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Publications

Showing 2941 – 2960 of 15962 publications

Space, Place, and Tourism: A Visual Ethnography of Linguistic Landscapes in West Lake, Hangzhou, China

West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou — 2025 — WHE3ED7E1FB29

Linguistic landscapes in West Lake, Hangzhou, China, reflect a dynamic blend of classical and modern elements, shaping immersive tourist spaces. The study found that Chinese language dominance integrates traditional and contemporary features, while bilingual/multilingual signs create a globalized environment. Digital signs foster a dialogical space, whereas legend signs evoke cultural romance, and environmental information constructs an ecological harmony between humans and nature. These combined elements—classical, modern, cultural, dialogical, and ecological—enhance tourist experiences. The research urges local authorities to prioritize language service competence to improve comfort and atmosphere for visitors. This work advances the understanding of linguistic landscapes in tourism space-making.

Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems — 2025 — WHE4DA8424E18

Researchers have identified two new species of spaghetti worms, Loimia poraporaensis and L. aimehoensis, from the lagoons of Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia). These species exhibit distinct morphological traits, such as large lateral lobes and banded buccal tentacles, which differentiate them from other known Pacific coral reef worms. The study also extends the known range of L. tuberculata, previously documented only in Australia and Papua New Guinea, to include New Caledonia. Using molecular analysis (COI and 16S genes) alongside morphological comparisons, the team constructed phylogenetic trees and provided an identification key for these species. Their findings highlight the biodiversity of UNESCO-listed lagoons while emphasizing the importance of coral associations in their habitats.

Spatial Analysis of Tourist Destination of Vagad Circuit of Rajasthan

Hill Forts of Rajasthan — 2025 — WHE9150B93FF7

A spatial analysis of the Vagad Circuit in Rajasthan, India, reveals that its unique blend of natural landscapes—rolling green hills, dense forests, valleys, and lakes—alongside historical palaces, temples, and forts, makes it a significant yet understudied tourist destination. This study highlights the circuit's potential for sustainable tourism while emphasizing the urgent need to conserve its cultural heritage, which is threatened by visitation pressures. The research employs secondary data analysis to assess tourist patterns and spatial distribution, providing actionable insights for heritage preservation and tourism planning in this UNESCO-recognized region.

Spatial and Temporal Differentiation of Carbon Emission Efficiency and the Impact of Green Technology Innovation in Hubei Province

Hubei Shennongjia — 2025 — WHEE2112BE8B0

Hubei Province's carbon emission efficiency has shown significant spatial and temporal differentiation, with a rapid increase after initial fluctuations. The study found that green technological innovation positively correlates with improved carbon emission efficiency, while economic expansion and population density also show positive relationships, whereas industrial structure and government environmental regulations negatively impact efficiency. Notably, the Wuhan metropolitan area and the Xiang-yang-Shiyan-Suizhou-Shennongjia urban region exhibit distinct differences, while the Yichang-Jingzhou-Jing-Enshi urban agglomeration shows a narrowing trend in differentiation. The research also highlights a temporal lag between green technological innovation and its impact on carbon emission efficiency, with capital investment and technical achievements currently enhancing efficiency, while human capital has a positive effect during a second lag period.

Spatial Distribution and Hydrographic Characteristics Analysis in Detached Bays of the Tetyushsky Reach of the Kuibyshev Reservoir

Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex — 2025 — WHEBE7749FABC

Research identifies 103 isolated bays within the Tetyushsky reach of the Kuibyshev Reservoir, covering 246 hectares and primarily located on left-bank islands formed after reservoir flooding. These detached bays, classified as 'small water bodies,' exhibit predominantly oval or near-circular shapes with slightly indented shorelines. A notable trend toward reduction in water surface area was observed, particularly for bays not connected to the main water body during flood periods. The study leverages satellite imagery from Google Earth Engine and Sentinel-2, combined with field research data from 2024, analyzed using QGIS software at a normal water level of 52.7 m BS. Significantly, these findings are situated within the 'Spassky' Biosphere Reserve and the buffer zone of the UNESCO World Heritage Site – historical and archaeological complex of Bolgar, underscoring their ecological and cultural importance.

Spatial Distribution Modelling of a Threatened Lion Population in Relation to Prey Populations in Niokolo‐Koba National Park, Senegal

Niokolo-Koba National Park — 2025 — WHECEF685618F

A high-performance spatial model reveals that the core habitat for lions in Niokolo-Koba National Park (NKNP), Senegal, is concentrated in the park's central region. This distribution is primarily shaped by elevation, annual precipitation, prey availability, and human pressures such as poaching and livestock grazing. The model achieved an exceptional accuracy (AUC of 0.96), highlighting critical factors that influence lion habitat selection. By integrating satellite-derived data like NDVI with land cover types and proximity to water bodies, researchers identified key environmental variables that support lion populations while also pinpointing areas vulnerable to human encroachment. These findings underscore the importance of targeted conservation strategies to protect lions by mitigating poaching and livestock pressure while preserving prey populations.

Spatial Ecology and Home Range Drivers of the Weyns's Duiker (Cephalophus weynsi) in Rainforest Habitat

Salonga National Park — 2025 — WHE94F61A8642

Weyns's duikers (Cephalophus weynsi) in Salonga National Park exhibit stable core home ranges averaging 29.38 hectares, with dynamic boundaries influenced by breeding status and anthropogenic disturbances. A study using GPS/VHF collars revealed that breeding pairs overlap significantly (72.8%), maintaining close proximity (~288 m), while non-breeding individuals show minimal overlap (4.5–52.2%) and greater spacing (~533 m). The research, employing both day net captures and night torch captures, highlights the species' spatial behavior as critical to its reproductive success and conservation, emphasizing the need for further study on forest ungulate ecology in Central Africa.

Spatial governance and planning in Uruguay

Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento — 2025 — WHE664D55F603

Uruguay's decentralized spatial planning framework, established by the Land Use Planning and Sustainable Development Law of 2008, shows mixed success across its departments. A case study of Colonia del Sacramento reveals that while guidelines like the 2013 Departmental Guidelines and the 2018 Management Plan for the Historic Quarter effectively regulate urban growth and protect UNESCO-listed heritage, the prolonged delay in approving a Local Plan since 2011 has left land-use decisions vulnerable to private negotiations. This highlights the need for streamlined governance to balance heritage preservation with development pressures.

Spatial Gradient Effects of Landscape Pattern on Ecological Quality Along the Grand Canal

The Grand Canal — 2025 — WHE38A211BA17

Between 2013 and 2023, landscape patterns along the Grand Canal—designated as both a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and an ecological corridor—showed increased agglomeration and regularity, yet ecological quality slightly declined. The study applied a gradient analysis framework integrating Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) with landscape pattern indices to assess ecological responses across eight canal sections using equidistant buffer zones. Multi-scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) revealed that the effects of patch density and Shannon’s Diversity Index on ecological quality varied significantly by urbanization level: positively correlated in highly urbanized areas like the Tonghui River, but negatively correlated in less urbanized regions such as the Huitong River. Additionally, these correlations weakened with increasing buffer distance from the canal. This research provides critical insights for balancing ecological protection and spatial planning along major inland waterways.

Spatial Impact of Rural Landscape Pattern on Ecosystem Service in Hangzhou

West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou — 2025 — WHE8820519489

Rapid urbanization in Hangzhou's rural areas has significantly altered landscape patterns, leading to fragmentation and habitat degradation that negatively impact ecosystem services. The study reveals that woodland and grassland positively influence ecosystem services such as food production, water yield, carbon sequestration, and cultural services, while arable land, residential, and construction areas have detrimental effects. Notably, slope degree shows a strong positive correlation with ecosystem service provision, followed by indicators like total landscape area and edge density. The research employs advanced spatial models (InVEST, Fragstats, OLS, GWR, MGWR) to analyze these relationships, offering actionable recommendations for optimizing rural landscape management. These include promoting high-level farmland protection, enhancing landscape connectivity through woodland restoration, and integrating 'agriculture+' and 'ecology+' models to balance ecological and economic benefits.

Spatial Modelling Approaches for Estimating Richness of Benthic Invertebrates Throughout New Zealand Waters

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands — 2025 — WHEFC115E28F9

Macro-ecological models (MEMs) outperform stacked species distribution models (S-SDMs) for mapping benthic invertebrate richness in New Zealand waters, offering more nuanced and accurate predictions. Using over 120,000 occurrence records of 207 genera, the study compared both approaches, revealing that S-SDMs were hindered by spatial and catchability biases in the data. The MEM approach successfully identified high-richness areas, including parts of the Chatham Rise, sub-Antarctic regions, southern South Island continental shelf, northeast North Island coast, East Cape, and the Kermadec, Lau-Colville, and Macquarie Ridges. These findings provide critical insights for marine spatial planning, emphasizing the importance of robust modelling techniques when systematic sampling is limited.

Spatial patterns and ecological drivers of tropical moist forest transitions in the Kahuzi Biega National Park landscape eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Kahuzi-Biega National Park — 2025 — WHE82393E05E7

Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) has experienced significant tropical moist forest loss and degradation since 1990, driven by civil unrest and human activities. The study reveals that stable undisturbed tropical moist forest (UTMF) persists in homogeneous landscapes with large, contiguous patches, while degradation is concentrated at low altitudes near roads and deforestation occurs more frequently at higher altitudes close to burn scars. Secondary-forest regrowth is predominantly found in remote, inaccessible areas. Using 30-m resolution Landsat land-cover maps and field observations, researchers constructed a 33-year transition matrix to analyze ten common pathways of forest change, assessing spatial metrics such as patch density, edge length, and proximity to human disturbances. Logistic regression identified key ecological drivers, highlighting priority conservation hotspots where reinforcing measures could mitigate further loss.

Spatial Structure and Dynamics of the Seasonal Migration of Passerines (Passeriformes, Aves) on the Putorana Plateau, Siberia

Putorana Plateau — 2025 — WHE664612CA24

Seasonal migration of passerine birds on the Putorana Plateau, Siberia, follows distinct spatial and temporal patterns. Birds migrate along river or lake edges, with spring migration occurring from late May to mid-June (8–17 days) and autumn migration spanning late July to late August (14–31 days). The study reveals that 70–80% of individuals pass through within a shorter interval, with population density peaking in the south. Migration intensity is higher on colder days and follows a wave-like pattern, with 1–4 waves per season. Spring migration dynamics vary annually among related species, while autumn migration shows no synchronization. The research used route-counting methods on transects to analyze these patterns.

Spatially explicit camera trap‐based lion monitoring in Tanzania's Selous–Nyerere landscape

Selous Game Reserve — 2025 — WHE792F1C6CAA

Lion population densities in Tanzania's Selous–Nyerere landscape vary significantly, ranging from as low as 0.33 lions per 100 km² in the dry eastern Miguruwe sector of Selous Game Reserve to a high of 6.27 individuals per 100 km² in the prey-rich lakes area of Matambwe sector within Nyerere National Park. This variation is primarily driven by prey availability, which is closely tied to miombo woodland productivity. However, anthropogenic pressures, particularly near boundaries, appear to be negatively impacting lion densities. The study employed spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) modeling using camera trap data from seven sites across the landscape, demonstrating the effectiveness of this method for monitoring lion populations in remote areas. This approach not only provides insights into lion population dynamics but also offers a foundation for sustainable conservation strategies and evidence-based management decisions.

Spatio-Temporal and Bathymetric Variability in the Intensity of Crassostrea tulipa Spat Collection in the Village of Niodior (Saloum Delta, Senegal)

Saloum Delta — 2025 — WHE639E5BB134

Spat collection of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea tulipa is significantly more intense during the rainy season and is optimized by alternately submerged collectors, which yield up to 53 spats per cup compared to just 2 for permanently submerged ones. This enhanced collection rate is attributed to reduced predation and marine fouling due to exposure at low tide. The study, conducted in the Saloum Delta (Senegal) over a year, also found that site-specific bathymetric conditions influence spat collection, with Baobab Rasta performing better for permanently submerged collectors, while Akat proved superior for alternately submerged ones. These findings highlight the potential for modernizing oyster farming techniques in Senegal and West Africa to mitigate overexploitation of natural stocks.

Spatio-temporal disturbances of the Earth’s magnetic field along the Struve Geodetic Arc

Struve Geodetic Arc — 2025 — WHEC7E3DF6ED2

A strong correlation exists between the amplitude of external geomagnetic field variations and the Earth's main magnetic field (BIGRF), with R² values exceeding 0.96, indicating that ionospheric currents are significantly influenced by both the core field and regional magnetic anomalies. The study analyzed a 2024 magnetic storm along the Struve Geodetic Arc, using data from seven observatories to map induction modules at 5 km and 100 km altitudes. Findings revealed that storm intensity increases with latitude, peaking at Pello due to localized anomalous fields (over 90 nT at 100 km), while Mikkelvik experienced minimal disturbances. The research also noted a southern shift in the 2024 storm's maximum compared to a 2003 event, attributed to BIGRF variations of 830–930 nT.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of grassland ecosystem services and the segmentation effects of their drivers: A case in South China Karst

South China Karst — 2025 — WHE085592EDEA

Despite a 4.36% decline in grassland area within the South China Karst region from 2000 to 2020, ecosystem services (ES) showed significant improvement, with 73.52% of counties exhibiting an elasticity index exceeding 1. This study quantified grassland ES and its sensitivity to area changes using spatio-temporal analysis and quantile regression models, revealing segmented effects of drivers—particularly socio-economic factors—on ES dynamics. The findings highlight a counterintuitive trend where grassland degradation did not correlate with reduced ES supply capacity, offering critical insights for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030). This research advances understanding of grassland ES resilience in karst regions and informs targeted restoration strategies.

Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Susceptibility Assessment of Thaw Slumps Associated with Climate Change in the Hoh Xil Region, in the Hinterland of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Qinghai Hoh Xil — 2025 — WHE6346482996

A threefold increase in the number and twofold expansion in the total area of thaw slumps have been observed in the Hoh Xil region, part of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, between 1968 and 2019. This rapid degradation of permafrost, driven by climate change, highlights significant environmental risks, including potential large-scale landslides and debris flows. Researchers assessed thaw slump susceptibility using data from three periods (1968–1970, 2006–2009, and 2018–2019) combined with field surveys. Findings indicate that approximately 26% of the region is very highly susceptible to thaw slumping, while 36% is highly susceptible. The study also projects future thaw slump occurrences, ranging from 41 to 405 annually, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive risk assessments across the plateau.

Spatio-temporal monitoring of the microsurface modification in artworks under environmental forcing

City of Verona — 2025 — WHEFECABF6620

A novel approach to monitoring microsurface modifications in artworks under environmental forcing reveals that climate-induced variations dynamically interact with surface topography at multiple scales, leading to cumulative effects. This study introduces a spectral-based technique using power spectral density functions to analyze surface height datasets, providing deeper insights into the contribution of different spatial wavelengths to texture signals. Two case studies demonstrate its application: one examining long-term artificial microclimate changes on bronze mock-ups and another assessing the impact of sudden environmental shifts on an 11th-century parchment from Verona's Capitolare Library. The findings underscore the potential of advanced surface metrology in heritage science, offering a more nuanced understanding of how environmental factors affect artworks at the micrometer scale.

Spatio-temporal variation in the distribution of great apes in the Dja-Ngoyla Complex in Cameroon, and implications for conservation

Dja Faunal Reserve — 2025 — WHEF1E9AE8832

A recent study estimates that the Dja-Ngoyla Complex in Cameroon, a critical part of the Tri National Dja-Odzala-Minkébé (TRIDOM) landscape, supports approximately 11,787 great apes, including chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas. The research, conducted through 1,096.64 km of line transects using the standing-crop nest counts method in 2021, reveals that chimpanzee abundance is significantly higher in Dja Faunal Reserve, while Ngoyla-Mintom holds 71% of the gorilla population. Notably, logging concessions within the complex harbor 37% of gorillas and 17% of chimpanzees, with those under management certification schemes showing higher great ape densities. The study also underscores the potential isolation risk for Dja's great ape population and emphasizes the urgent need for forest management certification to bolster wildlife protection across all concessions in the complex.