World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 13221 – 13240 of 15962 publications

Spatial and temporal characteristics of tropical cyclone strikes in the northeastern Pacific Basin between San Diego, California and Las Peñitas, Nicaragua

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo — 2020 — WHEDB1B8D5630

A study analyzing 52 years of tropical cyclone (TC) data in the northeastern Pacific Basin reveals distinct hot spots for TC strikes, with regions around Manzanillo, Colima, and Isla Socorro experiencing return periods of 2 years or less. Conversely, areas like Sonora, Central America, San Diego, and northern Baja California face much longer return periods, exceeding 52 years. The research utilized track data from the National Hurricane Center's HURDAT2 and a TC size model to construct time series and calculate strike frequencies, highlighting significant spatial and temporal variations in TC activity. These findings underscore varying coastal risks across the region, providing critical insights for planners, governments, tourism agencies, and investors.

Spatial and temporal overlap of caracal and serval in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park — 2020 — WHE298923FCD6

A study in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, reveals that caracals and servals, two mid-sized nocturnal felids, exhibit high temporal overlap but distinct habitat preferences. Servals favored grasslands while avoiding shrubland and wooded grassland, whereas caracals avoided grassland and woodland-shrubland, though 73% were detected in wooded grassland. The research used occupancy analysis, kernel density estimators, and Mardia-Watson-Wheeler tests to analyze activity patterns from 2010-2012. Findings suggest that differential habitat use facilitates coexistence between the species, with no evidence of competition (Species Interaction Factor, phi = 1). The study recommends managing declining grasslands to support their continued coexistence and calls for further research on feeding ecology.

Spatial change of Lviv in the post-Soviet period and their assessment by the residents

L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre — 2020 — WHE0D165A8605

Lviv's post-Soviet spatial transformations are critically perceived by its residents, marked by increased disorder, intensified urban life, and a shift toward the city's historic core for services. The study reveals that while symbols of Lviv remain unchanged, the city has lost its cultural aura and architectural identity, with commerce disrupting historical spaces. Post-industrial areas are seen as indicators of urban crisis, and polarization deepens, contrasting expensive commercial housing with neglected public spaces. Residents highlight a lack of unified development vision, leading to chaotic changes that threaten Lviv's spatial structure. The research combines official statistics, town-planning projects, and resident surveys (200 participants) to assess these shifts, emphasizing the need for systematic urban management to preserve Lviv's multifaceted heritage.

Spatial Concentrations of Wildlife Attacks on Humans in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Chitwan National Park — 2020 — WHE4008F87ACE

Human-wildlife conflicts in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, show strong spatial correlations between attack densities of sloth bears and leopards (r ≈ 0.8), as well as among other species except elephants and wild boars at higher victim densities (>1 victim/4 km²). The study suggests dividing buffer zones into concentric rings to prioritize risk reduction based on human land use, potentially empowering local communities in conservation efforts. Researchers analyzed attack data across different land uses—such as nurseries, orchards, and cultivated areas—to identify high-risk zones and propose targeted mitigation strategies.

Spatial Configuration Analysis via Digital Tools of the Archeological Roman Town Timgad, Algeria

Timgad — 2020 — WHEF25E1B307B

A pioneering spatial analysis of the UNESCO-listed Roman town Timgad, Algeria, reveals critical insights into its urban and architectural configuration. Using advanced digital tools like Depthmap and Agraph, researchers applied space syntax methods to quantify aspects of accessibility, movement, and daily life within the site. The study identifies distinct spatial properties related to building amenities and human behavior, offering new perspectives on the archaeological value of Timgad. These findings provide valuable data for architects, urbanists, and archaeologists, enhancing our understanding of social domestic life in ancient Roman towns through a quantitative lens.

Spatial modeling for assessing extended potential habitat of Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) in Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia

Ujung Kulon National Park — 2020 — WHE4EC427CC3A

A spatial model predicts that 60.66% (29,173.8 hectares) of Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP), the sole habitat for the critically endangered Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus), could support suitable habitat conditions, with fragmentation occurring in Mount Honje due to slope and forage availability constraints. The model, developed using MaxEnt software with field observations and camera trap data from 2017–2018, identified slope, potential forage, NDVI, distance from streams, and flow accumulation as key variables, with slope being the most significant predictor. Rhinos were found to prefer lowland areas with dense vegetation, particularly rumpang grasslands and shrubs, where forage is abundant. This study provides a baseline for monitoring and conservation efforts, offering critical insights for maintaining rhino populations within UKNP's extended potential habitat.

Spatial modeling of erosion hotspots using GIS-RUSLE interface in Omo-Gibe river basin, Southern Ethiopia: implication for soil and water conservation planning

Lower Valley of the Omo — 2020 — WHED76977C434

A spatial analysis of the Omo-Gibe river basin in Southern Ethiopia reveals significant soil erosion hotspots, with annual soil loss ranging from 0 to 279 tons per hectare, averaging 69 tons. The study, combining GIS and RUSLE modeling, identifies that 15.5% of the basin faces severe to very severe erosion, contributing to an estimated 89.6 million tons of annual soil loss—far exceeding Ethiopia's permissible threshold (18 t/ha/yr). Notably, small areas with high combined LS factors drive disproportionate soil loss, underscoring critical zones for targeted conservation efforts. These findings align with prior research and provide actionable data for policymakers to prioritize resource allocation in erosion-prone regions.

Spatial Modelling of Common Chimpanzees’ (Pan troglodytes schweinifurthii) Ecological Niche in the Western Part of Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park — 2020 — WHE622BA77371

A spatial modelling study identifies that approximately 35% of Rwanda's Western Province, covering areas around Nyungwe National Park (NNP) and Gishwati-Mukura National Park (GMNP), provides suitable habitat for Common Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinifurthii). The research, using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) and Generic Algorithm for Rule-based Prediction (GARP) models, reveals that chimpanzees prefer regions characterized by high altitude, low temperature, and intense rainfall, particularly in the southern and northern parts of the study area. MaxEnt predictions proved more accurate than GARP, highlighting the critical role of precipitation and food availability in determining chimpanzee habitat suitability. The study underscores the need for targeted conservation efforts in these regions to mitigate threats from habitat loss and climate change.

Spatial modelling of shallow landslide susceptibility: a study from the southern Western Ghats region of Kerala, India.

Western Ghats — 2020 — WHE2DA5AB9ECE

A study identified that agricultural areas with slopes of 10°–40° on denudational structural hills in the southern Western Ghats, India, are highly susceptible to landslides. The research used Dempster–Shafer, Bayesian probability, and logistic regression models to assess susceptibility, with the Bayesian model performing best (ROC-AUC: 0.833). Key factors influencing landslide risk included proximity to roads, streams, soil texture, and geomorphological features. This predictive model offers a reliable tool for future land-use planning to mitigate landslide hazards in this UNESCO-listed region.

Spatial planning of tourism in protected nature areas in Slovenia and the tourism carrying capacity of Škocjan Caves Regional Park

Škocjan Caves — 2020 — WHE45C2B263AB

Sustainable tourism in protected nature areas, such as Slovenia's Škocjan Caves Regional Park, hinges on integrated spatial planning and collaboration between management bodies and local communities. Research reveals that effective regulation requires regional spatial plans, particularly for areas spanning multiple municipalities. This approach ensures balanced development while preserving ecological integrity, as demonstrated by analyzing adopted spatial acts in Slovenian protected areas.

Spatial-Social Readability of a Cityscape and Some Additional Insights into Modernistic Urban Transformations

Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919-1939 — 2020 — WHE8D42D473F2

Modernist urbanization during the Soviet era fundamentally altered the social-spatial dynamics of Lithuanian cities, including Kaunas, Klaipėda, and Vilnius. This study reveals that modernistic transformations not only reshaped physical cityscapes but also redefined public space usage and overall urban functionality. By applying interdisciplinary network theory and mathematical models, researchers analyzed how these changes influenced city operations from 1939 to 2016, providing a nuanced understanding of the interplay between spatial configurations and social behavior in urban environments.

Spatio-Temporal Changes in Wildlife Habitat Quality in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem

Ngorongoro Conservation Area — 2020 — WHECE4837AE89

Habitat quality in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem has significantly deteriorated from 1975 to 2015, with the most severe declines occurring in unprotected and human-dominated buffer areas. This study, the first of its kind for this ecosystem, used the InVEST model to quantify changes across four habitat quality classes (poor, low, medium, high). Findings reveal that anthropogenic activities and land use policy shifts drove degradation, with the least impact observed in the highly protected Serengeti National Park. The research underscores the critical need for adaptive legal frameworks and institutional arrangements to mitigate these trends amid rapid population growth.

Spatio-temporal impact assessment of land use / land cover (LU-LC) change on land surface temperatures over Jaipur city in India

Jaipur City, Rajasthan — 2020 — WHEBBFAD7D149

Jaipur, India, has experienced significant urban growth between 2008 and 2011, leading to substantial increases in land surface temperatures (LST) across various land use/land cover (LU-LC) categories. The study found a notable rise in LST during this period, with average temperature increases of 2.6 °C in winter and 1.47 °C in summer. This trend is attributed to the rapid expansion of built-up areas at the expense of green spaces and open lands, as evidenced by the rising percentage of impervious surface area (ISA). The research utilized Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data to analyze spatial variations in LST, providing insights into the impact of urbanization on temperature dynamics. These findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable urban planning to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands.

Spatio-temporal patterns of wildlife attacks on humans in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Chitwan National Park — 2020 — WHE91309EE2E5

Wildlife attacks on humans in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, are highly concentrated near forest boundaries, with 77% of incidents occurring within one kilometer. Rhinos were responsible for nearly half (43.8%) of the annual average of 38.8 attacks between 2014 and 2018, followed by wild boars, tigers, sloth bears, elephants, and crocodiles. Attacks significantly decreased with distance from the forest, dropping to 7% beyond two kilometers. The study suggests community-level fisheries development as a strategy to reduce conflicts while emphasizing the need for wildlife-friendly infrastructure to prevent harm to animals.

Species distribution models predict the geographic expansion of an enzootic amphibian pathogen

Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park — 2020 — WHEB5CCFDC975

A significant geographic expansion of the enzootic amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been identified in Costa Rica, with its distribution increasing by 60% since early 2000s estimates. This expansion includes highlands and dry lowlands previously considered unsuitable for Bd. The study, which combined histological and PCR detection methods across 451 Bd-positive records from 34 localities, revealed that Bd is widespread in protected lands (80%) and within regions of high amphibian richness and endemism. It also highlighted deficiencies in opportunistic sampling, particularly in the Talamanca Range, Nicoya Peninsula, and northern lowlands, while PCR detection proved more effective in identifying Bd hotspots on the Caribbean side. These findings enhance understanding of disease spread during enzootics and can guide mitigation efforts for future outbreaks.

Species diversity in bee flies and hover flies (Diptera: Bombyliidae and Syrphidae) in the horticultural environments of the Blue Mountains, Australia

Greater Blue Mountains Area — 2020 — WHE5E1BEFB603

Aphidophagous hover flies (Syrphidae) dominate the fly diversity in horticultural environments of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Australia. The study, conducted at Bilpin, New South Wales, found that five syrphid species constituted 62% of captured specimens, with Melangyna viridiceps alone accounting for a third. While Bombyliidae (bee flies) were less abundant, their diversity was notable, with nine species identified. The research used pan trapping and observation plots to assess fly diversity in both agricultural and native ecosystems. Notably, M. viridiceps and Triglyphus fulvicornis frequently visited flowering fruit trees, suggesting potential pollination roles. However, most flowers visited were from introduced weeds or escaped crops, highlighting the importance of diverse floral resources for sustaining aphidophagous species. The study recommends a more tolerant approach to weed management in orchards to support ecosystem services provided by these flies.

Species dominance and above ground biomass in the Białowieża Forest, Poland, described by airborne hyperspectral and lidar data

Białowieża Forest — 2020 — WHE7FCDC4928A

A study on the Białowieża Forest, Poland, demonstrates that airborne hyperspectral and lidar data can effectively monitor tree species dominance and above-ground biomass with high accuracy. Using a Classification and Regression Trees algorithm, researchers achieved over 90% accuracy in classifying plots dominated by deciduous, spruce, and pine trees. Hyperspectral vegetation indices, combined with a Multivariate Multiple Linear Regression model, provided the highest accuracy for deciduous-dominated plots (R² = 0.87), while lidar data, using an exponential regression model, estimated biomass with an overall R² of 0.66, improving slightly when hyperspectral data were added for pine-dominated plots. These methods offer a reliable tool for resource monitoring in this conservation-critical area, aiding local authorities in addressing threats from climate change and logging.

Species richness patterns of different life-forms along altitudinal gradients in the Great Himalayan National Park, Western Himalaya, India

Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area — 2020 — WHEECCB67308D

Species richness in the Great Himalayan National Park peaks at mid-altitudes (1500–3000 m), revealing distinct phytoclimatic zones characterized by dominant life-forms. Cluster analysis identified four unique plant communities across altitudinal gradients, with maximum species composition similarity (43.77%) observed between 3000–3500 m and 3500–4000 m. Asteraceae emerged as the most diverse family (101 taxa), while Potentilla stood out among genera (11 taxa). The study, based on a comprehensive checklist of 945 flowering plant taxa, classified phytoclimates into 'phanero-therophytic' (<1500 m), 'thero-phanerophytic' (1500–3000 m), 'thero-hemicryptophytic' (3000–4000 m), and 'crypto-hemicryptophytic' (>4000 m). This research underscores the park's ecological complexity, offering insights into altitudinal adaptation patterns.

Spectrotemporal Analysis of a Sample of Bursts from FRB 121102

Jodrell Bank Observatory — 2020 — WHECC5BC8D228

Researchers at Jodrell Bank Observatory have identified the shortest time separation between two individual fast radio bursts (FRBs) from FRB 121102, a repeating source of these mysterious cosmic signals. The study, using the Lovell telescope, detected a precursor burst just 17 milliseconds before the main burst, offering new insights into the spectrotemporal characteristics of FRBs. By analyzing a sample of bursts, the team compared their findings with data from other observatories, contributing to the broader understanding of these enigmatic phenomena. The study also provides open access to all detected bursts during this campaign, advancing research on the origin and behavior of repeating FRBs.

Sphaerillo boninensis Nunomura, 1990 (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) is a junior synonym of a pantropical species, Venezillo parvus (Budde-Lund, 1885)

Ogasawara Islands — 2020 — WHE801EAF060E

A re-examination of the holotype and paratype of Sphaerillo boninensis from Chichijima Island, part of the UNESCO-listed Ogasawara Islands, reveals that this species is not distinct but rather a junior synonym of the pantropical Venezillo parvus. This finding clarifies taxonomic confusion in Isopoda (Crustacea) and updates the regional biodiversity record for this globally recognized World Heritage Site. The study employed morphological analysis to compare key traits, confirming the synonymy based on shared characteristics with Venezillo parvus described from other regions.