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Impact Assessment of Production Facilities on Soils of the Solovetsky Village (Solovetsky Archipelago, Arkhangelsk Region)

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2020 — WHE18C482234B

Research on the Solovetsky Islands reveals significant soil contamination linked to industrial activity, with catalase enzyme activity serving as a sensitive biomarker for pollution. The study found elevated levels of heavy metals (notably zinc and lead) and petroleum products in soils near production facilities such as a gas station, diesel power plant, and dry dock. Catalase activity spiked by 50% in highly contaminated soils but plummeted sharply where petroleum product concentrations exceeded 13,400 µg/kg, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic tool for assessing soil health in polluted environments. The findings highlight the urgent need to address industrial impacts on this UNESCO-listed site.

Impact du tourisme hôtelier sur la production de déchets solides municipaux. Cas de l’île de Djerba, en Tunisie

Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory — 2020 — WHECD4459471F

Tourism-driven waste production on Djerba, Tunisia, varies significantly between high-density resort areas and smaller, independent hotels. A study found that hotel chains concentrated in Midoun generate substantially more municipal solid waste per tourist than small to medium-sized independent hotels in Houmt Souk. This pattern reflects differences in guest behavior, infrastructure, and service models. Researchers analyzed waste production data from both zones, distinguishing between tourist and local populations. The findings highlight the environmental impact of large-scale tourism development and suggest targeted waste management strategies for sustainable island tourism.

Impact of climate change on the Distribution behavior of Alkanna orientalis in Saint Catherine, south Sinai, Egypt

Saint Catherine Area — 2020 — WHE92B0D2E9EB

Climate change significantly influences the distribution and conservation of Alkanna orientalis, a medicinal plant of high traditional and potential future value. Research indicates that shifts in climate patterns over the past decade have altered its growth behavior, necessitating dynamic conservation strategies to ensure its survival. The study analyzed the plant's current distribution and community structure in Saint Catherine, Egypt, using long-term ecological data to predict future trends. Findings suggest that understanding these changes is crucial for developing effective conservation measures that balance immediate benefits with long-term sustainability.

Impact of Contrasted Weather Conditions on CDOM Absorption/Fluorescence and Biogeochemistry in the Eastern Lagoon of New Caledonia

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems — 2020 — WHE462E0031DA

Contrasted weather conditions significantly influence the biogeochemistry and dissolved organic matter (CDOM) dynamics in the Eastern Lagoon of New Caledonia. Rainfall events increase riverine inputs, boosting humic-like CDOM fluorescence and nutrient concentrations while shifting phytoplankton size classes toward larger forms. Windy conditions, however, enhance autochthonous biological activity, with notable increases in protein-like fluorophores (tyrosine 1-like and tryptophan-like) linked to sediment resuspension, atmospheric deposition, and water mixing. These findings highlight the differential impacts of weather on lagoon ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of understanding environmental forcing in tropical coastal systems.

Impact of Hydro-Climatic Changes on Coastal Dunes Landscape According to Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (The Case Study of Curonian Spit)

Curonian Spit — 2020 — WHEEDA9C472D9

Research on the Curonian Spit reveals that the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) serves as a reliable indicator for monitoring coastal dune dynamics, showing strong correlations with hydro-climatic factors. The study found moderate to strong positive correlations between NDVI and average wind speed in non-forested ecosystems, as well as between NDVI and Baltic Sea water levels across all studied ecosystems. Additionally, a moderate positive correlation was observed between NDVI and air temperature in forest ecosystems. These findings suggest that NDVI can effectively track the balance between dune overgrowth and open dune formation, providing valuable insights for coastal management strategies amid climate change.

Impact of Pteridium aquilinum on vegetation in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park — 2020 — WHE9C9F2F13C6

A study at Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, reveals that the fern Pteridium aquilinum acts as a significant ecological filter, altering vegetation dynamics and restricting tree growth while promoting ruderal species. Dominant in three of four identified plant communities with average coverages ranging from 4% to 31%, P. aquilinum was associated with higher proportions of disturbed forest indicators such as ruderals (76%) and chamaephytes (48%). In contrast, non-dominated areas exhibited greater diversity, richness, and a prevalence of competitive phanerophytes (52%), characteristic of primary forests. The research employed 53 plots along mountain transects, analyzing species composition, cover abundance, and ecological traits using MVSP software and the Shannon-Weiner index to quantify community structure. Findings suggest P. aquilinum's dominance is linked to forest disturbance, with Macaranga kilimandischarica emerging as a key tree species in cut-areas.

Impact of Social Networks in Historical Urban Landscaping Areas: Safranbolu

City of Safranbolu — 2020 — WHE2C54C8567E

Social media, particularly platforms like Flickr, plays a significant role in enhancing the perception and protection of heritage values within historical urban landscapes. This study demonstrates that social media not only engages users with cultural heritage but also provides valuable data for analytical research, contributing to the preservation and management of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Safranbolu. By analyzing location-based data, photographs, and tags from Flickr over several years, researchers identified how these platforms reflect universal value definitions of heritage and foster protection awareness among visitors. The findings highlight the potential of social media to actively involve users in the historical urban landscape, offering new avenues for heritage conservation and planning.

Impact of soil salinity on mangrove restoration in a semiarid region: a case study from the Saloum Delta, Senegal

Saloum Delta — 2020 — WHEE5640C984E

Mangrove restoration efforts in semiarid regions face significant challenges due to soil salinity, with red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) showing severe reductions in growth and survival at salinities above 60 ppt. This study highlights that such conditions severely impair stomatal conductance, photosystem II efficiency, and seedling survival after 1–3 years. In contrast, black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) thrive in exceptionally hypersaline environments (90 ppt), representing some of the most saline vegetated ecosystems on Earth. The research, conducted in the Saloum Delta, Senegal, provides critical insights for improving species selection in coastal wetland restoration projects to enhance their success rates.

Impact of Tourism Products Development on Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Badagry Slave Trade Relics

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove — 2020 — WHE2DD01C593D

A significant relationship exists between demographic factors such as age, marital status, education, occupation, and religion with visitors' perceptions of tourism product development at two culturally significant heritage sites in Nigeria: Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Badagry Slave Trade Relics (a National Monument). The study employed a mixed-method approach, including field observations, questionnaires (293 valid responses), and key informant interviews, to assess the impacts of tourism development on these sites. Findings reveal that demographic characteristics significantly influence perceptions, with implications for sustainable tourism models. This research provides a blueprint for heritage site managers, conservation administrators, and stakeholders to balance tourism development with preservation efforts.

Impacts of ‘home stays’ on the protected urban landscape and the social environment (Viñales, Cuba)

Viñales Valley — 2020 — WHEDB93AE34F6

Home stay tourism in Viñales Valley, Cuba, significantly alters the protected urban landscape and social dynamics. The study found that 392 rental homes contribute to the reduction of green spaces, introduction of modern building materials, and architectural changes, while also imposing labor burdens primarily on women, disrupting daily routines and exacerbating social inequalities. Researchers interviewed 74 landlords to assess these impacts, revealing both economic gains and social costs. This work highlights the dual-edged nature of tourism in heritage sites, where development benefits come at the expense of cultural integrity and equity.

Impacts of invasive rats and tourism on a threatened island bird: the Palau Micronesian Scrubfowl

Rock Islands Southern Lagoon — 2020 — WHE5056E501BB

Tourism negatively impacts the Palau Micronesian Scrubfowl, a threatened island bird, by increasing invasive rat populations and reducing scrubfowl detection rates. A study comparing five tourist-visited and five tourist-free islands in Palau's Rock Island Southern Lagoon found that rat detection probability and occupancy were significantly higher on tourist-visited islands (89% and 99%, respectively) compared to tourist-free ones (52% and 73%). Scrubfowl were detected at more stations on tourist-free islands (93%) than tourist-visited ones (47%), with a non-significant trend toward lower abundance in the latter. While rat occupancy did not significantly affect scrubfowl numbers, the study suggests that tourism may indirectly harm scrubfowl populations by facilitating rat proliferation, which could have broader implications for other threatened island landbirds.

Impacts of Marine and Lagoon Aquaculture on Macrophytes in Mediterranean Benthic Ecosystems

Venice and its Lagoon — 2020 — WHE010C2C19AF

Aquaculture in Mediterranean lagoons, including fish and shellfish farming, significantly impacts benthic ecosystems by altering macrophyte communities. Fish farms introduce organic matter and nutrients that can extirpate seagrass meadows like Posidonia oceanica, with effects persisting long after farming ceases. Shellfish aquaculture introduces non-native seaweeds (e.g., from Japan and Korea), which dominate lagoons such as Venice, while mussel farms contribute to larval flows that overwhelm native seaweed forests. Additionally, shellfish farming spreads diseases affecting metazoans, disrupting ecosystem function. Overfishing of predatory fish and organic pollution have historically boosted the edible sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, leading to the decline of endemic seaweed forests. Attempts to restore urchin populations via hatchery seeding further artificialize habitats rather than aiding natural recovery. The study proposes guidelines to minimize aquaculture's ecological footprint on Mediterranean macrophytes.

Implications of Climate Change on Nature-Based Tourism Demand: A Segmentation Analysis of Glacier Site Visitors in Southeast Iceland

Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice — 2020 — WHE7314F55837

Climate change-induced glacier recession significantly impacts nature-based tourism demand, with visitor responses varying widely depending on the type of environmental change and tourist segment. A study analyzing 565 visitors to Vatnajökull National Park in southeast Iceland found that factors such as accessibility, safety, and amenity—all affected by glacier shrinkage—play crucial roles in shaping visitation patterns. The research combines contingent behavior analysis with multivariate cluster analysis to reveal distinct visitor segments, each responding differently to these changes. These findings underscore the need for proactive planning, education, communication, and product development tailored to visitor segment differences to ensure sustainable tourism amid ongoing glacial transformation.

Importance of Resolving Mesoscale Eddies in the Model Simulation of Ningaloo Niño

Ningaloo Coast — 2020 — WHE1AC43B535C

Mesoscale eddies play a crucial role in shaping Ningaloo Niño (NN) anomalies, confining them predominantly near the Western Australian coast. High-resolution simulations (~3 km) and satellite data reveal that these eddies, originating from the Indonesian Throughflow, transmit coastally trapped sea level anomalies westward while dissipating offshore. In contrast, coarse-resolution models (~100 km), which fail to resolve eddies, depict rapid propagation of anomalies as long Rossby waves with weaker dissipation, leading to excessive spread into the ocean interior. Eddy-enhanced surface warming and air-sea interactions further dampen NN surface warming—a process absent in coarse-resolution models. This study underscores the necessity of resolving mesoscale oceanic processes for accurate simulation and prediction of NN.

Improving Accessibility to Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation Using Virtual Reality

Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar — 2020 — WHE04C032613E

Virtual reality (VR) significantly enhances user immersion and performance expectancy when preserving intangible cultural heritage, as demonstrated by a case study on bridge diving at Stari Most in Mostar, Bosnia. The research found that 360° videos in VR improved user engagement compared to conventional desktop media, while not affecting effort expectancy for web applications. By integrating interactive digital storytelling with 3D virtual reconstructions, the study successfully preserved and communicated intangible heritage, providing a framework for future preservation efforts. This approach combines edutainment value with subjective evaluations to assess its effectiveness in cultural heritage conservation.

Impulse Waves in Reservoirs: Research Up to 1990

Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site — 2020 — WHEDD61CB0F3C

Impulse waves, capable of reaching heights over 100 meters and run-up heights up to 500 meters, pose significant risks to reservoir infrastructure through wave run-up or overtopping. This review synthesizes research on impulse waves from 1946 to 1990, drawing parallels between experimental findings following nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll and subsequent numerical studies. It highlights the contributions of key researchers in hydraulics and emphasizes that a hybrid approach, combining experimental and numerical data, is essential for addressing these complex hydraulic challenges. The paper also includes characteristic photos illustrating wave features, providing a comprehensive overview of the field's advancements.

In an Ottoman Holy Land: The Hajj and the Road from Damascus, 1500–1800

Ancient City of Damascus — 2020 — WHEA8A82C4751

This study reveals that Damascus, rather than traditional holy sites like Mecca or Jerusalem, became the pivotal gateway for the Ottoman hajj between 1500 and 1800. The research argues that the Ottoman Empire's conquest of Damascus in 1516 transformed it into a logistical hub for pilgrimage, integrating the hajj into a broader 'Ottoman holy land' that included Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. This shift was driven by the empire's infrastructure investments, which facilitated both Muslim and non-Muslim pilgrimages, blurring religious boundaries. The study challenges the notion of static premodern religious practices, demonstrating how mobility and material culture shaped lived religion. It also critiques the assumption that increased circulation inevitably homogenizes devotional practices, instead highlighting the persistence of saint worship alongside the rise of an 'Ottoman' hajj culture.

In Danger

Selous Game Reserve — 2020 — WHE02D996F561

Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve faces severe conservation threats due to the potential impacts of the Rufiji Hydropower Project. An independent technical review of the project’s Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has raised significant concerns about its environmental consequences. The findings underscore the urgent need for reevaluation and mitigation measures to protect this ecologically vital region, which supports critical wildlife populations and biodiversity. The study highlights the importance of rigorous environmental assessments in large-scale infrastructure projects to ensure sustainable development without compromising heritage values.

In Danger

Okapi Wildlife Reserve — 2020 — WHE363042058A

A tragic incident at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Democratic Republic of Congo, underscores the severe threats faced by conservation efforts. On 17 September 2020, two employees of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) were murdered at the Adusa post, the entrance to the reserve. This violent attack highlights the perilous conditions endured by those working to protect this globally significant site, home to the endangered okapi and other unique biodiversity. The incident was strongly condemned by UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced security measures and international support to safeguard both personnel and the reserve's ecological integrity.

In the Beginning

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2020 — WHE4F2BF3B621

Cahokia, once the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico, emerged rapidly as a significant urban center due to complex internal dynamics and external relations. This study reveals that Cahokia's nucleation was not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern of change influenced by interactions with other regions and peoples. By analyzing these internal and external factors, researchers shed light on the rapid development and subsequent evolution of Cahokia's urbanism. The approach combines archaeological evidence with historical context to provide a comprehensive understanding of Cahokia's creation and its lasting impact.