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Showing 1061 – 1080 of 15962 publications

Spatio-temporal flood frequency dynamics in Kaziranga National Park using multi-year Sentinel-1 SAR and vegetation indices

Kaziranga National Park — 2026 — WHE95759394D2

Kaziranga National Park experiences dynamic and frequent floods along the Brahmaputra River, leading to significant ecological changes. A study using 228 Sentinel-1 SAR and 8 Sentinel-2 optical images (2015–2022) revealed that flood frequency (FF) is highest near the Brahmaputra channel, permanent waterbodies, and wetlands, with extreme years (2017, 2020, 2022) showing mean FF over 40%. Analysis identified 8.24% of the park with decreasing FF due to sediment deposition and 10.04% with increasing FF linked to erosion and channel encroachment. Flood ridges indicated average channel migration of ∼157 m upstream and ∼311 m inward, with localized shifts exceeding ∼1 km. DBSCAN clustering highlighted 68 zones of hydro-geomorphic instability, including 43 hotspots and 25 cold spots. Vegetation analysis showed NDVI decline in hotspots due to inundation but greening in cold spots from sediment deposition and grassland regeneration. This integrated SAR–optical approach provides critical insights for monitoring riverine ecosystems and strengthening conservation strategies.

Spatiotemporal analysis and deep-learning based forecasting of land surface temperature in the UNESCO world heritage sinharaja rainforest

Sinharaja Forest Reserve — 2026 — WHE68C09692E1

A deep-learning framework using Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM) has successfully forecasted temperature dynamics in the Sinharaja Rainforest, a critical UNESCO World Heritage Site and biodiversity hotspot. The model achieved high predictive accuracy with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.55°C, capturing complex, nonlinear spatiotemporal patterns from two decades of satellite-derived Land Surface Temperature (LST) data (2000–2021). While the nonparametric Mann-Kendall test did not indicate a statistically significant trend, time series decomposition revealed a subtle but persistent long-term warming signal. This study provides essential insights for climate adaptation and conservation policy decisions in tropical ecosystems, where accurate temperature prediction is challenging due to sparse ground observations and strong spatial heterogeneity.

Spatiotemporal Assessment of Environmental Change and Palm Tree Dynamics in Al-Ahsa Oasis Using Multi-Temporal Landsat Data and Machine Learning Approaches

Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape — 2026 — WHE36CD0606D7

A 35-year study of Al-Ahsa Oasis reveals significant environmental shifts driven by urban expansion and climate change. Using multi-temporal Landsat data (1990–2025) and machine learning, researchers found that while palm tree coverage increased by 16.23%—suggesting resilience in vegetation—the oasis experienced a 67.19% rise in urban development, leading to higher land surface temperatures (LST) and reduced soil exposure. The study highlights how urban growth impacts critical environmental indicators like the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which fluctuated between −0.19 and 0.75, and LST, which rose from 28.7–48.34°C in 1990 to 34.7–54.6°C by 2025. These findings underscore the need for sustainable urban planning to balance development with agricultural preservation and ecosystem resilience.

Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Historic Buildings in the Mount Tai Region: Implications for Tourism Planning

Mount Taishan — 2026 — WHE55AA9D622B

Historic buildings on Mount Tai, China's first UNESCO World Heritage Mixed Property site, exhibit pronounced spatiotemporal distribution patterns shaped by natural and social factors. Research analyzing 451 protected structures reveals an I-shaped temporal fluctuation, with ancient architecture and sites forming the core (60% of total), influenced by preservation conditions, stability, and heritage designation preferences. Spatially, a clustering pattern emerges, shifting from southwest to northeast, transitioning from river basin to mountain belt concentration over 40 kilometers. These patterns stem from hydrological and topographical constraints in early stages, while later periods show stronger associations with fengshan ritual culture, religious activities, economic development, and governance. The study proposes a strategic spatial framework—one cultural pilgrimage ring and four thematic corridors—to guide sustainable tourism planning and heritage conservation, offering actionable insights for Mount Tai's cultural dissemination.

Spatiotemporal diversity of medium and large-sized terrestrial mammals in the Maya Forest, Mexico

Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche — 2026 — WHE29BB1D7D88

The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (CBR) serves as a critical refuge for 28 species of medium and large-sized mammals, with higher richness and abundance observed within its boundaries compared to surrounding areas. A six-year study (2016–2022) revealed distinct spatial patterns in mammal communities, influenced by habitat use and environmental conditions. Temporal fluctuations in relative abundance suggest that water availability and extreme climatic events significantly impact these assemblages. While the CBR acts as a stronghold for biodiversity, adjacent community-managed territories also play a vital role in supporting species persistence, particularly those threatened by land-use change and hunting pressure. The presence of key species like jaguar (Panthera onca), Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii), and white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) underscores the reserve’s strategic importance for conserving large terrestrial mammals in Mexico.

Spatiotemporal ecological quality responses to urban expansion in the UNESCO Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia

Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia — 2026 — WHEAD50A0BAD8

Urban expansion in Colombia's UNESCO-listed Coffee Cultural Landscape (CCLC) has led to divergent ecological outcomes between core and buffer zones. A study analyzing data from 2014, 2019, and 2024 found that while the core zone experienced an increase in ecological quality—measured by the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI)—the buffer zone saw a significant decline. This suggests that buffer zones may be more vulnerable to urban pressures despite their protective designation. The research used advanced spatial analysis, including Random Forest for land use mapping and Moran’s I for spatial organization assessment, alongside a novel framework decomposing urban pressure into built-up areas, impervious surfaces, and Production, Living, and Ecological Space (PLES). These findings highlight the need for targeted monitoring and adaptive management in cultural landscapes facing rapid urbanization.

Spatiotemporal trends in wood decay risk across European Russia (1961–2020): A Scheffer Climate Index analysis

Kizhi Pogost — 2026 — WHECAE8EFD325

A rising threat to wooden heritage sites, including Kizhi Pogost, is evident from a study analyzing spatiotemporal trends in wood decay risk across European Russia (1961–2020). Using the Scheffer Climate Index (SCI), which integrates temperature and precipitation data, researchers found significant upward SCI trends—up to 0.6 per year—in northern regions, driven primarily by warming temperatures. While high-risk zones remained stable (~13%), low-risk areas shrank by 9%, transitioning to moderate risk, particularly after the 2000s. The study highlights a shift in climatic threats, with temperature contributions to decay risk increasing by 5–20% while precipitation impacts declined—except in northern regions. These findings underscore the urgent need for adaptive conservation strategies to protect vulnerable heritage structures.

Species richness and endemicity of carnivorans in protected areas of the Yucatan Peninsula

Tikal National Park — 2026 — WHE6ADD87CD40

Only 9.48% of critical habitats for carnivoran species richness and endemicity in the Yucatán Peninsula are currently protected, despite these areas being vital for conservation. The study identified that southern Quintana Roo, southeastern Campeche, the Tabasco-Chiapas border, and northern Belize-Guatemala exhibit peak species richness, while Cozumel Island and south-central Tabasco show high endemicity. Using ecological niche modeling and diversity range analysis, researchers mapped these patterns to assess representation within existing protected areas (PAs). Key PAs partially covering priority zones include Sierra del Lacandón, Laguna del Tigre, Tikal, Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo National Parks in Guatemala; Rio Bravo Conservation Area in Belize; and Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Mexico. The findings emphasize the urgent need to expand PA coverage to safeguard the region's unique carnivoran assemblages and their ecosystem functions.

Squaring the Israeli nation: politics, poetics, and performances of dominance in Safra Square, Jerusalem

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2026 — WHEF2E11A99A0

Safra Square in Jerusalem, designed around the historic British Town Hall and inaugurated in 1993, serves as a representational space that symbolizes Israeli dominance over a 'unified' Jerusalem post-1967 occupation. The square's design and spatial practices—marked by memorials, artifacts, and performative elements—reflect a narrative of political legitimacy through an intertwined mechanism of petrification (immobilizing history) and mundanization (normalizing control). Strategically located near the Green Line and Old City walls, Safra Square's visual and narrative dynamics reinforce Israeli administrative and military authority. The study analyzes these mechanisms to uncover how spatial design constructs dominance while legitimizing political control.

Stable isotope signatures of precipitation and implications for groundwater recharge on Jeju volcanic island, South Korea

Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes — 2026 — WHE7CE5E9D8C3

High-altitude summer rainfall on Jeju Island, South Korea, serves as the dominant source of groundwater recharge, with rapid flow pathways transporting depleted isotopic signatures from northern slopes to coastal areas. This finding emerges from a stable isotope analysis of oxygen (δ¹⁸O) and hydrogen (δ²H) in monthly precipitation and groundwater, revealing distinct seasonal variability linked to monsoon patterns. Northern-slope precipitation exhibited lower δ¹⁸O values and d-excess, mirroring the isotopic signatures found in groundwater, which suggests preferential flow dynamics. The study underscores the critical role of long-term isotope monitoring in understanding and managing groundwater resources on volcanic islands with unique hydrogeological characteristics.

Status of Digital Preservation of Manuscripts and Rare Books: A Case Study of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University, Bihar

Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar — 2026 — WHE67F4EE0FF1

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University, Bihar, has been designated as a Manuscripts Cluster Centre by the Gyan Bharatam Mission to preserve and digitize manuscripts, safeguarding India's cultural heritage. This initiative builds on earlier efforts under the National Mission for Manuscripts (NNM), ensuring long-term accessibility and conservation of rare collections. The study evaluates the status and online accessibility of these digital preservation efforts using both quantitative and qualitative methods, including questionnaires and institutional data. By leveraging government-backed missions, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara serves as a model for national manuscript digitization, with memorandums of understanding signed with approximately 20 institutions nationwide.

Status of Forest Birds in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: Mixed Results for Native and Non-Native Species

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — 2026 — WHECDD8A3E88A

A recent survey of landbirds and their habitats in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) reveals mixed population trends for both native and non-native species. While some native birds, such as the ʻApapane and Hawaiʻi ʻAmakihi, showed significant increases in certain tracts, others like the federally threatened ʻIʻiwi faced severe declines or local extinctions, particularly in areas where it was previously abundant. Non-native species exhibited varied patterns, with the Warbling White-eye declining while the Japanese Bush Warbler and Northern Cardinal expanded their presence. Conducted using point-transect distance sampling across seven tracts over two years (2020–2021), this study highlights the ongoing challenges for native landbirds due to habitat degradation, invasive species, predators, disease, and wildfire.

Stelae 12 and 13 at Monte Albán: Research Synthesis

Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán — 2026 — WHE47C33F0D33

Stelae 12 and 13 at Monte Albán, dating to approximately 500 BCE, provide some of the earliest public evidence of Zapotec hieroglyphic writing, used for political commemoration and state authority. These two-meter-high carved stones, found near Building L and the Danzantes gallery, record the accession of a ruler named '8 Water' in the year '4 Lightning,' marking his status as a first-born son and formal installation in office. The inscriptions feature linguistic characteristics unique to Zapotec, such as numerical coefficients after day names and rebus writing, linking calendrical writing with dynastic legitimacy and the broader ideological landscape of warfare and political domination. This research synthesis reviews their archaeological context, modern cataloguing (D-139 and D-140), contributions from key scholars, and current conservation efforts in Area Two of the Monte Albán Site Museum.

Stepping into colonial footsteps – selling wilderness in the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania

Selous Game Reserve — 2026 — WHE1F2380FCB2

A critical analysis of trophy hunting tourism in the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania, reveals that advertising by six major agencies perpetuates colonial imaginaries. These narratives depict Africa as uninhabited wilderness, reinforcing racialized, gendered, and class-based hierarchies while erasing local environmental history and community realities. The study finds that such representations sustain colonial power dynamics, framing African landscapes as wild nature in need of Western intervention and evoking fantasies of a colonial lifestyle among tourists. This research underscores the urgent need to deconstruct these narratives in wildlife tourism to foster more equitable, post/decolonial perspectives.

Stone as Sadhana: Yogic postures and creative spirituality in Indian temple sculptures

Sun Temple, Konârak — 2026 — WHE4891103D79

Indian temple sculptures, particularly those from the Khajuraho, Brihadeshwara, and Konark Sun Temple, serve as visual scriptures that encapsulate the essence of yoga, blending philosophical concepts, cosmic principles, and tantric traditions. These intricate depictions not only preserve yogic practices but also illustrate their path to spiritual enlightenment, reflecting the profound impact of yoga on human consciousness and cultural aesthetics. Regional variations in these sculptures highlight the diversity and syncretism of Indian art, with distinct styles emerging from Northern, Southern, and Eastern temples. The study emphasizes the role of temples as educational hubs and centers of yogic practice, showcasing the ingenuity of Indian artists in transforming metaphysical concepts into tangible forms. This creative use of yoga postures continues to inspire globally, underscoring their timeless relevance and cultural significance.

Stone monuments and abandoned quarries –ways of restoration in Germany through times

Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin — 2026 — WHEFFCAECD370

Restoration of stone monuments in Germany faces significant challenges due to the closure of original quarries, leaving no suitable substitute materials. This study examines six iconic structures—Cologne Cathedral, Freiburg Münster, the Stone Bridge in Regensburg, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Monument at Porta Westphalica, Old National Gallery in Berlin, and the Picture Gallery of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam—to analyze how replacement stones were selected under varying economic and political conditions. Two cases involved temporarily reactivating old quarries, while others relied on alternative materials. Notably, one restoration was reversed when the original stone became available again. The research highlights the decision-making processes, trade-offs, and lessons learned from these approaches, offering insights into sustainable heritage conservation strategies.

Storm events will simultaneously reduce foraging opportunities and affect movements of Red Knots ( Calidris canutus ) in the intertidal Wadden Sea

Wadden Sea — 2026 — WHE172F15038F

Strong westerly winds significantly reduce foraging opportunities for Red Knots (Calidris canutus islandica) in the Wadden Sea, a critical UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study found that such storms decrease exposed mudflat availability by up to 50% and benthic prey biomass by 44%, forcing birds to roost closer to foraging grounds under adverse conditions. However, tailwinds or elevated water levels prompt longer-distance flights to roosts. Using the WATLAS reverse-GPS system, researchers analyzed wind-driven changes in habitat availability and movement patterns, revealing how climate-induced extreme weather disrupts energy balances for migratory shorebirds. These findings underscore growing challenges for Red Knots due to increased storm frequency, with broader implications for intertidal ecosystems globally.

Strategic Development of Public Transport Systems Connecting to Ayutthaya Historic City: Current Status and Future Directions

Historic City of Ayutthaya — 2026 — WHEDF200377C7

A critical infrastructure gap in public transport systems connecting to Ayutthaya Historic City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been identified. The study reveals that 90% of surveyed transport nodes fail to meet basic accessibility criteria under Universal Design (UD) standards, with only the Ayutthaya Railway Station meeting these requirements. This research highlights the urgent need for strategic policy development to balance heritage preservation and modern tourism demands. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combined quantitative data from 348 stakeholders—including local residents, tourists, and vulnerable groups—with qualitative assessments of physical infrastructure. The findings underscore the importance of integrating accessibility standards into future transport planning to ensure inclusive access while safeguarding historical integrity.

Structural and functional characterization of a hyperthermostable single‐stranded DNA ‐binding protein from a hot spring metagenome

Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice — 2026 — WHE3755C805EC

Researchers have identified and characterized a hyperthermostable single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB-M5) from a hot spring metagenome in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland. This small protein, derived from hyperthermophilic Fervidobacterium species, demonstrates remarkable stability and high affinity for single-stranded DNA, even at temperatures up to 100°C. Structural analysis revealed that SSB-M5 forms a tetrameric functional unit, while biochemical assays confirmed its ability to substitute for Escherichia coli SSB in mutant strains. Notably, SSB-M5 exhibits cooperative binding with an EC50 of 141 pM and a Hill coefficient of 2, indicating strong and specific interactions with DNA. Its inclusion in PCR reactions significantly enhances amplification by eliminating non-specific products, highlighting its potential applications in molecular biology and biotechnology.

Structure and Composition of a Coastal Dune Forest in Maputo National Park, Mozambique

iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park — 2026 — WHE90C0EE247E

A coastal dune forest in Maputo National Park, Mozambique, exhibits remarkable species adaptability to high environmental heterogeneity, marked by low water availability and few nutrients. The study identified 89 tree species, with Drypetes natalensis, Diospyros inhacaensis, and Vepris lanceolata being the most abundant. Contrary to expectations, no significant relationship was found between tree community structure and environmental variables, suggesting that these species thrive in diverse and challenging conditions. This insight underscores the resilience of coastal dune forests and their potential for conservation strategies on the east and southeast coasts of Africa. The research employed 20 plots across the forest, sampling 2,524 individuals with a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 2.5 cm to assess species composition and environmental interactions.