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Publications

Showing 961 – 980 of 15962 publications

Revealing “Unequal Natures”—The Paradox of Water Vulnerability for People on the Periphery of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche — 2026 — WHE62989F3B7E

A striking imbalance exists between ecological conservation and socioeconomic development around the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage Site with advanced conservation measures—such as management plans, advisory councils, and payments for ecosystem services—68% of households in adjacent communities face prolonged water scarcity, experiencing over 30 days annually without access to water. This paradox, revealed through household surveys and stakeholder interviews, underscores the structural mismatch between conservation efforts and local human well-being in protected areas.

Revealing the Inner Relationships Between Perceived Authenticity, Heritage Conscience and Heritage Responsibility

Fujian Tulou — 2026 — WHE48628F33FC

A study reveals that tourists' perceived authenticity of architectural heritage significantly influences their heritage conscience and, consequently, their sense of responsibility towards cultural preservation. Conducted across two UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Kaiping Diaolou and Fujian Tulou—the research employs partial least squares structural equation modeling to demonstrate that while architectural authenticity impacts heritage conscience, traditional customs do not have a significant effect. It also highlights that interpersonal conscience shapes intrapersonal conscience, which in turn drives heritage responsibility. These findings underscore the role of perceived authenticity as a mediator between architectural heritage and responsible behavior, offering insights for sustainable heritage management.

Reverse innovation and digital sustainability in rural destinations: evidence from Iran's Hawraman

Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat — 2026 — WHE2B52D6BAF8

Digital entrepreneurship in Iran's Hawraman, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, thrives despite infrastructural constraints through reverse adaptive innovation and collective resilience. The study identifies five interrelated dimensions—infrastructural liminality, identity-functional duality, collective-relational agency, re-adaptive cycle, and contextual spirituality—that structure entrepreneurial practices in rural heritage settings. These findings challenge the perception of limitations as barriers, instead highlighting them as catalysts for culturally embedded technological appropriation and sustainable digital transformation. The research employs a hermeneutic phenomenological approach informed by Heideggerian philosophy, using in-depth interviews with 21 entrepreneurs to explore lived experiences, offering transferable insights for heritage destinations worldwide.

Review of Heritage Tourism in Uttar Pradesh: Strategies for Inclusive and Sustainable Development towards Viksit Bharat @2047

Agra Fort — 2026 — WHE91F81A8F4D

Heritage tourism in Uttar Pradesh, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Agra Fort, can drive inclusive and sustainable development while preserving cultural heritage. This study proposes a Heritage Sustainability Framework to address challenges such as increased tourist footfalls, environmental degradation, and fragmented policies. The framework integrates institutional coordination, community-led conservation, digital monitoring tools, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By transforming heritage tourism into an economic growth booster, the approach aims to strengthen Uttar Pradesh's contribution to India's vision of Viksit Bharat @2047—a culturally resilient and economically equitable future. The research analyzes tourism trends, conservation measures, and socio-economic impacts using secondary data from government reports, policy documents, and academic articles.

Revisiting the City of Agra's Hidden Heritage: A Study of the Minor Monuments and Heritage Sites

Agra Fort — 2026 — WHE464C010BB3

Agra's lesser-known monuments and heritage sites, often overshadowed by iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, hold significant historical value that has been neglected or desecrated. This study reveals a hidden layer of Agra's cultural identity, shaped over centuries under royal patronage but largely ignored during colonial times. By analyzing archaeological reports, Persian chronicles, colonial gazetteers, travel accounts, and field observations, researchers argue for an inclusive conservation framework that recognizes these marginalized structures as essential to sustainable heritage preservation. The findings highlight the need for a more historically sensitive approach to protect Agra's diverse urban heritage.

Revisiting the Freshwater Ichthyofauna in Sayap Substation, Kinabalu Park: A Thirty-One-Year Update

Kinabalu Park — 2026 — WHE3870A17D8C

A 31-year study of freshwater fish populations at Sayap Substation, Kinabalu Park, reveals significant shifts in community composition, with the dominant genus Parhomaloptera disappearing and being replaced by Glaniopsis and Protomyzon. The research, using electrofishing and environmental parameter collection, found that while Gastromyzontidae remains the most abundant family (96.7%), its subgenera have fluctuated, with Glaniopsis declining from 58.9% in 2007 to 30.6% in 2023. These changes coincide with rising water temperatures and total suspended solids, indicating potential ecological stress on the freshwater system. The study underscores the need for regular monitoring to address emerging threats and conserve biodiversity in Kinabalu Park's transition zone between sub-montane and lowland forests.

Revisiting the Santiniketan Model: Educational Synergies with NEP 2020

Santiniketan — 2026 — WHE340047C175

A striking alignment exists between Rabindranath Tagore's educational experiment at Santiniketan and the goals of India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The study reveals that Tagore's emphasis on multidisciplinary learning, environmental integration, and holistic development—rooted in ancient Indian wisdom—mirrors NEP 2020's focus on inclusive education, critical thinking, and sustainable development (SDG-4). Through analysis of Tagorian writings and Santiniketan's experiential model, the research demonstrates how his 'education for fullness' philosophy, inspired by Vedic principles like the Isha Upanishad, champions 360-degree child development. This synergy underscores NEP 2020's relevance in modern education, particularly its eco-centric approach and integration of ancient knowledge systems (Gayana, Pragyana, Satya). The findings highlight Santiniketan as a timeless model for contemporary educational reform.

Revisiting Tichitt: new dates and data from the 1968 excavations by Patrick Munson

Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata — 2026 — WHE85D0ACA104

New radiocarbon dating and pottery analysis of Patrick Munson's 1968 excavations at Dhar Tichitt, Mauritania, reveal significant gaps in the chronological understanding of the Tichitt Tradition. The study provides 14 AMS dates on charcoal samples, offering greater precision than previous conventional radiocarbon dates and shedding light on the growth, functioning, and interactions among settlements attributed to this tradition. Petrographic and organic residue analysis of excavated pottery adds previously unavailable descriptive details, including time-sensitive changes that were only briefly mentioned in Munson's dissertation. These findings challenge existing interpretive frameworks and open new avenues for understanding the dynamics of West African village development after 2000 BC.

Revitalisation through culture on the example of Hamburg, Grudziądz and Bydgoszcz

Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus — 2026 — WHE1C5410BA85

Historic granary complexes, often located in prime urban areas but left to decay due to their lack of modern functionality, present unique challenges for revitalization. The Speicherstadt in Hamburg stands out as a successful model, transforming a former inner periphery into a vibrant center for creative and cultural activities through strategic urban planning and development, including the adjacent HafenCity project. This study extends the analysis to lesser-known complexes in Grudziądz and Bydgoszcz, Poland, which differ significantly in scale and age from Hamburg's. By employing source analysis, case studies, and field observations, the research investigates whether the solutions applied in Hamburg can be universally adapted to support social and cultural functions in other historic granary districts. The findings aim to provide insights into the potential for cultural revitalization as a sustainable approach to urban renewal.

Reviving Sacred Metalwork: Co-Production and the Market Failure of Intangible Heritage in Southern Thailand

Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat — 2026 — WHE5C366B411C

A groundbreaking study on intangible heritage reveals that endangered craft traditions, particularly sacred Buddhist metalwork tied to Thailand's soon-to-be UNESCO World Heritage Site Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, hold substantial latent demand that markets fail to capture. Through a multi-stakeholder framework and co-production intervention, researchers found 216 donors from across Thailand and abroad contributed over THB 909,999, with 61% coming from outside the local province—far exceeding project support. This suggests co-production can mobilize community resources effectively while reducing public subsidy dependence, offering a promising model for preserving cultural heritage.

Rhipidoglossum delepierreanum Eb. Fisch., Killmann, J. - P. Lebel and Delep.

Nyungwe National Park — 2026 — WHECE05B982A9

A new country record for the orchid species Rhipidoglossum delepierreanum has been documented, expanding its known distribution to Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Burundi, in addition to Rwanda. The species thrives in montane forests within the Western Rift System at elevations between 1600–2000 meters above sea level. This discovery was made through the examination of herbarium specimens, including previously misidentified or unidentified samples from Uganda, DRC, and Burundi. The study highlights the importance of revisiting historical collections to uncover new records and correct taxonomic misidentifications, contributing to a more accurate understanding of this species' range and ecology.

Richard Nixon, Gough Whitlam, and Indigenous Land Rights

Taos Pueblo — 2026 — WHE80FA21C084

A comparative analysis reveals that the successful implementation of Indigenous land rights in the 1970s, exemplified by U.S. President Richard Nixon's return of Blue Lake to Taos Pueblo and Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam's transfer of Wattie Creek to the Gurindji people, required a convergence of grassroots pressure, public support, and political will from national leaders. Both leaders used these actions as symbolic milestones in shaping their legacies, demonstrating how Indigenous land rights policies emerged at the intersection of national leadership, public policy, and legacy-building. The study highlights the critical role of sympathetic political contexts in advancing Indigenous self-determination amid settler-colonial resistance.

Rising summer temperatures undermine threatened charr populations in the Shiretoko Peninsula

Shiretoko — 2026 — WHE7A085A4402

A 2°C rise in mean summer temperatures or a 20% increase in time spent above 16°C could lead to population declines exceeding 40% in the threatened Southern Asian Dolly Varden (SADV) charr, according to research conducted in the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The study integrated fish density, biomass, and environmental DNA (eDNA) concentration across multiple streams with water temperature records, revealing significant thermal stress impacts on SADV populations. Streams with artificial barriers exhibited higher summer temperatures and prolonged exposure to critical thresholds, further exacerbating population vulnerability. These findings underscore the urgent need for thermal vulnerability assessment in river management and conservation planning under future climate scenarios.

Risk decision-making behavior in heritage tourism destinations based on eye-tracking experiments in Gulangyu, China

Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement — 2026 — WHE071923F412

A groundbreaking study on Gulangyu, China—a UNESCO-listed heritage site—reveals critical insights into how individuals perceive and respond to risks in complex urban environments. Researchers found that people with stronger spatial orientation exhibit fewer hesitation behaviors during emergencies and maintain more stable heart rates, suggesting a link between cognitive ability and physiological resilience. The analysis also identified that buildings and signage are the most influential visual elements guiding decision-making, while vegetation and the sky play key roles in environmental observation. Unlike traditional studies, this research integrates eye-tracking technology with deep learning to quantify street view images, providing a novel 'P-P-P' framework (psychological cognition, physical space quantification, physiological response). These findings offer practical implications for enhancing disaster preparedness, tourist safety, and emergency response efficiency in heritage tourism destinations.

River–Canal Changes in the Middle Reaches of the Minjiang River (1644–1949): Spatiotemporal Evolution and Driving Mechanisms

Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System — 2026 — WHE56AF8C47DB

A comprehensive analysis of the Minjiang River's middle reaches reveals distinct spatiotemporal patterns of river-canal changes from 1644 to 1949, shaped by a complex interplay of human intervention and natural forces. The study identifies four subregions with unique driving mechanisms: Inner River (human-dominated), Outer River (flood-stressed), Nanhe River (low-disturbance stable), and Lower Basin (natural-human composite). Using archival documents, historical maps, remote sensing imagery, and water cultural heritage sites, researchers quantified changes such as anthropogenic constructions and environmentally driven alterations. They found that population growth drove human-led interventions, while floods and canal maintenance failures exacerbated environmental changes. This research offers new insights into long-term human-water interactions in large irrigation districts under climate change.

Rivers, Rails, and Rich Soil: Agricultural Innovations in Illinois

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2026 — WHEC75F4A16BF

Illinois' agricultural history, from Indigenous diversified farming systems to modern industrial innovations, highlights the state's pivotal role in shaping American food production. The region's rich biodiversity and fertile prairie soils enabled the rise of Cahokia, America's largest pre-Columbian city, while later supporting European settlers' transition to commercial agriculture. Key innovations like John Deere's steel plow and mechanized reapers revolutionized farming efficiency, fostering economic growth and infrastructure development. The state also pioneered agricultural education through land-grant universities and led global advancements in heavy equipment post-WWII. However, the shift toward industrial-scale farming raises concerns about environmental sustainability and rural depopulation. Today, Illinois remains a leader in pumpkin production and agribusiness, with ongoing efforts to preserve its agricultural heritage through museums and digitized historical records.

Roberto Burle Marx

Sítio Roberto Burle Marx — 2026 — WHEAF2F46EE9F

A specialized visit by renowned landscape artist Roberto Burle Marx to the VII Bienal de São Paulo in 1963 revealed his deep engagement with ancient Amerindian material culture, a facet of his identity that intertwined with his artistic production and modernist paradigms. This study demonstrates how Burle Marx's role as a collector, documented through first-person epistolography, was both a personal pursuit and a reflection of broader social trajectories within the Brazilian modernist movement. Leveraging Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of field and social trajectory, the research highlights the interplay between individual practice and cultural paradigms, offering new insights into Burle Marx's multifaceted legacy.

Rock Art in South America: New Challenges, Approaches, and Discoveries at the Beginning of the Twenty-First Century

Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa — 2026 — WHE188507054B

Recent advancements in rock art research have revealed significant new insights into the antiquity and cultural associations of the Nasca geoglyphs, challenging previous assumptions about their origins. Systematic studies employing advanced recording and analysis techniques have uncovered a richness of visual and material expressions previously overlooked in regions like the Amazon and Lake Titicaca basin. These methods, which focus on production, location, and dating, provide a more nuanced understanding of South American rock art, highlighting its diverse manifestations and cultural significance. The findings underscore the importance of continued research to fully appreciate the continent's archaeological heritage.

Rock Art uranium-thorium and radiocarbon cross-dating at Altamira cave, Spain

Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain — 2026 — WHED1568FBA3A

A groundbreaking cross-dating study of uranium-thorium (230Th/234U) and radiocarbon (14C) methods on secondary carbonate layers from Altamira cave, Spain, reveals that 230Th/234U ages can be misleadingly older due to radionuclide mobilization. The research, analyzing milligram-scale samples from the same carbonate fractions, found that while some 230Th/234U dates aligned with archaeological evidence (20-23 ka Cal BP), others were skewed by uranium loss. This suggests multiple periods of cave art activity in Altamira, including the late Gravettian/early Solutrean phases, while confirming earlier radiocarbon dating of bison charcoal. The study underscores the necessity of cross-dating to validate accurate age determinations for parietal deposits.

Role of environmental variables on plant community formation in simien mountains national park afromontane vegetation

Simien National Park — 2026 — WHEB1404A8911

Simien Mountains National Park harbors rich Afromontane biodiversity with substantial endemism and ecological heterogeneity. The study identified four distinct plant communities along an elevational gradient of 2244–3150 m a.s.l., characterized by high species diversity (Shannon index: 4.03–4.50) and moderate compositional turnover. Altitude emerged as the strongest environmental driver shaping vegetation patterns, followed by soil properties, slope, and pH. Using 139 stratified systematic sampling plots, researchers recorded 354 vascular plant taxa, with herbs dominating (61.86%) and Asteraceae exhibiting the highest species richness (16%). Notably, 12.2% of species were endemic, including seven restricted to the park, underscoring its conservation significance. This quantitative baseline offers critical insights for site-specific conservation planning and monitoring.