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Publications

Showing 28241 – 28260 of 30315 publications

Trophic relationships of muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) on Wrangel Island

Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve — 2012 — WHEF610504084

Muskoxen and reindeer on Wrangel Island exhibit distinct seasonal dietary shifts, reflecting their unique feeding strategies and habitat preferences. Muskoxen, primarily grazers, rely more heavily on sedges during summer but switch to lichens and mosses in winter when snow cover limits access to other plants. Reindeer, with a broader diet, consume a mix of grasses, forbs, shrubs, and lichens year-round, though their intake varies seasonally due to changes in vegetation availability. This study highlights how these two herbivores partition resources on the island, reducing competition despite overlapping ranges. Researchers analyzed fecal samples and plant biomass data across seasons to quantify dietary composition, providing insights into their ecological roles within Wrangel Island's unique tundra ecosystem.

Tropical montane cloudforest

Manú National Park — 2012 — WHED76FD114D3

Tropical montane cloudforests, such as those found near timberline in the southern Peruvian Andes within Manu National Park (13.12345 S, 71.61721 W, 3600 m.a.s.l.), play a critical role in biodiversity and ecological processes. This study highlights the unique environmental conditions of these ecosystems, including high humidity and temperature fluctuations, which support diverse flora and fauna adapted to extreme altitude. The research employs field observations and ecological modeling to elucidate the interactions between climate, vegetation structure, and species distribution. By analyzing data from high-altitude cloudforests, the study provides insights into the resilience and adaptability of montane ecosystems facing climate change.

Troy in Regional and International Context

Archaeological Site of Troy — 2012 — WHE9E3A3F0259

Troy emerges as a pivotal regional and international hub spanning three millennia, with its strategic significance underscored by archaeological evidence. The site's fortified stronghold, surrounded by a larger settlement, along with its extensive architectural features, treasures, and ceramics, reflects long-distance contacts and regional dominance during the Anatolian and Aegean Bronze Age. This study highlights Troy's role as a center of political, economic, and cultural influence, supported by its size, layout, and strategic position within the Aegean/Anatolian world.

Tuff City

Historic Centre of Naples — 2012 — WHE5E4260C661

A pioneering study reveals the complex, often contentious process of urban regeneration in Naples' historic center, challenging conventional narratives and methodological approaches. By focusing on two piazzas and a centro sociale, the research exposes tensions between heritage preservation, security, pedestrianization, tourism, immigration, and contemporary protest movements. The monograph offers a critical lens on public space, citizenship, and urban transformation, providing new insights into how cities like Naples navigate cultural reimagining while addressing social and political challenges.

Two new Sarsiellinae (Ostracoda: Myodocopa) from Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia), with a cladistic analysis of the subfamily and keys to genera

Ningaloo Coast — 2012 — WHE1F793AE7E9

Researchers have identified two new species of Sarsiellinae ostracods, Spinacopia ningalooi and Metasarsiella caleyi, from the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. Spinacopia ningalooi represents the first record of its genus from a coral reef, distinguished by its unique posterior infold structure, while Metasarsiella caleyi marks the first species of this genus reported in Australia. The study provides detailed keys for identifying species within these genera and across the subfamily Sarsiellinae, alongside an inventory of all known species and their distributions. Additionally, the research conducts cladistic analyses using 138 species and 34 morphological characters to reconstruct evolutionary relationships within the subfamily, yielding two sets of phylogenetic trees—one with seven equally parsimonious trees from unweighted analysis and another single tree from weighted character analysis.

Two new species and new records of Muscidae (Diptera) from Wrangel Island, Russia

Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve — 2012 — WHE965895A896

Research on Wrangel Island has uncovered two new species of Muscidae flies: Spilogonakhrulevae sp. nov. and Coenosia wrangelensis sp. nov., along with a new record of Coenosia sibirica in the Russian Arctic. The study distinguishes these species through detailed morphological analysis, including male terminalia illustrations, and integrates them into existing taxonomic keys for identification. This discovery enhances our understanding of fly biodiversity in remote Arctic ecosystems, contributing to broader ecological research on Wrangel Island's unique natural systems.

Two new species of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park of central Vietnam

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park — 2012 — WHE10BB61419E

Two new species of oribatid mites, Austrachipteria phongnhae and Galumna kebangica, have been discovered in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam. This marks the first record of the genus Austrachipteria in the country. The mites were identified from mosses on trees within the park, highlighting the biodiversity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study contributes to the understanding of oribatid mite diversity and distribution in central Vietnam.

Two Weddings and a Funeral: Alfonso X’s Monuments in Burgos

Burgos Cathedral — 2012 — WHE7FEF0E2236

A groundbreaking analysis of Burgos Cathedral's cloister portal reveals its hidden historical significance, linking its sculptures to the 1219 wedding of Fernando III and Beatrix of Swabia. The study suggests that the reliefs symbolize Christian royal marriage catechesis, while the opposite pier's crowned youths represent the fruits of this union. Further, it proposes that Alfonso X, son of Fernando and Beatrix, commissioned the cloister as a didactic venue for his own son's wedding, planned to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first. The research also sheds light on how the Infante Fernando's untimely death disrupted this narrative, leading to its eventual obscurity. This interpretation is supported by detailed historical and iconographic analysis, offering a new lens through which to view one of Spain's masterpieces.

U-Series Dating of Paleolithic Art in 11 Caves in Spain

Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain — 2012 — WHEC43B2F691A

A groundbreaking study reveals that cave art in Spain, including at UNESCO World Heritage sites like Altamira and El Castillo, dates back to at least the Early Aurignacian period. Using uranium-series disequilibrium dating of calcite deposits, researchers determined minimum ages of 40.8 thousand years for a red disk, 37.3 thousand years for a hand stencil, and 35.6 thousand years for a claviform-like symbol. These findings suggest that cave art may have been part of the cultural practices of the first anatomically modern humans in Europe or possibly even Neandertals, challenging long-held assumptions about the origins of symbolic behavior.

Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: meeting the challenges of conservation and community development through sustainable tourism

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — 2012 — WHE6C25C6E4C2

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park emerged as a pivotal model for sustainable tourism in Uganda, capitalizing on global interest in tropical forests to revitalize the country's tourism industry. This shift, necessitated by the decline of charismatic wildlife in other safari parks, positioned Bwindi as a unique attraction in East Africa. The study highlights how strategic tourism development can balance conservation goals with community benefits, offering a blueprint for integrating ecological preservation and economic growth in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Uma pequena Roma no Norte da África uma análise de Leptis Magna

Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna — 2012 — WHE9CC75F62F2

Leptis Magna, an archaeological site in Libya, was strategically developed under Emperor Augustus' reign to mirror the architectural and urban planning ideals of Rome. This transformation aimed to create a 'Little Rome' in North Africa, reflecting the cultural and political ambitions of the Roman Empire during its expansion. The study analyzes the historical and philosophical representations embedded in Leptis Magna's design, revealing how it served as both a symbol of Roman power and a model for urban development in the region. By examining architectural elements, city planning, and discourse, the research sheds light on the complex interplay between political strategy and cultural identity in ancient Rome.

Understanding British youth behaviors on holiday in Ibiza

Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture — 2012 — WHE0A3992D58E

British youth on holiday in Ibiza engage in binge drinking, drug use, and other risk behaviors not only to escape societal constraints but also because these actions help construct their identities. This ethnographic study, using focus groups and observations with 97 participants aged 17–31, reveals that such behaviors are integral to their life narratives and are further encouraged by the social context of Ibiza. Unlike previous survey-based research, this study provides a deeper understanding of the social meaning and contextual factors behind these behaviors.

Understanding climate, adapting to change: indigenous cultural values and climate change impacts in North Queensland

Wet Tropics of Queensland — 2012 — WHE4481F196D7

Indigenous communities in North Queensland exhibit varying capacities to anticipate and manage climate change impacts, despite sharing common themes regarding environmental and cultural values. The study, focusing on two Aboriginal groups—the rainforest and reef peoples of the Wet Tropics and those inhabiting discontiguous environments of Cape York—reveals diverse understandings of climate change while highlighting shared observations of environmental shifts and causal attributions. This research contributes to a broader understanding of Indigenous resilience and vulnerability, emphasizing the need for fine-grained geographic data on local impacts, particularly in Australian contexts.

Understanding Monastic Practices of Oral Communication (Western Europe, Tenth-Thirteenth Centuries) ed. by Steven Vanderputten (review)

Abbey of St Gall — 2012 — WHE429AEC096C

A comprehensive exploration of oral communication practices within monastic orders during the tenth to thirteenth centuries in Western Europe reveals that monastic culture, traditionally seen as literate-dominated, relied significantly on diverse and sophisticated non-literary communicative media. This collection of essays challenges conventional assumptions about the role of spoken and written word in monastic life, delving into quotidian speech politics, liturgical practices, memory transmission, and educational strategies. Through a series of case studies—ranging from Ekkehard of St Gall's histories to Cistercian reforms and Carolingian dynastic narratives—the volume illustrates the complex interplay between oral traditions, material culture, and monastic identity. Edited by Steven Vanderputten, this work synthesizes findings from a 2008 Ghent University conference, offering new perspectives on high medieval intellectual culture and the nuanced dynamics of monastic communication.

Understanding Science in Conservation: A Q Method Approach on the Galápagos Islands

Galápagos Islands — 2012 — WHE992C7195AF

A Q method analysis of the Galápagos Islands revealed four distinct perspectives on the role of science in conservation, highlighting divergent understandings and priorities among scientists and managers. These perspectives—labeled 'Science for management,' 'Freedom of science,' 'Limits of science,' and 'Separation of science and conservation'—expose subjective values and assumptions that shape conservation practices. The study underscores the complexity of interdisciplinary collaboration in conservation, with potential implications for improving communication and addressing conflicts in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Galápagos.

Understory Composition of FiveTsuga canadensisAssociated Forest Communities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park — 2012 — WHE23DC46BF46

Despite significant overstory decline due to hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) infestation, understory composition in five Tsuga canadensis-associated forest communities within Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains relatively stable. This resilience is attributed to the dominance of Rhododendron maximum, which acts as a buffer by moderating light levels reaching the forest floor. The study resampled 29 permanent plots established 5–6 years prior across hemlock, montane cove, montane oak/hickory, acid hardwood, and northern hardwood communities. Findings suggest that while HWA-induced overstory mortality is altering forest structure, its early impacts on understory vegetation are less pronounced than anticipated, potentially influencing long-term successional dynamics.

Unity in Restoring: A Study on Healing Attributes of Persian Garden

The Persian Garden — 2012 — WHEBEC8A37CAE

Persian gardens inherently possess restorative attributes that mentally refresh visitors, even when not explicitly designed for such purposes. This study reveals that these gardens, through their intuitive connection with nature, alleviate mental fatigue and stress, offering a sense of restoration akin to purpose-built restorative environments. The research explores whether Persian garden design principles can be applied universally to create similar therapeutic spaces. By analyzing visitor experiences, it demonstrates the profound interplay between human perception and spatial design in fostering mental well-being.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Photography: Exploring the Medieval City of Merv, on the Silk Roads of Central Asia

State Historical and Cultural Park “Ancient Merv” — 2012 — WHE4A4DCCFE6C

Aerial survey technology revolutionizes the study of Merv, revealing unprecedented details of its medieval Islamic cityscape. The Ancient Merv Project employed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to capture systematic vertical photographs, offering a comprehensive view of this Silk Road metropolis's ruins. This approach enabled precise analysis of urban structures and spatial organization, overcoming traditional survey limitations. Initial findings highlight the potential for UAVs in archaeological documentation, particularly in protecting and conserving World Heritage Sites like Merv. The collaboration between Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Culture and UCL Institute of Archaeology demonstrates how modern technology can enhance our understanding of historic cities while supporting their preservation efforts.

Upwellings in Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal — 2012 — WHE51AAAECF72

Research on Lake Baikal reveals that upwellings, driven by coastal run-off and alongshore winds, occur annually during the lake's direct temperature stratification period. These upwellings extend up to 60–100 km along the coast and can reach 250 km in North Baikal, with water rising from depths of 100–200 m at speeds of 0.1 × 10⁻² to 6.5 × 10⁻² cm/s. Additionally, intràbasin cyclonic macrovortices cause pelagic upwellings and coastal downwellings, lasting from 7 to 88 days and covering depths of 80–300 m in August, extending to 400–800 m by early-mid November. These phenomena cover 20–60% of the lake's basins and intensify coastal currents, forming a unique thermobar with a heat inert zone in November—a feature not observed in other lakes. The study utilized shipboard and satellite observations to document these processes for the first time.

Urban Climate Adaptation in the Global South

City of Quito — 2012 — WHE76FE3E28D9

Urban climate adaptation in the Global South is driven by endogenous factors and sustained through strategic alignment with existing agendas. A study of Durban and Quito reveals that cities pioneering adaptation planning capitalize on emerging opportunities, creatively linking new climate goals to established programs. This approach, grounded in institutional theory and case analysis, offers a model for other developing cities facing similar challenges. The findings highlight the importance of endogenous motivations and flexible policy integration in advancing urban resilience.