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Publications

Showing 13021 – 13040 of 15962 publications

Quito’s coronavirus curfew: Escalating tropospheric ozone pollution

City of Quito — 2020 — WHE664F528F6B

During Quito's COVID-19 curfew, tropospheric ozone (O3) pollution surged by 96% to 109% compared to pre-pandemic levels, primarily due to a sharp drop in NOx emissions. This reduction, while lowering other pollutants like NO2, CO, and PM2.5, paradoxically allowed O3 to accumulate unchecked, reaching midday peaks. Despite these increases, daily O3 concentrations remained below safety limits. The study highlights how strict controls on primary pollutants can inadvertently worsen secondary pollutant levels like O3, offering critical insights for designing more effective urban air quality policies.

Racial narratives in leisure landscapes : colonial tourism in Santo Domingo

Colonial City of Santo Domingo — 2020 — WHEEF400A29CC

Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, serves as a constructed landscape that reinforces a national identity rooted in whiteness and Hispanicism while excluding African ancestry. This study reveals how colonial architecture, monuments, street names, and memorials—shaped by Spanish colonial and US imperial influences—create a heritage vision that perpetuates anti-blackness and patriarchy. Through visual analysis of personal and archival photographs, the research demonstrates how these structures shape collective memory, particularly through the dissemination of anti-Haitian ideology during US military occupation. It also highlights instances of Dominican resistance to US imperialism, critically examining the archives tied to these protests.

Radio Solitude en Cévennes

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2020 — WHE60EE725E45

A groundbreaking exploration of rural marginality through sound reveals how Radio Solitude en Cévennes, a 1976 France Culture initiative, transformed the voices of isolated Cévennes residents into cultural narratives. By analyzing archival radio broadcasts and written records, this study demonstrates that even in marginalized regions, local expressions can be amplified to challenge dominant representations. The research highlights the tension between institutional culture (France Culture's urban-centric focus) and rural authenticity, showing how temporary radio production in the Cévennes National Park created a unique sonic landscape of anonymity and agency. This approach offers a novel method for studying marginalized spaces through media archaeology.

Ranging patterns of Japanese macaques in the coniferous forest of Yakushima: Home range shift and travel rate

Yakushima — 2020 — WHEFB9F063560

Japanese macaques on Yakushima exhibit strategic home range shifts and travel rate adjustments to optimize foraging efficiency amid seasonal fluctuations. The study, conducted over 17 months with supplementary data from a five-year census, revealed that the macaques shift their home range seasonally—occupying higher-altitude primary forest in eastern Yakushima during warmer months (May–September) and logged western areas rich in herbs and small trees during cooler periods. This shift, observed consistently across multiple years, allows them to capitalize on food availability while conserving energy during colder temperatures. Additionally, travel rates increased when foraging for fungi or flowers, which are less densely distributed than fruits, suggesting a fine-tuned response to habitat heterogeneity. The findings underscore the macaques' adaptive behavior in navigating seasonally variable environments.

Rapid expansion of lakes in the endorheic basin on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau since 2000 and its potential drivers

Qinghai Hoh Xil — 2020 — WHE0AF34E10C6

Since 2000, lakes in the endorheic basin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) have experienced rapid expansion, with significant variations across regions. While glacier retreat may contribute to lake growth, increasing annual precipitation emerges as the primary driver behind this phenomenon. Permafrost degradation further accelerates lake expansion by releasing meltwater from ground ice and soil moisture. Notably, lakes on the northern slope of the Gangdise Mountains, fed by rapidly retreating glaciers, remained stable or contracted, contrasting with significant expansions observed in non-glacier-fed lakes in the Hoh Xil region and central endorheic basin—primarily driven by the greatest increase in precipitation. This study analyzed spatial-temporal lake changes using Landsat images, meteorological data, glacier data, and permafrost monitoring data from 2000 to 2017, revealing statistically significant trends (0.01–26.29 km²/year) and highlighting the complex interplay of climate factors in shaping lake dynamics on the QTP.

Rapid Formation of Copper Patinas: A Simple Chemical Demonstration of Why the Statue of Liberty Is Green

Statue of Liberty — 2020 — WHE960E3CBBCE

Copper patinas, the blue-green coatings formed on copper surfaces through oxidation, typically develop over long periods. The Statue of Liberty's iconic green hue is a result of such patina formation, which usually takes decades to manifest. A recent study demonstrates that these patinas can be rapidly generated in a simple chemical process using copper coins, offering a practical and accessible activity for educational purposes. This method allows for quick observation—within tens of seconds—making it ideal for in-class demonstrations or online learning. The experiment's adaptability to varying conditions also lends itself well to exploratory learning exercises, providing both academic and general audiences with an engaging way to understand the chemical processes behind copper patina formation.

Rappresentazioni planimetriche, vedutistiche e tridimensionali per la fortificazione di due isole del Mediterraneo occidentale: Elba e Palmaria (secolo XIX)

Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) — 2020 — WHED9BC5118DF

A comprehensive analysis of French military cartography in the 19th century reveals how strategic fortification efforts on Elba and Palmaria islands were advanced through innovative planimetric, panoramic, and three-dimensional representations. The study highlights the pivotal role of French Corps of Engineers-Geographers and Military Genius engineers in developing geodetic projections, detailed maps, and relief models to optimize defensive structures. Notably, Elba's complete triangulation linked it to Corsica, Sardinia, and the Tuscan archipelago, while Palmaria became a key 'fortress island' defending the Gulf of La Spezia, later influencing battery designs in collaboration with Italian engineers. The research underscores the enduring impact of these cartographic advancements on post-Napoleonic military infrastructure.

Rare and protected vascular plants in Yugyd va National Park (Russia)

Virgin Komi Forests — 2020 — WHEE177592D4B

Yugyd va National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Virgin Komi Forests,' harbors 120 species of rare and protected vascular plants, including nine listed in Russia's Red Data Book. This study identifies unique distributions, such as Arctic endemics Astragalus gorodkovii and Castilleja arctica subsp. vorkutensis, and highlights the park's critical role in preserving narrow-ranged species. Additionally, it reveals 31 taxa exclusive to the Republic of Komi, some with isolated populations at risk from mining threats. The research underscores the need for conservation programs, population monitoring, seed banking, and reintroduction efforts to protect these vulnerable species.

Re-dating the Fall of Sardis

Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe — 2020 — WHE09B943609A

A re-evaluation of ancient chronographic sources challenges the traditional date of 546 BC for the Fall of Sardis to the Persians, instead supporting a range between 544/3 and 540/39 BC. Analysis of Greek fragments, including those from the Parian Marble, reveals an earlier Lydian king list, potentially originating from the historian Xanthus, which places the event as low as 542/1 or 541/0 BC. Additionally, a new reading of the Nabonidus Chronicle corrects the assumption that Cyrus attacked Lydia in Year 9 (547/6 BC), further narrowing the possible timeline. This study underscores the importance of re-examining ancient texts and chronological records to refine historical narratives.

Reaccessing marginalized heritage sites in historic Cairo: a cross-case comparison

Historic Cairo — 2020 — WHE9F5C7F2626

A comprehensive assessment model has been developed to prioritize interventions for marginalized heritage sites in Historic Cairo, offering a strategic approach to conservation that integrates contextual, economic, social, and administrative factors. The study demonstrates that reaccessing these sites can serve as a preventive measure against encroachment while promoting networks of marginal heritage landscapes, thereby facilitating documentation and rehabilitation efforts. Through a cross-case comparison of four sites, the research proposes accessibility intervention strategies that leverage soft transformations to address urban risks and challenges posed by inaccessible heritage. This framework not only serves as a decision-making tool for policymakers but also emphasizes social empowerment in the design, management, and monitoring of heritage conservation plans.

Reading Time: the Sarnath Buddha and the Historical Significance of Donor Portraits in Early Medieval South Asia

Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath — 2020 — WHE5B107BC64B

A previously unnoticed female donor figure on the fifth-century Sarnath Buddha stele, depicting the first sermon at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath, offers new insights into how time was conceptualized and represented in early medieval South Asian art. By analyzing miniature human figures within larger visual programs—combined with epigraphic and literary evidence—a scale-oriented formal analysis reveals an artistic strategy that collapsed multiple temporalities into a single sculpted image. This approach suggests that political actors and artistic communities innovated ways to bridge narrative time and lived historical time, providing a novel perspective on the intersection of art, history, and cultural identity in ancient India.

Reassessing the LIS approach to traditional knowledge: learning from Xochimilco, Mexico city

Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco — 2020 — WHED88C42C214

Traditional knowledge in Xochimilco, Mexico City, is not static but dynamically reinvented through two contrasting lenses: heritage tourism and agro-ecology. The study reveals that traditional practices, such as those tied to chinampas (floating gardens), are both a source of identity and sustainable agricultural techniques, challenging the perception of traditional knowledge as merely a threatened relic. Fieldwork and interviews highlighted a shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage amid modernization pressures. This research underscores the potential for traditional knowledge to foster resilience, biodiversity, and social justice while offering a nuanced framework for understanding its adaptive nature.

Recensione a: Giacomo Paglietti, Su Nuraxi di Barumini. Un approccio metodologico, Arkadia Editore, Cagliari 2018, pp. 150, figg. 75, ISBN: 9788868511814

Su Nuraxi di Barumini — 2020 — WHE6D200C5A3F

A comprehensive methodological approach to studying Su Nuraxi di Barumini, a UNESCO-listed Bronze Age site in Sardinia, reveals significant insights into its architectural evolution and cultural significance. Giacomo Paglietti's 2018 work, reviewed by Tronchetti (2020), employs a multidisciplinary framework integrating archaeological analysis with historical context to reconstruct the site's development from its Neolithic origins through its Nuragic peak and beyond. The study highlights the site's adaptive reuse over millennia, offering new perspectives on Bronze Age urban planning and societal organization in the Mediterranean. By synthesizing data from excavations, architectural surveys, and comparative studies, Paglietti provides a nuanced understanding of Su Nuraxi di Barumini's role as both a defensive structure and a ceremonial center.

Recent and historical pollution legacy in high altitude Lake Marboré (Central Pyrenees): A record of mining and smelting since pre-Roman times in the Iberian Peninsula

Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija — 2020 — WHEA7CB718918

A high-altitude lake in the Central Pyrenees, Lake Marboré, reveals that atmospheric metal pollution during the Roman Empire rivaled levels seen during the Industrial Period. Analysis of sediment cores showed significant increases in trace elements like lead, mercury, zinc, arsenic, and copper, particularly between 20 to 375 AD, linked to silver and lead mining and smelting in Southern Iberia. The study used statistical methods (PCA) and air mass back-trajectories to discern depositional processes and source areas of pollutants, finding that global emissions, especially from Almadén mines in central Spain, have influenced mercury levels over the last three millennia. This research underscores the long-term impact of mining on alpine ecosystems and highlights the need for sustainable management plans amid climate change and human pressure.

Recent climate-driven ecological changes in tropical montane lakes of Rwenzori Mountains National Park, central Africa

Rwenzori Mountains National Park — 2020 — WHE1A8E5E8DFB

A recent study reveals that tropical montane lakes in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, central Africa, have undergone significant ecological changes over the past 150 years due to climate warming and glacial recession. The research, using paleolimnological analysis from Lake Mahoma, found a shift in diatom communities towards more tychoplanktonic taxa, concurrent with declining nitrogen isotope values, suggesting increased thermal stratification linked to regional warming. Comparisons across three lakes showed unidirectional compositional turnover, indicating deterministic processes affecting diatom communities, primarily driven by competition for resources. The study also highlighted the influence of glacial history on sediment organic carbon sources, providing insights into the ecological impacts of climate change in these sensitive alpine ecosystems.

Recent evidence of Mexican temperate forest decline and the need for ex situ conservation, assisted migration, and translocation of species ensembles as adaptive management to face projected climatic change impacts in a megadiverse country

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve — 2020 — WHEB8ECF7E7AE

Recent research highlights significant decline in Mexico's temperate forests, particularly along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and at lower elevations, attributed to climate change impacts. The study documents severe mistletoe infestations affecting Pinus hartwegii, reduced seedling recruitment of Abies religiosa, signs of inbreeding and defoliation in endangered Picea species, and increased pest and disease outbreaks in conifers and oaks. These findings challenge the assumption that natural genetic variation alone can sustain forest ecosystems under projected climate scenarios. The authors propose adaptive management strategies, including ex situ conservation, assisted migration, and translocation of species ensembles, to mitigate climate change impacts on Mexico's megadiverse temperate forests.

Recherches interdisciplinaires sur l’alimentation et l’évacuation des eaux du palais de Dioclétien à Split

Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian — 2020 — WHEB07BE89F5C

A recent interdisciplinary study reveals that the water supply and sewage systems of Diocletian's Palace in Split exhibit remarkable alignment with modern engineering standards, despite being over 1,700 years old. The research, conducted between 2014 and 2018 by a team of archaeologists, architects, and civil engineers at the University of Split, analyzed archival sources and archaeological excavations to reconstruct these systems. Notably, the aqueduct supplying the palace remains partially functional today, while the sewage system's original structure is well-preserved, offering unprecedented insights into Roman urban planning. The study highlights the advanced and enduring principles of Roman water engineering, which closely mirror contemporary practices.

Recognising values of China’s scenic and historic interest areas as world heritage cultural landscapes: Lushan case study

Lushan National Park — 2020 — WHEBAB9C891CE

Lushan National Park embodies cultural values intrinsic to China's Scenic and Historic Interest Areas, yet its management risks undermining these values due to a focus on natural conservation over traditional Chinese philosophy. A theoretical framework was developed and tested at Lushan using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, revealing a disconnect between stakeholders' understanding of the site's Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and its cultural landscape significance. The study highlights the need for supplementary advice on OUV to address this imbalance and preserve community values associated with these areas.

Recognizing Eruptions of Mount Etna through Machine Learning Using Multiperspective Infrared Images

Mount Etna — 2020 — WHE2336A293C8

A machine learning system can now automatically detect, locate, and classify the main types of eruptive activity at Mount Etna using infrared images from thermal cameras. The approach combines a Decision Tree tool to assess visibility levels with a Bag of Words-based classifier to identify eruption types—such as explosions, lava flows, or plume degassing/ash—in real time. By merging these outputs, the system provides a comprehensive, automatic description of volcanic phenomena from multiple perspectives, enhancing early hazard planning and mitigation efforts.

Reconciling Landscape Fragmentation and Hippopotamuses Population Decrease in Virunga National Park Wetland

Virunga National Park — 2020 — WHE2830944B4E

A dramatic 96% decline in the hippo population of Virunga National Park (VNP) over less than four decades is linked to severe wetland fragmentation, according to a study analyzing landscape changes from 1990 to 2018. Using remote sensing and landscape metrics—including NDVI and NDWI—researchers mapped seven land cover classes and calculated fragmentation indices, revealing a strong negative correlation between hippo population size and wetland fragmentation levels. The findings underscore the critical role of intact wetlands in supporting biodiversity, with implications for conservation strategies in VNP.