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Publications

Showing 14101 – 14120 of 15962 publications

Factors influencing bacterial microbiome composition in a wild non-human primate community in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire

Taï National Park — 2018 — WHE6B12D30E52

A groundbreaking study reveals that the gut microbiomes of nine sympatric non-human primate species in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, are shaped by host species, social group dynamics, and parentage, rather than direct social relationships. Surprisingly, chimpanzees exhibited unique phylogenetic overdispersion patterns, contrasting with the expected clustering seen in other monkey species. This suggests distinct ecological or physiological factors influencing their microbiome composition. The research employed a comparative approach to analyze microbiome data across species, providing insights into the complex dispersal routes and evolutionary pressures shaping these microbial communities.

Farmers survey of wild mammals species implicated in crop damage in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR-Epulu, Democratic Republic of the Congo): severity and control strategies

Okapi Wildlife Reserve — 2018 — WHE569E9E7F17

A survey of farmers in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo revealed that primates, including species of guenons and baboons, along with elephants, cause significant crop damage during the maturation and fructification stages of maize, cassava, and bananas. Farmers primarily rely on guarding their fields to mitigate this damage. The study, conducted between June and August 2010, interviewed 210 farmers from seven tribes using probabilistic surveys and structured interviews. It highlights the severe impact of wild mammals on agricultural productivity in the region, emphasizing the need for effective control strategies to protect both crops and wildlife.

Fine-Scale Evaluation of Giant Panda Habitats and Countermeasures against the Future Impacts of Climate Change and Human Disturbance (2015–2050): A Case Study in Ya’an, China

Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains — 2018 — WHE11B2D22298

A comprehensive study predicts that giant panda habitats in Ya’an, China, will expand under climate change alone but shrink significantly (58.56%) when human disturbance is factored in, with suitable habitat shifting westward, northward, and eastward. Unlike previous research showing habitat loss due to climate change, this study found potential increases, emphasizing the critical role of human activity in shaping conservation outcomes. The research used MaxEnt modeling under two scenarios—climate change alone and coupled with human disturbance—to identify priority regions for expansion within the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries UNESCO World Heritage site. It also highlighted gaps in current conservation networks, suggesting two specific areas for future protection based on high-resolution remote-sensing data and field investigations.

Foliar elemental profiles in the ultramafic flora of Kinabalu Park (Sabah, Malaysia)

Kinabalu Park — 2018 — WHECF2EEE863E

Research on the ultramafic flora of Kinabalu Park, Sabah, Malaysia, reveals significant hyperaccumulator behavior in numerous plant species. The study identified 38 species accumulating aluminum (Al) at concentrations exceeding 1000 μg g⁻¹, along with notable accumulators of manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). Specifically, 24 species exhibited extreme Ni accumulation (>1000 μg g⁻¹), with a striking phylogenetic pattern where 75% of these Ni hyperaccumulators belonged to the order Malpighiales. This discovery underscores the unique ecological adaptations of Kinabalu's flora, particularly in ultramafic soils. The study analyzed foliar elemental profiles of 594 plant species (1710 samples), comparing ultramafic and non-ultramafic soil types to elucidate element-specific uptake patterns, including exclusion of phytotoxic elements like Ni and Mn.

Forecasting Foreign Guest Nights in Ancient Cities of Sri Lanka

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa — 2018 — WHE06092198B5

A robust forecasting model, ARIMA (1,0,1) (1,1,2)6, has been identified as highly effective for predicting foreign guest nights in Sri Lanka's UNESCO-listed ancient cities, including Polonnaruwa. This model, validated through rigorous statistical tests, demonstrates minimal error and accurately captures the seasonal patterns of tourism occupancy. The study highlights the significance of such forecasting in optimizing hotel operations, influencing pricing, staffing, maintenance, and security strategies. While the Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model performs well, future research is recommended to explore the Circular Model for potentially improved forecasting accuracy by accounting for both seasonal and cyclical variations.

Forensic Art History: the Ädel Painting Dispute 1839-1841

Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland — 2018 — WHE68A4C25FD5

A multidisciplinary investigation combining forensic art history and scientific analysis has resolved an 180-year-old dispute over the pigments used by 19th-century Swedish painter Anders Erik Ädel. The study, which analyzed judicial protocols alongside non-invasive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and spectroscopic methods, revealed that Ädel indeed used more costly pigments than agreed upon in his contract with client Erik Olofsson. This finding not only validates Ädel's claim from 1839 but also provides unprecedented insights into his painting techniques and materials, contributing to a deeper understanding of his artistic practice. The research underscores the value of integrating historical records with advanced scientific methods to reinterpret art history, particularly for UNESCO-listed sites like Hälsingland's decorated farmhouses.

Forests of the Iguaçu National Park: Structure, Composition, and Richness

Iguaçu National Park — 2018 — WHE4E569B0434

A phytosociological survey of Iguaçu National Park's arboreal vegetation reveals a rich biodiversity with 218 species across 54 families and 135 genera, highlighting the park's advanced ecological succession. Euterpe edulis Mart. emerged as the most frequent species, alongside Aspidosperma polyneuron Müll. Arg., defining seasonal forests in central and southern regions. In contrast, the northern region, at 700 meters above sea level, showcased a transitional environment with Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze and Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil., blending seasonal and ombrophillous forest characteristics. This study addresses a significant gap in scientific knowledge by characterizing the park's forest ecology after seven and a half decades, providing critical insights for conservation efforts.

Fresco “Saint Mary of Blachernae with Archangels” in the 1502 Wall-Painting of the Cathedral Church of Ferapontov Monastery. Interpretation and Symbolism

Ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery — 2018 — WHE6ADEF29DA5

A novel interpretation of the 1502 fresco 'Saint Mary of Blachernae with Archangels' from Ferapontov Monastery, attributed to Dionisy, reveals it as a representation of the 'Synaxis of the Archangel Michael.' This study provides the first iconographic analysis linking the inscription on the icon to the liturgical text of the 'Lifting of the Panagia' rite, offering insights into its symbolic significance. The research suggests that this interpretation influenced Russian iconographic tradition, both during Dionisy's time and in earlier periods.

From ‘Sustaining heritage’ to ‘Heritage sustaining broader societal wellbeing and benefits’

Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia — 2018 — WHE5ED47A2F1F

The Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia (CCLC) exemplifies how heritage can sustain broader societal wellbeing and benefits, moving beyond traditional conservation models. This study highlights the site's exceptional status as a living, productive agricultural landscape with robust legal protections, including land use management and denomination of origin instruments. The Management Plan is structured around values that contribute to Outstanding Universal Value, addressing sustainability challenges through a cultural landscape model. Risk-related changes in agricultural land use are mitigated by integrating conservation agriculture into national food security policies, such as CONPES. This approach demonstrates the potential for heritage sites to drive societal benefits while ensuring long-term sustainability.

Garden Empire or the Sublime Politics of the Chinese-Gothic Style

Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz — 2018 — WHE9E46C06632

Eighteenth-century European gardens, particularly those incorporating Chinese-Gothic architectural elements, served as political symbols reflecting royal power and governance ideals. The study reveals that the 'Chinese-Gothic style,' popularized by architect Sir William Chambers, was not merely an aesthetic choice but a deliberate representation of empire and sublimity, contrasting with the strict geometric designs of French Renaissance gardens. This style was contentious, as evidenced by contemporary critiques such as William Mason's satirical poem, which highlighted its discordant elements. The research explores how garden design in sites like Kew Gardens (London) and Dessau-Wörlitz (Germany) mirrored broader political ideologies, with the irregular 'landscape garden' style being championed as a reflection of constitutional governance over despotic rule.

Geotourism in Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark, South Korea

Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes — 2018 — WHEF4BC3F8EF7

Jeju Island, recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2010 and revalidated in 2014, showcases diverse volcanic geosites that include cinder cones, tuff cones, lava domes, and lava tube caves. Additionally, it features a Pleistocene fossil site and a Holocene carbonate beach composed of algal nodules. The study highlights the conservation efforts, monitoring practices, and sustainable development programs implemented within the geopark to protect these unique geological formations while promoting education and geotourism. These initiatives aim to balance preservation with visitor engagement, ensuring the long-term sustainability of Jeju Island's natural heritage.

Giving the Past a Future: Essays in Archaeology and Rock Art Studies in Honour of Dr. Phil. h.c. Gerhard Milstreu

Rock Carvings in Tanum — 2018 — WHEB97C7B5FDF

A collection of scholarly essays celebrates Dr. Gerhard Milstreu's 40-year contribution to rock art research and documentation, highlighting his pioneering work in promoting the significance of images in archaeology, fostering international collaboration, and engaging the public with prehistoric art. The volume brings together contributions from Europe, addressing themes such as rock art interpretation, technological advancements in recording, and public involvement. It reflects Milstreu's emphasis on giving the past a future by encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and mentoring the next generation of researchers.

Grey Incidence analyze of Environment Monitoring Data and Research on the Disease Prevention Measures of Longmen Grottoes

Longmen Grottoes — 2018 — WHE8AD4A7FA73

A grey incidence analysis of environmental monitoring data from the Longmen Grottoes reveals critical relationships between environmental factors and the deterioration processes affecting its cultural relics. The study identifies seepage water and fracture displacement as key contributors to weathering, organism growth, and other diseases threatening the site's preservation. By analyzing temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, light intensity, soil moisture, and rock surface temperatures—both regionally and within experimental caves—the research establishes a relational order of environmental impacts on structural degradation. The findings support targeted disease prevention measures based on the formation mechanisms of these deteriorative processes.

Heritage interests: Americanism, Europeanism and Neo-Ottomanism

Stari Ras and Sopoćani — 2018 — WHE8F6E863558

Heritage practices in the Novi Pazar district of Serbia reveal complex intersections of Americanism, Europeanism, and Neo-Ottomanism, challenging traditional narratives centered on Christian identities and medieval Raška. The study demonstrates that UNESCO's World Heritage approach, while committed to preserving legacies like Imperial Rome and medieval Raška, overlooks the region's hyper-connectivity—driven by transnational interests from Europe, Turkey, the U.S., Asia, and the Middle East—that reshapes physical landscapes, Islamic identities, and diplomatic spheres. By analyzing these processes, the research highlights the need for heritage frameworks to account for multidimensional influences that transcend historical silos.

Heritage management and conservation activities at World Heritage Sites.

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range — 2018 — WHE57E38152BE

Heritage management at UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHSs) is significantly influenced by postmodernism and globalization, shaping both conservation approaches and responsibilities. This study examines the complexities of heritage management through philosophical perspectives, duty frameworks, tourism impacts, and cultural differences between Eastern and Western views. Using 'Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range' as a case study, it highlights how these global phenomena interact with local conservation efforts, revealing nuanced challenges in preserving cultural heritage while balancing tourism and community engagement.

Hierarchical value map of religious tourists visiting the Vatican City/Rome

Vatican City — 2018 — WHEB610B7D401

Researchers identified three prominent sets of values that drive religious tourism to Vatican City: religious and pious, spiritual, and tourism-related responsibility. The most significant connection found was between exploring the traditions and history of religious sites, leading to a genuine religious experience, which ultimately enhanced faith and spirituality. This insight was derived using means-end chain theory, analyzing foreign tourists' perceptions of Catholic religious sites when their primary purpose was religious tourism.

Histories and Material Manifestations of Slavery in the Upper Gambia River Region: Preliminary Results of the Bandafassi Regional Archaeological Project

Bassari Country: Bassari, Fula and Bedik Cultural Landscapes — 2018 — WHED278598A58

Archaeological evidence from the Bandafassi Regional Archaeological Project (BRAP) reveals significant changes in settlement patterns and defensive architecture in the Upper Gambia River region, highlighting the local impacts of Atlantic-era slavery. These material manifestations contrast with narratives used in UNESCO World Heritage applications, which emphasize interethnic ecological complementarities, and local tour guides' narratives, which focus on intercommunity politics and militarism. BRAP's approach analyzes historiographical silences and acknowledgments to uncover the complexities of slavery's role in shaping this multiethnic landscape, offering a nuanced perspective that complements broader regional studies.

Hunting scenes in Cueva de las Manos

Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas — 2018 — WHE4CF26758B6

A new analysis of painted hunting scenes in Cueva de las Manos, Argentina, reveals that the earliest depictions (dated ca. 9400–6800 bp) are uniquely preserved within this site, while later tonal series exhibit broader spatial dispersion, suggesting seasonal mobility circuits between highlands and steppe regions. Researchers examined tonal groups, superimpositions, design patterns, composition, panel locations, and micro-stratigraphy to link Cueva de las Manos with Cerro Casa de Piedra, proposing a dynamic cultural landscape during the late Pleistocene.

Hydraulic complexities

Sacred City of Anuradhapura — 2018 — WHEC46EA0506E

Anuradhapura's hydraulic system, comprising perennial and seasonal tanks, played a pivotal role in its development as a significant Indian Ocean urban center. The city's layout included three distinct zones: the Citadel, the monumental Sacred City, and the hinterland. The Nuvaraveva, Tissaveva, and Basavak Kulam tanks were central to this system, with extensive restorations conducted by the British in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The study sheds light on the hydraulic complexities that sustained Anuradhapura's urban core, while also addressing historical narratives, such as the Culavamsa's account of the 11th-century Chola conquest, which depicted it as a violent event leading to widespread destruction and plundering.

Impact of changes in lightning fire incidence on the values of the Tasmanian wilderness world heritage area

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2018 — WHE637B1943C4

A shift from arson to lightning as the primary cause of fire in Tasmania since 1980 threatens unique ecosystems and Aboriginal cultural landscapes within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Lightning-caused fires endanger highly fire-sensitive species, organosols, and palaeoendemic plants, while simultaneously reducing burning in fire-dependent vegetation types. The study highlights the need for increased planned burning of fire-tolerant and fire-requiring vegetation, alongside improved ignition suppression, rapid response capabilities, and lightning fire detection to preserve World Heritage values.