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Publications

Showing 29261 – 29280 of 30315 publications

Unravelling the peculiarities of island life: vicariance, dispersal and the diversification of the extinct and extant giant Galápagos tortoises

Galápagos Islands — 2011 — WHEB6A2C876D4

Research reveals that the evolutionary history of Galápagos tortoises is shaped by both dispersal and vicariance, challenging traditional assumptions about island colonization. Only three of five extinct or nearly extinct species represent independent evolutionary units, with dispersal from South America initiating around 3.2 million years ago (Ma) following the emergence of San Cristobal and Española islands. Subsequent dispersal to younger islands began at approximately 1.74 Ma, accompanied by multiple colonizations within the archipelago. Vicariant events, driven by island formation, coalescence, and separation, contributed to lineage diversification on Pinzón and Floreana dating from 1.26 and 0.85 Ma, respectively. This study integrates DNA data from extinct and extant species with geological information and human activity records, providing a comprehensive model for reconstructing the history of endangered taxa despite extinctions and human-mediated dispersal events.

Upland classical National Park eco-model: the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia 1990.

Plitvice Lakes National Park — 2011 — WHECE7817DDD9

Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Croatia, exemplifies how conservation can drive economic growth in upland regions. The park's strategic planning and management have transformed it into a major tourist destination, generating significant income for the local economy and contributing to public sector finances rather than draining them. This case study highlights the park's dual role as both a conservation agency and a sustainable business model, demonstrating its effectiveness in creating economic value while preserving natural heritage.

Upper Jurassic Reefs from the Russian Western Caucasus: Implications for the Eastern Black Sea

Western Caucasus — 2011 — WHE9C88D7B596

Upper Jurassic reefs in the Russian Western Caucasus reveal diverse and structurally controlled reef complexes that serve as potential analogues for exploration targets in the eastern Black Sea. These reefs, categorized into coral-dominated, siliceous sponge-microbialite, and microbialite types, developed on two Late Jurassic carbonate platforms: the North Caucasus platform to the north and the South Adler platform to the south. Coral-dominated reefs, found at shallow-water platform margins and deeper mid-shelf settings, exhibit varying diversity levels, while siliceous sponge- and microbialite-dominated reefs were restricted to deeper-water environments. The study suggests that these outcrops could provide critical insights for understanding seismic-imaged reef complexes on the Shatskiy Ridge, depending on their palaeowater depth.

Urban Regeneration and Hegemonic Power Relationships

Historic Areas of Istanbul — 2011 — WHE6645F62191

A powerful urban coalition, dominated by central and local government actors, state institutions, and private-sector entities, has emerged in Turkey since the 2000s, driving neo-liberal urban transformation policies aimed at maximizing land rents and real-estate development. This coalition's influence, bolstered by legal changes and institutional initiatives like those of the Mass Housing Development Administration (TOKİ), has reshaped Istanbul's socio-spatial structure, prioritizing areas with high rent-gaining potential while exerting pressure on squatter housing and historic urban centers inhabited by the urban poor. The study reveals how this hegemonic discourse, supported by developers, landowners, and media, has steered Istanbul toward a vision of international finance, service, and tourism, illustrating broader trends in economic and political spheres.

Urban Tram Induced Vibrations: Real Time Monitoring of Historical Buildings in the Centre of Rome

Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura — 2011 — WHEAE6F4762D4

Researchers have developed a predictive model to estimate the attenuation of vibrations caused by urban trams, addressing concerns about structural stress on historic buildings. The study, conducted in Rome's historic center, identified key parameters influencing tram-induced vibrations and their propagation. By analyzing experimental data, the team derived a transfer function that estimates attenuation levels in historical urban contexts. This model provides valuable insights for preserving cultural heritage sites while managing modern urban infrastructure challenges.

Urbanization Impairs Surface Water Quality: Eutrophication and Metal Stress in the Grand Canal of China

The Grand Canal — 2011 — WHE366B4A31C2

Rapid urbanization significantly degrades surface water quality along the Grand Canal of China, with urban sections showing elevated levels of eutrophic nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as metals that, while within national standards, may still pose risks to aquatic life according to stricter U.S. EPA criteria. The study found a strong correlation between urbanization levels and water quality parameters, particularly electrical conductivity, nutrients, and metals, with industrial activities contributing to metal loadings. These findings highlight the urgent need for mitigation strategies to ensure sustainable urban development along this historic site.

Use of fluorescence spectroscopy and voltammetry for the analysis of metal-organic matter interactions in the New Caledonia lagoon

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems — 2011 — WHE339053034B

A groundbreaking analysis of the Lagoons of New Caledonia reveals how organic matter (OM) interacts with metals such as Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd, providing critical insights into both natural and anthropogenic pollution sources. By combining fluorescence spectroscopy, polarography, and potentiometry, researchers determined the conditional stability constants of OM-metal complexes, enabling predictions about metal pollution's fate in the lagoon. This study also distinguished between terrigenous (natural) and anthropogenic OM origins for the first time, using advanced geochemical modeling with discrete pKa distributions. The findings underscore the sensitivity of nearby coral reef biocenosis to these metal complexes, which originate from nickel extraction and coastal erosion, offering a novel framework for understanding and mitigating environmental impacts on this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Use of glacial and terrestrial habitats by harbor seals in Glacier Bay, Alaska: costs and benefits

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2011 — WHE4EA234A92B

Harbor seals in Glacier Bay, Alaska, exhibit distinct foraging and activity patterns depending on whether they use glacial or terrestrial habitats. Glacial seals travel significantly farther to forage (≥40 km) compared to terrestrial seals (<5 km) and spend more time hauled out (26% vs. 11-16%). Despite the increased foraging costs, glacial seals maintain similar body condition by consuming higher-quality pelagic fish diets, which may offset energy expenditures and support lactation efficiency. This study highlights the adaptability of harbor seals to different habitats, providing insights into their resilience in the face of climate change-induced glacial retreat.

Using canopy bridges to link habitat for arboreal mammals: successful trials in the Wet Tropics of Queensland

Wet Tropics of Queensland — 2011 — WHE310B744A46

Canopy bridges significantly aid arboreal mammals, including rare and endemic species, in crossing roads within the Wet Tropics of Queensland. The study found that nine mammal species, five of which are endemic or listed as rare, utilized three types of rope canopy bridges—single rope, ladder-like, and tunnel-shaped—to traverse a 15-meter-wide tourist road and a highway. Notably, over 50 crossings were observed on an elevated ladder-like bridge, while longer (~40 m) bridges were used by four species. These findings suggest that such structures can mitigate road-kill risks and reduce subpopulation isolation, offering potential broad applications for conserving arboreal mammals in fragmented habitats.

Using Multiple Environmental Proxies to Determine Degree of Marine Influence and Paleogeographical Position of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Joggins Fossil Cliffs — 2011 — WHEBB6017C57F

Research at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs reveals that marine influence diminished over time during the Pennsylvanian period. Sedimentologic and paleontologic analyses of interbedded limestone deposits, containing marine organisms like ostracodes and bivalves, indicate open marine conditions in older sections transitioning to fluvial and coastal environments higher up. This finding challenges assumptions about the site's paleogeographical position and suggests that Cordaites trees may not represent the earliest mangroves. The study used multiple environmental proxies to track changes in marine influence, providing new insights into the site's complex depositional history.

Uzon volcano caldera (Kamchatka): A unique natural laboratory of the present-day naphthide genesis

Volcanoes of Kamchatka — 2011 — WHE173E7FD809

Research at Uzon volcano caldera, Kamchatka, reveals it as a unique natural laboratory for studying present-day oil formation. Analysis of thermal spring oil shows using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry demonstrates that these compounds share genetic identity with organic matter from Pliocene–Quaternary deposits, confirming their biogenic origin. The study debunks theories suggesting hydrothermal abiogenic synthesis, providing critical insights into naphthide genesis processes in volcanic environments.

Valuing the Land of Tigers: What Indian Visitors Reveal

The Sundarbans — 2011 — WHE14426674CF

Indian visitors to the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's only mangrove forest inhabited by Royal Bengal Tigers, place significant economic value on its biodiversity. This study reveals that visitors perceive the site not just as a tiger reserve but also as a critical habitat for other species like spotted deer, crocodiles, and snakes, contributing to its ecological importance. The research employs economic valuation techniques to quantify visitor preferences, highlighting the region's role in coastal evolution and conservation challenges posed by human encroachment. Findings underscore the need for balanced conservation efforts to protect both the tiger population and the broader ecosystem, which faces threats from rapid forest cover depletion despite recent conservation successes.

Vantage Points: Andeans and Europeans in the Construction of Colonial Quito

City of Quito — 2011 — WHEFA3C995A0C

Colonial Quito's urban development, as described by Spanish scientists Antonio de Ulloa and Jorge Juan in the 1730s, reveals a dynamic interplay between Andean traditions and European influences. Their observations highlight the city's plazas, blending indigenous spatial organization with European architectural aesthetics. The study employs historical analysis to dissect this duality, uncovering how power dynamics shaped Quito's urban landscape during its colonial era. This research contributes to understanding the cultural synthesis that defined Latin America's colonial cities, offering insights into the negotiation of space and identity in a multicultural setting.

Variability in mesophotic coral reef communities along the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Great Barrier Reef — 2011 — WHE9DE8DC2FED

Mesophotic coral reefs (50 to 65 m depth) along the Great Barrier Reef harbor diverse benthic megafaunal communities that vary significantly within and between sites, with phototrophic taxa dominating flatter submerged reef tops and heterotrophic suspension-feeders occupying steeper habitats. Slope angle, water clarity, and productivity were key factors influencing megafauna distribution, while reduced photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) likely excludes most phototrophic taxa from steeper slopes. High-resolution stereo imagery collected via autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) surveys at three sites—Noggin Pass, Viper Reef, and Hydrographers Passage—revealed that non-reef habitats predominated, with megafauna largely confined to reef substrata. This study underscores the ecological complexity of mesophotic reefs on the GBR's outer shelf, highlighting the need for further research into their benthic, fish, and mobile invertebrate communities.

Variation in reef fish and invertebrate communities with level of protection from fishing across the Eastern Tropical Pacific seascape

Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection — 2011 — WHE6F211AE354

Overfishing in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) has significantly altered reef ecosystems, with poorly enforced marine protected areas (MPAs) failing to mitigate these impacts. Research across seven large MPAs, including UNESCO World Heritage sites like Coiba National Park and Galapagos, revealed that high-protection MPAs exhibit greater biomass of predatory fishes, lower densities of urchins, and higher coral cover compared to fished zones. These findings suggest that fishing down the food web has led to trophic cascades, reducing coral cover by increasing habitat-modifying macroinvertebrates. Notably, continental reefs show more pronounced effects than oceanic islands, highlighting regional differences in ecological resilience.

Vegetation Response to Prescribed Fire in Douglas-Fir Forests, Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park — 2011 — WHE7526480C9E

Prescribed fire effectively restores the open, fire-adapted structure of Douglas-fir/salal forests in Olympic National Park. A randomized controlled study found that low-intensity surface fires significantly reduced fuel loads and understory density without altering tree canopy basal area or sapling density. While most understory species showed delayed recovery, salal—known for resprouting—recovered to at least 50% of pre-fire cover within three years. These findings validate the use of prescribed fire as a management tool to maintain forest health in historically fire-prone ecosystems, supporting a balanced approach that integrates fire suppression and active management.

Venice Incognito

Venice and its Lagoon — 2011 — WHE0799A63265

Venice Incognito reveals that masking in Venice was not merely about indulgence or escaping identity but served as a subversive response to the city's rigid class hierarchy. Johnson's analysis demonstrates that covering one's face allowed individuals across all social strata—from nobles and clergy to imposters—to blend into society, challenging conventional norms. By examining historical accounts and reconstructing the logic behind masking, both during carnival and outside of it, the study offers a fresh perspective on how identity was constructed in Venetian society. This approach contrasts with earlier interpretations that focused solely on pleasure or forgetfulness, providing deeper insight into the cultural significance of masking in one of Europe's most hierarchical cities.

Vessels from Late Medieval cemeteries in the Central Balkans

Studenica Monastery — 2011 — WHE4A4BAF3B89

Archaeological research on late medieval cemeteries in the Central Balkans reveals that vessels, though rare, were sporadically placed in graves as grave goods from the 14th to 17th centuries. Unlike earlier periods where pottery dominated, this study found an equal ratio of glass and ceramic vessels, primarily bottles, pitchers, and beakers. Vessels were typically positioned near the head of the deceased, often on the left side. The findings suggest regional variations in funeral practices, with Serbia and Croatia favoring bottles, while Bosnia and Herzegovina used drinking vessels. This custom persisted into the late 19th century in some areas. The study also highlights the need for further systematic analysis to fully understand this phenomenon.

Vicariance and endemism in a Neotropical savanna hotspot: distribution patterns of Cerrado squamate reptiles

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2011 — WHE0E2CCA11EA

A groundbreaking study reveals that vicariant speciation, not faunal interchange, has predominantly shaped the diversity of squamate reptiles in the Cerrado, a Neotropical savanna hotspot. The research, which analyzed 267 species—including 103 endemics (39% of total)—challenges long-held assumptions about low endemism in the region. By mapping distribution patterns and testing predictions of the vicariance model, scientists identified seven biotic elements and ten putative areas of endemism, largely coinciding with topographical and vegetational divisions. Open, elevated plateaus emerged as hotspots for endemism, while peripheral depressions exhibited higher faunal interchange. This study underscores the critical role of vicariant processes in driving biodiversity, suggesting their prevalence across the Cerrado and broader Neotropical regions.

Vikings in the Prehistoric Landscape: Studies on Mainland Orkney

Heart of Neolithic Orkney — 2011 — WHEF1F1F36887

Norse settlers in Mainland Orkney strategically integrated the region's ancient Neolithic monuments into their social identity, blending continuity with traditional Scandinavian practices. This study reveals that Norse occupation, spanning from the late 8th to the 14th centuries, often reused Late Iron Age sites and maintained long-term settlement sequences, while also familiarizing themselves with older landmarks through naming conventions. By mapping archaeological records against prehistoric monuments in two case study regions and analyzing toponymic evidence, researchers found that landscape integration was a key method for Norse colonists to establish ancestry on Orkney, demonstrating both physical and cultural assimilation over centuries.