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Financing Cathedral Building in the Middle Ages: The Generosity of the Faithful (review)

Bourges Cathedral — 2011 — WHED1A5B23A63

A comprehensive analysis reveals that medieval cathedral building projects were financed through a diverse and multifaceted array of sources, with no single or limited funding stream dominating. The study, based on exhaustive data from approximately eighty cathedrals, including Bourges Cathedral, demonstrates that bishops and cathedral chapters utilized every conceivable revenue source—such as gifts from founding bishops, initiation fees for canons, fines, papal and secular donations, tithes, indulgences, pilgrim contributions, fair profits, loans, and more—to sustain prolonged construction campaigns. This financial complexity directly influenced the pace, scope, and design of cathedral projects, with funding patterns varying significantly across sites. The analysis, drawn from fabric records and supplemented by detailed case studies like the Utrecht Dom, provides an encyclopedic overview that establishes a foundational framework for future research on medieval cathedral financing.

Fine-Scale Distribution Patterns of Synechococcus Ecological Diversity in Microbial Mats of Mushroom Spring, Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park — 2011 — WHEA22B9B0D2A

Research at Mushroom Spring, Yellowstone National Park, reveals distinct ecological populations (ecotypes) of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus, specialized to specific temperature gradients within microbial mats. By analyzing genetic diversity at the psaA locus across 1°C intervals along an effluent flow channel and vertical depth layers, the study identified ecologically distinct clades using computational tools like Ecotype Simulation and AdaptML. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis further confirmed these variants' distribution relative to temperature, oxygen, pH, and light variations, underscoring their ecological specialization in extreme thermal environments.

Fine‐scale spatio‐temporal variation in tiger Panthera tigris diet: effect of study duration and extent on estimates of tiger diet in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Chitwan National Park — 2011 — WHE1525918A70

Tiger diets in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, exhibit significant fine-scale spatio-temporal variation that is influenced by study duration and the size of the study area. Aggregated data from three studies revealed that increasing both factors leads to greater dietary diversity, with different prey species contributing most prominently depending on the study's temporal extent. Despite this variation, deer (Cervidae) consistently dominated tiger diets, while small to medium-sized prey played a notable role in one study. Surprisingly, tiger diet was unrelated to prey abundance, suggesting that other factors may drive dietary shifts. The findings underscore the importance of long-term and large-scale studies for understanding tiger feeding patterns, which are critical for conservation efforts aiming to mitigate poaching threats to tiger populations.

Firescape ecology: how topography determines the contrasting distribution of fire and rain forest in the south-west of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2011 — WHE88AF698D95

Rain forest distribution in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is strongly influenced by topography, with these ecosystems predominantly found in valleys and steep south-facing slopes—areas less prone to fire. This study reveals that rain forests occupy topographic 'fire refugia,' where fires are least likely to burn, while highly flammable moorlands dominate flats, ridges, and north-facing slopes. Using geospatial statistics and satellite imagery, researchers mapped large-scale fires (>40,000 ha) to demonstrate how vegetation types interact with topography to shape fire patterns. The findings support a hierarchy of fire frequency (moorland > scrub > wet sclerophyll > rain forest), suggesting that fire-topography interactions play a critical role in maintaining vegetation mosaics in fire-prone landscapes. This insight challenges traditional models by emphasizing the antagonism between fire and rain forest, offering implications for understanding stable vegetation states in similar ecosystems.

First Distributional Study of Branchiobdellida (Annelida: Clitellata) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee, USA, with a Redescription ofCambarincola holostomusHoffman, 1963

Great Smoky Mountains National Park — 2011 — WHE525B5F058D

A groundbreaking distributional study of Branchiobdellida, or crayfish worms, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) reveals a previously understudied biodiversity hotspot. Researchers identified 10 species across 15 sites, including five species of Cambarincola, with occurrences ranging from one to eleven sites per species. This study, part of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, highlights the complex factors influencing species distribution and host preferences in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Notably, a redescription of Cambarincola holostomus Hoffman, 1963, adds new morphological characters to its profile. The findings underscore the need for further intensive surveys to comprehend the ecological dynamics and conserve both the symbionts and their hosts.

First records of Gastrotricha from South Africa, with description of a new species of Halichaetonotus (Chaetonotida, Chaetonotidae)

iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park — 2011 — WHEAA620D1709

A new species of Gastrotricha, Halichaetonotus sanctaeluciae, has been discovered in the St. Lucia Estuary within South Africa's iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Maputo National Park. This microscopic organism, identified among marine sediment samples, exhibits unique characteristics such as a hydrofoil scale shape and three long dorsal spines, distinguishing it from related species like Halichaetonotus australis and Halichaetonotus marivagus. The study also documented five other Gastrotricha species in South Africa for the first time, including two previously described species (Dactylopodola australiensis and Heteroxenotrichula squamosa) and three requiring further taxonomic analysis. The findings highlight the biodiversity of this UNESCO-listed wetland park and contribute to understanding the region's meiofauna.

First Report of The Plant Fossils From The Manas National Park, Assam, India

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary — 2011 — WHEAC737D9588

Researchers have uncovered the first report of plant fossils from the Tipam Group of rocks exposed at Subankhata Locality within Manas National Park, Assam, India. The findings include two new fossil leaves affiliated with Parashorea stellata and Shorea ovalis, both members of the Dipterocarpaceae family, alongside a fern frond resembling Cyclosorus proliferus from the Thelypteridaceae family. Additionally, impressions of a monocot stem and a seed-like structure were identified. These fossils suggest a Middle-Late Miocene age for the region, indicating the presence of rain forests during this period. The study provides valuable insights into the paleobotanical history of Manas National Park, contributing to our understanding of ancient ecosystems in the area.

First to third nature: the rise of capitalist conservation on Palawan Island, the Philippines

Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park — 2011 — WHED88A19E21D

Capitalist conservation is accelerating agrarian change and commodifying nature at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The study reveals how translocal capitalist pressures revalue rural lands and ecosystems as marketable assets to finance development, transforming shared resources into capital under the guise of conservation. Using the concepts of 'first' and 'third nature,' it demonstrates that resource partitioning, objectification, and commodification have intensified differentiation among rural communities, driven by private investments that align with modern Philippine ideals. While this process revalues nature in market terms, its effects remain recursive and context-dependent, blending conservation and development in partial ways.

Fishing down a Caribbean food web relaxes trophic cascades

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System — 2011 — WHEAD013D4EB2

A rapid shift in fish community structure on the Belize Barrier Reef, driven by intense fishing pressure, has relaxed trophic cascades and threatened reef resilience. Over six to seven years (2002-2008/09), large-bodied grouper and carnivorous snapper populations plummeted—grouper encounter probability dropped from 21% to just 2%, while snapper biomass declined sevenfold, primarily in the species Ocyurus chrysurus. Concurrently, parrotfish, particularly the dominant herbivore Sparisoma viride, saw a 41% biomass reduction, with their inclusion in catches rising from 6% to 20%. This fishing pressure led to a dramatic 880% increase in mesopredators like Cephalopholis spp., likely due to reduced predation and foraging constraints imposed by large serranids. Additionally, damselfish densities (Stegastes planifrons and S. partitus) decreased by ~45%, attributed to elevated predation from mesopredators. No such changes were observed in nearby marine reserves. The decline in parrotfish likely contributed to the spread of Halimeda tuna into previously grazed microhabitats, suggesting impaired reef resilience. However, recent Belizean legislation aims to address these issues by improving grouper management and banning the harvesting of most herbivorous fish.

Flandes Indiano Chiloense: un patrimonio invencible en el tiempo

Churches of Chiloé — 2011 — WHE5D40FAA67F

Chiloé's architectural heritage, renowned for its wooden churches inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list, extends beyond religious structures to include Spanish forts. These forts exemplify the island's unique adaptation to geography and history, showcasing a resilient patrimony that has endured through time. The study employs an analytical approach to highlight the significance of these forts within Chiloé's broader cultural landscape, emphasizing their historical and architectural value.

Floristic composition and structure of the dry Afromontane forest at Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Bale Mountains National Park — 2011 — WHE42F1105947

Excessive cutting of ecologically, economically, and medically important tree species has been identified as a significant threat to the Dry Afromontane Forest in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. The study, conducted between July 2003 and June 2004 across three sites (Adelle, Boditi, and Gaysay) at altitudes ranging from 3010 to 3410 meters, documented 230 species belonging to 58 families. Analysis revealed five homogeneous vegetation clusters, with tree densities of 766 and 458 individuals per hectare in Adelle and Boditi forests, respectively. Juniperus procera and Hagenia abyssinica contributed significantly to the basal area, accounting for 43% and 57%, respectively. The study highlighted that both Adelle and Boditi forests are at an early secondary stage of development, with clear evidence of selective logging impacting population structures.

Foraging-sites and day-roosting selection of Crossoptilon mantchuricum during early breeding period in Huanglong Mountains Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China

Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area — 2011 — WHE0CCB73FE84

A study on the brown-eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) in Huanglong Mountains, Shaanxi, China, revealed distinct habitat preferences for foraging and day-roosting during the early breeding period (February-March 2006). The research identified that these birds favored foraging sites with lower altitude, gentler slopes, proximity to trails or gullies, fewer tree/shrub varieties, reduced grass cover/height, and higher visibility. Conversely, they preferred half-sunny slopes for roosting, characterized by smaller slope degrees, greater distance from trails, denser tree cover, and lower shrub/grass density/height with reduced visibility. Classification models using these variables accurately distinguished used habitats from random sites (96.08% for foraging, 75.64% for roosting), highlighting critical factors like geographical characteristics, tree density, shrub diversity, grass cover, slope degree, and trail distance as key discriminators. The findings provide insights into the ecological requirements of this species in its natural habitat.

Formation of dolomite at 40–80 °C in the Latemar carbonate buildup, Dolomites, Italy, from clumped isotope thermometry

The Dolomites — 2011 — WHE3A122F5F57

Replacement dolomite in the Latemar carbonate buildup of the Dolomites formed at temperatures between 42–72 °C, with a fluid δ^(18)O(H_(2)O) averaging –0.3‰, mirroring conditions of modern mid-ocean ridge fluids. This finding aligns with prior hypotheses about dolomitizing fluid origins but introduces clumped isotope thermometry as a precise method to independently estimate temperature and fluid composition. The study reveals that while calcite preserves original δ^(18)O, its clumped isotope temperatures suggest a reset during dolomitization, highlighting the method's potential for unraveling burial and diagenetic processes with uncertainties as low as ±5 °C and ±0.75‰.

Formation of pseudotachylitic breccias in the central uplifts of very large impact structures: Scaling the melt formation

Vredefort Dome — 2011 — WHEFE73E8ABDA

A groundbreaking study reveals that pseudotachylitic breccias (PTB), enigmatic friction-melt-like structures found in impact craters, can form from local melt reservoirs rather than requiring intrusion of distant impact melt. Researchers analyzed a 1.5 × 3 × 0.04 m granite slab from the Vredefort Dome, South Africa—the central uplift of a >250 km diameter impact structure—to estimate melt volumes. Their calculations show that a 1 m³ PTB-bearing host rock can accommodate up to 52 dm³ of melt, with larger breccia zones potentially deriving from local reservoirs during rapid decompression phases linked to crater formation or post-impact collapse. This challenges long-standing debates on PTB origins, suggesting decompression melting during central uplift formation is a plausible mechanism.

Forts and Landscape on the Southwest Border of Roman Dacia

Frontiers of the Roman Empire — 2011 — WHE605ED33F17

A comprehensive survey of Roman forts, roads, and landscapes along the southwest border of Roman Dacia reveals critical insights into the Empire's frontier dynamics. Researchers from Babeş-Bolyai University employed advanced GPS mapping techniques to record precise coordinates and landscape characteristics for each fort, providing a detailed spatial analysis. This approach highlights the strategic significance of these structures within the broader context of Roman territorial control and military organization. The study's findings are visualized through meticulous maps, offering new perspectives on the interplay between human settlement patterns and natural landscapes during this pivotal period.

Forty years of monitoring water quality in Grasmere (English Lake District): separating the effects of enrichment by treated sewage and hydraulic flushing on phytoplankton ecology

The English Lake District — 2011 — WHEF34779DD8C

A four-decade study of Grasmere, a small lake in the English Lake District, reveals that while phosphorus loading from treated sewage increased threefold post-construction of a wastewater treatment plant, its ecological impact was mitigated by strategic outfall placement below the summer thermocline. Despite this, maximum chlorophyll a concentrations doubled, though annual averages remained stable, suggesting interannual variability is more influenced by hydraulic flushing—driven by high rainfall—than nutrient enrichment. Cyanobacterial blooms were linked to periods of relative drought. Improved wastewater management since 1996 has reduced phosphorus loadings, correlating with declines in recent chlorophyll a maxima. The study also documents phytoplankton species shifts, noting that indicators of eutrophication have thrived while slow-growing or nutrient-poor habitat species have declined, except for brief post-flushing blooms.

Fossil water‐penny beetles (Coleoptera: Psephenidae: Eubrianacinae) from the Eocene of Europe, with remarks on their phylogenetic position and biogeography

Messel Pit Fossil Site — 2011 — WHE5D19437E21

A new species of water-penny beetles (Coleoptera: Psephenidae: Eubrianacinae) from the Middle Eocene Messel Pit fossil site in Germany provides evidence that some parts of Lake Messel had stone-shore areas, indicating an autochthonous faunal element. The study analyzed multiple fossil specimens to infer the species' stratigraphic and spatial distribution but could not fully unravel its larval ontogeny due to preservational influences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed unresolved relationships within Eubrianacinae, suggesting that interpretations based solely on extant members may be misleading. The research also highlights the historical biogeography of Psephenidae, showing that fossil records extend beyond their current distribution range.

Four new European Achnanthidium species (Bacillariophyceae)

Laurisilva of Madeira — 2011 — WHEB04BF3F0C6

Researchers have identified four new species of the diatom genus Achnanthidium from European environments, including one discovered within the unique Laurisilva forest ecosystem on Madeira. These species—Achnanthidium hoffmannii, Achnanthidium acerosum, Achnanthidium ertzii, and A. tepidaricola—were distinguished based on morphological traits such as valve shape, areolae structure, and apical characteristics. Notably, A. ertzii was found in moss vegetation within the Laurisilva's dense, laurel forest, highlighting the region's biodiversity. The study employed light microscopy (LM) to analyze samples from oligotrophic rivers in Sweden, a greenhouse in Belgium, and the Madeira forest, providing detailed descriptions that differentiate these species from existing ones. This discovery expands the known diversity of European diatoms and contributes to our understanding of microalgal ecology in distinct habitats.

Four thousand years of environmental change and human activity in the Cochabamba Basin, Bolivia

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System — 2011 — WHE51AD168610

A 4000-year reconstruction of environmental change and human activity in the Cochabamba Basin, Bolivia, reveals two distinct periods of reduced moisture availability—around 4000–3370 and 2190–1020 years ago—correlating with El Niño/Southern Oscillation variations. Multiproxy analysis of Lake Challacaba sediments shows continuous human use of the ancient Qhapaq Ñan road network during this time, evidenced by high charcoal abundance. A notable decline in charcoal and increase in dung fungus around 1340–1210 years ago suggests cultural shifts played a significant role in shaping the modern landscape. Despite evidence of human impact on Polylepis woodlands today, no signs of woodland clearance were detected in this record.

Fractal analysis of urban form as a tool for improving environmental quality

Old Town of Lijiang — 2011 — WHE84CF0AF6D2

A study on the Old Town of Lijiang found that the fractal dimension of built-up land increased from 1.73 in 2000 to 1.84 in 2006, indicating a growing imbalance between urban development and green spaces. This imbalance threatens environmental quality. Researchers used TM image data analyzed via a back-propagation neural network and the box-counting method to quantify urban form. They identified an optimal range within a 2000-meter radius of the Old Town's entrance where increasing green areas could maximize ecological benefits, suggesting that future planning should prioritize balanced land use in this zone.