain their movement patterns, suggesting adaptive behavior in response to patchy and seasonally variable resources. During the dry season, groups concentrated foraging around water sources, behaving as central-place foragers while occasionally exploring distant areas. This study highlights the complex decision-making processes of social mammals navigating heterogeneous environments.

Seasonal Abundance of Hemipterans onCaryocar brasiliense(Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) Trees in the Cerrado

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2012 — WHE05ECF2BA90

Research on the seasonal abundance of hemipterans and their predators on Caryocar brasiliense trees in Cerrado Protected Areas reveals a dynamic ecological interaction influenced by plant phenology and weather. The study, conducted over three years across Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks, found that while the number of sucking insect individuals remained consistent throughout seasons, species diversity peaked in winter. Predator abundance and diversity also showed seasonal variation, with winter being the most diverse season for both groups. Notably, certain predator species like Crematogaster sp. and Trybonia sp. exhibited significant correlations with the presence of specific hemipteran species, such as Dikrella sp., suggesting a complex interplay between these organisms. The findings highlight the importance of seasonal and phenological factors in shaping insect communities within this protected ecosystem.

Seasonal coupling and de‐coupling of net calcification rates from coral reef metabolism and carbonate chemistry at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Ningaloo Coast — 2012 — WHED95F379074

Research at Ningaloo Reef reveals that net calcification rates remain stable year-round, defying seasonal expectations. Despite a twofold decrease in daily light and only slight temperature changes from summer to winter, net calcification rates showed no significant seasonal variation (190 ± 40 mmol CaCO3 m−2 d−1 in summer vs. 200 ± 10 mmol CaCO3 m−2 d−1 in winter). While summer calcification was linked to diurnal changes in light, pH, and aragonite saturation state (Ωar), winter rates decoupled from these factors, suggesting the reef may have reached a threshold where calcification becomes insensitive to environmental fluctuations. The study also found no significant seasonal differences in nitrogen uptake or gross primary production, which were only 33% higher in summer than winter.

Seasonal patterns of predation for gray wolves in the multi‐prey system of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park — 2012 — WHEF6B22DC651

Gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park exhibit marked seasonal variation in predation patterns, driven by changes in prey vulnerability. Contrary to expectations, kill rates were highest in summer when measured as the number of ungulates acquired per wolf per day, but lowest when quantified as biomass acquired per wolf per day. This contradicts prior research suggesting minimal seasonal variation in biomass acquisition for large terrestrial carnivores. The study, based on 14 winters and five spring-summer periods (1995-2009), found that kill rates were not well correlated among seasons, making it unreliable to infer year-round average kill rates from short-term observations. Predation patterns were influenced by the nutritional condition of adult elk and the availability of smaller prey, such as elk calves and deer, highlighting the complex dynamics between predators and prey in seasonal environments.

Seasonal, Spatial, and Postharvest Variability in the Survival of Repeatedly Discarded Saucer Scallops in Shark Bay, Western Australia

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2012 — WHE4B540C4415

Saucer scallops (Amusium balloti) exhibit significantly higher survival rates when discarded during the postspawning winter months (>90%) compared to the prespawning summer months (20–90%), indicating that thermal stress from seasonal temperature differences is a critical factor in their resilience. A study using short-term tag-recapture experiments found no significant differences in survival based on fishing grounds or postcapture treatment, suggesting that current management practices—focusing regulatory discarding during winter when discard mortality is minimized—are more effective than pre-2004 regulations that mandated summer discarding, which likely led to higher mortalities. This research supports the existing strategy of prioritizing fishing during warmer prespawning months to reduce discard-related impacts on scallop populations.

Seasonality of Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Reproduction at Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles (1980–2011) in the Regional Context of the Western Indian Ocean

Aldabra Atoll — 2012 — WHEAE8166B205

Aldabra Atoll, the second-largest green turtle rookery in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), exhibits year-round nesting activity with significant intra- and interannual variation. Analysis of 32 years of data (1980–2011) reveals a clear unimodal pattern during 1995–2011, peaking from April to June, while the timing of peak nesting at two primary sites diverged by over a month, suggesting spatial or environmental influences. The 1997–1998 ENSO event disrupted normal cycles but coincided with record-high nesting levels in 2000–2001. Comparative analysis across five WIO rookeries suggests an inverse relationship between peak nesting dates and latitude, hinting at temperature-driven seasonality. This study provides critical insights into the reproductive ecology of green turtles, emphasizing the need for region-specific conservation strategies.

Sediment Dynamics and Stratigraphic Architecture of a Lower Silurian Storm-dominated Carbonate Ramp, Anticosti Island, Québec, Canada

Anticosti — 2012 — WHEE80ED1F5C6

Research on Anticosti Island, Québec, reveals the sediment dynamics and stratigraphic architecture of a Lower Silurian storm-dominated carbonate ramp. The study identifies three distinct facies associations along an E-W outcrop belt, characterized by episodic high-energy storm events such as hummocky cross-stratification and wave-enhanced sediment-gravity flows. Spatial and temporal changes in siliciclastic content suggest transitions from arid to humid climatic conditions and basin margin depositional environments. A major faunal shift, dominated by crinoids, is linked to increased siliciclastic supply and rapid sea level fluctuations. The stratigraphic architecture is driven by glacio-eustasy, with a 4th order transgressive-regressive sequence and superimposed 5th/6th order meter-scale cycles. An open-ramp model with a concave-up profile and steep inner ramp is proposed to explain the observed patterns.

Seismic Microzonation of Densely Populated Area of Kathmandu Valley of Nepal using Microtremor Observations

Kathmandu Valley — 2012 — WHE9CF5F6C4BE

Seismic microzonation of the Kathmandu Valley reveals that areas with thick lake sediments, particularly near the valley's center, experience dominant amplification periods approaching 2 seconds. This finding indicates a heightened risk for long-period shaking during future earthquakes in densely populated urban zones, where tall structures and bridges with similar natural periods are prevalent. The study employed horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio analysis of ambient noise recordings to map seismic site response variability, providing critical insights for earthquake hazard assessment in this historically vulnerable region.

Seismic Surveillance of Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral — 2012 — WHE6C40FCEBA0

Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest Gothic cathedrals, was equipped with five seismic stations as part of a cooperative study between Cologne University and the Dombauverwaltung Köln. This initiative expanded the strong-motion network (SeFoNiB) to include the first modern seismic monitoring within Cologne city limits, addressing its significant seismic hazard. The research aimed to investigate the cathedral's structural response to seismic activity, providing insights into the behavior of large historic buildings under seismic stress. By integrating seismic surveillance with cultural heritage preservation, this study offers a novel approach to assessing and mitigating risks to iconic landmarks.

Seismic vulnerability assessment of the Casbah of Algiers

Kasbah of Algiers — 2012 — WHE0505E0F6AC

A seismic vulnerability assessment of the Casbah of Algiers reveals that irregularities in Ottoman-era construction significantly increase the risk of collapse during earthquakes. The study, conducted as part of the EU-funded PERPETUATE project, analyzed 150 historical buildings using a quantitative data collection form and the numerical procedure FaMIVE to identify structural weaknesses and collapse mechanisms. Findings highlight that past seismic events, coupled with neglect in maintenance and post-earthquake repairs, have exacerbated the Casbah's vulnerability. The distribution of collapse mechanisms and load factor multipliers underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate seismic risk in this culturally significant area.

Selective Logging and Damage to Unharvested Trees in a Hyrcanian Forest of Iran

Hyrcanian Forests — 2012 — WHE44F3C4CD03

Selective logging in the Hyrcanian Forests of Iran causes significant damage to unharvested trees, with 9.8 trees damaged for every one extracted—including 8 destroyed or severely injured per harvested tree. The most common damages include uprooted stems, cambial layer wounds, and bark scrapes, with skid trails being hotspots for tree injury. This study highlights the need for stricter supervision of logging operations to mitigate harm to residual trees and maintain forest health.