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Some New Clues from the Ancient Land of Niššāya and its Related Toponyms

Bisotun — 2026 — WHE188AC80D4B

New evidence links the ancient land of Niššāya, known for horse breeding during the Neo-Assyrian period, to the modern Nahavand Plain in Hamadan Province. The study, based on Assyrian and Achaemenid inscriptions—including Darius I's Bisotun inscription—and classical historical accounts, identifies Niššāya/Irnisa (Neo-Assyrian), Nisāya (Achaemenid), and the Nesaean region mentioned by Herodotus and Strabo as one geographical entity. It also proposes locations for related toponyms Ṣibur/Ṣibar and Urimzan/Urenzan within Nahavand County, supported by archaeological and textual analysis. This challenges previous assumptions about Niššāya's significance in equine culture.

Sonic Verisimilitude in Virtual Heritage: Lessons from Two Decades of PLACE-Hampi

Group of Monuments at Hampi — 2026 — WHEEEA68815BA

Audiovisual coherence, not technological complexity, is the key to perceptual realism and audience engagement in virtual heritage experiences. This insight emerges from PLACE-Hampi, a two-decade longitudinal study of spatial audio for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. By analyzing field recordings, system documentation, and both quantitative and qualitative audience data, researchers found that sonic verisimilitude—the precise correspondence between acoustic and visual space—enhances cultural representation and curatorial practice. The study also explores the impact of emerging technologies like AI-assisted production and real-time acoustic modeling on long-term preservation and ethical practice, positioning sonic verisimilitude as both a technical criterion and a design ethic that links sound, place, and meaning in evolving technological landscapes.

Sourcing obsidian from Chogha Golan, an Aceramic Neolithic site in west-central Zagros, Iran

Nemrut Dağ — 2026 — WHEBBD61DAEBD

Aceramic Neolithic obsidian artifacts from Chogha Golan, Iran, reveal early socio-economic networks spanning the Zagros and Taurus regions. Non-destructive pXRF analysis of 45 specimens—including bladelets, tools, and knapping debris—traces their origins to three volcanic sources: Nemrut Dağ, Bingöl A, and Bingöl B in southeastern Anatolia. Excavated between 2009–2010 by the Tübingen-Iranian Stone Age Research Project (TISARP), these findings date to 9,800–9,600 cal BP, providing critical insights into prehistoric trade and technological exchange during the transition to Neolithic life in west-central Zagros.

Space, place and social behaviour in Edinburgh, 1760-1830

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh — 2026 — WHE2D5CF1C8BB

Edinburgh's urban transformation between 1760 and 1830 was not solely driven by migration to the New Town but also by significant changes in the Old Town, challenging existing narratives. This study reveals that architecture played a pivotal role in expressing new identities, often categorizing 'old' as aesthetically outdated while associating 'new' with efficiency and modernity. By focusing on three lesser-studied areas—West Bow and Nether Bow in the Old Town, and Shakespeare Square in the New Town—the research identifies the key groups behind these changes, including civic authorities, businesses, and inhabitants, rather than just elite groups and the Scottish Enlightenment. Employing spatial theory and social geography, the study maps urban transformation through commercial directories, analyzing evolving occupational profiles to understand the demarcation of polite and illicit spaces, sensory urban experiences, and the significance of liminal spaces in shaping Edinburgh's urban identity.

Spatial Analysis in Bioclimatic Architecture: Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Greece

Meteora — 2026 — WHEF7191D0F48

Meteora, Greece, exemplifies early climate-adaptive spatial planning, where bioclimatic factors such as orientation, wind influence, thermal mass, and microclimate conditions shaped its sacred settlement patterns. Monastic entrances face southeast to optimize winter solar gain while minimizing northern wind exposure, whereas hermit caves cluster on south-facing rock surfaces for thermal stability. This study reveals how these strategies not only supported monastic life but also contributed to contemporary tourism sustainability. Researchers analyzed spatial mapping, orientation, field observations, and photographic documentation to uncover the relationship between space and climate, demonstrating Meteora's significance as a model of bioclimatic intelligence in architectural design.

Spatial Analysis of Access to Pharmacies and Medical Diagnostic Laboratories Using Geographic Information System (GIS): A Case Study of Yazd City

Historic City of Yazd — 2026 — WHEEB383C917F

A spatial analysis of Yazd City reveals significant inequities in access to pharmacies and medical diagnostic laboratories, with concentrations of diagnostic labs in low-density historic districts and a surplus of pharmacies relative to population needs. Using GIS techniques—including Hot Spot Analysis, Thiessen Polygon, Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA), and Nearest Neighbor Distance (NND)—researchers mapped 57 diagnostic laboratories and pharmacies against population distribution, exposing random rather than demand-driven distributions. While District 2’s pharmacy supply aligns with population density, the historic district shows an oversupply, highlighting spatial disparities that urban planning must address to promote equitable healthcare access.

Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Flickr Photographic Activity in Sleman's Temple Heritage Landscape

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2026 — WHE37A12BE999

A multi-year analysis of geotagged Flickr photographs reveals distinct spatial and temporal patterns of photographic activity around the Prambanan Temple Compounds. The study found that 82.14% of activity concentrates in the Candi Prambanan zone, with hot spots identified near the main temple precinct and cold spots in peripheral areas. While Flickr data correlates strongly (rs = 0.979) with official visitor statistics for relative site prominence, it does not validate actual visitor volume or physical deterioration. The research used quadrat density analysis, Getis-Ord Gi*-based Optimized Hot Spot Analysis (OHSA), Emerging Hot Spot Analysis (EHSA), and HDBSCAN clustering to map 372 locations within Candi Prambanan, including oscillating and sporadic hot spots. These findings underscore the value of long-term spatiotemporal analysis for heritage site prioritization but caution against interpreting photographic activity as direct evidence of visitor pressure.

Spatial and temporal variation in food resources shapes foraging of the Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna; Linnaeus, 1758) in a mosaic of Cerrado densities

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2026 — WHE74BDC604C2

Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna) rely on the spatial and temporal variation of food resources across different densities of Cerrado habitats for their survival. Research at Emas National Park, Brazil, revealed that three key food species—Anacardium humile, Caryocar brasiliense, and Ouratea spectabilis—vary significantly in abundance depending on Cerrado density, with open sites supporting higher numbers of macaws during the dry-to-wet season transition. Pouteria torta serves as a consistent seed source across all densities. The study highlights that conserving diverse Cerrado mosaics is critical for maintaining year-round food availability and sustaining macaw populations amid habitat loss.

Spatial assessment of groundwater recharge, agricultural pumping, and hydrodynamic stress in the complexe terminal aquifer (Ghardaïa, Algeria) using GIS and Remote Sensing

M'Zab Valley — 2026 — WHEFFCE9B7004

A severe localized groundwater crisis threatens historic oasis perimeters in the M'Zab Valley, Algeria, with agricultural pumping exceeding natural recharge by factors of 10 to 12.7, despite a macro-scale surplus balance. This paradox arises from distorted macro-balances due to vast uncultivated peripheral areas. The study employs an integrated GIS-ArcGIS, remote sensing (NDVI), and multi-criteria decision analysis (FAHP) framework to map optimal upstream green-engineering retention sites along Wadi M'zab and Wadi Metlili, aiming to maximize floodwater infiltration and stabilize vulnerable water tables. The validated FAHP model offers a targeted solution to mitigate local depletion, providing critical insights for sustainable groundwater management in hyper-arid regions.

Spatial extent, population size and demographics of Cycloseris distorta and C. fragilis within a large mesophotic mushroom coral bed off Ningaloo Reef, north-western Australia

Ningaloo Coast — 2026 — WHEFC32CAC13C

Researchers have identified the largest known mesophotic mushroom coral bed, spanning 82 hectares off Ningaloo Reef in north-western Australia. This dense bed, composed primarily of Cycloseris distorta and C. fragilis, hosts an estimated 653 million individuals with densities exceeding 1100 corals per square meter at some sites. The bed is situated in a narrow depth range (35.5–40.7 meters), suggesting optimal environmental conditions or minimal competition from other benthic organisms. The study also revealed that dead corals constitute 58% by number and 34% by weight of the assemblage, highlighting potential vulnerabilities. While located within the Ningaloo Marine Park, the bed lacks full protection, prompting calls for enhanced conservation measures to safeguard this unique ecosystem.

Spatial Investigation and Structural Analysis of the Narthex in Ottoman Mosques: The Case of Edirne Selimiye Mosque

Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex — 2026 — WHEFBE40EF0E9

A structural analysis of the narthex in Mimar Sinan’s Edirne Selimiye Mosque reveals robust seismic resilience, challenging conventional assumptions about Ottoman architectural engineering. Using finite element modeling (ANSYS Workbench), researchers evaluated three parallel models—including the existing structure—to assess spatial, geometric, and material parameters under dynamic earthquake loads. Findings demonstrate innovative static and dynamic strategies that integrate aesthetic harmony with functional stability, offering insights applicable to preserving similar UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This study bridges architectural history and engineering, providing a framework for assessing structural integrity in historic Ottoman mosques.

Spatial organisation and functional composition of benthic reef assemblages across a depth gradient in western Aldabra Atoll

Aldabra Atoll — 2026 — WHEA8F5BD00EB

Aldabra Atoll's western seaward reefs exhibit a resilient, post-disturbance state dominated by stress-tolerant massive corals, with spatial organization shifting deterministically from shallow aggregated frameworks to deeper fragmented nucleated patches. This study, using 300 high-resolution video-still quadrats across two depth contours (8 m and 15 m), revealed that environmental filtering, rather than stochastic neutral drift, drives post-bleaching recovery. Multivariate dispersion analysis highlighted increased patchiness with depth, while statistical niche modeling confirmed substrate stability as a physical bottleneck, with Isopora spp. thriving on rock pavement and Goniopora spp. dominating mobile rubble. These findings underscore the role of niche-driven processes in shaping benthic community structure following climate-induced disturbances.

Spatial phylogenetics of the genus Melampodium (Millerieae: Asteraceae)

Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica — 2026 — WHEABCF2D8C36

Research on the genus Melampodium (Asteraceae) reveals Mexico as a primary center for its diversification and endemism, with distinct phyloregions characterized by phylogenetic clustering. The study identified four types of phylogenetic endemism—neo-, palaeo-, mixed-, and super-endemism—with palaeo-endemisms linked to higher elevations and greater environmental stability since the Pliocene. Phylogenetic overdispersion was notably found in the Tehuacán–Cuicatlán Valley suggesting unique evolutionary dynamics. The research used spatial phylogenetics, including categorical analysis of endemism, Wilcoxon tests for environmental variables, and phylogenetic Sorensen dissimilarity to map phyloregions. Chromosomal evidence supported some findings, reinforcing Mexico's significance in the genus' evolutionary history.

Spatial Planning Systems in Historical Capital Cities in Europe

Historic Centre of Prague — 2026 — WHE495303B48B

Contemporary spatial planning systems in historic European capital cities, including Prague, Edinburgh, and Vienna—all UNESCO World Heritage Sites—serve as models for sustainable urban development. This study highlights how these cities leverage heritage status, urban typology, and citizen participation to create holistic, future-oriented planning frameworks. By employing the 'arena' metaphor, it argues that their approaches can guide other cities in balancing preservation with progress. The research compares spatial planning instruments across the three capitals, offering insights into effective governance for historic urban centers.

Spatial Translation and Material Coupling: A Synergistic Methodology for Driving the Sustainable Regeneration of Vernacular Architecture

Fujian Tulou — 2026 — WHE03D2C619F3

A synergistic methodology combining spatial translation and material coupling offers a promising path for the sustainable regeneration of vernacular architecture, as demonstrated by its application to Linpan structures. This approach decodes the 'house–forest–field–water' spatial prototype into contemporary formal strategies while integrating locally sourced ecological materials, significantly reducing embodied carbon emissions and reinforcing regional identity. Validated through the Daoming Zhuli project in Chengdu, the methodology's adaptability was further tested across diverse climatic and cultural contexts, including Fujian Tulou and Huizhou ancient villages. The study provides a design-oriented framework that bridges spatial typology with material selection, offering actionable insights for sustainable architectural renewal and contemporary adaptation of vernacular forms.

Spatial Variations in Linear Dune Morphology and Sediments in the Namib Sand Sea

Namib Sand Sea — 2026 — WHE661F6210BE

Research on the Namib Sand Sea reveals that its linear dunes exhibit spatial variations in height, spacing, and sediment grain size, indicating a dominant pattern of sand movement from southern and western coastal regions toward central and northern areas. This finding aligns with wind data and supports existing theories about sand sea formation. The study analyzed dune morphology and sediment characteristics to deduce these patterns, providing insights into the dynamic processes shaping this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spatial-semantic interaction guided network for mapping Honghe Hani Rice Terraces via remote sensing

Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces — 2026 — WHE66007E0359

A novel spatial-semantic interaction-guided network (SSIGNet) achieves unprecedented accuracy in mapping the UNESCO-listed Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, with an intersection over union (IoU) score of 87.44%. This breakthrough addresses longstanding challenges posed by fragmented terrace morphology and complex boundaries, which have hindered precise remote sensing analysis. The SSIGNet integrates a spatial-semantic interaction fusion module (SSIFM) and a boundary guidance module (BGM), enabling high-resolution delineation of terraces across varying scales and morphological features. Outperforming nine other methods on the Yuanyang Terraces dataset, this approach offers critical technical support for heritage protection, ecological management, and agricultural sustainability in one of China's most iconic cultural landscapes.

Spatial–Temporal Evapotranspiration Dynamics in the Al-Ahsa Oasis Based on a Remote Sensing Approach for Sustainable Water Management

Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape — 2026 — WHE886AFBE726

A study reveals pronounced seasonal variability in evapotranspiration (ET) within the Al-Hofuf region of Al-Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia, with peak ET occurring during summer months at 7.2–7.5 mm/day and minima in winter at 2.0–2.6 mm/day. This finding underscores the close link between vegetation activity and atmospheric demand, providing critical insights for sustainable water management in arid environments. Researchers utilized a cloud-based remote sensing approach, combining Landsat 9 Level-2 imagery with ERA5-Land meteorological data to quantify spatial and temporal ET variations over a 25 km buffer. Vegetation dynamics were characterized using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to derive crop coefficients within a Kc–ET0 framework. The study's model performance was validated against MODIS MOD16A2, demonstrating strong statistical agreement (R² = 0.82, NSE = 0.71, PBIAS = +8.3%). This approach offers a reliable, cost-effective method for ET monitoring in data-scarce, groundwater-dependent regions, supporting precision irrigation and long-term water sustainability planning in alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and National Water Strategy.

Spatially Targeted Recharge and Water-quality Constraints for Conjunctive Management of the Kitab–Shahrisabz Aquifer

Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz — 2026 — WHE45154C7D23

Spatially targeted groundwater recharge can significantly improve water management efficiency and quality in the Kitab–Shahrisabz aquifer, reducing river return flow by up to 50% and evaporation losses. The study identifies a 2.3-fold variation in infiltration-supply coefficients across tributaries, enabling more effective recharge placement. Four conjunctive management scenarios demonstrate that optimizing recharge placement, abstraction, and water-quality constraints can enhance storage-return efficiency to approximately 0.79 while maintaining water quality, particularly below a critical flow threshold of 2.0 m³ s⁻¹ in the Yakkabagdarya. This research provides actionable insights for sustainable groundwater management in piedmont aquifers.

Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Vegetation Cover Changes in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda (2013–2022): Implications for Conservation Management

Nyungwe National Park — 2026 — WHE3F27DED678

A comprehensive spatio-temporal assessment of Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, reveals that 98% of its vegetation experienced statistically significant changes between 2013 and 2022. Despite moderate rainfall variability, the park's montane forest demonstrated remarkable resilience, with no significant correlation between climate factors and vegetation health. The study identified localized degradation hotspots near northern and southeastern boundaries, driven primarily by anthropogenic pressures rather than climatic influences. These findings underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies, including enhanced boundary protection, active restoration of degraded areas, and strengthened buffer zone policies to mitigate edge effects.