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Impossible Engineering: Technology and Territoriality on the Canal du Midi (review)

Canal du Midi — 2011 — WHE4FE98B8A10

Chandra Mukerji's book, Impossible Engineering: Technology and Territoriality on the Canal du Midi, challenges the traditional narrative of Pierre-Paul Riquet as a solitary genius behind France's iconic 17th-century canal. Instead, it argues that the Canal du Midi was a product of collective intelligence, involving tax farmer Riquet, learned experts, artisans, and Pyrenean peasant women who contributed unique hydraulic techniques. Mukerji introduces the concept of 'distributed cognition' to explain how diverse actors collaborated despite social and cultural divides. However, her assertion that these groups were all 'Romans'—sharing a tacit knowledge of Roman engineering—is critiqued for oversimplifying historical technological evolution. The book offers a nuanced perspective on collective technical action but leaves some arguments unconvincing.

Incongruence between morphotypes and genetically delimited species in the coral genus Stylophora: phenotypic plasticity, morphological convergence, morphological stasis or interspecific hybridization?

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems — 2011 — WHE167BA5E6DE

A genetic analysis of the coral genus Stylophora reveals that species boundaries do not align with morphological traits, challenging traditional taxonomic classifications. The study, conducted across Madagascar, Okinawa, the Philippines, and New Caledonia, identified three distinct species (A, B, and C) using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Species A and B are endemic to Madagascar, while species C is widespread in the Indo-Pacific, including New Caledonia's lagoons. Contrary to morphological data suggesting higher diversity in the western Indian Ocean and Red Sea, genetic evidence indicates that species C also occurs in the Coral Triangle, with a distinct fourth species (D) found only in the Red Sea. The research rejects interspecific hybridization as an explanation for morphological incongruence but suggests phenotypic plasticity or morphological stasis may play roles. The findings imply the western Indian Ocean as the likely center of origin for Stylophora, influencing its biodiversity distribution.

Incorporating a distance cost in systematic reserve design

Greater Blue Mountains Area — 2011 — WHE4EF9BD06EA

A novel approach to systematic reserve design effectively incorporates the proximity of new land parcels to existing reserves, addressing a critical gap in biodiversity conservation strategies. This method overcomes limitations of previous models by using reserve boundaries rather than centroids to determine distance costs, reducing bias and improving spatial contiguity. Applied to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Australia, this approach demonstrated its ability to select land parcels closer to existing reserves while meeting biodiversity targets. The study highlights the potential for integrating distance costs into reserve planning algorithms, offering more efficient solutions for environmental managers aiming to expand reserve systems.

Increased challenges for world heritage protection as a result of urbanisation in Lijiang City

Old Town of Lijiang — 2011 — WHE9C9928DE97

Urbanisation has significantly intensified pressures on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Town of Lijiang, with a more than doubling increase in stress between 2000 and 2009. The study employed an integrated method combining the analytic network process (ANP), governmental census data, satellite imagery, ecosystem services, and sewage treatment records to quantify 16 indicators over three decades. Findings revealed an exponential relationship between urbanisation rates and pressure, highlighting that even minor increases in urbanisation can drastically escalate challenges for heritage protection. Population growth and tourism emerged as the most critical factors driving this trend, underscoring urgent implications for safeguarding Lijiang's cultural and natural heritage.

Indoor radon measurements in the granodiorite area of Bergama (Pergamon)-Kozak, Turkey

Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape — 2011 — WHE62D2BA8F64

Indoor radon levels in the granodiorite area of Bergama (Pergamon), Turkey, exhibit significant variability, with concentrations ranging from 11±1 to 727±1 Bq m⁻³ and a geometric mean of 63 Bq m⁻³. The study, conducted over eight months in 20 rural dwellings using the alpha track etch integrated method, revealed a log-normal distribution of radon concentrations. Estimated annual effective doses from indoor radon exposure varied from 0.27 to 18.34 mSv y⁻¹, with an average of 1.95 mSv y⁻¹—below the recommended action levels (3–10 mSv) set by the International Commission on Radiation Protection. These findings provide critical data for assessing radiation exposure risks in this UNESCO World Heritage Site's cultural landscape.

Influence of the arrival of Anoplolepis gracilipes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on the composition of an ant community in a clearing in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia

Gunung Mulu National Park — 2011 — WHEE475330363

The arrival of the invasive yellow crazy ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes, significantly altered the composition and diversity of an ant community in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. Between 2006 and 2009, researchers monitored the ant community in an artificial clearing using pitfall traps, identifying 42 species overall. After A. gracilipes arrived in 2007, community diversity declined, even before species richness decreased. Ecologically similar native species, such as Dolichoderus affinis, were among the first to disappear. The study suggests that abiotic factors like irregular flooding events may have further influenced community composition, potentially impacting invasive species more than native ones, which may be better adapted to these conditions.

Innocents and Fools

Amiens Cathedral — 2011 — WHED0971AFEEB

Amiens Cathedral's Christmas festivities exemplify the harmonious coexistence of religious and secular celebrations during the late medieval period. Unlike other French cities, where tensions between clergy and townspeople marred the Feast of Innocents or the Feast of Fools, Amiens maintained a peaceful balance between liturgical observances, such as the Feast of Circumcision, and secular traditions, including the prince of fools. The study contrasts this stability with cases from Toul, Tournai, and Clermont, where clerical authority clashed with popular festivities—such as masked parades or court disputes—revealing regional variations in religious practice and social control. By analyzing historical records, Harris highlights how Amiens' unique approach to festive culture reflected broader medieval European dynamics between institutional religion and communal joy.

Insights from long-term studies in the Windermere catchment: external stressors, internal interactions and the structure and function of lake ecosystems

The English Lake District — 2011 — WHEE34C5781AA

Long-term ecological studies in the Windermere catchment, spanning over 65 years, reveal critical insights into how lakes respond to external stressors and internal interactions. These findings emphasize the need for a 'systems approach' that integrates multiple trophic levels and long-term monitoring to understand lake ecosystems fully. The research, initiated by the Freshwater Biological Association in the 1930s and continued by the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, demonstrates the value of sustained monitoring in providing mechanistic understanding and data for modeling future responses. This study underscores the importance of preserving such long-term programs, despite economic challenges, to safeguard the ecosystem services lakes provide.

Insights into social relationships among female black howler monkeys Alouatta pigra at Palenque National Park, Mexico

Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque — 2011 — WHE6D09CE384D

Female black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) at Palenque National Park, Mexico, exhibit highly affiliative social relationships with minimal agonistic interactions, challenging previous assumptions about their social dynamics. A 14-month study involving over 900 hours of focal observations and 5,400 scan samples revealed that females in one group maintained stronger bonds than those in another, with relationship strength increasing upon the birth of an infant. The temporary presence of extragroup females suggests a more dynamic social system than previously thought, resembling patterns seen in red howler monkeys (A. seniculus) rather than mantled howlers (A. palliata). This research sheds light on the nuanced social behavior of this endangered species within its UNESCO-listed habitat.

Intangible Heritage and Erasure: Rethinking Cultural Preservation and Contemporary Museum Practice

Paris, Banks of the Seine — 2011 — WHE87CCC2289B

This article challenges conventional approaches to cultural preservation by critiquing UNESCO's 2003 intangible heritage framework, which, despite aiming to safeguard global diversity, risks institutionalizing culture as a set of endangered practices. It examines the politics of erasure and renewal in two high-profile museum contexts: Te Papa Tongarewa (New Zealand) and the Quai Branly Museum (Paris), revealing how indigenous identity politics intersect with heritage discourse. The study employs comparative analysis to expose tensions between normative preservation efforts and dynamic cultural identities, offering a nuanced perspective on contemporary museum practice.

Integrated Plant Record (IPR) Vegetation Analysis Applied to Modern Vegetation in South China and Japan

Shirakami-Sanchi — 2011 — WHEB1EADD83E2

Modern vegetation analysis using the Integrated Plant Record (IPR) technique reveals distinct underrepresentation of zonal herbs in fossil records, challenging traditional classification methods. The study, conducted across South China and Japan—including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Shirakami-Sanchi—validates key zonal woody angiosperm groups but identifies a need for refined ecotone definitions and broader herb diversity inclusion. Findings suggest higher zonal herb diversity in broad-leaved deciduous forests compared to evergreen counterparts, aligning with Neogene European records. This research enhances understanding of vegetation dynamics by refining IPR analysis, offering new insights into fossil-based reconstructions.

Integrating field sampling, geostatistics and remote sensing to map wetland vegetation in the Pantanal, Brazil

Pantanal Conservation Area — 2011 — WHEE0A4EED701

A novel mapping approach for wetland vegetation in the Pantanal, Brazil, reveals that flooding duration is a critical driver of vegetation zonation. By integrating field sampling, geostatistics (universal kriging), and remote sensing, researchers identified seven distinct vegetation communities with known floral compositions. The method, combining cluster analysis, multiple linear regression models, and Monte Carlo simulations, demonstrated significant spatial variation in classification accuracy but maintained the overall proportion and arrangement of these communities. The study suggests that increasing field observations for scattered or small-patch communities or incorporating more digital images could further refine mapping precision. This innovative methodology offers a robust basis for habitat management, conservation assessment, and long-term ecological monitoring in wetland landscapes.

Integration/Interpretation: The Stylistic Motifs of Mughal Architecture at Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri — 2011 — WHEC977568B58

Fatehpur Sikri, the imperial city of Mughal emperor Akbar, exemplifies a transcultural architectural aesthetic that challenges traditional notions of Hindu-Islamic binaries. Through meticulous photographic documentation and analysis of ornamental elements in three key structures, this study reveals a dynamic integration of diverse visual motifs, serving as a subtle tool for cultural unification. Unlike prevailing interpretations that categorize these elements as distinctly religious, the research demonstrates their fluidity and adaptability, reflecting complex cultural interactions. This approach not only identifies a unique 'Akbari repertoire' but also sheds light on the functional and symbolic purposes of the structures within their broader regional context.

Intensive and extensive nitrogen loss from intertidal permeable sediments of the Wadden Sea

Wadden Sea — 2011 — WHE759F033C27

Permeable intertidal sediments of the Wadden Sea act as a significant nitrogen sink, with annual removal rates estimated at 745 ± 109 mmol N m−2 yr−1. This finding highlights their critical role in global nitrogen cycling, particularly since these sediments cover 58–70% of the continental shelf area. The study employed stable nitrogen isotope incubations and modeling to compare diffusive and advective transport conditions, revealing that advective transport enhances nitrogen loss rates by 1–2 orders of magnitude compared to diffusive conditions. Seasonal and spatial variations in nitrogen loss were minimal, with consistent rates of 207 ± 30 µmol m−2 h−1 observed across autumn, spring, and summer. The research underscores the importance of reevaluating the contribution of permeable sediments to global nitrogen budgets.

Interaction of Gravity Flows With a Rugged Mid-Ocean-Ridge Seafloor: An Outcrop Example from Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island — 2011 — WHE9AAA9E157D

Rugged bathymetry along slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges significantly influences gravity flows derived from oceanic fault scarps, as demonstrated by sedimentary lithofacies variations on Macquarie Island. The study reveals that pillow-basalt terranes funnel gravity flows into confined bedrock corridors, leading to systematic vertical and lateral changes in sediment deposition. Initial stages of corridor filling suppress flow dilution due to tight confinement, while later stages promote more dilute flows with lateral gradations from coarse-grained axial turbidites to thinly interbedded overbank facies. Partly confined tabular-basalt-floored basins show lateral expansion and dilution of gravity flows, recording multiple reflections off fault barriers and preserving coarsening-upward trends indicative of sediment-starved submarine fans.

Interchange aspects of rail terminal IFBC Mumbai India

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) — 2011 — WHE1913C36AB8

Railways and rail stations, including UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), have historically driven urban development. A photographic study revealed distinct 'train culture' activities at the terminus, contributing to its vibrancy as a Mumbai urban center. The research compares this historic station with a proposed elevated railway station in the International Business and Finance Center (IFBC) to explore their potential as catalysts for urban growth. Findings highlight that both stations—Victoria Terminus with its historical significance and the contemporary IFBC Interchange—can sustain thriving urban areas by preserving train culture while addressing modern urban challenges.

Intraspecific cache pilferage by larder-hoarding red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2011 — WHE68A97CC63B

Pilfering of cached food by red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) occurs at significantly lower rates in Kluane, Yukon, Canada, compared to other regions. A study found that only 14% of individuals pilfered, with stolen cones representing just 0.3% of total larder-hoarded food—a rate far below those reported for scatter-hoarding species or red squirrels elsewhere. The research, conducted across two populations—one with artificial food supplementation and higher density—revealed that younger squirrels with smaller caches were more likely to pilfer when given the opportunity. Using experimental territory removals and mark-recapture studies of spruce cones under natural conditions, the study also highlighted how factors like age, cache size, and population density influence pilfering behavior in highly territorial larder-hoarding species.

Introduction. Galician and Irish in the European Context

Tower of Hercules — 2011 — WHE4B868A0E22

The Torre de Hercules, a prominent landmark in A Coruña, Spain, embodies a cultural and historical connection between Galicia and Ireland. While the tower is renowned for its legend of offering glimpses of Ireland on clear days, this study highlights its significance as a symbol of Galician nationalist aspirations to align with Celtic nations during the 19th century. The research emphasizes shared historical narratives, emigration experiences, myths, symbols, and communal landscapes between Galicia and Ireland, primarily drawing from literary and cultural studies. By analyzing these cross-cultural connections, the study underscores the enduring influence of historical and cultural parallels on regional identities.

Introduction. God’s Plenty

Rideau Canal — 2011 — WHE59EA6857A7

The Rideau Canal, spanning 200 kilometers from Ottawa to Kingston, serves as a critical waterway connecting multiple lakes and rivers. A key insight is its role in the convergence of past and present, symbolized by the 'river flowing both ways' phenomenon described in Margaret Laurence's novel The Diviners. This study explores the geographical and historical significance of Kingston, situated at the terminus of the Rideau Canal and the beginning of the St. Lawrence River. It highlights the region's unique ecological and cultural attributes, including its status as a freshwater sailing capital and the presence of Wolfe Island, now adorned with wind turbines. The research approach combines literary analysis with geographical observation, emphasizing the interplay between natural landscapes and human history.

Invaded city

City of Cuzco — 2011 — WHE617E2B5136

Land invasions in Cuzco, Peru, have significantly shaped urban development through spontaneous occupancy of expropriated hacienda lands. These informal settlements gradually became regulated, demonstrating how administrative planning often reacts to existing land takeovers rather than preempting them. Residents invest substantial effort into building homes and neighborhoods, despite fluctuating policies and bureaucratic challenges. The study reveals that state permissiveness toward illegal occupancy is a precarious yet sought-after outcome, not guaranteed. This approach contrasts with traditional agrarian reform strategies but shares similar dynamics of mobilization and land acquisition.