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Climatic niche modelling and genetic analyses highlight conservation priorities for the Spotted Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus variegatus)

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park — 2024 — WHEFC062B1230

A critical conservation priority for the Spotted Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus variegatus) has been identified, with Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam emerging as a key stronghold due to its large suitable habitat and high probability of species occurrence. This finding, derived from combined climatic niche modelling and genetic analyses, underscores the urgent need for conservation action across central Vietnamese provinces (Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue) and adjacent protected areas like Vu Quang National Park and Song Thanh and Ke Go Nature Reserves. While the species likely extends into Laos, sharp declines in suitability near the border suggest significant natural barriers. Despite these insights, current protection efforts are insufficient, with no confirmed records from existing reserves, necessitating expanded or new conservation measures. The study also advocates for IUCN's One Plan Approach, including breeding programs to restore populations, highlighting a path forward for this Critically Endangered species.

Cloning Cellulase Genes from Victoria Falls Rainforest Decaying Logs Metagenome

Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls — 2024 — WHE4D26CF4791

Researchers have identified a highly efficient cellulase-producing microorganism from the metagenome of decaying logs in Victoria Falls rainforest, showcasing the site's potential for enzyme bioprospecting. The study employed degenerate primers to amplify cellulase genes and functional screening to isolate Clone-i, which demonstrated optimal enzyme activity at 50°C and pH 5 after 72 hours. Notably, Clone-i produced 80% more exoglucanases than endoglucanases, highlighting its potential for industrial applications. This discovery underscores the value of metagenomics in exploring microbial diversity and biomass degradation in protected ecosystems.

Coleus hakgalensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from Sri Lanka

Central Highlands of Sri Lanka — 2024 — WHE49817CB1B7

Researchers have identified Coleus hakgalensis, a new species of plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, discovered in Sri Lanka's central highlands. This discovery is significant as it adds to the region's biodiversity and highlights the importance of its unique ecosystems. The species is morphologically distinct from its close relative, Coleus paniculatus, with notable features including an arcuate-branched habit, elongated inflorescence, and specific characteristics in its calyx and corolla. Due to its high risk of extinction in the wild, conservation efforts are already underway, emphasizing the urgency of protecting this newly identified species.

Collaborative methods identify a remote global diversity hotspot of threatened, large‐bodied rhino rays

Ningaloo Coast — 2024 — WHE6DF9978994

The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area and adjacent Exmouth Gulf emerge as a critical global refuge for threatened large-bodied rhino rays, including all four species of sawfish found in Australia. This discovery stems from an analysis of 2,343 records, compiled through collaborative methods involving commercial fishing reports (35%), citizen science initiatives (34%), targeted scientific surveys (30%), and published literature (1%). The region supports diverse ray species at various life stages, with green sawfish being the most frequently encountered. Notably, the Exmouth Gulf serves as a significant pupping area for this species. The study underscores the importance of integrating multiple data sources to identify and protect such biodiversity hotspots, providing essential insights for conservation strategies and global initiatives.

Collecting, Curating, and Remembering in the Cathedral of Seville

Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville — 2024 — WHEE84589FE62

Two singular manuscripts, the Libro Blanco and Libro de Dotaciones, from the Cathedral of Seville, were found to serve as a compact unit of information during a pivotal period in the Church's history. These diplomatic codices, created in the early 15th century, played a crucial role in reorganizing the economic and historical memory of the institution, paralleling the transformation of the old mosque-cathedral into a new Gothic church. The manuscripts were part of a massive project to contain, organize, and perpetuate vast amounts of information extracted from original documents in the Cathedral Archive. Every aspect of their material composition—parchment, format, text layout, writing—was meticulously defined to create a portable archive that ensured the longevity of historical memory.

Collection of The Sangiran Early Men Site Museum and Cultural Heritage Unit as a Learning Resource for Evolution Materials in Indonesian High School Curriculum

Sangiran Early Man Site — 2024 — WHEF899196061

The Sangiran Early Man Site Museum, housing 115 biological collections with 65 directly relevant to evolutionary material, emerges as a valuable educational resource for Indonesian high school biology curricula. This study demonstrates that the museum's diverse fossil and artifact collection aligns well with the learning needs of senior secondary students (Class XII SMA or equivalent), providing authentic, hands-on materials to support evolution education. The research employed an exploratory approach, mapping both student learning requirements and the museum's holdings to identify correspondences. Findings suggest strong potential for integrating Sangiran's collections into classroom teaching, enhancing the delivery of evolutionary concepts through tangible, locally significant examples.

Collective Memory and Memory-Making within the Mapungubwe and Makgabeng Heritage Landscapes: Indigenous Voices Amongst the Sotho- and Venda- Speaking Groups of Southern Africa

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape — 2024 — WHE1CB0F95C5D

Indigenous voices significantly enrich the understanding and management of cultural heritage, particularly in the Mapungubwe and Makgabeng Cultural Landscapes. This research reveals that indigenous groups employ a multifaceted approach to heritage identification, interpretation, and evaluation, utilizing physical site manifestations, ethnographic inquiry, oral history, spirit mediums, landscape memory, genealogy, and praise poetry. These practices, rooted in collective memory and ritual, offer deeper insights into the intangible aspects of archaeological heritage that are often overlooked by state-based management systems influenced by colonial and apartheid legacies. The study proposes a more inclusive archaeology and heritage management approach, advocating for the involvement of indigenous groups in all stages of heritage presentation to better capture the African past.

Colonial Legacies in Urban Landscapes: A Comparative Analysis of Santo Domingo and Oaxaca

Colonial City of Santo Domingo — 2024 — WHEB4152DDB67

Colonial planning paradigms persist in shaping urban landscapes and spatial hierarchies in Latin American heritage cities, contributing to contemporary issues such as gentrification, infrastructural inequality, and symbolic dispossession. A comparative analysis of Santo Domingo and Oaxaca reveals distinct yet interconnected colonial trajectories: Santo Domingo exemplifies a fortified, centralized model, while Oaxaca demonstrates a more permeable and negotiated urban form shaped by mestizaje and indigenous resilience. Both cities, however, remain structured by exclusionary spatial regimes. The study advocates for a decolonial urban approach that interrogates these continuities, reclaims urban memory, and prioritizes spatial justice and community agency to reshape Latin American cities.

Coloniality of power and the imaginaries of tourism in Victoria Falls

Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls — 2024 — WHE724D3F3BD7

A study reveals that the tourism industry at Victoria Falls remains unevenly structured along racial and colonial lines, with foreign and white-owned businesses capturing the majority of value despite Zimbabwe's post-colonial status. The research integrates Global Value Chain (GVC) analysis with theories of 'coloniality of power' to demonstrate how historical racial dynamics persist in modern tourism value chains. It proposes a framework for decolonizing these systems to foster equity, offering pathways for transforming tourism in post-colonial contexts. This approach highlights the enduring impact of colonial legacies on economic participation and value distribution.

Combined uranium-series and electron spin resonance dating from the Pliocene fossil sites of Aves and Milo’s palaeocaves, Bolt’s Farm, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — 2024 — WHE608A19E2CB

A groundbreaking study utilizing combined uranium-series and electron spin resonance (US-ESR) dating techniques has established the age of fossil sites at Bolt’s Farm, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa, providing critical insights into the Pliocene timeline. The research reveals that Aves Cave dates to between ~3.15 and 2.61 million years ago (Ma), while Milo’s Cave is dated to ~3.1–2.7 Ma, aligning with biochronological estimates based on fossilized species like Stage I Metridiochoerus andrewsi. Preliminary palaeomagnetic analysis further refines the age of Milo’s Cave to between ~3.03 and 3.11 Ma, reinforcing the absence of definitive deposits older than 3.2 Ma at Bolt’s Farm. The study demonstrates that US-ESR dating can reliably date fossil sites in this region beyond 3 million years, though bulk sample analysis is recommended for optimal accuracy.

Commemorating Polish history in the public spaces of county towns in autonomous Galicia (1861–1918)

Historic Centre of Kraków — 2024 — WHE0FCB96AA95

Public spaces in autonomous Galicia (1861–1918) were transformed through commemorative monuments, plaques, and historical naming of streets, squares, and parks, reinforcing Polish national identity. Unlike previous studies focused on Lviv and Kraków, this research expands the scope to all county towns, revealing how these less prominent but significant urban spaces shaped collective memory. Monuments and celebrations, often placed near churches or town halls, imposed a Polish narrative on history, fostering community cohesion while marginalizing other ethnic-religious groups. The study highlights the intangible impact of material commemorations in public space.

Common architectural characteristics of traditional courtyard houses in Erbil city

Erbil Citadel — 2024 — WHEBAB5008694

Traditional courtyard houses in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, predominantly feature three-sided courtyards, wooden doors, traditional windows, arches, and brick ornamentation as their most common architectural elements. These characteristics not only define the spatial and mass organization of these structures but also reflect their adaptation to local climatic conditions. A qualitative inductive content analysis, utilizing drawings and photographs, revealed variations in house composition while identifying key architectural styles. The Erbil Citadel serves as a backdrop for this study, which highlights the enduring influence of traditional design on urban architecture.

Commoning the compact city: The role of old and new commons in urban development

Old City of Berne — 2024 — WHE465D1A4513

Densification of urban areas, often associated with market-driven development, can instead foster sustainable outcomes through processes of commoning. A study on the Old City of Berne, Switzerland, reveals that new commons—despite their transitional and unstable nature—play a pivotal role in shaping governance during urban redevelopment. These commons, unlike old commons, excel not in long-term resource management but in renegotiating institutional arrangements during critical transition phases, advancing socially-sustainable results. The research employs a new institutionalist approach, analyzing localized negotiations among actors in a cooperative housing and green space project. It underscores the potential of new commons to counteract enclosure and commodification when supported by public action.

Communication Strategies and Impacts of OIPR Tree Planting Initiative in the North-East of Ivory Coast for the Nature Conservation

Comoé National Park — 2024 — WHE9DB0473D85

A new study reveals that the Ivorian Office of Parks and Reserves (OIPR) has made significant strides in engaging local communities for environmental conservation through targeted communication strategies, particularly in Comoé National Park. The research, leveraging an integrated model for social change, demonstrates how OIPR's efforts have effectively promoted tree planting initiatives in the Bounkani region of Ivory Coast. By focusing on community involvement and education, OIPR has shown that strategic communication can drive sustainable development outcomes, offering a replicable model for nature conservation in similar contexts.

Communications Satellites

Jodrell Bank Observatory — 2024 — WHE9D87CD87BB

A pioneering experiment in 1964 demonstrated the feasibility of using passive communications satellites to relay signals between distant locations, marking a significant milestone in global telecommunications. The study, conducted collaboratively by the U.S., USSR, and the University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory, involved transmitting signals from Jodrell Bank to Zimenki, Russia, via the Echo 2 satellite. Despite limitations such as the satellite's programmed altitude precluding simultaneous visibility between the U.S. and USSR, the experiment successfully established long-distance communication links, paving the way for future advancements in satellite-based telecommunications.

Community engagement and human perception in crocodile conservation: preliminary steps in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Sian Ka'an — 2024 — WHECED7BE272D

A study on community engagement and human perception in crocodile conservation within Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, reveals that most local respondents (69%) dedicate 2–10 minutes to crocodile observation during wildlife tourism activities. The majority (97%) approach crocodiles at a safe distance of 5–10 meters without feeding them, while only 3% engage in potentially harmful practices like feeding. Despite this, 89% of respondents believe current observation practices are adequate, though workshops on crocodile biology and conservation were positively received, indicating a need for educational reinforcement. The research suggests that developing a communication program to educate both new and established tourism service providers could enhance conservation efforts and mitigate potential negative impacts on crocodile behavior.

Community Managed Heritage Sites In Protected Areas—Challenges and Opportunities Post-Covid-19: A Case Study Of Thingini Shrine In Mt. Kenya National Park Susan Mbuthia And Margaret Wangui Muriuki

Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest — 2024 — WHE8931B703A5

Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest mountain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, faces significant challenges in balancing cultural heritage preservation with sustainable economic development. A case study of Thingini Shrine, a sacred Kikuyu site within the protected landscape, reveals that while community management holds potential for tourism-driven growth, it is hindered by lack of formal guidelines, financial capital, and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. These gaps contribute to illegal poaching and logging, particularly of endangered species like the Mountain Bongo. The study highlights the need for coordinated collaboration among communities, government agencies, and NGOs to mobilize resources, improve market connectivity, and ensure sustainable heritage management post-Covid-19.

Community perceptions on wildfires in Mount Kenya forest: implications for fire preparedness and community wildfire management

Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest — 2024 — WHEC6B7DECC77

A widespread belief that burning forests brings rainfall significantly contributes to wildfire ignitions around Mount Kenya, contradicting previous assumptions that it was limited to specific tribes. This study, involving 55 respondents from 11 villages—mostly Community Forest Association members—reveals that honey harvesting (56%) and poaching (40%) are the primary perceived causes of wildfires. Despite this, communities strongly oppose prescribed burning and prefer converting debris into compost over clearing it to reduce fuel hazards. To enhance fire preparedness, the research highlights the need for improved firefighting training, resourcing, firebreak creation, and community engagement in fire management decisions, despite current limited involvement.

Comparative Analysis of Selected Metadata Standards for the Processing of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar — 2024 — WHEF8C93E06E3

A comparative analysis of metadata standards for processing intangible cultural heritage reveals that Dublin Core and MODS are the most suitable for digital preservation, offering detailed descriptions and high interoperability. These standards facilitate better organization, management, and global accessibility of digital objects, as demonstrated through their application to the Jumps from the Old Bridge in Mostar—a UNESCO-listed intangible heritage element. Unlike other standards, Dublin Core and MODS include elements that enable rich XML-based descriptions while maintaining simplicity and broad acceptance. This research represents the first comparative analysis of its kind, underscoring the critical role of metadata standards in preserving Bosnia and Herzegovina's intangible cultural heritage for future generations.

Comparative Analysis of the Use of Natural Light in the Medieval Period Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Anatolia

Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia — 2024 — WHEF987A97325

A comparative analysis of natural light use in five medieval wooden hypostyle mosques—Afyonkarahisar Great Mosque, Ankara Arslanhane Mosque, Kastamonu Mahmut Bey Mosque, Beyşehir Eşrefoğlu Mosque, and Sivrihisar Great Mosque—reveals distinct spatial atmospheres shaped by functional, sacred, and poetic light types. Functional light dominates in three mosques, emphasizing utility, while sacred and poetic light create spiritually evocative or aesthetically refined interiors in the remaining two. The study, focusing on UNESCO-listed sites, evaluates light distribution, duration, function, focus, and quality to demonstrate how design choices influence perceptual experiences in religious spaces.