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Publications

Showing 2901 – 2920 of 15962 publications

Shelters and bones: Site-specific archaeofaunal taphonomy for identifying formation processes in Saharan Holocene rock shelters

Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus — 2025 — WHE75762C56C7

A study of the Takarkori rock shelter in Libya's Tadrart Acacus massif reveals that natural processes such as weathering, salt encrustation, and gnawing have created varied preservation conditions for mammal bones across different stratigraphic and chronological layers. This variability challenges assumptions about uniform taphonomic processes in arid environments, emphasizing the need for fine-scale analysis to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic influences on faunal remains. The research employs macroscopic, microscopic, and SEM-EDX analyses to systematically document bone surface modifications, providing a framework to improve interpretations of archaeological contexts in hyper-arid regions.

Shifting Paradigms Between Modernism and Tradition

Tashkent Modernist Architecture. Modernity and Tradition in Central Asia — 2025 — WHE68702CA160

Tashkent's modernist architecture exemplifies the dynamic fusion of global modernism with Central Asian heritage, showcasing how socialist and postcolonial ideologies reshaped urban landscapes. The study reveals that Tashkent served as a laboratory for architectural innovation in the 20th century, where European modernist principles were reinterpreted to integrate regional decorative elements, climate-responsive features, and cultural narratives. Through analysis of emblematic buildings, researchers trace Modernism's evolution from its European roots to localized adaptations, highlighting its role in advancing cultural identity and globalization. However, these architectural achievements face preservation challenges due to post-Soviet identity shifts and rapid urban development, underscoring the need for conservation efforts to safeguard this unique legacy.

Shiqmim II: The Phase II Excavations at a Chalcolithic Settlement Center in the Northern Negev Desert, Israel (1987–1993)

Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev — 2025 — WHECCA5A13DB3

The Phase II excavations at Shiqmim, a Chalcolithic settlement center in the northern Negev Desert, Israel (1987–1993), reveal a complex farming community with extensive above-ground and subterranean architectural features. The study challenges previous classifications of Ghassulian society as a chiefdom, instead emphasizing detailed analyses of subsystems like production, distribution, and spatial organization. Radiocarbon dating suggests the site was abandoned by 3800 cal BCE, aligning with broader Chalcolithic chronology. The research uses stratigraphic, architectural, and radiocarbon methods to reconstruct social structures and settlement dynamics.

Shrubs as Nurse Species for Plant Communities in Arid Environments: A Case Study From Socotra Island (Yemen)

Socotra Archipelago — 2025 — WHE06F14D5648

Research on Socotra Island reveals that certain shrubs act as nurse species, significantly enhancing plant community resilience and biodiversity in arid environments. The study found that thorny, poisonous, or unpalatable shrubs like Cebatha balfourii, Lycium sokotranum, and Cissus species facilitate higher species richness under their canopies compared to open areas, offering shelter from grazing pressure and improving microhabitat conditions. These nurse shrubs play a crucial role in supporting threatened tree species, such as frankincense (Boswellia spp.) and myrrh (Commiphora spp.), which are vital to Socotra's unique ecosystems. The findings highlight the potential of leveraging nurse plants for ecological restoration and conservation strategies, particularly in degraded landscapes facing environmental stressors like overgrazing and climate extremes.

Shuilu Rites and the Baodingshan Rock Carvings of Dazu

Dazu Rock Carvings — 2025 — WHE905250823E

The rock carvings at Baodingshan, Dazu, represent a significant advancement in Chinese Buddhist rock art and were likely designed as a ritual space for shuilu ceremonies, which involve the deliverance of creatures. This study proposes that the site's layout and carvings, including the Yuwen Qi verse and shared compositional characters, align with the historical practice of shuilu rites during the Song dynasty. By analyzing these elements alongside the gāthā (jie) of jiashi re tielun, the research offers a new framework for understanding Buddhist rituals in medieval China. This approach opens a novel avenue for studying ritualistic practices through rock carvings at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Significant impact of lithogenic dissolution from subantarctic volcanic islands on the regional marine silicon cycle

Heard and McDonald Islands — 2025 — WHE0B73C8C269

A significant contribution of lithogenic silicon (Si) from subantarctic volcanic islands, specifically Heard and McDonald Islands, has been identified as a major source of dissolved Si in the regional marine environment. This study reveals that the dissolution flux of lithogenic Si around these islands is among the highest globally, with an estimated specific flux of 3.7 ± 2.3 × 10^6 mol km^-2 yr^-1. The findings suggest that active volcanic activity and subglacial erosion on Heard Island are likely responsible for this high dissolution rate. The research utilized Si isotopic signatures to differentiate between dissolved and biogenic Si, demonstrating that lithogenic Si dissolution significantly impacts the regional marine silicon cycle and has traceable biogeochemical effects over the Northern Kerguelen Plateau.

Silencing Palestinians

White City of Tel-Aviv – the Modern Movement — 2025 — WHE3583D96DF8

This study reveals how the preservation of Tel-Aviv's White City obscures its settler colonial origins and racialized history. By analyzing nomination documents, committee materials, and ethnographic data from preservationists, it demonstrates that narratives surrounding the site's significance erase the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians, reinforcing ontological boundaries through epistemological silences. The research exposes how Zionist national historiographies, modernist architectural discourse (e.g., DOCOMOMO), and UNESCO's technopolitical frameworks collectively edit out histories of colonialism and racial difference, thereby reshaping Israeli national history and the legacy of modernist architecture.

Silk Routes Reimagined: Tourism, Heritage Stewardship, and the Visitor Economy under the Belt and Road Initiative

Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor — 2025 — WHEE40CAF1D4D

Enhanced transport connectivity and policy coordination under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) significantly boost tourism and visitor economies along the Silk Roads, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor. While these improvements increase arrivals, receipts, and itinerary diversity, they also intensify stewardship demands and risks such as environmental externalities and commodification. The study synthesizes institutional analyses and case signals from projects like the China–Laos Railway to highlight rapid demand growth alongside capacity pressures in fragile cultural sites. It advocates for rigorous governance standards, diversified markets, data-driven visitor management, and cross-border coordination to ensure inclusive, conservation-compatible growth. These findings align with UNESCO–ICOMOS guidance on sustainable tourism and community participation.

Simple Passive Environmental DNA Samplers for Marine Biomonitoring in Resource‐Limited Programs

Papahānaumokuākea — 2025 — WHE690942C7BD

Passive environmental DNA samplers (PEDS) offer a cost-effective, scalable solution for marine biomonitoring, enabling rapid biodiversity assessment without specialized equipment. Unlike traditional eDNA methods requiring pumps or filtration systems, PEDS capture ambient DNA using cotton membranes during short field exposures (~15 minutes), simplifying deployment and retrieval. Validated at Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, this approach successfully detected Chondria tumulosa, a cryptogenic nuisance alga, supporting conservation efforts. The protocol minimizes contamination risks and optimizes DNA recovery, making it ideal for resource-limited programs. Its adaptability—suitable for both stationary buoys and roving surveys—expands its utility across aquatic ecosystems.

Simulation of Control Process of Fluid Boundary Layer on Deposition of Travertine Particles in Huanglong Landscape Water Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics Software (CFD)

Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area — 2025 — WHED232C2D9A0

Research reveals that the deposition of calcium carbonate particles in Huanglong's colorful pools is significantly influenced by fluid boundary layers and low-velocity zones, particularly behind baffles. Under horizontal flow conditions, particle concentration peaked at 1.06%, with substantial aggregation and settling observed at the bottom right of the channel, where boundary layer effects are strongest. Inclined surfaces with baffles further enhanced deposition in low-speed regions, with calcium carbonate deposition rates ranging from 4.06 mm/a to 81.7 mm/a, closely aligning with field observations. The study employed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) for real-time flow measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, including the Discrete Phase Model (DPM), to track particle trajectories and deposition rates, providing critical insights into sedimentation dynamics in aquatic environments.

Simulation of island ecotourism development based on SD and DPSIRM models: a case study of Amami-Oshima Island

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2025 — WHE4B267BEB79

A study on Amami-Oshima Island, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, reveals that a balanced approach to ecotourism development—enhancing tourism benefits while conserving natural resources—yields the most effective outcomes. Using an optimized Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response-Management (DPSIRM) framework and System Dynamics (SD) modeling, researchers simulated various scenarios from 2010 to 2035. The Coordinated Development Model emerged as the optimal strategy, achieving a win-win balance between economic growth and ecological preservation. In contrast, models prioritizing either socioeconomic growth or strict ecological protection showed limitations, with the former lacking in service provision and the latter stifling tourism and economic activity. This research provides critical insights for policymakers, offering data-driven support for sustainable ecotourism planning.

Singapore Botanic Gardens Special Part

Singapore Botanic Gardens — 2025 — WHEDDEEE60108

A special issue of Curtis's Botanical Magazine highlights the Singapore Botanic Gardens, showcasing its impressive biodiversity, conservation efforts, and botanical artistry. The publication features the Suppression-release Technique, an innovative method for managing tropical tree seedlings, demonstrating its potential to advance horticultural practices. This technique, combined with active research and conservation initiatives, underscores the Gardens' role in preserving native flora. The issue also celebrates the flourishing state of fine botanical art in Singapore, thanks to workshops led by Masumi Yamanaka, a regular artist for the Magazine. Orchestrated by Michele Rodda and edited by Timothy Utteridge, this special part was made possible through the generosity of the Singapore Botanic Gardens and contributions from numerous staff and artists.

Sinkholes observed at Vesturbunki, Surtsey

Surtsey — 2025 — WHE4DB9F88A65

Researchers have identified and monitored sinkholes and fissures along the outer margin of Vesturbunki, one of Surtsey’s tuff cones, revealing a dynamic subsurface process. These features, first observed in 2015, were traced over nearly 500 meters and showed variability in their presence across multiple field visits (2017, 2019, 2025). The study suggests that these sinkholes are likely driven by a combination of island-wide subsidence, local compaction of volcanogenic material, and possibly triggered by seismicity. Surface temperature monitoring between 2008 and 2025 indicated Vesturbunki is consistently hotter (up to 100°C) compared to Austurbunki (up to 96°C), with fluctuations linked to subsurface heat flow. Seismic data from 2009–2024 showed low to moderate activity, though hypocenter locations remain uncertain due to sparse station coverage. The findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and installation of a local seismic station on Surtsey to better understand these processes.

Siphlonurus davidi

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area — 2025 — WHEEE62E6D244

A detailed re-description of the mayfly species Siphlonurus davidi, found exclusively in Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan Province, China, challenges previous diagnostic criteria used to distinguish it from closely related species. The study examines 198 specimens (65 nymphs and 133 imagos) collected between 2013 and 2023, providing comprehensive morphological descriptions of both life stages. Key findings include the identification of consistent diagnostic features in nymphs—such as reddish-brown oblique stripes on abdominal sterna and posterolateral spines—and distinct color patterns in adult males and females. Notably, the research debunks three proposed diagnostic traits by Yang et al. (2023), demonstrating that sclerotization patterns of the penis lobes and spine development are similar across S. davidi, S. dongxi, and a newly described species, S. orientalis. This work clarifies taxonomic confusion in the genus Siphlonurus, offering critical insights for future biodiversity studies in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Site-Specific Net Suspended Sediment Flux and Turbidity–TSM Coupling in a UNESCO Tidal Flat on the Western Coast of Korea: High-Resolution Vertical Observations

Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats — 2025 — WHE2E24AEFC39

A UNESCO-listed tidal flat on Korea's west coast exhibits a strong linear relationship (R² = 0.94) between turbidity and total suspended matter, validating optical sensors for real-time sediment monitoring in dynamic macrotidal environments. High-resolution observations over a 13-hour period revealed a net seaward suspended sediment flux of approximately 5503 kg·m⁻¹, with ebb-dominant residual currents indicating localized sediment transport patterns. While this single-station study provides a baseline for digital twin modeling and coastal management, its findings should be interpreted as time-specific rather than representative of the entire bay. The research contributes to the preservation and monitoring of Gomso Bay, part of the globally significant 'Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats' UNESCO site.

Sítio Burle Marx: collection of aromatic Zingiberaceae plants

Sítio Roberto Burle Marx — 2025 — WHE574905BECE

Research at Sítio Roberto Burle Marx reveals the anatomical basis for the aromatic properties of Zingiberaceae plants, which are widely used as seasonings and medicinal agents. The study identifies secretory idioblasts containing volatile substances in leaf blades of genera Alpinia, Zingiber, and Kaempferia, confirming their role in producing metabolites. Curcuma, Alpinia, and Zingiber were the most represented genera, with histological analysis showing hypostomatic leaves and silica crystals alongside aromatic cells. These findings contribute to understanding the plant family's widespread culinary and medicinal applications.

Sítio Roberto Burle Marx: Desenvolvimento de Práticas em Educação Ambiental

Sítio Roberto Burle Marx — 2025 — WHEF062CB60FE

A project at Sítio Roberto Burle Marx demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating education and sustainability practices, yielding transformative learning experiences for students and visitors. Through a collaborative extension initiative, students from IFRJ developed and implemented educational activities that enhanced environmental awareness among participants. The approach combined theoretical discussions with practical experiments, focusing on themes like sustainability and conservation. Results indicated significant learning outcomes, reinforcing the role of education in fostering critical thinking about environmental issues within UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This model serves as a best-practice example for disseminating environmental education in protected areas.

Situation Analyses of Sediment Transport With a Focus on Its Management and Policy Implications

Lower Valley of the Awash — 2025 — WHED36264E95D

A comprehensive analysis of sediment transport in Ethiopia's major river basins reveals significant variations in sediment yield, with the Abbay headwater subbasins and Awash upper and middle subbasins exhibiting exceptionally high values (200–233 t/ha/year and 115.76–47.47 Mt/year, respectively), while the Rift-Valley Lakes basin shows much lower yields (1.9–13.69 Mt/year). These findings highlight critical challenges to water quality, ecosystem health, and climate resilience due to excessive sediment concentrations that often surpass standards for drinking, irrigation, and aquatic life. The study identifies gaps in monitoring and proposes strategic interventions, including enhanced monitoring systems, stakeholder coordination, legislation, and integration of international initiatives like UNESCO's International Sediment Initiative. This research provides actionable insights for restoring land and water resources, emphasizing the urgent need to address sediment pollution to safeguard vital infrastructure such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Rift Valley Lakes.

Sivoneniella epilithica gen. et sp. nov., (Leptolyngbyaceae, Cyanobacteria), from Suomenlinna Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Finland

Fortress of Suomenlinna — 2025 — WHE0256427DCF

Researchers have identified and described a new genus of cyanobacteria, Sivoneniella epilithica, from the epilithic habitats of Suomenlinna Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Finland. This discovery highlights the unexplored taxonomic diversity of terrestrial cyanobacteria inhabiting rock surfaces, which play a crucial role in ecological succession. Using a comprehensive polyphasic approach—including phylogenetic, genomic, and chemical analyses—the study established Sivoneniella as a distinct genus within the family Leptolyngbyaceae. The findings also revealed that these strains lack known cyanotoxins and exhibit no inhibitory effects on pathogenic bacteria or fungi, suggesting potential biotechnological applications. This work advances our understanding of cyanobacterial diversity in terrestrial ecosystems and underscores the significance of preserving such unique habitats.

Slow Mobilities and Heritage Landscapes in the Middle East: A Comparative Study of Oman, Jordan and Saudi Arabia

Wadi Rum Protected Area — 2025 — WHE9C7203D18D

A comparative analysis of three culturally significant Middle Eastern landscapes—Jabal Akhdar and Jabal Shams (Oman), Wadi Rum (Jordan), and AlUla (Saudi Arabia)—reveals that slow mobilities, characterized by low-velocity movement patterns, play a pivotal role in shaping heritage landscapes. The study demonstrates how these mobility dynamics influence geological processes, land use, and community spatial organization, thereby contributing to the preservation of both cultural and natural heritage. By integrating extensive field research with geomorphological analysis, the findings underscore the significance of these landscapes as living links between past, present, and future human-environment relationships. This work provides a framework for understanding how mobility patterns can inform conservation strategies in regions where geological and cultural evolution are intricately intertwined.