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Estudo da Amenidade Térmica Proporcionada Pela Reserva Ecológica de Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE (Study of Thermal Amenity Provided by the Ecological Reserve of Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE)

Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves — 2011 — WHE6E80C9C29E

Urbanization significantly impacts thermal comfort, with green spaces offering substantial climate regulation. A study of the Ecological Reserve of Dois Irmãos in Recife, Brazil, found a 5°C difference in temperature between urbanized areas and the forest reserve, alongside a 20% increase in humidity within the green space. The research compared microclimatic conditions—temperature, humidity, and wind speed—across urban, edge, and interior zones of the reserve using strategically positioned measurement points. Results underscored the critical role of urban forests in mitigating heat stress, improving air quality, and enhancing thermal comfort for city dwellers. Preservation of such green areas is highlighted as essential for both climate adaptation and public well-being.

Ethiopian Art

Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela — 2011 — WHE0C5EE6B266

Ethiopian art, particularly the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, showcases a unique blend of architectural and artistic influences. These churches, carved from solid rock during the Zagwe dynasty (1137–1270), exhibit distinct features such as cruciform designs, arcades on pillars, and intricate sculptures like those in Golgotha church, depicting saints and evangelical symbols. The study highlights a transition in architectural styles and artistic influences over time, from Axumite structures to more complex forms with Syrian and Egyptian iconography. Additionally, it notes the emergence of Western influences by the 15th century and the prevalence of illustrated magic scrolls (asmat or talsam) adorned with protective prayers and geometric designs. The research underscores Lalibela's significance as a testament to Ethiopia's rich cultural and religious heritage.

Evaluation of nutrient flux from Shiretoko into the ocean using MRI-GCM

Shiretoko — 2011 — WHEBAAE279577

Researchers found that rainfall intensity, particularly its standard deviation, significantly controls nutrient flux from Shiretoko's inland areas to the coast. This discovery highlights a key factor influencing coastal ecological systems. To estimate future nutrient supply, the study used bias-corrected data from the Meteorological Research Institute Global Climate Model (MRI-GCM), which aligns well with observed rainfall data. A synthetic generation technique produced hourly rainfall data, crucial for assessing nutrient dynamics in Shiretoko's river basins. The findings suggest that nonlinearity in rainfall intensity strengthens its impact on nutrient flux, providing critical insights for understanding coastal nutrient cycles.

Evolution and biogeography of the flora of the Socotra archipelago (Yemen)

Socotra Archipelago — 2011 — WHE2175C5551A

The Socotra Archipelago, an isolated continental fragment in the Western Indian Ocean, exhibits remarkable floristic diversity and endemism shaped by at least 18 million years of isolation. Despite its significance as a unique biogeographical system—often likened to the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean—it remains understudied. This research reveals that Socotra's flora has undergone significant local adaptations and radiations, providing key insights into island biogeography. By analyzing origins, affinities, disjunctions, and environmental influences, the study elucidates the evolutionary processes contributing to its distinct biodiversity. The findings highlight Socotra as a critical case study for understanding long-term isolation and ecological specialization in island ecosystems.

Extinction Risk Assessments at the Species Level: National Red List Status of Endemic Wild Cinnamon Species in Sri Lanka

Sinharaja Forest Reserve — 2011 — WHE6AA2958E42

Among the seven endemic wild cinnamon species in Sri Lanka, three are classified as Threatened (Cinnamomum litseaefolium, C. rivulorum, and C. sinharajaense), two as Highly Threatened (C. capparucoronde and C. citriodorum), one as Indeterminate (C. ovalifolium), and only C. dubium as Not Threatened. This assessment, based on eco-geographical surveys, herbarium data, and potential distribution modeling using DIVA-GIS, highlights critical threats including habitat destruction, urbanization, and unsustainable agriculture. The study underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these ecologically and economically valuable species, particularly those endemic to Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

Firescape ecology: how topography determines the contrasting distribution of fire and rain forest in the south-west of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2011 — WHE88AF698D95

Rain forest distribution in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is strongly influenced by topography, with these ecosystems predominantly found in valleys and steep south-facing slopes—areas less prone to fire. This study reveals that rain forests occupy topographic 'fire refugia,' where fires are least likely to burn, while highly flammable moorlands dominate flats, ridges, and north-facing slopes. Using geospatial statistics and satellite imagery, researchers mapped large-scale fires (>40,000 ha) to demonstrate how vegetation types interact with topography to shape fire patterns. The findings support a hierarchy of fire frequency (moorland > scrub > wet sclerophyll > rain forest), suggesting that fire-topography interactions play a critical role in maintaining vegetation mosaics in fire-prone landscapes. This insight challenges traditional models by emphasizing the antagonism between fire and rain forest, offering implications for understanding stable vegetation states in similar ecosystems.

First to third nature: the rise of capitalist conservation on Palawan Island, the Philippines

Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park — 2011 — WHED88A19E21D

Capitalist conservation is accelerating agrarian change and commodifying nature at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The study reveals how translocal capitalist pressures revalue rural lands and ecosystems as marketable assets to finance development, transforming shared resources into capital under the guise of conservation. Using the concepts of 'first' and 'third nature,' it demonstrates that resource partitioning, objectification, and commodification have intensified differentiation among rural communities, driven by private investments that align with modern Philippine ideals. While this process revalues nature in market terms, its effects remain recursive and context-dependent, blending conservation and development in partial ways.

Floristic composition and structure of the dry Afromontane forest at Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Bale Mountains National Park — 2011 — WHE42F1105947

Excessive cutting of ecologically, economically, and medically important tree species has been identified as a significant threat to the Dry Afromontane Forest in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. The study, conducted between July 2003 and June 2004 across three sites (Adelle, Boditi, and Gaysay) at altitudes ranging from 3010 to 3410 meters, documented 230 species belonging to 58 families. Analysis revealed five homogeneous vegetation clusters, with tree densities of 766 and 458 individuals per hectare in Adelle and Boditi forests, respectively. Juniperus procera and Hagenia abyssinica contributed significantly to the basal area, accounting for 43% and 57%, respectively. The study highlighted that both Adelle and Boditi forests are at an early secondary stage of development, with clear evidence of selective logging impacting population structures.

Forts and Landscape on the Southwest Border of Roman Dacia

Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia — 2011 — WHE605ED33F17

A comprehensive survey of the southwest border of Roman Dacia reveals significant insights into the landscape and strategic placement of Roman forts. Researchers from Babeş-Bolyai University employed advanced methods to record GPS coordinates, fort characteristics, and landscape features, providing detailed maps and textual analysis. This study enhances our understanding of the Roman Empire's frontier dynamics in Dacia, offering a nuanced perspective on how these structures integrated with their surrounding environment.

From pseudo‐3D to full‐resolution GPR imaging of a complex Roman site

Roman Walls of Lugo — 2011 — WHE24FF1D8ED4

A high-resolution ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey of the Roman Walls of Lugo, Spain, revealed intricate details of a Roman villa previously obscured by a pseudo-3D imaging strategy. The study demonstrated that ultra-dense grid data acquisition—with GPR lines spaced just 0.1 meters apart—could capture fine structures such as walls, apses, and chambers with unprecedented clarity. Initial surveys in May 2007 used a more spaced grid (0.5 m), which only identified broad areas of interest. A follow-up survey in July 2008, focusing on a smaller area with ultra-dense sampling, uncovered the villa's full architectural complexity. This case highlights how advanced GPR techniques can significantly enhance archaeological interpretations in complex semi-urban environments.

Geophysical prospection of a bronze foundry on the southern slope of the acropolis at athens, Greece

Acropolis, Athens — 2011 — WHE6AB641D254

A geophysical survey of the Acropolis's southern slope in Athens, Greece, has uncovered evidence of additional bronze production pits, shedding new light on ancient manufacturing processes. The study, conducted in 2010, employed magnetometry (MAG), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to map subsurface anomalies. Two major pits were identified: one previously excavated, whose extent was outlined, and another newly detected oval-shaped pit measuring 8–10 meters in length, 2–3 meters in width, and 2.5 meters deep, featuring steep vertical walls and possible entrances. Virtual models generated from LiDAR scans of the excavated pit aided interpretation, confirming the new pit as part of a bronze foundry complex. These findings prompt further excavations to explore this ancient production site.

Grasshoppers of the Andes: new Melanoplinae and Gomphocerinae taxa (Insecta, Orthoptera, Acrididae) from Huascarán National Park and Callejón de Huaylas, Ancash, Peru

Huascarán National Park — 2011 — WHE683F2AB1C1

A study published in Zoosystema (2011) reports the discovery of two new grasshopper taxa, belonging to the subfamilies Melanoplinae and Gomphocerinae, from Huascarán National Park and Callejón de Huaylas in Peru. These findings contribute to the understanding of orthopteran biodiversity in the Andes, a region with limited entomological research. The study employed morphological analysis, including detailed examination of genital structures, to distinguish these new taxa. This research highlights the importance of Huascarán National Park as a hotspot for grasshopper diversity and underscores the need for further exploration of Peru's high-altitude ecosystems.

Hearth and Household Economy in an Andean Village

Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu — 2011 — WHEAD895CAF2B

In the rural village within Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, fuel collection and hearth activity are pivotal cultural practices that sustain household production and reproduction. The study reveals that the physical hearth is spatially fluid, serving as a material and symbolic center throughout the household's life cycle. All members, from children to the elderly, participate in fuel collection, redefining household composition. Wood collection connects houses to uncultivated landscapes, fostering reciprocal labor networks and community festivals. Gendered and intergenerational divisions of labor result in four distinct types of collection trips involving different plant species, wood sizes, and source ecosystems. However, increased tourism at Machu Picchu is altering daily and seasonal labor patterns, with men and women engaging in tourism work and children being educated in town. These changes are leading to a more mobile hearth as houses improve, significantly impacting traditional labor dynamics.

Highway construction and protection of sichuan giant panda sanctuaries

Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains — 2011 — WHEB479A48AA3

A planned highway threatens the authenticity and integrity of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, by passing through its buffer or core zones. The study highlights significant environmental stress and ecological impacts during construction and operation phases. To mitigate these effects, the research proposes specialized management measures aimed at reducing adverse consequences on this critical habitat for giant pandas.

Historical GIS as a Platform for Public Memory at Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park — 2011 — WHE5B8509C6B0

A historical GIS platform for Mammoth Cave National Park reveals the landscape's transition from a farming community to a protected national park, preserving public memory of its pre-park inhabitants. The Mammoth Cave Historical GIS (MCHGIS) overlays 1920 census data at the household level with streaming topographic maps and georeferences Civilian Conservation Corps photographs, enabling visualization and analysis of population dynamics on the eve of park establishment. This web-based interface broadens access to archival holdings while integrating public participation GIS techniques to create a virtual site of public memory, supplementing institutional history with privately donated materials.

Human-wildlife conflict in and around the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Simien National Park — 2011 — WHE76AEFF3842

Human-wildlife conflict in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, is primarily driven by common jackals, which cause significant problems for local communities, accounting for 57.1% of reported conflicts. Spotted hyenas also pose a threat, with 27% of respondents reporting livestock losses. The study, conducted through surveys of 300 people in 2005 and 2006, found that grazing and firewood collection within the park were negatively correlated with distance from the park, indicating proximity as a key factor in conflict. The research highlights the need for voluntary resettlement of communities near wildlife habitats and alternative resource provision to mitigate conflicts.

Impact of coastal environmental conditions on building materials of The Roman Theater at the archaeological site of Sabratha, Libya.

Archaeological Site of Sabratha — 2011 — WHEC934E06F51

Coastal environmental conditions significantly impact the durability of building materials at Sabratha's Roman Theater, leading to structural degradation such as collapsing and disintegration. The study reveals that limestone, marble, and mortars used in the theater's construction undergo alterations due to exposure to coastal elements. Analytical techniques like XRD, XRF, PM, and SEM were employed to identify mineral composition and its changes, alongside evaluating physio-mechanical properties. These findings highlight the vulnerability of monumental structures in harsh coastal environments, offering insights into preservation challenges for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Integrated Plant Record (IPR) Vegetation Analysis Applied to Modern Vegetation in South China and Japan

Shirakami-Sanchi — 2011 — WHEB1EADD83E2

Modern vegetation analysis using the Integrated Plant Record (IPR) technique reveals distinct underrepresentation of zonal herbs in fossil records, challenging traditional classification methods. The study, conducted across South China and Japan—including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Shirakami-Sanchi—validates key zonal woody angiosperm groups but identifies a need for refined ecotone definitions and broader herb diversity inclusion. Findings suggest higher zonal herb diversity in broad-leaved deciduous forests compared to evergreen counterparts, aligning with Neogene European records. This research enhances understanding of vegetation dynamics by refining IPR analysis, offering new insights into fossil-based reconstructions.

Invasive species and bushmeat hunting contributing to wildlife conservation: the case of feral pigs in a Neotropical wetland

Pantanal Conservation Area — 2011 — WHEB3453A10E6

In the Brazilian Pantanal, feral pigs serve as a crucial buffer against bushmeat hunting of native wildlife, offering a culturally acceptable and readily available meat source. This study reveals that feral pigs are the primary hunting target in this Neotropical wetland, where human populations rarely hunt native species due to their scarcity or inaccessibility. Researchers used exploratory surveys, semi-structured interviews, skull collections, tooth wear analysis, and hunting registers to assess hunting patterns. While feral pigs mitigate hunting pressure on native wildlife, their ecological impacts remain uncertain, highlighting a complex conservation dilemma in non-protected areas.

Investigating diversity dependence of tropical forest litter decomposition: experiments and observations from Central Africa

Dja Faunal Reserve — 2011 — WHE07A5D3CBEF

Research in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon, reveals that litter decomposition rates in tropical forests are more influenced by the quality of dominant litter species than by forest diversity itself. The study found that decomposition in mixed-species forests was four times faster than in monodominant forests, primarily due to the prevalence of low-quality Gilbertiodendron dewevrei litter. While high-quality bay leaves decomposed significantly faster than low-quality G. dewevrei leaves, mixing litter types accelerated decomposition for G. dewevrei, suggesting a diversity-dependent effect. The findings challenge the assumption that tree species diversity alone drives decomposition rates, highlighting the critical role of litter quality in ecosystem functioning.