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Contested Management of Archaeological sites in the Hebron District

Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town — 2010 — WHEE1DF15A7F5

Palestinian archaeological sites, particularly in the Hebron district, face severe threats due to contested management under dual administrations since the Oslo Accords. The study reveals that while the Palestinian Authority assumed responsibility for Areas A and B (40% of the Occupied Territories), Israeli authorities continued to oversee Area C, leading to a fragmented approach to heritage protection. This dual management has exacerbated illegal excavations, illicit trafficking, and conservation challenges, compounded by the destructive impact of the separation wall on cultural landscapes. The research highlights the urgent need for unified governance to safeguard this intensively disturbed heritage, one of the most affected globally.

Contrasting patterns in bryophyte and vascular plant species richness in relation to elevation, biomass and Soay sheep on St Kilda, Scotland

St Kilda — 2010 — WHE573DDF7A09

Research on St Kilda, Scotland, reveals that bryophyte and vascular plant species richness exhibit contrasting patterns in response to elevation, biomass, and sheep grazing pressure. Bryophytes peak in mid-to-high elevations, showing a negative relationship with sheep preference and standing litter, while their richness follows a curvilinear trend with biomass. In contrast, vascular plant richness decreases with elevation and displays a negative or unimodal association with sheep preference and biomass. These findings suggest that bryophyte and vascular plant richness cannot serve as adequate surrogates for each other in ecological models, highlighting the need for organism-specific adjustments to improve general species richness predictions.

Contribution of NTFPs in the Livelihood of Mangrove Forest Dwellers of Sundarban

The Sundarbans — 2010 — WHE31DB496C68

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) contribute significantly to the livelihoods of Sundarbans' mangrove forest dwellers, accounting for nearly 79% of their annual income. The study, conducted across four communities in Bally II, Bijoynagar, Dulki, and Hamiltanabad, identified key NTFPs such as firewood, prawn, fish, crab, honey, and bee wax, collected under high-risk conditions from man-eating tigers. It also revealed substantial livelihood vulnerability among the local population, with limited government support. The research highlights the need for sustainable livelihood frameworks that integrate NTFP collection to balance biodiversity conservation and community needs.

Controls on mangrove forest‐atmosphere carbon dioxide exchanges in western Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park — 2010 — WHE3C94021E36

A mangrove forest in the western Everglades National Park acts as a significant carbon sink, with an annual net ecosystem production (NEP) of 1170 ± 127 g C m⁻², attributed to year-round productivity and low ecosystem respiration. The study, conducted using an eddy covariance system from January 2004 to August 2005, revealed that environmental factors such as diffuse solar irradiance, surface water salinity, and tidal activity play critical roles in controlling carbon dioxide (CO₂) exchange between the forest and atmosphere. High salinity (>34 ppt) reduced daily light use efficiency by 46%, while tidal inundation lowered daytime respiration by ∼0.9 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ and nighttime respiration by ∼0.5 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹. These findings suggest that mangrove carbon balance may shift in response to changes in salinity and inundation patterns, potentially due to sea level rise and climate change.

Controversy and Conflict: NAGPRA and the Role of Biological Anthropology in Determining Cultural Affiliation

Chaco Culture — 2010 — WHE2AB14B94FF

Biological anthropology faces ongoing challenges in interpreting cultural affiliation under NAGPRA, as demonstrated by the Chaco Culture case. The study reveals that while the law mandates repatriation of human remains and funerary objects, the field's reliance on typological perspectives limits its ability to accurately assess cultural identity. This tension highlights discrepancies in NAGPRA implementation, including varying interpretations of cultural affiliation and administrative complexities. The research combines an administrative history review with a critical analysis of biological evidence from Chaco Culture National Historical Park, underscoring the need for more nuanced approaches to studying past and present cultural identities.

Cooperative Research: An Example from the Wet Tropics of Queensland

Wet Tropics of Queensland — 2010 — WHECAC5E9E389

Cooperative research integrating Indigenous and scientific knowledge can effectively guide natural resource management (NRM) strategies, particularly in the Wet Tropics of Queensland. The study demonstrates that multi-directional learning and mutual benefit—achieved through trust-based partnerships and genuine action research outcomes—strengthen both Indigenous knowledge systems and traditional scientific approaches. This approach ensures that Indigenous perspectives on symbolic significance and resource values are equally recognized alongside established scientific methods, fostering cross-transfer of skills and more holistic NRM solutions.

Coptic Texts from Western Thebes

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2010 — WHE1C8E0D2B74

Excavations at Western Thebes, following the relinquishment of the Da'yr al-Bahari concession by the Egypt Exploration Fund, uncovered over a thousand inscribed pieces under the direction of Herbert E. Winlock. These texts, though poorly preserved compared to those salvaged by Naville, suggest they were previously discarded due to their condition. Subsequent excavations revealed Christian settlements and monasteries, including Coptic ostraca from the University of Pennsylvania's digs, which remain unpublished. The study highlights the historical significance of Western Thebes as a center for Christian monasticism in Upper Egypt, providing insights into its cultural and religious landscape during this period.

Coral-associated bacterial communities on Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Ningaloo Coast — 2010 — WHE80CFF87FC8

Coral-associated microbial communities on Ningaloo Reef exhibit high diversity and are influenced more by environmental factors such as oceanographic conditions, benthic community structure, and temperature than by coral host specificity. A year-long study sampling three coral species (Pocillopora damicornis, Acropora tenuis, and Favites abdita) every three months revealed that microbial profiles varied significantly over time rather than by species. Comparative analysis of P. damicornis from Ningaloo Reef and Rottnest Island further demonstrated that these associations are not geographically isolated. The research used 16S rRNA gene clone libraries and principal component analysis to uncover these patterns, highlighting the dynamic nature of coral-microbial interactions.

Corpus Fontium Historiae Byzantinae

Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios — 2010 — WHED7620E860A

A comprehensive analysis of the Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas, and Nea Moni of Chios reveals new insights into Byzantine architectural, literary, and historical traditions. The study explores the evolution of the 'Turk' identity in Byzantine texts, the dating of monastic typikons, and the division of booty in late Byzantium (1204-1453). It also examines the natural light design in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Thessalonike and the relationship between the Codex Marcianus Graecus 524 and George Skylitzes' dedicatory verses. Additionally, it investigates the chronology of Byzantine-Norman conflicts (1081-1085) and the influence of classical heritage on Byzantine oratorical rhythm. The research employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining epigraphic analysis, literary criticism, historical documentation, and architectural study to reconstruct Byzantine cultural and political landscapes.

Corrosion of iron from heritage buildings: proposal for degradation indexes based on rust layer composition and electrochemical reactivity

Amiens Cathedral — 2010 — WHE7619E2B905

Researchers propose two degradation indices to assess rust reactivity on heritage ferrous artefacts, particularly those in indoor environments like Amiens Cathedral. These indices are based on the composition and electrochemical reactivity of corrosion layers, primarily goethite with ferrihydrite marblings, alongside trace phases such as lepidocrocite and akaganeite. Electrochemical measurements identified reduction-reactive phases, enabling a correlation between rust composition and reactivity. This approach offers a preliminary framework for diagnosing corrosion in historic structures, linking rust layer characteristics to degradation risk.

Cosmological Layouts of Secondary Burials as Political Instruments

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2010 — WHEA2FFCAD2A4

Secondary burials at Cahokia Mounds exhibit unprecedented scales of artifact amassment, suggesting their use as political instruments to portray cosmological visions. The study focuses on the burial display from Submound 1 of Mound 72, which differs markedly from others and provides insights into archaeological cosmograms. By analyzing these displays, researchers uncover how secondary interments actively reflected cultural connections to the cosmos in pre-contact Americas, offering a novel perspective on Mississippian mortuary practices.

Cosmopolitan Hagglers or Haggling Locals?

Medina of Tunis — 2010 — WHE36EC18337E

This study reveals that the categories of 'cosmopolitan' and 'local' are context-dependent, socially constructed labels rather than fixed identities. Through ethnographic research in Tunis's medina, it shows how salesmen in the tourist trade portray themselves as culturally adept cosmopolitans while viewing tourists as ignorant outsiders, whereas tourists perceive the salesmen as culturally bound locals. The findings challenge the notion that cosmopolitanism is universally progressive or free from cultural constraints, demonstrating instead that it is an ideological construct tied to specific contexts. This challenges traditional oppositions like modernity vs. tradition, suggesting that any group can be positioned as 'local' under the right circumstances.

Cost-benefit analysis in correspondence related to building the Rideau Canal

Rideau Canal — 2010 — WHEED4D0D7BA0

Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) in correspondence related to the Rideau Canal revealed distinct patterns of use, shifting from predominantly rhetorical purposes before construction to technical decision-making during and after. The study analyzed government-military communications, showing that CBA served multiple roles—rhetorical persuasion, technical evaluation, and progress reporting—while also identifying gaps in communication channels. This analysis provides insight into how financial assessments influenced the canal's development and governance.

Coupling between subtidal prey and consumers along a mesoscale upwelling gradient in the Galápagos Islands

Galápagos Islands — 2010 — WHE0439F3E515

Research in the Galápagos Islands reveals that upwelling intensity significantly influences prey production and predator-prey dynamics at mesoscale levels. The study found that strong upwelling sites (SUP) exhibited higher barnacle recruitment and growth, driven by vertical flow speeds and larval concentrations, compared to weak upwelling sites (WUP). This bottom-up effect was coupled with top-down control, as whelk densities correlated strongly with barnacle cover and recruitment. Predation experiments further demonstrated that 33–100% of barnacles were consumed by whelks and fish, with higher consumption rates at SUP sites. The study also linked upwelling duration to seafloor topography, suggesting that steep slopes and deep water enhance upwelling from internal waves and the Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC). These findings highlight the critical role of oceanographic processes in structuring marine communities over broad spatial scales.

Creating Effective Partnerships in Ecosystem-Based Management: A Culture of Science and Management

Papahānaumokuākea — 2010 — WHEF08D0F166F

A successful ecosystem-based management partnership between the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, focusing on Papahānaumokuākea, demonstrates how organizational culture analysis can enhance collaborative communication among stakeholders. The study identifies key factors that facilitate effective integration of scientific research into management plans, such as symposia and semiannual reports, while also highlighting obstacles to success. By evaluating cultural differences and communication styles, the partnership provides a model for improving science-management integration in protected areas.

Creating Sustainable Communities in Historical Heritage Sites: Istanbul's Historic Neighbourhoods

Historic Areas of Istanbul — 2010 — WHE6915F69926

A recent European Union-funded regeneration program in Istanbul's historic neighborhoods of Fener and Balat demonstrates mixed effectiveness in addressing the physical, social, and economic decline threatening these deprived areas. The study evaluates the program's impact on sustainable community development by examining its strengths and weaknesses, providing insights into the interplay between conservation needs and community requirements. Key principles for future initiatives are highlighted to ensure long-term sustainability in historic heritage sites, offering a model for similar efforts globally.

Criminals and Tourists: Prison History and Museum Politics at the Bargello in Florence

Historic Centre of Florence — 2010 — WHE8241F6C1FF

This study reveals how the Bargello, Florence's former prison and judicial site, was strategically transformed into a museum to reframe its violent past. The research demonstrates that the museum's curatorial approach leveraged the building's history of torture and punishment to create an aesthetic experience for tourists, effectively replacing the site's judicial function with a new cultural narrative. By analyzing textual descriptions, architectural transformations, and historical documentation from the 19th century, the study highlights how the Bargello's material culture was manipulated to serve the ideological agendas of the Risorgimento movement. The findings underscore the power of material culture in shaping historical memory and public perception, illustrating how a site once synonymous with cruelty was repurposed as a symbol of cultural renewal.

Crossbow fibulae from Gamzigrad (Romuliana)

Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius — 2010 — WHE6C35A8F4F5

A significant collection of 31 crossbow fibulae (Zwiebelknopffibeln) was discovered at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gamzigrad-Romuliana, representing one of the largest assemblages from a single site in Serbia. These fibulae, primarily found in stratified archaeological units dating from the early 4th to mid-5th century, provide valuable insights into their function and production during this period. Through morphological-typological and stratigraphical-chronological analyses, researchers concluded that these artifacts were not merely decorative but served a functional purpose, likely related to military or ceremonial use.

Cultural Districts, A New Strategy for Regional Development? The South-East Cultural District in Sicily

Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily) — 2010 — WHEC5E25D3A43

The South-East Cultural District in Sicily, established in 2004, aims to leverage the late Baroque architectural heritage and local craftsmanship of the Val di Noto region to foster socio-economic development and global competitiveness. While the district capitalizes on shared cultural and architectural traits, its success is hindered by economic heterogeneity, lack of innovation, and geographical distances between towns. The study highlights that overcoming these challenges is crucial for creating synergies and integrating other economic sectors, suggesting that cultural districts can serve as a strategic tool for regional development if structural obstacles are addressed.

Culture independent molecular analysis of bacterial communities in the mangrove sediment of Sundarban, India

The Sundarbans — 2010 — WHEE10ECE1711

A culture-independent molecular analysis of the Sundarbans mangrove sediment revealed a diverse bacterial community, with Gammaproteobacteria being the most abundant group. The study identified at least eight bacterial phyla, including Proteobacteria, Flexibacteria (CFB group), Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Planctomycetes, and Gammatimonadates. Notably, some clones showed similarity to bacteria linked to sulfur cycling in saline environments, suggesting their role in maintaining the S-cycle. The analysis also hinted at potential hydrocarbon or oil contamination in the sediment. This research employed 16S rRNA gene libraries and phylogenetic analysis to uncover the microbial diversity in this unique ecosystem, providing insights into its ecological functions and environmental health.