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Showing 14121 – 14140 of 15962 publications

Implementing Solomon Islands’ Protected Areas Act: opportunities and challenges for World Heritage conservation

East Rennell — 2018 — WHED5B3D49238

East Rennell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Solomon Islands, faces significant threats from resource development, invasive species, climate change, and over-harvesting. A study by Price (2018) explores how the Solomon Islands' Protected Areas Act of 2010 can be leveraged to mitigate these risks while respecting customary land tenure and local livelihoods. The research argues that integrating legal frameworks with traditional practices is crucial for effective conservation, particularly in managing landowner consent, crafting management plans, and selecting management committees. While the Act offers some protection, its implementation must balance heritage preservation with the improvement of local communities' lives to ensure long-term sustainability.

Improving Accuracy Estimation of Forest Aboveground Biomass Based on Incorporation of ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 and Sentinel-2A Imagery and Machine Learning: A Case Study of the Hyrcanian Forest Area (Iran)

Hyrcanian Forests — 2018 — WHE3342CEFAE0

Combining Sentinel-2A optical imagery with ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 radar data significantly improves the accuracy of estimating forest aboveground biomass (AGB) compared to using either dataset alone. A case study in Iran’s Hyrcanian Forest demonstrated that Support Vector Regression (SVR) models, when trained on combined Sentinel-ALOS datasets, achieved the highest prediction accuracy (R² = 0.73, RMSE = 38.68), outperforming Gaussian Processes (GP), Random Forests (RF), and Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Networks (MPL). While Sentinel-2A alone provided reasonable results, ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 data yielded poor performance when used independently. This study highlights the potential of integrating multi-sensor remote sensing with machine learning to enhance biomass estimation in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Hyrcanian Forests.

Improving Environmental Conditions in the Tomb of Tutankhamen

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2018 — WHE033488103D

A collaborative project between the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities (MoA) has successfully implemented a filtered-air supply and exhaust ventilation system in Tutankhamen’s tomb, significantly stabilizing its interior microclimate and reducing dust levels. This intervention addresses critical issues caused by mass tourism—such as increased humidity, elevated carbon dioxide, and natural ventilation—which previously exacerbated damage to wall paintings and artifacts while creating discomfort for visitors. By mitigating dust deposition on uneven surfaces, the system preserves the legibility of paintings and reduces the need for frequent cleaning, which further damaged them. The approach balances visitor comfort with long-term conservation, offering a scalable model for managing environmental challenges in high-traffic UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Influence of microclimate control scenarios on energy consumption in the Gallery of the 19th-Century Polish Art in the Sukiennice (the former Cloth Hall) of The National Museum in Krakow

Historic Centre of Kraków — 2018 — WHE59CB30B8A6

A study on the Historic Centre of Kraków reveals that achieving optimal microclimate control for preserving historic collections can significantly impact energy consumption. The research, conducted using hygrothermal simulations and in situ measurements with WUFI®PLUS software, analyzed various scenarios for the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art located in the Renaissance Cloth Hall (Sukiennice). Findings indicate that balancing strict microclimate control—crucial for preventing damage to artifacts—with energy efficiency is complex and requires interdisciplinary collaboration. The study, supported by the HERIVERDE project, highlights the need for guidelines based on ASHRAE and ICOM-IIC recommendations to minimize energy use while ensuring optimal conditions for conservation.

Integrating Sangiran Early Man Site Museum to Project-Based Learning in Science Course: The-Earth Materials

Sangiran Early Man Site — 2018 — WHE4FA9888D62

A study integrating the Sangiran Early Man Site Museum with project-based learning (PBL) in a science course on earth materials demonstrated that PBL effectively enhances research skills, teamwork, and group discussions among junior high school students. However, challenges were noted in independent learning, scientific approach adoption, and project report presentation. The research used mixed methods, including questionnaires and interviews, to assess student responses. Conducted with 28 seventh-grade students in Karanganyar, Central Java, the study also highlighted PBL's potential as a tool for teaching local wisdom, offering insights into educational strategies that balance engagement with skill development.

Investigating the Applicability of Sustainable Urban Form and Design to Traditional Cities, Case Study: The Old City of Sana'a

Old City of Sana'a — 2018 — WHE7AE1B5535F

Traditional urban layouts, exemplified by the Old City of Sana'a, demonstrate superior sustainability compared to modern designs. A study applying principles of form and density, walkability and connectivity, and building energy found that traditional cities excel in compactness, intersection rates, and solar access. Using GIS, ECOTECT, and Space Syntax modeling, researchers confirmed that older urban forms provide higher integration, fewer angular changes, and optimal solar exposure year-round. These findings underscore the potential of historical urban planning as a model for sustainable development.

Israeli Jerusalem

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2018 — WHE7EB86D76CD

Following the 1948 war, Jerusalem was divided between Israel and Jordan, with East Jerusalem, including the Old City, under Jordanian control. This division left Jewish Jerusalem yearning for the Old City and Western Wall, while Palestinians in Jordanian Jerusalem felt their city was incomplete without the lost neighborhoods in West Jerusalem. The 1967 war dramatically altered the city's landscape under Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank, leading to significant changes that reshaped the city's geopolitical and cultural dynamics.

Israeli Settlements in the Old City of Hebron

Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town — 2018 — WHE748F4F42DE

Israeli settlements in Hebron's Old City have severely disrupted its historical and architectural integrity since 1967. The study reveals that systematic land confiscation, forced closures, and military restrictions have transformed the area into a 'ghost town,' with most streets deserted and shops shuttered. These actions, aimed at Judaizing Palestinian areas, have led to mass deportations and economic collapse, while shifting commercial activity to areas beyond checkpoints. The research underscores the urgent need for preservation efforts that address both architectural heritage and the political pressures hindering rehabilitation.

It is raining bugs: summer dispersal of aquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera: Nepomorpha) in Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria)

Srebarna Nature Reserve — 2018 — WHE5EAA3A9AA6

A study on the Srebarna Nature Reserve, a wetland of significant conservation value, reveals that aquatic bugs, particularly Corixidae (water boatmen), exhibit peak dispersal activity during the first hour after sunset. The research, conducted over 11 nights using UV light traps, collected 4589 individuals, including 13 species not previously recorded in the reserve. This finding sheds light on the dispersal behavior of these insects, with female dominance observed in the most abundant species. Environmental factors such as air temperature, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed were found to influence the dispersal activity of Sigara striata, a common species. The study provides critical data for future research on the phenology and fauna of aquatic bugs in this unique ecosystem.

Jaguar and puma captivity and trade among the Maya: Stable isotope data from Copan, Honduras

Maya Site of Copan — 2018 — WHE85F156B3FC

A new analysis of stable isotope data from the Maya site of Copán, Honduras (A.D. 426–822), reveals that jaguars and pumas were systematically managed through captivity and trade for ritual purposes. Two distinct dietary regimes—one enriched with C4 plant inputs indicative of artificial feeding, the other dominated by natural C3 signatures—were identified among felid remains from public and private rituals, including those in Altar Q and Motmot caches. This pattern, combined with species-specific oxygen isotope variations, suggests an extensive faunal trade network operating across the Copán Valley. The findings demonstrate that wild animals were intentionally brought into human settlements to be processed into secondary goods or used ritually, providing direct evidence for the Maya's sophisticated animal management practices during the Classic period.

La ville coloniale de Santo-Domingo (République dominicaine), entre patrimonialisation et gentrification

Colonial City of Santo Domingo — 2018 — WHE9363AAC749

Santo Domingo, the 'first city of the New World,' undergoes significant socio-spatial transformations driven by tourism development and gentrification. The study reveals that the city's rich colonial heritage—marked by landmarks like the first convent and university—attracts substantial international tourism, which in turn fuels investment and gentrification, particularly in its historic core. This process reshapes the urban landscape while preserving its cultural significance. The research links tourism growth to these changes, employing a qualitative approach to analyze spatial and social dynamics.

Land Cover Changes on Ambergris Caye, Belize: A Case Study of Unregulated Tourism Development

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System — 2018 — WHEE13CF1F410

Between 2000 and 2017, Ambergris Caye, Belize—a key tourist destination within the UNESCO-listed Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System—experienced a significant 10.85% decline in vegetation cover, alongside a 39% increase in urban and barren land, driven by rapid, unregulated development. Using Landsat satellite imagery and unsupervised classification methods, researchers quantified these changes, revealing an annual forest loss rate of 0.67%. This baseline study highlights the environmental impacts of tourism-driven growth on tropical ecosystems, offering critical data for conservation and sustainable planning efforts in the region.

Land cover changes on the West-African coastline from the Saloum Delta (Senegal) to Rio Geba (Guinea-Bissau) between 1979 and 2015

Saloum Delta — 2018 — WHE02674DC3C4

Between the late 1970s and mid-2010s, wooded areas along the West African coastline from Senegal's Saloum Delta to Guinea-Bissau's Rio Geba expanded by 2% in mangroves and 3.5% on dry land, driven primarily by mangrove growth—particularly pronounced in recent decades. This net increase masks significant regressions offset by even greater progressions, with dynamic sectors outpacing stable ones. The study employed LANDSAT TM imagery and undirected classification techniques, enhanced by Principal Component Analysis to refine radiometric contrasts and reclassify misallocated pixels, revealing complex land cover dynamics over 36 years.

Landscape co-management practices and power structures at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wachau, Austria

Wachau Cultural Landscape — 2018 — WHEBC8A718758

A study on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wachau, Austria, reveals that while co-management involving civil society, market forces, and authorities can drive cultural sustainability, it also risks reinforcing existing power structures. The research finds that active citizenship contributes significantly to landscape sustainability, yet new governance platforms often mirror old power dynamics, limiting their potential for transformative change. Pluralistic perspectives and tensions, though beneficial, struggle to disrupt entrenched power constellations.

Landscape-scale distribution of tree roosts of the northern long-eared bat in Mammoth Cave National Park, USA

Mammoth Cave National Park — 2018 — WHE526DCC4AD4

Female northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) in Mammoth Cave National Park, USA, predominantly select roost sites within 2000 meters of known hibernacula, favoring higher elevations in mesic upland deciduous forests near water sources and road corridors. This landscape-scale pattern, identified through mist-netting and radiotelemetry from 2015 to 2016, challenges traditional microhabitat-focused conservation strategies by highlighting the importance of broader spatial considerations for effective maternity habitat management. The study underscores the need for empirically-based, large-scale assessments to inform policies aimed at conserving this declining species.

Landslide susceptibility mapping using fuzzy logic and multi-criteria evaluation techniques in the city of Quito, Ecuador

City of Quito — 2018 — WHE8231BE7540

A landslide susceptibility map for Quito, Ecuador, reveals that 5% of the study area faces critical risk, with 19% high, 58% average, and 18% low sensitivity. The research leveraged fuzzy logic and multi-criteria evaluation techniques in GIS to model susceptibility based on historical and field-validated landslide data. Key factors such as topography, geology, precipitation, and vegetation were standardized using a sinusoidal function to assess their correlation with landslides. Validation confirmed the model's accuracy with a 78.4% adjustment rate and a standard error of 0.216, underscoring its reliability for infrastructure planning in high-risk zones like Simón Bolívar Avenue.

Late Pleistocene Deer in the Region of the National Park “Serra da Capivara” (Piauí, Brazil)

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2018 — WHEB005D0C534

A groundbreaking discovery in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Serra da Capivara National Park, Piauí, Brazil, reveals the presence of two deer species during the Late Pleistocene epoch. Fossil analysis from the Lagoa dos Porcos deposit identified a small deer (genus Mazama) and a larger, previously unrecorded species in the region, Morenelaphus sp. This marks the first documentation of Morenelaphus in Piauí State, significantly expanding its known paleogeographic distribution. The study also highlights ecological distinctions between cervid fauna in the park's karstic areas and the alluvial plain of Lagoa dos Porcos, offering new insights into Pleistocene biodiversity patterns in northeastern Brazil.

Learning from Urban Heritage Conservation in Yazd: Achievements and Warnings

Historic City of Yazd — 2018 — WHE64E394D3BD

Yazd's urban heritage conservation offers valuable lessons for preserving Iranian cities, highlighting the significance of open public spaces as catalysts for historic city recovery. The study identifies key challenges and achievements, including the high costs and uncertain outcomes of private interventions, community involvement, transportation systems, and the underutilized potential of religious endowments. By analyzing local authorities' roles, development plans, conservation methods in public and private spaces, and social engagement, the research provides insights into effective strategies for urban heritage preservation. It underscores the transition from generic objectives to specialized planning, emphasizing the importance of balancing central functions and soft mobility solutions.

Lessons from Białowieża Forest on the history of protection and the world's first reintroduction of a large carnivore

Białowieża Forest — 2018 — WHEB6562CF5F1

Białowieża Forest's brown bear (Ursus arctos) reintroduction in 1937 marked the world's first large carnivore reintroduction driven by conservation goals, offering critical lessons for modern wildlife conservation. The study reveals that bears were once revered and protected as noble game until the 18th century, but persecution due to hunting and bounties led to their extirpation in 1879. The reintroduction project demonstrated success with soft release of cubs born in captivity, achieving wild reproduction for eight years and bear presence for 13. However, challenges included the release of human-habituated bears, reliance on feeding, and lack of local community involvement. This historical analysis underscores the importance of integrating scientific game management, humane treatment, and community engagement to ensure the long-term survival of large carnivores in ecosystems.

Link between cattle and the trophic status of tropical high mountain lakes in páramo grasslands in Ecuador

Sangay National Park — 2018 — WHEFD3F517DF8

Extensive cattle grazing in the high-altitude páramo grasslands of Ecuador's Andes significantly influences the trophic status of tropical mountain lakes, with cattle abundance emerging as a key predictor of chlorophyll-a concentrations. A survey of 30 lakes in Cajas National Park revealed that higher cattle presence correlates with increased phytoplankton biomass and shifts in community composition, favoring diatoms and dinoflagellates over chlorophytes. Notably, Lake Culibrillas in Sangay National Park, where livestock farming is more intensive, exhibited chlorophyll-a levels more than double those observed in Cajas NP lakes, marked by a pronounced dinoflagellate bloom. Despite these increases, water quality remained low in eutrophication terms (0.02–1.8 µg/L), suggesting that while current grazing practices do not cause severe degradation, further intensification could deteriorate lake conditions. The study highlights the potential ecological risks of expanding livestock farming in páramo ecosystems.