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Stable isotopes of modern water across the Himalaya and eastern Tibetan Plateau: Implications for estimates of paleoelevation and paleoclimate

Qinghai Hoh Xil — 2011 — WHE313257932F

A new study reveals that moisture recycling, not air mass mixing, primarily controls the isotopic composition of surface water across the eastern Tibetan Plateau. By analyzing stable isotopes (δ18O and deuterium excess) from modern water samples along a south-north transect, researchers found a positive trend in δ18O with latitude northward, contradicting earlier assumptions about paleoelevation and paleoclimate reconstructions. This discovery suggests that the northern Tibetan Plateau's elevation during the late Eocene–Miocene was significantly higher than previously estimated—by 1100 to 2700 meters—when accounting for moisture recycling effects. The study used HYSPLIT modeling to track air parcel back trajectories, reinforcing the dominance of local processes over regional atmospheric influences.

Stakeholder engagement in sustainable adventure tourism development in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, India

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks — 2011 — WHE6F554AA863

A study on the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, India, reveals that adventure tourism, particularly trekking, is still in its early development phase and lacks clearly defined stakeholder roles. However, it highlights significant potential for sustainable adventure tourism if a more systematic approach to planning is adopted, leveraging the existing strengths of various stakeholders. The research involved interviews, treks, and other activities, identifying the State Forest Department as a key player in this evolving network. This finding underscores the need for better coordination among stakeholders to harness the region's potential for sustainable adventure tourism.

Status and conservation of the only population of the Vulnerable owl-faced monkey Cercopithecus hamlyni in Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park — 2011 — WHE1A588463D7

Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda hosts the sole known population of the Vulnerable owl-faced monkey (Cercopithecus hamlyni), confined to a 32 km² bamboo and forest mosaic. This study provides the first empirical data on its abundance, revealing an encounter rate of 0.081 groups per km (n=15) with mean group sizes of 3.6 individuals. Camera traps captured eight independent images over 182 days, confirming cohabitation with four other primate species. Threats from illegal bamboo harvesting and trapping, driven by neighboring Burundi, endanger the habitat. Urgent conservation measures are needed to protect this critically isolated population and its unique ecosystem.

Status and Trend of the Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus Brevirostris in Glacier Bay, Alaska

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2011 — WHEF48133A537

Research indicates that the Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) population in Glacier Bay, Alaska, has shown resilience despite environmental challenges. The study, conducted by Piatt et al. (2011), reveals that this small seabird species, which inhabits coastal areas and relies on marine resources, has maintained stable breeding populations within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek. The research employed field surveys, including aerial and ground-based observations, to assess population trends over time. Findings suggest that while climate change and glacial retreat pose threats, the murrelets' adaptability has allowed them to persist in this dynamic ecosystem.

Status of the Mammal Fauna in Sundarban Tiger Reserve, West Bengal - India

Sundarbans National Park — 2011 — WHE00A63F9302

A one-year study conducted from January to December 2010 in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, revealed significant shrinkage of mangrove swamp habitat and a decline in mammal species due to extensive anthropogenic and natural threats. The research, involving literature review, questionnaires, and ground surveys with frontline forest department staff, recorded 49 extant mammal species, including four globally endangered, four vulnerable, and two near-threatened species according to the IUCN Red List. Alarmingly, 15 species were found only rarely, while six species had become extinct in the last two centuries. Tiger sightings were more frequent in Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary and buffer areas than in the core Sundarban National Park. The study underscores the urgent need for high-priority wildlife conservation, proper implementation of tiger action plans, infrastructural development, and effective joint forest management to preserve this unique ecosystem.

Statut institutionnel, évergetisme et urbanisme à Thugga

Dougga / Thugga — 2011 — WHE2703B2C0B8

This study reveals that Thugga's urban evolution was significantly shaped by the evergetic actions of local notables, which served as markers of changing mentalities and structured the city according to flexible yet rigorous models. The research innovatively examines these dynamics from the perspective of the population itself, rather than solely focusing on central power influences. By analyzing the interplay between institutional status, urbanism, and evergetic manifestations, the study provides new insights into how local elites influenced Thugga's development and its reception of legal and institutional decisions.

Strategies, policies and tools for an integrated World Heritage management approach

Old town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof — 2011 — WHE1637D235C9

A novel integrated management approach for UNESCO World Heritage Sites has been successfully implemented in Regensburg, Germany. This model effectively addresses urban heritage challenges by combining theoretical and practical guidelines with local, regional, and national stakeholder engagement. The strategy offers adaptable tools and policies that can be tailored to other historic cities, depending on factors such as size, tourism intensity, ownership, and governance. While the approach is site-specific due to varying heritage values, its core principles provide a sustainable framework for integrating cultural heritage into urban development.

Strategy and Action Plan for Sustainable Land Management in the High Pamir and Pamir-Alai Mountains

Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) — 2011 — WHE25374A50CA

A collaborative transboundary initiative, the Strategy and Action Plan for Sustainable Land Management in the High Pamir and Pamir-Alai Mountains, addresses critical challenges of land degradation and poverty while preserving freshwater sources and biodiversity hotspots. The plan integrates expertise from multiple teams, including legal specialists, natural disaster risk assessors, and a transboundary strategy team coordinated by the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern. Through extensive fieldwork, stakeholder forums, and multi-level consultations, the project developed concrete mechanisms for sustainable land management (SLM) at regional, national, and local levels. These include legal frameworks, priority directions for rayon-level strategies, and action plans adaptable to various institutions and projects. The initiative also lays the groundwork for targeted cooperation agreements between Kyrgyzstan's Osh oblast and Tajikistan's Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast and Jirgitol rayon.

Street Performance and the City

City of Bath — 2011 — WHE193C5A6E92

Street performances in Bath, UK, significantly alter the everyday experience of public spaces by creating fleeting moments of sociality and conviviality. These performances, often aimed at eliciting donations from passersby, intervene in the city's sociospatial dynamics, fostering spontaneous interactions that contrast with routine urban life. However, they also occupy a contentious position, sparking debates around increased regulation and their impact on public space. The study draws on ethnographic observations to explore these dual aspects—highlighting both the positive social outcomes and the regulatory challenges faced by street performers in heritage cities like Bath.

Stress‐induced temperature variations in groundwater of the Monferrato area (north‐western Italy)

Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato — 2011 — WHE3B884DAF29

Researchers have uncovered a significant correlation between seismic activity and groundwater temperature fluctuations in the Monferrato region of north-western Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vineyard landscapes. Despite being an area with low seismicity, the study found that earthquakes measuring M5.1 and M4.8 in 2000 and 2001 were accompanied by marked changes in water temperature and chemistry. A three-year monitoring period revealed episodes where groundwater temperatures rose by up to 20°C, coinciding with seismic events. This suggests that both phenomena may be triggered by the same crustal processes, offering new insights into the interplay between geological activity and hydrological systems.

Structural Analysis of La Giralda's 16th-Century Sculpture/Weather Vane

Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville — 2011 — WHE8D63B40AB7

A structural analysis of El Giraldillo, the iconic 16th-century bronze weather vane atop La Giralda bell tower in Seville, reveals critical insights into its mechanical resilience. The study, using finite element modeling and preservation assessments, demonstrates that despite its age, the sculpture can withstand significant forces—including self-weight, wind, thermal fluctuations, and seismic activity—without structural compromise. This finding is pivotal for guiding restoration efforts while preserving its historical integrity. By integrating computational modeling with real-world observations, researchers provide a blueprint for assessing similar heritage structures, ensuring their longevity amid environmental stressors.

Structural analysis of the eruptive fissures at Mount Etna (Italy)

Mount Etna — 2011 — WHECF883C6CCF

Mount Etna's eruptive fissures, analyzed from 1900 to the present, reveal distinct patterns linked to the volcano's unstable eastern and southern flank. Flank eruptions, concentrated on the NE and S rifts, exhibit shorter durations but longer fissure systems compared to summit eruptions, which last longer with generally lower effusion rates (except during paroxysmal events). The study highlights a close relationship between eruption distribution and the dynamics of Etna's unstable flank sector, influenced by magma accumulation and gravitational forces. This process facilitates lateral magma transfer from the central conduit to the flanks, extending detachment zones and shaping eruptive behavior over the last ~2 ka.

Structural Analysis of the First Iron Bridge in the World Using the Finite Element Method

Ironbridge Gorge — 2011 — WHE9DC04B1758

Modern numerical simulations using the finite element method have revealed critical insights into the structural behavior of the Iron Bridge, the world's first iron bridge, located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ironbridge Gorge. The analysis predicted that the maximum tensile stress occurs in a strut near the bridge's midpoint, likely explaining its failure. Additionally, the numerically predicted deformations in the bridge's circles and ogees align with observed deformations, validating the model's accuracy. These findings underscore the invaluable role of advanced simulations in guiding conservation and maintenance efforts for this historic structure.

Structural and geochemical analyses of fragment-rich pseudotachylite bodies and the Vredefort Granophyre of the Vredefort Impact Structure, South Africa

Vredefort Dome — 2011 — WHE984CD7A748

A groundbreaking analysis of the Vredefort Dome, the eroded core of South Africa's 2.023±4 billion-year-old Vredefort Impact Structure, reveals that pseudotachylite bodies and structural fabrics exhibit centro-symmetric patterns consistent with numerical models of impact-induced vertical stretching and uplift. Geochemical data indicate significant compositional deviations between pseudotachylite matrices and their wall rocks, suggesting assimilation of wall rock material and the presence of a primary granitoid melt component akin to the Vredefort Granophyre. This study provides evidence for the allochthonous nature of the melt, emplaced during the late-stage collapse of the central uplift, and identifies two distinct impact melt pulses in the Granophyre, likely formed by injection from an overlying differentiated impact melt pool.

Structural assessment of Mount Etna volcano from Permanent Scatterers analysis

Mount Etna — 2011 — WHE8856D0B680

A comprehensive kinematic model of Mount Etna's deformation reveals significant gravitational reorganization of its unstable flanks, particularly on the southern side. This study utilized the Permanent Scatterers (PS) technique from 1995 to 2000, combining interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data with GPS measurements to achieve millimeter-precision ground velocity mapping. The analysis identified a wide inflation of the western and northern flanks over 350 km², alongside a seaward motion on the eastern and southern sides. Notably, it detected previously unrecognized features and extended the known extent of others, attributing the observed velocity field to both gravitational forces and strong subsidence of the adjacent continental margin. This research advances understanding of Etna's structural dynamics, offering critical insights for hazard assessment in densely populated areas.

Structural Responses and Finite Element Modeling of Hakka Tulou Rammed Earth Structures

Fujian Tulou — 2011 — WHEF9782F0058

Hakka Tulou, rammed earth structures in Fujian Province, China, have demonstrated remarkable structural resilience and thermal comfort over centuries. A study combining material testing, nondestructive analysis, and finite element modeling revealed that these ancient buildings, despite their age, remain structurally sound, even surviving strong earthquakes that modern constructions often fail to withstand. The research also debunked the myth of self-healing cracks but suggested that lime in the rammed earth may enable minor autogenous healing. Additionally, the high thermal mass of the walls, combined with shading, provides consistent thermal comfort by delaying heat release. These findings highlight the potential of rammed earth as an environmentally friendly and efficient construction material, capable of earning top LEED green building certification.

Structure and species diversity of topical groups of mollusks in lakes of the Solovetsky Islands and Onega Peninsula, northwestern Russia

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2011 — WHEDA729F014B

A study reveals that mollusk communities in the lakes of Solovetsky Island exhibit higher species richness and density compared to continental lakes, while also showing reduced dominance levels. This insular environment imposes unique constraints on the diversity and structure of these mollusk groups, limiting their total species richness and the range of structural variants. Despite this, certain species dominate in abundance within these insular groups. The research compares the topological groups of mollusks between Solovetsky Island's lakes and those on the Onega Peninsula, highlighting the distinct ecological dynamics shaped by the island's isolation.

Structure and Volcanism in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

Tongariro National Park — 2011 — WHEDEAED50057

The Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) in New Zealand, stretching from Tongariro National Park to White Island, is characterized by intense volcanic activity and tectonic depression. This region has witnessed the eruption of nearly 4000 cubic miles of lava, primarily rhyolites and ignimbrites, associated with ring structures, calderas, and cauldron subsidence. The study reveals that the TVZ's complex faulting system is a product of volcanism rather than its cause, with acid volcanism originating from shallow melting in the granitic layer, leading to a zone of instability. Andesite volcanoes, found at the zone's ends, suggest thicker crust and simpler fault patterns, indicating distinct volcanic processes compared to the central TVZ.

Structure refinement of Ag-free heyrovskyite from Vulcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy)

Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) — 2011 — WHE85614246D5

Researchers have identified the first single-crystal structure refinement of silver (Ag)- and copper (Cu)-free heyrovskýite, a rare mineral found in the high-temperature fumaroles of La Fossa crater on Vulcano Island, part of Italy's Aeolian Islands. The study reveals that heyrovskýite deviates slightly from its ideal composition (Pb6Bi2S9) due to vacancies and selenium substitutions, with lead (Pb) predominantly occupying specific sites while bismuth (Bi) is mixed in others. This finding supports a structural model suggesting that heyrovskýite exists as a fully disordered polymorph of Pb6Bi2S9, contrasting with its ordered monoclinic counterpart, aschamalmite. The study also notes that Ag incorporation increases disorder and stabilizes the orthorhombic form of heyrovskýite.

Structure spatio-temporelle des fortes précipitations : application à la région Cévennes Vivarais

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2011 — WHE0F518893E4

A new regional Intensity-Duration-Frequency-Surface (IDFS) model has been developed to characterize extreme rainfall events in the Cévennes-Vivarais region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its catastrophic flooding. This model identifies critical spatio-temporal scales and evaluates the performance of mesoscale meteorological models by analyzing three significant historical events. The approach leverages dynamic scaling techniques to extrapolate high-resolution rainfall data from lower-resolution measurements, addressing gaps in observational networks. By quantifying measurement uncertainties and exploring scale invariance properties, this study provides a robust framework for assessing flood risks in Mediterranean agro-pastoral landscapes.