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Buffering for conservation at Angkor: questioning the spatial regulation of a World Heritage property

Angkor — 2011 — WHEC427D205E0

A standardized core-and-buffer-zones approach to protecting World Heritage Sites may not always be the most effective solution, according to research on Angkor, Cambodia. While buffer zones remain a useful tool in land use planning for conservation, the study argues that their design and application require more rigorous reflection and research tailored to diverse site circumstances. The paper examines the evolution, use, and effectiveness of buffer zones at Angkor, highlighting the need for adaptive, context-specific strategies rather than one-size-fits-all regulations.

Building Chan Chan: A Project Management Perspective

Chan Chan Archaeological Zone — 2011 — WHE7446F4E808

A groundbreaking analysis of the ancient Peruvian site Chan Chan reveals that its monumental architecture, specifically Ciudadela Rivero, required over two million labor hours to construct. This was achieved by a modest workforce of 250 workers spanning six years, challenging existing hypotheses about the scale and organization of labor in complex societies. The study employed construction industry-standard tools like the Critical Path Method (CPM) for scheduling and estimating, providing quantitative insights into ancient project management strategies. These findings offer new perspectives on the social complexity and labor organization of the pre-Columbian civilizations that built Chan Chan.

Butrint in the mid-Byzantine period: a new interpretation

Butrint — 2011 — WHE903C55846B

Recent excavations at Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Albania's southwest coast, have uncovered significant evidence that reshapes our understanding of the site during its mid-Byzantine period (8th–15th century). The study, focusing on the Western Defences of the Lower City, reveals new insights into the construction and occupation phases of this fortified area. By analyzing layers of archaeological data, researchers propose a revised chronology for Butrint's Byzantine era, highlighting its strategic importance and adaptive reuse over centuries. This work builds on decades of excavations, including recent collaborations between the Butrint Foundation, the Albanian Institute of Archaeology, and the University of East Anglia.

Caecidotea xochimilca (Isopoda, Asellidae), a new species from Lake Xochimilco, Mexico, with a key to Mexican species of the genus Caecidotea

Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco — 2011 — WHEF448A3FC3E

Scientists have identified and described Caecidotea xochimilca, a new species of freshwater isopod (Isopoda, Asellidae) from Lake Xochimilco, Mexico City. This discovery expands the known biodiversity of the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco, a site renowned for its unique aquatic ecosystems. The research distinguishes C. xochimilca from two other Mexican species—C. williamsi and C. puebla—through key morphological traits, including differences in male pereopod structures, antennal aesthetasc patterns, body proportions, and pleopodal setae counts. A diagnostic key for Mexican Caecidotea species is also provided, aiding future taxonomic studies. The findings contribute to the understanding of aquatic invertebrate diversity in this culturally significant and ecologically rich World Heritage Site.

Cahokia: Ancient America's Great City on the Mississippi

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2011 — WHE74F11FBEAF

Cahokia, once the largest Native American city north of Mexico, flourished around 1000 A.D. along the Mississippi River in present-day Illinois. Despite its historical significance, it remains largely unknown to the general public, reflecting both a societal oversight and a gap in scholarly communication. Timothy R. Pauketat's work challenges conventional narratives by presenting innovative, hypothetical interpretations of Cahokia's development, aiming to engage broader audiences with its intricate history. Unlike traditional scholarly dissemination, this approach avoids linear storytelling, instead offering provocative insights that spark curiosity about one of ancient America's most impressive civilizations.

Calopadia schomerae (Pilocarpaceae), a lichen from Everglades National Park.

Everglades National Park — 2011 — WHE9AEB6322D7

A new lichen species, Calopadia schomerae, has been identified within Everglades National Park, distinguished by its unique morphological traits and adaptation to contrasting microhabitats. This discovery highlights the park's ecological diversity, as C. schomerae thrives in both shaded, high-humidity hammock forests (foliicolous) and drier, sun-exposed roadbeds (corticolous), exhibiting distinct pruinose apothecia characteristics depending on its environment. The species resembles Calopadia fusca and C. lucida, but notable differences in structure set it apart. The study, based on voucher specimens from these diverse substrates, underscores the importance of microhabitat-specific adaptations in lichen taxonomy.

Can differences in the structure of larval, juvenile and adult coral‐reef fish assemblages be detected at the family level?

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems — 2011 — WHEAC27E223E9

Research reveals that coral-reef fish assemblages exhibit distinct spatial structures at different life stages—larval, juvenile, and adult—even when analyzed at the family level. This finding challenges the assumption that coarse taxonomic resolution obscures critical insights into reef ecology. The study compared fish communities across a coast-to-barrier reef gradient in New Caledonia using standardized surveys from 2004 to 2005. Larvae were sampled via light-traps, while juveniles and adults were assessed through underwater visual counts. Multivariate analyses demonstrated significant variability among life stages, locations, and years, with differences detectable even at the family level. These results suggest that large-scale studies using broad taxonomic categories can effectively capture changes in reef fish spatial structure across life stages.

Capital cities as open-air museums: a look at Québec City and Tunis

Historic District of Old Québec — 2011 — WHEC8BC260FF3

National capitals like Québec City and Tunis, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, leverage their historical significance to transform into 'open-air museums,' reinforcing national identity through tourism. This study reveals that such cities employ heritagisation and touristification policies—including outdoor exhibits, guided tours, festivals, and historical circuits—to project a symbolic capital image both locally and globally. By analyzing these practices in Québec City and Tunis, the research highlights how globalized interactions shape local identities, with an emphasis on 'the old town' as a central frame for national narratives. The findings underscore the strategic use of tourism to assert cultural significance amid globalization.

Carabidae diversity along an altitudinal gradient in a Peruvian cloud forest (Coleoptera)

Manú National Park — 2011 — WHE6DFAD8045C

A study of carabid beetle diversity along an altitudinal gradient in Manu National Park, Peru, revealed a significant negative correlation between species richness and altitude, with one fewer species per 100 meters increase. Out of 77 morphospecies identified, 60% are projected to be undescribed, highlighting the region's high biodiversity. Most species (70.1%) were restricted to single altitudinal sites, with only one genus, Pelmatellus, found across all five sites. Active collections yielded twice as many species per individual compared to passive methods, underscoring the importance of comprehensive sampling techniques. This first systematic study of carabid beetles in high-altitude Peruvian cloud forests emphasizes the need for conservation efforts on the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes.

Carbon stocks in selected dry and wet zone forests of Sri Lanka

Ancient City of Sigiriya — 2011 — WHE73F89C1A03

Wet zone forests in Sri Lanka, including the Sigiriya sanctuary, store significantly more carbon than dry zone forests, with total ecosystem carbon stocks reaching 361 tons per hectare compared to 176 tons per hectare. The study, conducted by Kuruppuarachchi and Senevirathne (2011), found that wet zone forests hold higher plant biomass carbon (249 t C/ha) and soil carbon stocks (108 t C/ha) than dry zone forests, which store 77.0 t C/ha and 93.6 t C/ha respectively. While the proportion of carbon stored in soil and plant biomass differs—53% vs. 44% in the dry zone and 30% vs. 69% in the wet zone—the wet zone forests contribute more to overall carbon sequestration. The research employed monthly sampling over an annual cycle, standard biomass equations, and chemical oxidation/LOI methods for soil carbon analysis.

Caspar Luyken’s illustrated bible among the Serbs and Bulgarians in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries

Rila Monastery — 2011 — WHE1F084FA735

A copper engraving from Caspar Luyken’s Amsterdam (1694) and Nuremberg (1708) bibles emerged as a powerful visual symbol for the religious revival and national liberation movements of Serbs and Bulgarians in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The 'Finding of Moses' illustration influenced three distinct cultural artifacts: Teodor Kracun’s painting for the Orthodox cathedral in Sremski Karlovci (1780), J. G. Mansfeld’s frontispiece for Dositej Obradović’s Poem of the Deliverance of Serbia (1789), and Dimitar Zograf’s fresco in Rila Monastery’s exonarthex (1843). Analysis of these adaptations reveals how Luyken’s original engraving was repurposed to serve nationalist narratives under Habsburg and Ottoman rule, underscoring its significance as both an artistic and ideological catalyst during a pivotal era.

Cathedrals and the British Revolution

Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church — 2011 — WHE05696C0C07

Cathedrals played a pivotal role in the British Revolution, marking its violent beginning and symbolic end. The first act of unrest occurred at St Giles's Cathedral in Edinburgh on 23 July 1637, during protests against the Scottish Prayer Book, while the Revolution concluded with Charles II's return to Canterbury Cathedral on 27 May 1660, where he attended a church service using the Book of Common Prayer. This study highlights how cathedrals, once central to Catholic devotion, became contested symbols during the Reformation and were later reinstated as markers of monarchy restoration across the three kingdoms. The research examines the transition of cathedral functions from traditional Catholic practices to Protestant norms, emphasizing their significance in political and religious narratives.

Challenges of governance in two cross-border city regions: ‘CENTROPE’ and the ‘EuRegio Salzburg – Berchtesgadener Land – Traunstein’

Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg — 2011 — WHE5AF9CDECBE

Cross-border city regions face significant governance challenges, particularly when politically constructed and lacking clear spatial boundaries. A comparative analysis of CENTROPE (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic) and EuRegio Salzburg – Berchtesgadener Land – Traunstein (Austria, Bavaria, Upper Austria) reveals distinct governance structures and persistent obstacles in establishing effective city regional governance. Both regions rely on thematically oriented cooperation among diverse actors but struggle with social and political conflicts that shape their development. The study highlights the need to conceptualize city regions as dynamic, socially produced spaces rather than static entities, emphasizing the role of actor interests in governance challenges.

Challenging tourism theory through integrated models: how multiple model projects strengthen outcomes through a case study of tourism development on the Ningaloo Coast of Western Australia

Ningaloo Coast — 2011 — WHEC445390CFB

A collaborative modeling approach challenges traditional tourism development theories, demonstrating that tourism growth can be managed to avoid negative ecological and social impacts. The study, part of the Ningaloo Collaboration Cluster, integrated multiple models—including ecological indicators—to explore strategies for sustainable tourism on the Ningaloo Coast, a remote Western Australian region with delicate ecosystems and high visitor numbers. Unlike deterministic models like Butler's Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC), which link impacts to fixed stages of development, this research shows that adaptive management can mitigate adverse effects, preserving both environmental integrity and local community values.

Chandra Mukerji, Impossible Engineering : Technology and Territoriality on the Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi — 2011 — WHE0857221677

A groundbreaking analysis of the Canal du Midi reveals how 17th-century engineering defied conventional territorial and technological norms, challenging the notion that such large-scale infrastructure projects were only feasible during the Industrial Revolution. Chandra Mukerji's work demonstrates that the canal's construction was driven by a unique blend of political ambition, scientific innovation, and social organization, effectively bridging early modern Europe's technological divides. The study employs a critical examination of historical records, architectural designs, and socio-economic dynamics to uncover how this 'impossible' engineering feat reshaped regional governance and cultural exchange in southern France. This perspective offers a paradigm shift in understanding the intersection of technology, power, and territorial identity in pre-industrial Europe.

Chandra Mukerji’sImpossible Engineering: Technology and Territoriality on the Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi — 2011 — WHECF2750560E

Chandra Mukerji's 'Impossible Engineering: Technology and Territoriality on the Canal du Midi' challenges conventional narratives of engineering achievement by examining the complex interplay between technological innovation and territorial control. The work reveals how the Canal du Midi was not merely an engineering marvel but also a tool for asserting political and social dominance in 17th-century France. By analyzing the canal's construction and its broader implications, Mukerji demonstrates that its success hinged on navigating both technical and territorial challenges, offering a nuanced perspective on the intersection of technology and power.

Channel Adjustment Following Culvert Removal from Forest Roads in Northern California, USA

Redwood National and State Parks — 2011 — WHEF68D5507F6

Removing fill material from forest roads significantly reduces sediment erosion in the first year, with 86% of erosion attributed to channel incision and bank erosion. A study at Redwood National and State Parks found that crossings removed in the first year yielded an average of 7.71 m³ of erosion per crossing, while older crossings showed a net gain of sediment. The research highlights the importance of excavating to bedrock or coarse material when recreating streambeds and identifies channel bulges as areas prone to erosion. First storms were crucial in mobilizing sediment, with coarsening of channel substrate most pronounced in the first year post-removal.

Chapter 20. Philippi

Archaeological Site of Philippi — 2011 — WHEAB5F3F06FF

The archaeological site of Philippi reveals a significant cultural continuity between the Hellenistic and Roman periods, with no traces found of Thasian colonial structures built between 360-356 BC. Leon Heuzey's 1860 expedition marked its first systematic investigation, uncovering evidence that Augustus' Colonia Iulia Augusta Philippensis maintained urban organization aligned with its Hellenistic predecessor. This Roman colony thrived as a key administrative and agricultural center, controlling extensive surrounding lands through Neapolis port.

Characteristics of Quality and Flow of Water Resources at Palaces in Seoul Metropolitan

Jongmyo Shrine — 2011 — WHE181B69CBB7

A study on the water resources of five palaces, including Jongmyo Shrine, in Seoul Metropolitan, revealed that groundwater levels were generally shallow (within 5 meters from the surface) and exhibited natural characteristics influenced by water-rock interactions. Hydraulic gradients indicated groundwater flow directions, with most flowing southward except for Deoksugung, where it flowed eastward. Notably, nitrate contamination exceeding Korean drinking water standards was detected in two wells during one sampling campaign. The research highlights the importance of careful material selection for restoration to preserve natural integrity and emphasizes the need for systematic monitoring due to potential impacts from urban construction and pollution sources.

Characterization and Classification of Groundwater from Wells Using an Electronic Tongue (Kairouan, Tunisia)

Kairouan — 2011 — WHEEE8D9E7D4E

Groundwater from the Kairouan plain (Tunisia) can be effectively characterized and classified using an electronic tongue—a sensor array combined with pattern recognition tools. The study, involving 17 samples analyzed for nine chemical parameters (e.g., potassium, sodium, calcium, ammonium), demonstrated that multi-sensor responses paired with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) provide a rapid, reliable method for assessing water quality. PCA reduced data redundancy while CA identified spatial similarities among sampling sites, revealing distinct groundwater profiles. This approach offers a promising alternative for monitoring and classifying groundwater in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Kairouan.