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Publications

Showing 29621 – 29640 of 30315 publications

Earthquakes and civilizations of the Indus Valley: A challenge for archaeoseismology

Dholavira: a Harappan City — 2010 — WHE4B0ACDB609

Research reveals that ancient civilizations along the Indus River Valley, including Harappan sites like Dholavira, were significantly impacted by earthquakes linked to tectonic plate collisions. The study highlights seismoarchaeological indicators such as repeated reconstructions, direct faulting, river damming due to seismic uplift, and coastal elevation changes, which provide evidence of past earthquake effects. By analyzing historical large-magnitude events in the region, the research emphasizes the need for future investigations to integrate seismological and tectonic perspectives rather than relying on serendipity.

Ecogeographical variation in the Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus)

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands — 2010 — WHED8F5D9CA1B

Southern Giant Petrels (Macronectes giganteus) exhibit significant ecogeographical variation across their range, from New Zealand to the Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions. Six distinct breeding provinces were identified, confirming two recognized subspecies: M. g. giganteus and M. g. solanderi. The latter is characterized by smaller body parts compared to the former. Morphological differences include variations in bill depth and tarsus length, with birds from Gough Island displaying the longest tarsi. Additionally, an east-to-west cline shows a gradual decrease in body size, consistent with Allen’s rule. While M. g. giganteus exhibits morphological polymorphism, M. g. solanderi shows less biometric variability, suggesting potential for taxonomic differentiation. This study underscores the need for further morphometric and genetic research to clarify the taxon's classification.

Ecological investigation of Dall sheep (Ovis dalli dalli, Nelson) and their habitat on Sheep Mountain, Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory, Canada

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek — 2010 — WHE797CE806EB

A stable population of approximately 200 Dall sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) on Sheep Mountain, Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory, Canada, was observed from 1969 to 1973. The study revealed detailed population dynamics, including natality and mortality rates, sex ratios, and productivity, while also analyzing the sheep's range use patterns and forage selection across different biogeoclimatic zones. Environmental variables such as temperature, wind, and snow depth were found to influence sheep behavior. A population structure model was developed, providing valuable insights for sustainable management practices, including calculating allowable harvests. The research combined geographical, geological, glaciological, and phytosociological data with detailed demographic analysis.

Ecological status and role of the Mfolozi–Msunduzi estuarine system within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site on the south-east coast of South Africa

iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park — 2010 — WHE05278C3FD4

The Mfolozi–Msunduzi estuarine system, part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Parkhas undergone significant anthropogenic changes that separated it from the St Lucia Estuary. This study reveals the current ecological status of key faunal groups (zooplankton, benthos, and fish) in this system, which has faced severe stress due to decreased rainfall and prolonged closure of the St Lucia mouth. The research highlights potential management strategies for reconnecting the systems, including re-establishing sediment-filtering swamps and constructing levees, while expressing concerns about potential adverse effects. This is one of the first comprehensive studies on this estuarine system, providing critical insights for its conservation and management.

Ecology & Wonder in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site

Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks — 2010 — WHE8B7B1FD22B

The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site is celebrated for its ecological diversity and natural wonders, with notable features such as Cave and Basin, Chaba Imne (lake), and the region's unique climate. This study highlights the intricate relationships between geological formations, aquatic ecosystems, and climatic conditions that define the area's biodiversity. The research approach integrates field observations, ecological mapping, and climate analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of the site's environmental dynamics. Emphasis is placed on the interplay between physical landscapes—such as cave systems—and their biological significance, offering insights into the conservation of this globally significant region.

Economic Development in the Shadow of Angkor Wat: Meaning, Legitimation, and Myth

Angkor — 2010 — WHE5EDCDD6EF7

Contemporary economic development in Siem Reap, Cambodia, remains influenced by external perspectives on the meaning of Angkor Wat, despite its historical significance spanning ancient Khmer, colonial, and postcolonial eras. The study introduces a framework rooted in Roland Barthes' and Jean Baudrillard's theories to analyze four sources of value—use, exchange, symbol, and myth—that shape the site's valuation. It reveals how these values have evolved over time but persistently impact local development strategies. The research argues for a shift toward locally informed perspectives to redefine Angkor's role in economic planning, moving beyond legacy narratives.

Economic Valuation of Cultural Heritage: Application to a museum located in the Alto Douro Wine Region World Heritage Site

Alto Douro Wine Region — 2010 — WHE1F4F301095

A museum's cultural value within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alto Douro Wine Region is positively influenced by visitors' educational level and gender, while negatively affected by travel costs. This insight emerged from applying the travel cost method—a non-market valuation technique—to analyze demand for the Museum of Lamego. Researchers used a Poisson model to quantify these relationships, revealing that higher education and female visitors are more likely to engage with cultural heritage, whereas travel expenses deter participation. The study underscores the importance of indirect economic valuation methods in assessing intangible assets like museums, which lack market transactions but drive territorial development through spillover effects.

Économie souterraine et guerre des gangs sur les Grands Causses à la fin du Néolithique

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2010 — WHEF77527F05E

A hidden economy thrived beneath the karst landscapes of the Grands Causses during the late Neolithic, revealing sophisticated underground resource exploitation. This study identifies a network of subterranean activities—water sourcing, clay and calcite extraction—that sustained human populations despite geographical constraints. Geomorphological analysis demonstrates how these practices were adapted to local conditions, yet their cultural significance remains elusive due to the region's complex socio-cultural context. The research challenges traditional chronocultural frameworks by highlighting the dynamic interplay between subsistence needs and landscape use in a period marked by cultural diversity.

Ecotourism as Environmental Justice? Discourse and the Politics of Scale in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, India

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks — 2010 — WHE0F3C9DC7BF

Ecotourism can serve as a means for environmental justice, providing local communities with both economic opportunities and a platform to challenge exclusionary practices within mainstream environmental movements. This study demonstrates that by framing their struggles through ecotourism discourse, local people in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve were able to engage with broader environmental efforts while addressing social injustices. The research employs discourse analysis and examines the politics of scale to argue for an expanded notion of environmental justice that accounts for global resource rights movements. It highlights how a focus on social justice within ecotourism can offer viable livelihoods while critiquing biocentric biases in conservation practices.

Ecotourism: The Modern Predator? Implications of Gorilla Tourism on Local Livelihoods in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — 2010 — WHE014A43847D

Ecotourism, often hailed as a tool for conservation and local development, may instead perpetuate poverty and dependency in nearby communities. A study analyzing gorilla tourism's impact on rural villagers adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, reveals that the commodification of wilderness for foreign visitors shifts control to international organizations, creating new forms of vulnerability rather than alleviating hardship. Through a year of ethnographic fieldwork, the research exposes how ecotourism's 'new' relations between people and parks often reinforce existing power imbalances.

Ectomycorrhizal fungal communities on seedlings and conspecific trees of Pinus mugo grown on the coastal dunes of the Curonian Spit in Lithuania

Curonian Spit — 2010 — WHE0C0ABCE622

A study on the Curonian Spit, Lithuania, reveals that Pinus mugo, a non-native tree species thriving in harsh coastal dunes, forms ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations with a low but consistent fungal diversity. Molecular analysis identified 12 ECM taxa across three study sites, with Cenococcum geophilum dominating both seedlings and mature trees, though more abundantly on seedlings. Shannon's diversity indices indicated slightly higher diversity in mature trees. While mycorrhizal communities were similar across sites, subtle differences emerged between seedlings and mature trees. The study also highlighted discrepancies between below-ground ECM diversity and aboveground fruiting body surveys, emphasizing the need for comprehensive sampling methods to accurately assess fungal symbionts. These findings suggest P. mugo's adaptability in distinct habitats, supported by a stable suite of ECM symbionts that facilitate growth and natural regeneration.

Effect of tidal flat on seawater temperature variation in the southwest coast of Korea

Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats — 2010 — WHEA755C7B34E

Seawater temperature near macrotidal flats exhibits distinct semidiurnal variations, with ranges of 2–4°C during clear spring days. A developed model verified that heat exchange between shallow seawater zones and tidal flats significantly alters seawater temperature, regardless of season. Heat content changes can reach up to 581 J m−3 s−1 (0.5°C h−1). The study found maximum heat gain from the tidal flat (835 W m−2) in June 2004 and minimum heat loss to it (316 W m−2) in February 2004, highlighting seasonal dynamics of thermal energy exchange in these ecosystems.

Effectiveness of Scat‐Detection Dogs in Determining Species Presence in a Tropical Savanna Landscape

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2010 — WHED44569CA68

Scat-detection dogs proved highly effective in identifying the presence of five threatened mammal species—maned wolves, pumas, jaguars, giant anteaters, and giant armadillos—in the tropical savanna landscape surrounding Emas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate. The study demonstrated that these canines could reliably detect scat across different seasons, years, and survey team compositions, with detection probabilities varying by species but remaining consistent in methodology. Notably, maned wolves showed the highest occurrence probability (0.91), while jaguars were least detected (0.14), primarily due to their preference for forested areas within the park. The research also revealed that giant armadillos thrived in open grasslands inside the park but shifted to riparian woodlands in agricultural zones. This approach offers a scalable, non-invasive tool for monitoring wide-ranging species even in fragmented habitats, with potential applications beyond the Cerrado ecosystem.

Effects of a Severe Frost on Riparian Rainforest Restoration in the Australian Wet Tropics: Foliage Retention by Species and the Role of Forest Shelter

Wet Tropics of Queensland — 2010 — WHEDD285ADF2A

A severe frost event on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Australia, in 2007 revealed significant variation in frost resistance among riparian rainforest species, with some species showing high foliage retention while others suffered extensive damage. The study found that species from riparian habitats and a conifer were particularly frost-resistant, while deciduous species may survive frost by shedding leaves. Plant height above ground level had only a weak correlation to frost impacts, but plants under shelterbelts of mature trees experienced significantly less damage than unsheltered conspecifics. These findings suggest that forest shelter can be used as an effective mitigation strategy for frost impacts in restoration efforts, guiding the development of resilient ecological communities in frost-prone areas.

Effects of artificial lights and moonlight on petrels at St Kilda

St Kilda — 2010 — WHE6E9FCB395A

Artificial lights at St Kilda attract petrels, particularly when moonlight is scarce, but deliberate light reduction measures significantly decrease this attraction and its negative impacts. The study found that while reductions in artificial lighting effectively lowered the number of Leach's Storm-petrels drawn to lights, their effect on Manx Shearwaters was less pronounced. Mortality rates were extremely low, with only juveniles affected, primarily after nights with minimal moonlight. Although the overall numbers of petrels attracted were small compared to breeding populations, light reduction measures remained beneficial in preventing disorientation and grounding during fledging periods. This phenomenon is rare in other UK breeding areas, highlighting St Kilda's unique vulnerability.

Effects of microclimate, litter type, and mesh size on leaf litter decomposition along an elevation gradient in the Wuyi Mountains, China

Mount Wuyi — 2010 — WHEA962B99B52

Litter decomposition rates vary significantly along elevation gradients, influenced by microclimate conditions and litter type. The study found that leaf litter from Castanopsis carlesii decomposed faster than Pinus taiwanensis at lower elevations (evergreen broadleaf forest, coniferous forest, and dwarf forest), where warm and humid conditions favor decomposer activity. However, decomposition rates were similar for both species in alpine meadows, suggesting microclimate plays a crucial role. Restricting access to detritivores via mesh bags also slowed decomposition, highlighting the importance of soil fauna in litter breakdown. These findings underscore how temperature, moisture, and ecosystem structure interact to regulate decomposition processes in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Mount Wuyi.

Effects of seagulls on ecosystem respiration, soil nitrogen and vegetation cover on a pristine volcanic island, Surtsey, Iceland

Surtsey — 2010 — WHEF69B8F7AFC

Seagull colonization on Surtsey, Iceland, dramatically enhances ecosystem respiration and vegetation development. The study found that gull nests significantly increase soil nitrogen—primarily deposited by the birds—which boosts ecosystem activity to levels comparable to drained wetlands or agricultural fields in Iceland. Within the gull colony, ecosystem respiration was 59 times higher than outside it, with a temperature sensitivity (Q10 value) of 5.3. These effects were linked to increased soil carbon and nitrogen, reduced pH, and cooler soil temperatures. The research highlights how animal-mediated resource transfer can accelerate ecosystem formation on volcanic islands.

Effects of Trophy Hunting on Lion and Leopard Populations in Tanzania

Selous Game Reserve — 2010 — WHE59A87A3C43

A study analyzing trophy hunting impacts on lion and leopard populations in Tanzania reveals that unsustainable harvest rates are driving declines, particularly in high-hunting regions. Lion harvests dropped by 50% between 1996 and 2008, with hunting intensity being the sole significant factor affecting population trends. Leopard harvests, though more stable, also declined in areas with the highest initial removals. Researchers recommend strict quotas—0.5 lions and 1 leopard per 1,000 km² for most regions, except the Selous Game Reserve, where higher limits (1 lion and 3 leopards) are suggested due to its unique conditions. The findings highlight the need for sustainable management strategies amid growing human-wildlife conflict and habitat loss.

Efficient, large‐scale archaeological prospection using a true three‐dimensional ground‐penetrating Radar Array system

Birka and Hovgården — 2010 — WHE650BE38761

A ground-penetrating radar (GPR) array system demonstrated the capability to conduct high-resolution, large-scale archaeological surveys at unprecedented speed and resolution. The true three-dimensional MIRA system surveyed 1 hectare or more per day with an 8 cm cross-line spacing, revealing fine details such as postholes of only 25 cm diameter at Birka, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in Sweden. This pilot study, conducted in collaboration with the Swedish National Heritage Board, showcased the potential of advanced GPR technology for efficient and detailed archaeological prospection at complex Scandinavian sites.

El Cerro de Potosí y el Dios Pachacámac

City of Potosí — 2010 — WHE601792C679

The Cerro de Potosí, revered as the most significant sanctuary of its region, was hidden from Spanish colonizers due to its sacred status dedicated to the deity Pachacámac. Historical testimonies, including those by Arzans de Orsúa y Vela (1736) and traditions near the Salar de Uyuni, affirm that this 'Apu' or mountain lord was associated with Pachacámac, a god of the subterranean world. Archaeological evidence, such as a 16th-century sacrifice at Lake Titicaca, further supports the presence of this deity in the Collasuyo region. The study highlights how the Inca later introduced solar worship, while Spanish colonizers reinterpreted the Cerro as an embodiment of the Virgin Mary, linking it to Pachamama or Mother Earth.