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Publications

Showing 29101 – 29120 of 30315 publications

Studies of the structure of the Solovetsky reproductive gathering of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in the White Sea using the photo identification method

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2011 — WHED113A5184B

Research reveals that the Solovetsky Islands' beluga whale reproductive gathering (RG) is significantly larger than previously estimated, challenging assumptions based on visual monitoring. The study, conducted from 2007 to 2008 using photo identification, identified a core group of approximately 15% of females and calves that consistently visit Cape Beluzhii every summer, while others arrive seasonally, likely driven by physiological readiness for reproduction. Analysis of long-term data (1996–2008) suggests that the apparent irregularity in beluga presence—including multi-year absences—may stem from natural changes in individual markers due to shedding or sexual cycles, rather than true population turnover. This finding underscores the importance of longitudinal photo-identification studies in accurately assessing cetacean population dynamics and behavior.

Study about Gategardiner during Tombs Mural of Koguryo

Complex of Koguryo Tombs — 2011 — WHE9B752AB22A

A study of Koguryo tomb murals reveals that gatekeeper figures were consistently depicted, suggesting their significance as boundary markers between the living and the afterlife. Unlike other deities, these gatekeepers maintained a lower status yet persisted in tomb art, indicating their role in filtering negative energies at burial entrances and stone chamber thresholds. The research highlights the coexistence of Chinese Han-era cultural elements with non-Han northern and Central Asian influences, challenging assumptions about Koguryo's exclusive adherence to Chinese traditions.

Study of microbial adhesion on some wood species: Theoretical prediction

Medina of Fez — 2011 — WHE33183FC0C7

Research on microbial adhesion to wood species reveals that the interaction between microorganisms and wooden surfaces is highly dependent on both the type of wood and the specific microorganism involved. The study, conducted on cedar wood from an old monument in the Medina of Fez, Morocco, found that while most microbial strains tested were hydrophilic and weak electron acceptors, cedar wood exhibited hydrophobic properties with a weak electron donor/acceptor character. Theoretical predictions based on thermodynamic approaches indicated varying adhesion abilities across six different wood species (cedar, oak, beech, ash, pine, and teak), suggesting no universal generalization for microbial adhesion to wooden substrata. The findings underscore the complexity of microbial-wood interactions and highlight the need for species-specific considerations in conservation efforts.

Study on the Dynamics Characteristics of Elastic Wave of Weathered Zone in Longmen Grottoes

Longmen Grottoes — 2011 — WHE9ADA7A138F

Research on the Longmen Grottoes reveals that elastic wave velocity and attenuation coefficients effectively distinguish between good and poor rockmass quality, with thresholds of 0.01 for P-waves and 0.1 for S-waves serving as critical indicators. The study found that while surrounding rocks exhibit high elasticity, suggesting a solid structure, their anisotropy is pronounced, indicating well-developed structural planes. These dynamics are crucial for the preservation of historical relics at the site.

Study on the Pigments in the Cruciform Gallery of Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor — 2011 — WHE46DA0B495E

A study on the pigments used in Angkor Wat's cruciform gallery reveals that red and orange pigments, specifically hematite (laterite) and minium, were applied in distinct sequences across different areas. Minium, identified as the underlying orange pigment, suggests it was used during the Angkor Wat style period, while hematite, the overlying red pigment, likely dates to the Bayon style period or later, primarily before the early 17th century. The research also confirmed a diverse range of substances, including calcium oxalate hydrates, Pb–Cl compounds, and other minerals, providing insights into the materials and techniques used in Angkor Wat's decorative artistry.

Study on Water Quality Parameters of Linggi and Melaka Rivers Catchments in Malaysia

Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca — 2011 — WHE0F63B58FF5

A five-year study (2004–2008) on the Linggi and Melaka rivers in Malaysia revealed that total suspended solids (TSS) and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) are the primary pollutants, with TSS contributing to 78.3% of water quality impairment in Linggi River and 64.4% in Melaka River. The research analyzed long-term water quality data from monitoring stations, comparing it against standards and examining differences between base and storm flow events using statistical methods like Box and Whisker Plots. These findings highlight the need for targeted best management practices to address pollution from both point and non-point sources in these critical watersheds.

Submarine groundwater discharge from oceanic islands standing in oligotrophic oceans: Implications for global biological production and organic carbon fluxes

Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes — 2011 — WHE3A347F9BF8

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) from Jeju Volcanic Island, Korea, contributes significantly to nutrient fluxes in coastal embayments, potentially supporting substantial new primary production. The study found that SGD-driven dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) inputs were more than 90% of the net DIN input into Hwasun Bay and Bangdu Bay, with approximately 93% and 39% of this DIN being consumed within these bays, respectively. The total DIN discharge from the entire island was estimated at 2.1 × 10^9 mol yr−1, equivalent to that of large rivers, potentially supporting around 1.6 × 10^11 g carbon yr−1 of new primary production. This suggests that SGD from highly permeable oceanic islands could play a crucial role in global nutrient budgets and biological production, despite these islands representing less than 1% of the total land mass of volcanic islands.

Sustainable architectural conservation according to traditions of Islamicwaqf: the World Heritage–listed Stone Town of Zanzibar

Stone Town of Zanzibar — 2011 — WHEBB5B6A2EF2

The tradition of Islamic waqf in Zanzibar's Stone Town offers a sustainable model for architectural conservation, balancing heritage preservation with urban use. This study reveals that waqf buildings have survived centuries without significant decay, suggesting inherent sustainability 'genes' within the tradition. By examining financial, social, managerial, and environmental aspects, researchers found that waqf effectively prevents gentrification while enabling collective urban conservation. The findings highlight that sustainable heritage practices require monetary sacrifices but can be long-lasting if embedded in cultural traditions.

Sustainable heritage tourism marketing and Canada's Rideau Canal world heritage site

Rideau Canal — 2011 — WHEF9F0B0854A

A significant gap exists between the components of sustainable heritage tourism marketing models and actual marketing activities at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Canada's Rideau Canal. This discrepancy, alongside mixed findings from other studies, highlights a core challenge: short-term thinking in marketing strategies, which conflicts with the long-term investments required for sustainability. The research employs a case study approach to test a proposed sustainable heritage tourism marketing model, offering a framework that can guide more effective and sustainable marketing practices at the Rideau Canal and similar global sites.

Sustainable Models in Tanzanian Tourism Industry: A Comparative Analysis

Kilimanjaro National Park — 2011 — WHEC80A73D790

Community-based tourism initiatives in Tanzania, particularly in rural areas like the Serengeti National Park and Kilimanjaro region, have demonstrated significant potential for economic empowerment and environmental sustainability. This study highlights that such models, when inclusive and locally-led, can enhance the resilience and long-term success of Tanzania's tourism industry while aligning with broader conservation goals. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative data analysis of existing literature, to compare how these sustainable models operate in practice across national parks, cultural sites, and coastal destinations. Findings underscore the importance of stakeholder engagement and co-creation in future tourism projects to ensure sustainability, offering actionable recommendations for policymakers, businesses, and community leaders.

Taphonomic Analysis of Amphibian and Squamate Remains from El Harhoura 2 (Rabat‐Témara, Morocco): Contributions to Palaeoecological and Archaeological Interpretations

Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage — 2011 — WHE7CEC481BE8

A pioneering taphonomic analysis of amphibian and squamate remains from the North African site El Harhoura 2 reveals that these bones were primarily deposited through predation, with minimal water transport or post-depositional disturbance. The study suggests that most animals were quickly buried after death, either due to natural causes within the cave or as a result of predator activity. By comparing these findings with taphonomic data from small mammals in the same cave, researchers were able to refine palaeoecological interpretations for the site. However, the analysis also underscores significant gaps in North African taphonomic referentials, particularly regarding predator pellets and weathering/burying experiments, which hinder more accurate reconstructions of past environments.

Taphonomic Observations of Archaeological Wheat Phytoliths from Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey, and the Use of Conjoined Phytolith Size as an Indicator of Water Availability*

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2011 — WHE669AD498EF

Taphonomic processes significantly reduce the size of conjoined wheat husk phytoliths, challenging their use as indicators of past water availability and agricultural practices. The study examined phytoliths from a midden deposit at Neolithic Çatalhöyük using three methods, revealing that laboratory extraction and slide preparation diminish conjoined forms' size. Thin-section observations further highlighted depositional and post-depositional processes affecting phytolith size. These findings underscore the need for additional research to clarify taphonomic impacts before drawing inferences about ancient environmental conditions.

Teaching the History of Death in Colonial North America

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2011 — WHE9BE0E6D7A8

Archaeological excavations at Cahokia Mounds, dating back to 1967, have revealed complex mortuary practices of pre-Columbian societies, including the 'Beaded Burial' of a revered leader accompanied by sacrificed servants and young women. These findings challenge romantic notions of egalitarianism, illustrating the power dynamics and social structures of Cahokian society. The study highlights the significance of death in understanding historical encounters, such as those between French Jesuits and Wendat Indians, where mortuary rituals evolved with European colonization. Additionally, it explores the political valences of modern archaeological practices, exemplified by the African Burial Ground in New York City, where hybrid mortuary practices reflect both African and Anglo-American influences.

Technical Note: Hydrological Modeling with SWAT in a Monsoon-Driven Environment: Experience from the Western Ghats, India

Western Ghats — 2011 — WHE2B6ECADAF5

Hydrological modeling using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in monsoon-driven environments, such as the Western Ghats in India, can yield reasonable results when adapted to account for seasonal water limitations and dam management effects. The study, conducted on the Mula and Mutha Rivers catchment (2036 km²), demonstrated that SWAT could effectively simulate mean daily discharge during the rainy season (Nash-Sutcliffe efficiencies of 0.58–0.68) when modified for forest growth and dam operations. However, performance weakened in subcatchments with multiple dams due to simplified management schemes and potential underestimation of evapotranspiration. The research highlights that generally available data can support accurate modeling if key monsoon characteristics are properly parameterized.

Technology and Trade at Ancient Gordion: Insights from Microanalysis of First Millennium BCE Glass

Gordion — 2011 — WHE16161DC5AE

Microanalysis of First Millennium BCE glass from Gordion reveals significant insights into ancient trade networks and technological advancements. The study identified distinct chemical compositions and manufacturing techniques, suggesting complex trade routes that connected Gordion to distant regions, including the Near East and Egypt. This analysis also highlighted the sophistication of glass production during this period, with evidence of both local craftsmanship and imported materials. By employing advanced microscopy techniques, researchers were able to trace the origins of glass fragments and reconstruct the economic and cultural exchanges that characterized Gordion's role as a key urban center in Anatolia.

Tectonic control of the Meteora conglomeratic formations (Mesohellenic basin, Greece)

Meteora — 2011 — WHE7031AC1F9D

A major tectonic influence on the formation of Meteora's iconic conglomeratic pinnacles is revealed, with deformation linked to subduction beneath the Mesohellenic basin (MHB) driving a shift from marl to conglomerate deposition. This change, observed across the MHB, is supported by sedimentological and structural evidence, including tilting within fan-deltas and large pebble inputs from rapidly uplifted eastern regions. The study identifies two successive depocenters separated by a faulted anticline (Theopetra-Theotokos structure), with vertical movements dominating deformation, including early Miocene synsedimentary normal faults. The research integrates sedimentological analysis with structural geology to unravel the tectonic controls shaping Meteora's unique landscape.

Tectonic evolution of Early Paleozoic island-arc systems and continental crust formation in the Caledonides of Kazakhstan and the North Tien Shan

Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan — 2011 — WHE812EDB57EB

Research reveals the complex tectonic evolution of Early Paleozoic island-arc systems and continental crust formation in the Caledonides of Kazakhstan, particularly within the UNESCO World Heritage Site Saryarka. The study identifies two distinct volcanic belts—Saryarka and Shyngyz-North Tien Shan—each with unique geological structures and isotopic compositions. The Saryarka belt exhibits a complex fold-nappe structure formed during the middle Arenigian to middle Llanvirnian periods, while the Shyngyz-North Tien Shan belt shows a simpler fold structure, composed of Middle-Late Ordovician volcanic and plutonic associations. These findings highlight the heterogeneous nature of the continental crust in different segments of the Kazakh Caledonides, with upper crustal units dominated by island-arc complexes and lower crustal units by mafic rocks. The study employs structural and isotopic analyses to trace the tectonic history and crustal composition, offering insights into the geological processes shaping this region.

Tectonic evolution of the Central Steep Zone, Axum area, northern Ethiopia: inferences from magnetic and geochemical data

Aksum — 2011 — WHE52522A64DD

Northern Ethiopia's Central Steep Zone (CSZ) reveals critical insights into the tectonic evolution of the Arabian–Nubian Shield during Gondwana assembly. This 10 km-wide, high-strain belt exhibits NE-trending foliations and vertical lineations, indicative of transpressive kinematics and a positive flower structure. Magnetic fabric analysis and geochemical data highlight mafic rock assemblages with ocean-floor characteristics, including amphibolite and serpentinite, subjected to metamorphic conditions (680 °C, 3.4 kbar). A post-deformation monzonite intrusion suggests partial melting of these mafic rocks. The CSZ extends over 200 km into Eritrea's Nafka terrane, forming a major structure during the closure of the Mozambique Ocean. This study deciphers the complex strain and deformation patterns, offering new perspectives on the collision tectonics shaping this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Temporal and spatial variation in ecosystem metabolism and food web carbon transfer in a wet‐dry tropical river

Wet Tropics of Queensland — 2011 — WHEB63EB0EA7A

In the Wet Tropics of Queensland, benthic algae serve as the primary carbon source for benthic invertebrates during the dry season, sustaining their biomass despite high respiration rates. However, higher consumers like fish and crustaceans rely on external carbon subsidies, likely from floodplains, which are not present in channel waterholes during this period. The study, conducted along the Mitchell River, used diel changes in dissolved oxygen to measure ecosystem metabolism and stable isotope analysis to assess food web relationships at the beginning and end of the dry season. Light availability was found to regulate gross primary production (GPP), while temperature explained up to 52% of temporal variation in respiration rates (ER). The research highlights the contrasting roles of autochthonous and allochthonous carbon sources in supporting different trophic levels within this wet-dry tropical river ecosystem.

Temporal variation in vegetative development of Caulerpa scalpelliformis (Chlorophyta) from Baleia beach, Ilha Grande bay (Rio de janeiro, brazil)

Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity — 2011 — WHEA2C7DE51E7

A study on the invasive seaweed Caulerpa scalpelliformis at Baleia Beach, Ilha Grande Bay, Brazil, revealed that its vegetative development exhibits seasonal variation similar to other invasive Caulerpa species worldwide. The research found that C. scalpelliformis, occurring on both rocky and sandy substrates, displayed partial loss of erect portions during winter to spring but showed increased height and dry weight from summer to autumn. This pattern was consistent across different substrates, suggesting a pseudo-perennial growth behavior. The study employed morphometric and dry weight data collection over an 18-month period (June 2003–September 2004) using randomly positioned plots on rocky boulders (~1.5 m depth) and contiguous sandy bottoms (~3.0 m depth). These findings contribute to the understanding of temporal dynamics in invasive seaweed development, which may have implications for biodiversity management at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Ilha Grande.