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The conservation status of Sabellaria alveolata (L.) (Polychaeta: Sabellariidae) reefs in the Bay of Mont‐Saint‐Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2011 — WHE9F7621DA1D

Sabellaria alveolata reefs in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, Europe's most extensive intertidal biogenic structures, have shown significant deterioration since 2001. This decline is attributed to increased oyster farming, silt deposition, and recreational harvesting, which fragment the reef and alter hydrodynamics. The study used a Health Status Index (HI) combining physical and biological parameters to map reef health spatially and temporally, revealing rapid degradation, particularly in central areas. These findings underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies to protect these endangered ecosystems.

Lalibala (Lalibela)

Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela — 2011 — WHEE245BB30D1

Lalibela, located in the Lasta mountains of Ethiopia's Wallo province, is renowned for its 11 monolithic churches carved directly from mountainsides during the Middle Ages by the Zagwe dynasty. These monumental structures, often hailed as the eighth wonder of the world, represent a significant cultural and architectural achievement. The study highlights that the Zagwe dynasty prioritized establishing Lalibela as a holy site to rival both the Christian Middle East and the historic city of Aksum. Key findings include the renaming of the city to Roha, mirroring Edessa in Syria, and the river to Jordan, reflecting its religious significance. Imraha's hagiography suggests that construction materials, such as beams for Yemrhanna Krestos, were sourced from Egypt, underscoring the dynasty's ambition and resourcefulness.

110 Years of Avipoxvirus in the Galapagos Islands

Galápagos Islands — 2011 — WHE62E272B8F0

Avipoxvirus, a disease introduced to the Galápagos Islands in the late 1890s, has been identified as a significant threat to endemic passerine birds, including finches and mockingbirds. This study analyzed 3,973 bird specimens collected between 1891 and 1906, revealing cutaneous lesions consistent with Avipoxvirus in 226 specimens (6.3%), with 21 of 59 tissue samples testing positive for the virus. The disease showed a nonrandom distribution, predominantly affecting islands inhabited by humans at the time of collection, suggesting human-mediated dispersal. Viral genotyping confirmed that 11 positive specimens matched contemporary canarypox variants, indicating the virus's long-term presence and ongoing impact on Galápagos bird populations.

2007 Volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

Volcanoes of Kamchatka — 2011 — WHE2177C352E5

In 2010, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitored volcanic activity at 12 centers in Alaska and collaborated with Russian teams to address eruptions or unrest at seven volcanoes in Kamchatka. The most significant event was intermittent ash emissions from Cleveland Volcano in the Aleutian Islands, highlighting its long-term activity. AVO's role included hazard communication, demonstrating the importance of international collaboration in volcanic monitoring and response.

2008 Volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

Volcanoes of Kamchatka — 2011 — WHEF3563B3F80

In 2008, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) documented significant volcanic activity and unrest across multiple volcanic centers in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands. The year was marked by explosive eruptions at Okmok and Kasatochi Volcanoes, which dominated operational efforts from July to August, requiring 24-hour staffing at AVO's Anchorage facility. Minor eruptive activity persisted at Veniaminof and Cleveland Volcanoes, while unrest at Redoubt Volcano foreshadowed a major eruption in spring 2009. Additionally, AVO collaborated with Russian teams to monitor and communicate hazards related to volcanic activity in Kamchatka and Sakhalin. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the events, emphasizing the AVO's rapid response capabilities and international collaboration in volcanic hazard assessment.

2010 Paul Hanly Furfey Lecture * Sacred Space and Collective Memory: Memorializing Genocide at Sites of Terror

Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero — 2011 — WHECF203B2F71

This lecture explores how memorial sites, particularly those at former locations of terror, serve as sacred spaces for collective memory and mourning. It highlights the universal human experience of genocide, examining the ways these sites encode suffering and atrocity while functioning as warnings to future generations. Drawing on fieldwork from Ravensbrück in Germany and Nyamata and Ntarama in Rwanda, the study analyzes the politics of memorial culture and the social construction of memory across different cultures and geographies. The research underscores the significance of public spaces in national memory, particularly in the context of mass trauma and the commemoration of crimes against humanity.

227 Superovulation and Embryo Collection in Wood Bison During the Anovulatory Season

Wood Buffalo National Park — 2011 — WHE672948B665

Embryo collection is feasible in wood bison during the anovulatory season, but only when using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for ovulation induction. This study tested whether progesterone priming or the type of hormone (LH or hCG) affects superovulation and embryo yield in wood bison, a species threatened by endemic diseases like brucellosis and tuberculosis in Wood Buffalo National Park. Researchers synchronized follicular waves in 32 bison cows using transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle ablation, then randomly assigned them to receive either LH or hCG with or without progesterone priming (PRID). While progesterone priming had no significant effect on ovulation rates, hCG treatment alone significantly increased the number of corpora lutea and embryo collection success. Despite successful embryo retrieval in some cases, the overall low collection rate remains unexplained. This finding is crucial for disease-free repopulation efforts, offering a potential tool to preserve genetically valuable individuals.

A “Curious and Sometimes a Trifle Macabre Artistry”

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2011 — WHE10C5BE5364

A comparative analysis of the Neolithic sites of Çatalhöyük and Göbekli Tepe reveals three dominant symbolic themes in early settled communities: phallocentrism, a focus on wild and dangerous animals, and the ritual manipulation of human and animal skulls. Contrary to prevailing assumptions, these societies emphasized male symbolism over female fertility, while also engaging with dangerous fauna through depictions of their hard and pointed features, likely tied to food procurement rituals. The study further links headlessness and raptors as significant symbolic motifs, suggesting a broader cultural narrative centered on history-making and bodily manipulation. This research challenges long-held narratives about Neolithic symbolism in the Middle East.

A Basal Dinosaur from the Dawn of the Dinosaur Era in Southwestern Pangaea

Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks — 2011 — WHE4588CE612A

A new basal theropod dinosaur, previously unidentified, was discovered in the Ischigualasto Formation of northwestern Argentina, shedding light on the dawn of the dinosaur era around 230 million years ago. This finding challenges the traditional view that dinosaurs rose to dominance by replacing non-dinosaurian herbivores, as the study reveals a sequential extinction pattern unrelated to increasing dinosaur diversity. Researchers also reassessed Eoraptor, reclassifying it as a basal sauropodomorph, and divided the faunal record into biozones using (40)Ar/(39)Ar dating techniques. This work provides critical insights into the ecological dynamics of southwestern Pangaea during the Late Triassic.

A Climatology of the Mesoscale Environment Associated with Heavily Precipitating Events over a Northwestern Mediterranean Area

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2011 — WHEBB34E9F67B

Heavily precipitating events (HPEs) over the northwestern Mediterranean, particularly affecting regions like the Causses and Cévennes, are driven by common mesoscale features such as slowly evolving trough-ridge patterns and diffluent midlevel flow. These events, characterized by daily precipitation exceeding 150 mm during autumn, show that instability and moisture are transported toward the target area via a low-level jet (LLJ) originating from the Mediterranean Sea. Strong moisture convergence occurs within the left exit of the LLJ, with parameters peaking during the mature stage. Clockwise rotation of low-level winds is observed throughout the event's lifecycle. However, synoptic and mesoscale patterns vary significantly depending on the location of precipitation, with differences in LLJ direction (southeasterly to southwesterly), midlevel flow orientation, and stretching of high moisture and instability areas. Long-lasting HPEs are associated with more pronounced quasi-stationary trough-ridge patterns, higher CAPE values, wetter tropospheres, and faster LLJs. The study utilized a 5-year climatological approach based on 3D-Var mesoscale analyses to document these features across four subdomains: Languedoc-Roussillon, Cévennes-Vivarais, South Alps, and Corsica.

A Cognitive Approach to the Earliest Art

Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain — 2011 — WHE576BBEF640

Recent archaeological discoveries challenge the understanding of the origins and purposes of early human art. Geometric engravings on bone, ochre, and ostrich eggshell from southern Africa (77,000–55,000 BP) and figurative mammoth ivory sculptures from Swabia, Germany (40,000–32,000 BP), suggest that art emerged independently in different cultures. Unlike later art forms, these artifacts lack contextual information, complicating their classification as 'first art.' The study proposes a cognitive approach to analyze these objects, questioning whether they served aesthetic, educational, or ritualistic functions. This research highlights the need for new frameworks to interpret early art, moving beyond Western-centric criteria and addressing gaps in archaeological records.

A Companion to the Great Western Schism (1378-1417) (review)

Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge — 2011 — WHE70D1CB8ED2

A novel interpretation of the Great Western Schism (1378–1417) challenges conventional views on civil violence during papal elections, suggesting that unruly crowds in Rome were part of traditional celebrations rather than a detrimental force. The study, A Companion to the Great Western Schism, edited by Sean Otto, Joëlle Rollo-Koster, and Thomas M. Izbicki, revises historical narratives by analyzing contemporary evidence to argue that the violence accompanying the election of Pope Urban VI was not as alarming as later portrayed. The volume explores the Schism's multifaceted impacts—spanning political, social, and religious dimensions—across Western Europe, Byzantium, and Islamic regions, offering a comprehensive interdisciplinary perspective. It includes contributions from leading scholars, blending historiography with themes like inter-religious relations, art, and ecclesiastical authority. This work serves as an introductory yet rigorous resource, synthesizing cutting-edge scholarship to reshape understanding of this pivotal medieval crisis.

A Comparative Study of Ethyl-silicate–based Consolidants on Earthen Finishes

Mesa Verde National Park — 2011 — WHE99203DD18A

A comparative analysis of three commercially available ethyl-silicate-based consolidants—Silbond 40, Conservare OH100, and Funcosil SAE 300E—revealed significant differences in their performance on earthen finishes, highlighting the need for careful selection based on substrate compatibility. The study, conducted using facsimile coupons representing Mesa Verde National Park's earthen finishes, employed a rigorous testing protocol involving environmental scanning electron microscopy, timelapse photomicrography, and wet-dry cycling to assess surface cohesion, response to liquid water, and appearance changes under varying relative humidity. Findings underscored the influence of consolidant type on substrate behavior, while also identifying gaps in understanding regarding the impact of finish composition, condition, and environmental factors on consolidation effectiveness. The research advocates for further test development to address these uncertainties.

A comparison of robust polynomial fitting, global geopotential model and spectral analysis for regional–residual gravity field separation in the Doñana National Park (Spain)

Doñana National Park — 2011 — WHE2B094E0208

A comparison of three methods—robust polynomial fitting, the EGM2008 global geopotential model, and spectral analysis—revealed that the EGM2008 model is a highly effective tool for separating regional and residual gravity fields in Doñana National Park. The study, conducted using high-precision gravimetric data, identified correlations between residual gravity anomalies and geological features, suggesting potential refinements to existing geological boundary maps. This approach offers improved accuracy for geophysical modeling in protected areas with complex geological structures.

A conservation agenda for the Pantanal's biodiversity

Pantanal Conservation Area — 2011 — WHE3205349207

The Pantanal Conservation Area faces significant biodiversity threats that require a comprehensive conservation strategy beyond protected areas. Research identifies seven major categories of threats: conversion of natural vegetation for agriculture, habitat destruction from wildfires, overexploitation of species through unsustainable fishing, water pollution, river flow modifications due to small hydroelectric plants, unsustainable tourism, and the introduction of invasive exotic species. These factors collectively endanger the region's rich biodiversity, which includes endangered species and exceptionally abundant waterfowl during the dry season. The study emphasizes the need for a multifaceted approach to address these challenges, highlighting the economic, cultural, recreational, aesthetic, scientific, and educational value of the Pantanal's biodiversity.

A Descriptive Study of Guided Tours at Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park — 2011 — WHE3B4A9BB958

A recent decline in cave tour attendance across the United States has been partially addressed through a study at Mammoth Cave National Park, revealing that guided tours are highly valued by visitors despite low crowding levels. The research, conducted via a mail-back survey of 660 visitors, found high approval ratings and perceived value for the fee paid, suggesting potential strategies to counteract attendance drops. This study highlights the importance of understanding social aspects of visitation in cave settings, where guided tours are often the sole means of exploration.

A fast and effective method to perform paternity testing for Wolong giant pandas

Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains — 2011 — WHEBB5AC6B6EF

Researchers developed a highly effective method for paternity testing in captive giant pandas, achieving 100% accuracy using two highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. This approach significantly advances conservation efforts by enabling precise genetic identification of fathers, crucial for managing captive populations and selecting individuals for reintroduction programs. The study demonstrated that the success rate of paternity exclusion correlates with genetic diversity parameters such as number of alleles (Na), expected heterozygosity (HE), and observed homozygosity (FO). A novel variable, Na×HE/FO, was introduced to assess microsatellite marker performance, showing a strong positive correlation with resolution power. This method not only streamlines paternity testing but also provides a criterion for selecting optimal markers, applicable beyond giant pandas to other captive endangered species.

A Geological History of the Turkana Basin

Lower Valley of the Omo — 2011 — WHE9A17A752EC

The Turkana Basin holds a rich geological record spanning over 200 thousand years, capturing dynamic landscape changes driven by tectonics, volcanic activity, and climate. This study reveals that the basin's sedimentary strata, including those of the Omo Group, preserve fossil-bearing deposits from Cretaceous fluvial systems to modern Lake Turkana. The research approach combines stratigraphic analysis with paleoenvironmental reconstructions, highlighting the basin's role in biotic evolution and cultural development. Key findings emphasize the Pliocene tectonic developments that shaped the modern rift and the influence of environmental factors on its geological history.

A Glimpse at Guatemala, and Some Notes on the Ancient Monuments of Central America

Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua — 2011 — WHE8A28CBE289

Alfred Percival Maudslay's seminal work, 'A Glimpse at Guatemala, and Some Notes on the Ancient Monuments of Central America,' pioneered modern Mesoamerican archaeology by introducing systematic scientific exploration and recording techniques for Mayan sites. Published in 1899, this volume documents Maudslay's expeditions to Quiriguá, Tikal, and Copán, providing detailed descriptions and plans that set new standards for archaeological documentation. The appendix includes the first excavation reports of Quiriguá (1883) and Tikal (1883), as well as Copán (1886), originally published in the Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society. Maudslay's meticulous approach laid the foundation for future archaeological studies, significantly advancing the understanding of Mayan civilization.

A Handover Control of Mobile Nodes with IP Mobility in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) — 2011 — WHE517FDB6289

Researchers developed a middleware solution for seamless vertical handover control in heterogeneous wireless networks, addressing IP mobility challenges at UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The system dynamically selects optimal network interfaces based on geographic location and link layer information, ensuring quality of service (QoS) requirements are met. Field trials conducted at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park demonstrated the software's functionality while identifying limitations as a middleware approach. This work advances all-IP wireless network integration for tourism content delivery systems in culturally significant environments.