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Showing 861 – 880 of 15962 publications

Podanotum cosnipata Faynel, Fahraeus & Gonzalez-Mercado 2026, sp. nov.

Manú National Park — 2026 — WHE34A2CF554D

A new species of moth, Podanotum cosnipata, has been discovered in the cloud forests of southern Peru's Manú National Park. This species is distinguished by its muted ventral appearance and small black spots bordered by pale orange scales on its hindwings, which are unique among known Podanotum species. The discovery was made through detailed morphological analysis and genetic divergence studies, revealing that P. cosnipata is closely related to P. pajaten and P. andrewneildi but can be differentiated by its distinct wing patterns and dorsal coloration. The research highlights the biodiversity of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Manú National Park, emphasizing the importance of such areas for scientific exploration.

Podanotum wayquecha Faynel, Fahraeus & Siebel 2026, sp. nov.

Manú National Park — 2026 — WHEE9620E6463

Scientists have discovered and described a new species of butterfly, Podanotum wayquecha, within the UNESCO-listed Manú National Park. This species is distinguished by its unique wing pattern, which includes rounder hindwings and reduced blue scaling compared to similar species like P. clarissimus. Genetic analysis revealed a 3.28% mean divergence in COI from P. clarissimus, confirming its status as a distinct species. The discovery was made through morphological examination of adult specimens and genitalia, alongside genetic sequencing. Podanotum wayquecha inhabits cloud forests at elevations between 2950–3400 meters in southern Peru and northern Bolivia, exhibiting territorial behavior on treetops. Its name derives from the Quechua word for 'brother,' referencing its habitat near the Wayquecha biological station.

Point–Axis System Theory with GIS Spatial Analysis in Geospatial Big Data: A Case Study of the Petra World Heritage Site

Petra — 2026 — WHEC3FC5FFADD

A new framework integrating Point–Axis System (PAS) Theory with GIS and geospatial big data reveals how high-capacity corridors, such as Petra's Siq passage, redistribute tourist flows and intensify exposure around iconic heritage sites like Al-Khazneh. This approach quantifies pole attraction and axis strength, enabling precise identification of leverage points for congestion management and conservation. The study introduces a composite Pole–Axis Index (PAI) that fuses gravity, performance, and accessibility metrics, offering actionable insights for heritage-sensitive tourism planning. Practical applications include optimized visitor infrastructure siting, route design, and policy scenario monitoring, while social benefits extend to spatial equity in access and protection of outstanding universal value.

Political Ecology of Transhumance Pastoralism in the Central Himalaya-Conservation, Livelihoods and Institutional Transformation: Thematic Report

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks — 2026 — WHE4936C96EB3

Conservation policies in the Himalayas, particularly those restricting transhumant pastoral communities' access to alpine pastures, have inadvertently undermined traditional rights and livelihoods without sufficient scientific evidence of ecological harm. Traditional grazing practices, long believed to sustain biodiversity and healthy grasslands, are increasingly constrained by protected areas like Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park. This study highlights the need for a balanced approach that integrates local knowledge, cultural values, and community participation into conservation strategies. By examining the political ecology of transhumance pastoralism—focusing on the Bhotiya and Van Gujjars communities—the research underscores how strict regulations have fragmented traditional grazing systems, leading to social and economic uncertainty. The findings advocate for inclusive decision-making processes that respect local institutions while protecting fragile mountain ecosystems.

Population Characterisation and an Evidence-based Seed-source Strategy for Wild Coffea eugenioides in Nyungwe and Cyamudongo Forests, Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park — 2026 — WHEEDF37D3539

Wild Coffea eugenioides, a threatened crop wild relative, exhibits low and highly variable reproductive output in Nyungwe National Park and the isolated Cyamudongo fragment, Rwanda. The study found that median fruit production per tree is only 29 cherries, with 31% of trees producing 15 or fewer, and that this variability is weakly linked to tree size (stem diameter). Trees in the fragmented Cyamudongo forest produced significantly fewer cherries than those in Nyungwe, with all sub-optimal seed-quality ratings observed in the fragment. These findings challenge the reliability of a seed-based Breeding Seed Orchard (BSO) strategy for conservation and restoration efforts. Instead, the research advocates for a Clonal Seed Orchard (CSO), established through grafting wild scions onto locally adapted Coffea arabica rootstock, to ensure genetic fidelity, expedite flowering, and secure germplasm ex situ, aligning with Rwanda's climate and restoration goals.

Population Size of Pest Wildlife and Their Co-existence with Local Communities Adjacent to Bale Mountain National Park

Bale Mountains National Park — 2026 — WHEF1830162B7

A significant seasonal variation in pest wildlife population densities was observed in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, with 206 species recorded during the wet season and 117 during the dry season. Crop raiding by Olive Baboon, Warthog, and Mountain Nyala emerged as the primary human-wildlife conflict (HWC) issue, affecting over 80% of local respondents economically. The study employed a multi-method approach, integrating GIS mapping, transect sampling, and household surveys across both seasons, with data analysis using SPSS, Chi-square tests, and ANOVA. While no significant association was found between sex, age, and habitat (χ² = 13.74, p = 0.089), the research highlighted the urgent need for integrated management strategies, including buffer zones, equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, and community-based conservation efforts to foster sustainable coexistence.

Population Size, Structure and Activity Pattern of Gelada Baboon (Theropithecus gelada) at Simien Mountains National Park, Simiengondar Zone, Ethiopia

Simien National Park — 2026 — WHE6696368727

A study on the gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) in Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, reveals critical insights into its population size, structure, and activity patterns. The research highlights that gelada baboons exhibit unique social structures and activity rhythms adapted to their high-altitude habitat, with significant variations observed across different troop compositions. Using a combination of direct observations and demographic data analysis, the study provides valuable baseline information for conservation efforts in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. These findings are crucial for understanding the ecological dynamics of gelada baboons, which are endemic to the Ethiopian Highlands.

Population structure and natural regeneration of the threatened medicinal tree Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman in an Afromontane forest reserve of Cameroon

Dja Faunal Reserve — 2026 — WHEFA9DC85325

A severely truncated population structure of the threatened medicinal tree Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman, indicative of compromised regeneration and high vulnerability to extinction, has been documented within the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon. The study revealed an inverse-J distribution with critically low density—60 seedlings/ha, 22 saplings/ha, 11 poles/ha, and only 3 mature trees/ha—alongside widespread bark-harvesting damage (81% of mature trees affected). Analysis further demonstrated a sharp decline in stem density and seedling recruitment within 200 meters of the forest edge, correlating with heightened damage intensity. These findings underscore the urgent need for a harvesting moratorium and targeted conservation interventions to restore P. africana populations in Afromontane forests.

Portraits, Graffiti, and Tattoos. Visual Indicators of Individual Piety on the Columns and Walls of the Nativity Church in Bethlehem

Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem — 2026 — WHE5A33B762EF

A comparative analysis of visual indicators—portraits, graffiti, and tattoos—reveals how these elements serve as strategies for pilgrims to metonymically incorporate themselves into the sanctity of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The study highlights the significance of supplicant images from the 12th century, offering new interpretations of their functions within performative contexts. Additionally, it examines the exponential increase in graffiti post-Crusader period, suggesting these markings aim to inscribe and perpetuate the embodied experience of the divine sphere in this sacred locus. The research employs a methodical approach to analyze these visual indicators, providing insights into their roles and impacts on individual piety.

Post-fire tree regeneration in mixed-conifer forests of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve — 2026 — WHE57A781776C

Post-fire tree regeneration in mixed-conifer forests of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, exhibits high variability depending on elevation and fire history. Research reveals three distinct recruitment patterns: asynchronous establishment of Abies religiosa followed by Pinus pseudostrobus at higher elevations (3150 m), synchronous recruitment of both species at intermediate elevations (3100 m) following multiple fires, and exclusive regeneration of P. pseudostrobus and broad-leaved species at lower elevations (3050 m). The study analyzed tree-ring data from 258 trees across three sites to assess post-fire dynamics, finding that wet inter-annual periods did not significantly enhance recruitment. These findings underscore the complex interplay between fire, elevation, and species dominance, providing critical insights for forest management strategies in this ecologically significant region.

Post-industrial transformation under the pressure of heritage, water, and gentrification: a comparative study of Gdańsk, Rome, and Rotterdam

Van Nellefabriek — 2026 — WHE43F59ED0B9

Successful adaptive reuse of post-industrial waterfront areas hinges on integrated governance, long-term planning, and active public-sector involvement—not just location alone. A comparative study of Gdańsk Shipyard (Poland), Rome's Ostiense district (Italy), and Rotterdam's Van Nelle Factory (Netherlands) reveals that fragmented ownership and market-driven development often intensify gentrification, limiting social accessibility. The research highlights the need for institutional continuity, heritage protection regimes, and cultural industries to balance regeneration with inclusivity. Findings offer actionable recommendations for policymakers aiming to achieve sustainable waterfront revitalization amid climate change pressures.

Practices and Achievements of Local Governments in the Conservation of Buddhist Heritage and Culture

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha — 2026 — WHE17AEDA9D9A

Local governments in Lumbini Province, Nepal, have demonstrated significant progress in conserving and promoting Buddhist heritage since the implementation of federalism. This study highlights their active collaboration with national and international stakeholders to preserve sites like Lumbini (the birthplace of Buddha) and Kapilavastu, while also addressing challenges in heritage management. By integrating structured master plans and fostering partnerships, these efforts aim to strengthen local identity, boost Buddhist tourism, and contribute to the revival of Buddhist civilization. The analysis provides a roadmap for coordinated action among municipalities, governments, and organizations, emphasizing the role of local governance in sustainable heritage development.

Pre-Heritagisation and the Cultural Sustainability of Classical Suzhou Gardens During China’s Modern Transformation: A Study of Periodical Discourse, 1870–1948

Classical Gardens of Suzhou — 2026 — WHE7C70E10B48

A dual discursive process during China's modern transformation (1870–1948) laid the socio-cultural foundation for the later recognition of Suzhou's classical gardens as heritage sites. This study reveals how periodical discourse simultaneously portrayed the gardens as multifunctional civic spaces and reinforced their classical value through historical memory, creating broader public intelligibility and cultural legitimacy before formal designation. Analyzing 699 historical texts using mixed-methods approaches, including quantitative content analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the research demonstrates that pre-heritagisation is not merely an administrative process but a complex discursive mechanism that materially refunctioned and symbolically re-anchored these cultural landscapes under modern conditions.

Pre-Historic Past of Gujarat - External Linkages

Dholavira: a Harappan City — 2026 — WHE3D7F877B1A

Archaeological evidence from Dholavira and other Indus Valley Civilization sites in Gujarat reveals extensive maritime trade networks spanning 4500 years ago, linking the region to ports in Dilmun, Mesopotamia, and Egypt. The study identifies a sophisticated urban infrastructure, including docks, warehouses, and standardized weights/measures, suggesting advanced commercial and social organization. Analysis of steatite seals and artifacts indicates robust external linkages, with ports like Lothal and Kuntasi serving as key hubs during different phases of the civilization (early to late Harappan). The research underscores Gujarat's pivotal role in long-distance trade, contemporary to Sumerian and Egyptian civilizations.

Predation on an Okinawa Tree Lizard by an Amami Thrush Endemic to Amami-Oshima Island

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2026 — WHEAB37C92838

Researchers documented the first recorded instance of vertebrate predation by the Amami Thrush (Zoothera dauma major), a bird endemic to Amami-Oshima Island, which preyed on an Okinawa tree lizard (Diploderma polygonatum polygonatum). This observation, made at the Amami Nature Observation Forest in February 2025, provides critical insight into the feeding habits of this scarce-foraging species. The study highlights the significance of such records for understanding predator-prey dynamics and the ecological role of endemic birds in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Ryukyu Archipelago.

Prehistoric Cart Rut Networks of the Maltese Archipelago: A Rigorous Multivariate Lévy/Power-Law Analysis with Paleogeographic, Environmental, and Ritual Variables

Megalithic Temples of Malta — 2026 — WHED2E1A56C84

A rigorous analysis of prehistoric cart rut networks in the Maltese Archipelago reveals a non-random, Lévy-stable topology that defies Gaussian null models (p < 10⁻¹⁰⁰). This finding suggests that ancient movement patterns were influenced by environmental and ritualistic factors rather than randomness. The study incorporated six control variables—terrain, coastal exposure, proximity to megalithic temples and ritual caves, Holocene forest cover, and paleo-sea-level status—to test three network configurations: Malta alone, modern Malta+Gozo, and a reconstructed unified Early Holocene island. All configurations confirmed heavy-tailed movement patterns, indicating structured connectivity that aligns with paleogeographic and ritualistic variables.

Preliminary Study of Tourists’ Willingness to Pay for Forest Conservation in Komodo National Park

Komodo National Park — 2026 — WHE55DDA0D73F

A preliminary study reveals that tourists' willingness to contribute financially to forest conservation in Komodo National Park is highly price-sensitive, with international and female visitors showing a significantly higher propensity to participate. The research, employing the contingent valuation method (CVM) with 58 participants and demand curve estimation using logarithmic, exponential, and power models, found that while higher-income groups were less likely to engage in voluntary payment schemes, the power function provided the best fit for predicting contributions. These insights suggest the need for inclusive, tiered pricing strategies that align with tourist profiles and perceived conservation value, combined with environmental education and visible service improvements to enhance participation in green tourism financing.

Presentating Reburied Mosaic through Augmented Reality: A Case Study from the Church of the Lions at the Cultural Heritage Site of Um er-Rasas, Jordan

Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) — 2026 — WHE615E314A5D

Augmented Reality (AR) technology offers a promising solution to balance the preservation and accessibility of reburied mosaics at UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A study conducted at Um er-Rasas, Jordan, demonstrated that AR can significantly enhance visitor engagement and cultural understanding without compromising the physical integrity of the mosaics. Researchers developed an AR prototype using high-resolution photogrammetry data of a reburied mosaic from the Church of the Lions, integrated with Unity software. The application successfully presented the mosaic in situ, allowing users to explore its details and historical context virtually. This approach not only protects fragile heritage but also provides an immersive educational experience, bridging the gap between preservation needs and public accessibility.

Preservation and Promotion of Champa Cultural Values in the Modern World: From Hoa Lai Style Champa Sculpture to Contemporary Fashion in Vietnam

My Son Sanctuary — 2026 — WHE967960E56B

A dialogue between Champa heritage and contemporary fashion can effectively preserve and promote Vietnamese culture globally. This study demonstrates that integrating intricate patterns and symbolic motifs from Hoa Lai-style Champa sculpture into modern fashion design not only safeguards the artistic legacy of My Son Sanctuarybut also engages younger generations, fostering international cultural appreciation. Employing a 'research by design' approach, the study conducted photographic surveys to document motifs, then designed and displayed fashion garments, gathering public responses through surveys. The findings suggest that contemporary applications of Champa sculpture can bridge historical preservation with modern creativity, offering a sustainable pathway for cultural revitalization.

Preservation Challenges for Ancient Temples: Conservation Ethics in India and Mongolia

Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape — 2026 — WHE3C23C7C39E

Conservation ethics for ancient temples must balance authenticity, ritual continuity, and stakeholder engagement to address complex preservation challenges. A comparative study of Ajanta–Ellora (India) and Erdene Zuu Monastery (Mongolia) reveals that while India focuses on managing living, ritual-intensive sites, Mongolia grapples with reconstructing destroyed sites while preserving material authenticity. The research integrates international frameworks like the Venice Charter and Nara Document, alongside local reports and peer-reviewed scholarship, to highlight how physical deterioration, tourism pressures, and historical violence shape preservation decisions. It advocates for culturally sensitive, stakeholder-driven conservation strategies that prioritize ethical considerations and sustainable management of sacred heritage.