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Publications

Showing 14401 – 14420 of 15962 publications

E. coli and Coliform Bacteria as Indicators for Drinking Water Quality and Handling of Drinking Water in the Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal

Sagarmatha National Park — 2017 — WHE077AC9E9CE

A study conducted during the 2016 pre-monsoon dry season in the Khumbu Valley, Sagarmatha National Park (SNP), and its buffer zone revealed significant fecal contamination in drinking water sources, primarily groundwater-fed springs. The research found weak correlations between total coliform data and increasing temperature, decreasing elevation, and pH, but a notable correlation between population density—including tourist numbers—and higher levels of E. coli and total coliforms. Importantly, drinking water stored in tanks or transported long distances exhibited much higher bacterial contamination, suggesting that improved water handling practices could significantly enhance drinking water quality and public health outcomes.

Earth-based construction material field tests characterization in the Alto Douro Wine Region

Alto Douro Wine Region — 2017 — WHE36594A2383

Field tests for characterizing earth-based materials in tabique buildings, a traditional construction method in the Alto Douro Wine Regionreveal critical insights into their physical and chemical properties. This study marks the first systematic evaluation of such materials in situ, providing a foundation for assessing material suitability for conservation, rehabilitation, or new constructions. The research proposes a series of field tests to guide future normative documents, offering architects and engineers actionable knowledge to preserve this vernacular heritage. By addressing the lack of scientific studies on tabique technology, this work bridges gaps in traditional building practices while ensuring sustainable preservation efforts.

El ceremonial en la ciudad más antigua de América: Caral

Sacred City of Caral-Supe — 2017 — WHEA707A7CDA3

Caral, the oldest civilization in America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, emerged around 2900 BC in the Supe Valley, north of Lima, Peru. This society established a unique political and administrative system based on religion and labor, influencing neighboring populations for over 1,000 years without resorting to warfare or coercion. Archaeological evidence reveals a deeply religious culture where rituals involving music, dance, and sacred fire in public buildings fostered social cohesion. Caral's advanced technology and balanced governance model, characterized by distinct social classes with privileged access for an elite, exemplify its sophisticated organization. The civilization's peaceful nature and enduring impact have earned it the title 'Mother City.'

Envisaging Eternity

Speyer Cathedral — 2017 — WHE5954805235

Salian women played a pivotal role in the foundation of Speyer Cathedral and the establishment of their dynasty's legitimacy through their interactions with the church. Their contributions, including cathedral founding, monastery establishment, and charitable donations, are documented in charters and chronicles, highlighting their influence on imperial burial practices in the cathedral's crypt. Notably, Agnes of Poitou's deathbed donations underscore the women's active participation in shaping family identity and memory. This study reveals how Salian queens leveraged traditional queenly activities to solidify their dynasty's position within the German realm.

Estimating willingness to pay for desalinated seawater: the case of Djerba Island, Tunisia

Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory — 2017 — WHEBD19042D45

A significant majority of households on Djerba Island, Tunisia, support the use of desalinated water to address water scarcity, yet fewer are willing to pay for it. This study combines a contingent valuation survey with joint modeling to assess societal support and household willingness to pay (WTP) for desalinated seawater—a relationship not previously explored in research. Findings indicate that while desalination is widely accepted as a solution to water stress, the financial viability of such projects remains uncertain due to low WTP. The research underscores the need to evaluate WTP in developing countries before investing in large-scale desalination infrastructure, ensuring cost recovery and sustainable water management.

Eurasia and India

Golden Mountains of Altai — 2017 — WHE035D457336

The 'Golden Mountains of Altai' region, spanning 351,000 km² in southern Siberia, shares deep cultural and spiritual parallels with India. This study highlights enduring traditions and beliefs prevalent across Buryatia, Khakassia, Altai, and Tuva Republics, emphasizing their connection to Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist cosmologies—particularly the sacred Mount Meru (Sumeru). The research draws from firsthand travel experiences, documenting rituals like offerings of tea, bread, and coins at birch trees, which symbolize reverence for nature. It also explores Altai's multifaceted significance as a 'Gate to Shambhala' or 'Pearl of Asia,' bridging Eurasian and Indian spiritual landscapes. Methodologically, the study combines ethnographic observation with comparative analysis of religious texts, offering a nuanced perspective on transcontinental cultural syncretism.

Evolution Evaluation and Optimization of Industrial Structure in Ecologically-sensitive and Contiguous Severely Poverty-stricken Areas in West China--A case study of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Area

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas — 2017 — WHEE9130C7D7A

A case study of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas reveals that the region's industrial structure is characterized by unrealistic advancement, lack of diversification, and low specialization. This imbalance hinders poverty alleviation efforts in one of China's most ecologically sensitive and underdeveloped regions. The research employed diversification ratio and location quotient (LQ) to evaluate the evolution of industrial structure over time. Key findings suggest that sustainable development strategies should prioritize agriculture adapted to plateau characteristics, promote eco-friendly industrialization models, and leverage tourism as a driver for economic growth. These insights highlight the need for targeted structural optimization to balance ecological preservation with socioeconomic progress in such fragile landscapes.

Examination of the Cultural Tourism Perception of Safranbolu in Terms of Domestic Tourists’ Travel Behaviours

City of Safranbolu — 2017 — WHE687011E936

Domestic tourists' perception of Safranbolu as a cultural destination varies significantly based on their visit frequency and duration, according to a study analyzing data from 290 respondents. While the majority expressed high satisfaction with their travel experience and recommended it to others, they were less inclined to revisit the site compared to other factors. The research, conducted using questionnaire data analyzed via SPSS 22, highlights the nuanced relationship between cultural tourism perception and tourist behavior in Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized since 1994 for its rich historical and non-tangible heritage.

Excavations at the Jahānnamā complex: urban archaeology at Isfahan, Iran

Meidan Emam, Esfahan — 2017 — WHE746E240C99

Recent excavations at the Jahānnamā complex in Isfahan, Iran, have uncovered significant insights into the urban development of the city during the Safavid dynasty (AD 1501–1722), particularly under Shah Abbas I. The study revealed that a new avenue or boulevard, known as the Charbagh (Ḵiyābān-e Čahārbāğ), was constructed between AD 1595 and 1596. This boulevard not only served as a leisure attraction outside the city walls but also connected key institutions of the capital, reflecting the strategic urban planning of the era. The research utilized archaeological methods to explore the historical layers of Isfahan, providing a deeper understanding of its architectural and urban evolution during this pivotal period.

Exhumation history of the western Kyrgyz Tien Shan: Implications for intramontane basin formation

Western Tien-Shan — 2017 — WHE7DAA7F6F6B

A new thermochronological study reveals that the western Kyrgyz Tien Shan began significant exhumation around 25 million years ago, much earlier than previously thought. This early uplift dissected the continuous Parathethyan Sea, isolating intramontane basins like the Fergana and Alai. The research combines new data with existing records to show that while initial exhumation was slower, a rapid late Miocene cooling event affected the entire Tien Shan range uniformly, challenging notions that the Pamir or Tarim alone drove this geological process. The findings provide critical insights into the Cenozoic evolution of the western Tien Shan and its implications for basin formation in Central Asia.

Exploring New Cahokian Neighborhoods: Structure Density Estimates from the Spring Lake Tract, Cahokia

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2017 — WHE5997EB7CBC

A recent magnetometry survey of the Spring Lake Tract at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, conducted in 2015, reveals significant insights into the site's occupational history. The study identifies a previously unknown borrow pit and demonstrates an increase in building density during the transition between the Terminal Late Woodland and Lohmann phases. Additionally, it shows dense occupation between the Lohmann and Stirling phases, with potential increases in habitation during the Moorehead phase. This challenges previous understandings of domestic space use in Cahokia's late occupational history. The research combines gradiometer data with test excavations and statistical analyses to estimate structure density and area.

Exploring the effects of a ‘new’ listing of a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the case of Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens — 2017 — WHE19B675E303

A UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) listing significantly influences visitor behavior, satisfaction, and revisit intentions. A study comparing pre- and post-listing data from the Singapore Botanic Gardens revealed that WHS designation alters the perceived importance of push-pull factors—motivations driving visitors to a site—and increases overall satisfaction and intent to return. The research highlights how global recognition can reshape tourism dynamics, offering actionable insights for marketing strategies. By analyzing visitor surveys before and after the 2015 listing, the study provides evidence that WHS status enhances perceived value and emotional connection to heritage sites.

Field Observation and Vulnerability Assessment of Gonbad-e Qābus

Gonbad-e Qābus — 2017 — WHE6FD566F129

Gonbad-e Qābus, the world's tallest pure-brick tower at 52.8 meters, stands as a testament to early Islamic architecture amidst urban development. A study reveals that the structure is vulnerable to seismic demands with a return period of 475 years, necessitating retrofit strategies for enhanced stability. The research employs nonlinear finite-element simulations and equivalent lateral static force methods to assess potential structural and architectural damages, providing detailed classifications and proposed solutions. Key findings underscore the urgent need for conservation efforts to preserve this monumental heritage site from seismic risks.

Fire Response to Local Climate Variability: Huascarán National Park, Peru

Huascarán National Park — 2017 — WHEFC57E25CD2

Fire activity in Huascarán National Park, Peru, is primarily driven by local climate variability rather than anthropogenic influences. Despite concerns from resource managers about increasing fires due to human alterations, analysis of MODIS data from 2002 to 2014 revealed that fire occurrences and burned areas are strongly linked to precipitation patterns, particularly during the dry season (Peruvian winter). While active fires increased within the park, most recurrent burning occurred in the buffer zone, aligning with park policies but contradicting managerial perceptions. The study suggests that small-scale fires create an illusion of larger impacts, highlighting a disconnect between perceived and actual fire dynamics. This research underscores the need for resource managers to reconcile fire perception with reality to improve parkland management.

First measurement of ice‐bedrock interface of alpine glaciers by cosmic muon radiography

Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch — 2017 — WHEECBCD1BC7A

Scientists have successfully applied cosmic muon radiography to map the bedrock topography beneath alpine glaciers for the first time, revealing critical insights into glacial erosion mechanisms. Using emulsion film detectors installed along the Jungfrau railway tunnel in the Swiss Alps, researchers measured the ice-bedrock interface under Aletsch Glacier, uncovering a NE-SW striking bedrock that dips at 45° ± 5°, extending up to 50 meters below the surface. This innovative approach, leveraging cosmic ray muons, offers unprecedented precision in studying glacial geology and promises to advance our understanding of how glaciers shape underlying landscapes.

First record of terrestrial Enchytraeidae (Annelida: Clitellata) in Versailles palace’s park, France

Palace and Park of Versailles — 2017 — WHEEDF959E7E9

A remarkable diversity of terrestrial enchytraeid worms, belonging to six genera and including 24 species, has been recorded for the first time in a meadow within the Palace and Park of Versailles, France. This discovery marks one of the highest enrichments of enchytraeid biodiversity documented in a European meadow, significantly contributing to the understanding of these understudied organisms in France, often considered a 'terra incognita' for such research. The study, conducted in spring and autumn 2016, involved soil sampling from loamy meadow soil, followed by species identification using established taxonomic methods.

First record of the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum panamense (Prorocentrales, dinophyceae) in the Mexican Pacific from the Archipiélago de Revillagigedo

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo — 2017 — WHE2AE2946CEA

Scientists document the first occurrence of the toxic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum panamense in Mexican Pacific waters, specifically within the UNESCO-listed Revillagigedo Archipelago. During March 2017 sampling across three islands (at depths of 60–70 m and surface temperatures of 21–23 °C), ten cells were identified via plankton net sampling—a notable finding given the species’ association with harmful algal blooms in other regions. This discovery extends its known range northward along the Pacific coast, raising potential implications for marine ecosystems and coastal communities in the area.

First systematic investigation of adults and second checklist of caddisflies of the Plitvice Lakes National Park with notes on research history, biodiversity, distribution and ecology

Plitvice Lakes National Park — 2017 — WHE75F19A2849

Plitvice Lakes National Park, recognized by UNESCO since 1979, harbors the highest caddisfly (Trichoptera) biodiversity in Croatia, with 89 species recorded to date. This study presents the first systematic investigation of adult caddisflies conducted between 1997 and 2001, identifying 77 species using light and emergence traps. It also provides an updated checklist and explores factors contributing to this exceptional biodiversity, comparing species assemblages across 12 localities and different aquatic habitats—springs, streams, lakes, and tufa barriers. The research highlights the unique ecological conditions of the park, offering insights into its rich faunal composition and historical research context.

Four new species of terrestrial-breeding frogs of the genus Phrynopus (Anura: Terrarana: Craugastoridae) from Río Abiseo National Park, Peru

Río Abiseo National Park — 2017 — WHEF6953E8D51

Researchers have identified four new species of terrestrial-breeding frogs within the genus Phrynopus, significantly expanding the known diversity of this group. These discoveries, made on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental near and within Río Abiseo National Park in Peru, include Phrynopus anancites, P. capitalis, P. dumicola, and P. personatus, each exhibiting distinct morphological traits such as coloration, skin texture, and habitat preferences. Notably, one specimen of P. dumicola was found infected with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a fungal pathogen linked to amphibian declines. The study highlights the biodiversity richness of Río Abiseo National Park, which harbors these frogs in diverse habitats ranging from wet montane grasslands to tropical montane rain forests at elevations between 2800 and 3850 meters.

From Above and on the Ground: Geospatial Methods for Recording Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa

Archaeological Site of Cyrene — 2017 — WHEC138C6925B

The EAMENA project demonstrates that geospatial methods, combining satellite imagery from 1960s to 2017 with published data and field surveys, can effectively document and analyze threats to archaeological sites across the Middle East and North Africa. Using Cyrene as a case study, the research highlights how modern urban expansion impacts World Heritage Sites, while also showcasing the methodology's scalability through extensive land-use mapping of Homs Cairns. The approach, which integrates image interpretation and fieldwork, proves more effective than crowd-sourcing or automation alone for assessing disturbances in diverse regions.