World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 15001 – 15020 of 15962 publications

Pre- and postmortem tyrannosaurid bite marks on the remains of Daspletosaurus (Tyrannosaurinae: Theropoda) from Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada

Dinosaur Provincial Park — 2015 — WHE870C420A0C

A remarkable discovery from Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, reveals evidence of tyrannosaurid cannibalism through pre- and postmortem bite marks on a Daspletosaurus specimen. The cranium and mandible exhibit numerous premortem injuries with signs of healing, suggesting intraspecific combat. Postmortem damage to the mandible indicates late-stage carcass consumption, likely by another large tyrannosaurid, possibly a congener, providing an additional record of tyrannosaurid cannibalism. The study combines detailed morphological analysis and taphonomic context to distinguish between pre- and postmortem bites, offering insights into the behavior and ecology of these apex predators during the Late Cretaceous.

Preservation and preemption in Japan’s Shirakami Sanchi World Heritage Area

Shirakami-Sanchi — 2015 — WHEE92577A82C

Japan's Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Area demonstrates how ecological preservation can be achieved through expanded civic engagement, though at the cost of marginalizing traditional forest users. This study highlights a successful case where the construction of a forest road in the 1980s threatened the ancient beech forest's integrity, leading to enhanced governmental commitment to conservation and public involvement. The research combines literature reviews, interviews with key stakeholders, and field observations to explore the balance between ecosystem protection, civic participation, cultural heritage, and administrative efficiency. Findings underscore the challenges of inclusive protected-area management, offering valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in park management.

Promoting the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area: environmental presentation within tourist brochures

Greater Blue Mountains Area — 2015 — WHEE8595D7154

Tourism brochures from the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area reveal significant gaps in promoting environmental and conservation values, with limited use of 'World Heritage' branding and minimal representation of non-modified eucalyptus environments. The study analyzed materials from Visitor Information Centres (VICs) to assess their effectiveness in raising awareness about the region's ecological significance. Findings indicate inconsistent promotional efforts across VICs, hindering both brand recognition and environmental consciousness. This suggests that 'green' advertising in this context has not yet reached its full potential, despite the area's UNESCO designation.

Quantifying the projected impact of the South African sardine fishery on the Robben Island penguin colony

Robben Island — 2015 — WHE545F2B8CE8

Research indicates that the South African sardine fishery is likely to have minimal impact on the African penguin colony at Robben Island, even when compared to scenarios without fishing. The study used a population dynamics model linking penguin adult mortality to local sardine biomass, fitted to moult counts and tagged penguin re-sightings. Findings suggest that rapid colony growth in the 1990s was driven by immigration rather than local survival improvements. Projections based on future sardine abundances under current fishery management procedures show that fishing's impact is overshadowed by uncertainties in sardine spatial distribution.

Repairs to the Llangollen arm of the Shropshire Union Canal

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal — 2015 — WHE8590861797

The Llangollen arm, a critical navigable feeder to the Shropshire Union Canal and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal, has faced persistent structural challenges since its 1805 construction. A study by Peters and Brown (2015) highlights that this section has experienced 20 significant leaks or breaches over two centuries, primarily due to its geotechnically challenging hillside location near the River Dee, a railway line, and a major road. The research documents innovative repair methods employed, including stonewalling, concrete lining, corrugated iron sheets, interlocking steel sheets, asphalt lining, and traditional clay puddling, offering insights into historical civil engineering solutions for water retention in difficult terrains. These findings underscore the arm's complex maintenance history and its significance as a testament to 19th-century engineering ingenuity.

Research on digital exhibition Old Summer Palace somatosensory interaction based on Leap Motion

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2015 — WHE2FF1B72736

A novel approach using Leap Motion technology enhances the immersive experience of digital exhibitions at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly for the Old Summer Palace. This somatosensory interaction method allows users to engage with virtual reconstructions through intuitive hand gestures, reducing reliance on traditional input devices like mice or keyboards. The study demonstrates that high-fidelity virtual environments can effectively bridge the gap between real and simulated experiences, offering a non-invasive way to explore cultural heritage without altering original sites. This innovation addresses challenges in digital preservation by enabling detailed scene interactions while preserving historical integrity.

Residential patterning at Angkor Wat

Angkor — 2015 — WHE5A9F06CC94

New evidence from Angkor Wat challenges traditional views of temple precincts, revealing that the large rectangular enclosure surrounding the temple was not exclusively reserved for the elite or priestly classes. LiDAR surveys and excavations have uncovered signs of low-density residential occupation, suggesting that these areas may have housed individuals servicing the temple rather than being solely sacred or reserved for the wealthy. This finding reshapes our understanding of the social hierarchy within Angkor Wat's community.

Robotic Mapping of Cultural Heritage Sites

Würzburg Residence with the Court Gardens and Residence Square — 2015 — WHEA74FC0A8F0

Robotic mapping using the mobile robot Irma3D demonstrates significant advancements in automating 3D modeling of cultural heritage sites, including the Würzburg Residence. Equipped with a camera and laser scanner, the robot streamlines data acquisition and registration processes, addressing challenges posed by massive datasets. The study highlights its effectiveness through testing at two renowned sites: Ostia Antica and the Würzburg Residence, showcasing its potential to revolutionize archaeological documentation.

Roskilde Domkirke. Styring af sognekirke og turistattraktion

Roskilde Cathedral — 2015 — WHE8D6BB5DA37

A new governance model for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exemplified by Roskilde Cathedral, emerges as a potential trend balancing religious and cultural heritage functions. The 2013 reorganization of the cathedral's governance network, including the establishment of a new foundation, reflects an adaptive approach to managing sites that straddle the intersection of Denmark's religious and museum sectors. This study highlights how such structures can navigate the dual demands of preserving historical significance while accommodating tourist attractions, offering insights into sustainable heritage management for similar globally recognized landmarks.

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — 2015 — WHE80C68C4E28

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew), houses the largest plant and fungal collections on Earth, playing a pivotal role in documenting global plant diversity and economic botany for over 250 years. A key achievement is its Millennium Seed Bank Project, which secured seeds of 10% of wild plant species across 54 countries by 2010, ensuring genetic conservation. Kew's Breathing Planet Program, launched in 2009, employs seven science-based strategies to drive global plant conservation and improve livelihoods. Through its work in taxonomy, economic botany, molecular phylogenetics, and restoration ecology, RBG Kew exemplifies institutional resilience, contributing significantly to both scientific knowledge and practical conservation efforts.

Royal misattribution: monograms in the León Antiphoner

León Cathedral — 2015 — WHE0FE580042C

A new terminus ante quem date of approximately 960 for the León Antiphoner (León, Cathedral Library, MS 8), the most complete manuscript of Old Hispanic chant, has been established through a reassessment of royal monograms on fol. 4v. This challenges previous hypotheses that placed its compilation between the first third of the tenth century and the eleventh century. The study examines the use of monograms and signa in the Visigothic written world, particularly focusing on royal insignia, to support this revised dating. It also proposes a new hypothesis regarding the role of the León Antiphoner as a potential royal insignia, shedding light on its historical significance.

Safranboluyu Ziyaret Eden Yabancı Turistlerin Destinasyon İmajı Algıları

City of Safranbolu — 2015 — WHEFDB0B2C25D

Foreign tourists visiting Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Ottoman architecture and natural beauty, generally perceive the city positively, with high satisfaction levels regarding its image, tourist guiding services, and transportation infrastructure. However, this satisfaction varies significantly based on demographic factors such as age, gender, and nationality. The study, conducted through face-to-face interviews with 400 foreign tourists, provides critical insights for sustainable preservation, revitalization, and management of historic sites, offering actionable recommendations for local authorities, managers, and investors.

Satellite-based estimates of groundwater depletion in the Badain Jaran Desert, China

Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes — 2015 — WHEE32620E3BC

Groundwater depletion is accelerating in the Badain Jaran Desert, China, despite some recent increases in soil water due to climate-driven rainfall. A study using satellite altimetry and hydrological models found that lake levels and groundwater storage have declined significantly from 2003 to 2009, with long-term depletion outpacing short-term gains. If unchecked, this trend threatens the survival of fragile desert oases, posing ecological and environmental risks.

Sedimentology and stratigraphy of the type section of the Pennsylvanian Boss Point Formation, Joggins Fossil Cliffs, Nova Scotia, Canada

Joggins Fossil Cliffs — 2015 — WHE3522055D56

A comprehensive sedimentological and stratigraphic analysis of the Boss Point Formation, spanning nearly one-third of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals new insights into Pennsylvanian paleoenvironments. The study identifies three distinct members—Chignecto Bay, Ward Point, and North Reef—each characterized by unique sedimentary features reflecting varying climatic and tectonic conditions. Contrary to regional assumptions, fine-grained deposits in the Ward Point Member are primarily floodplain sediments rather than lacustrine, indicating poorly drained to well-drained environments influenced by modest uplift from the Minudie Anticline. The North Reef Member marks a transition to arid, oxidizing conditions and precedes significant salt withdrawal, linking it to the overlying Little River Formation. This revised stratigraphic framework provides a foundational reference for future research on this globally significant fossil exposure.

Semantic description of three-dimensional models of Bologna porches

The Porticoes of Bologna — 2015 — WHE267EDB72F6

A novel method for the semantic cataloguing of Bologna's porticoes has been developed, integrating historical, material, formal, dimensional, and theoretical data into 3D models. This approach allows for detailed segmentation and visualization of the arcades' architecture, supporting their potential nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study addresses challenges in surveying, numerical modeling, and semantic analysis, providing a structured framework to make complex architectural information accessible and communicable.

Semi-automated recognition of planation surfacesand other flat landforms: a case study from theAggtelek Karst, Hungary

Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst — 2015 — WHE0029928942

Researchers identified the r.geomorphon module as the most effective method for semi-automated recognition of planation surfaces and other flat landforms in the Aggtelek Karst, Hungary. These surfaces serve as morphological indicators of different evolutionary stages, correlating with cave levels formed under stagnant erosion base conditions. The study tested multiple methods, including slope gradient thresholding and r.param.scale modules, but found that r.geomorphon best delineated relatively flat surfaces corresponding to phases of the Jósva River incision. This approach offers a new tool for reconstructing the comprehensive evolution of karst landscapes, with implications for understanding similar geological formations in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst.

Shifting elasmobranch community assemblage at Cocos Island—an isolated marine protected area

Cocos Island National Park — 2015 — WHE96AC69C158

A significant decline in the relative abundance of eight elasmobranch species, including iconic sharks and rays such as scalloped hammerhead sharks (−45%), whitetip reef sharks (−77%), mobula rays (−78%), and manta rays (−89%), has been documented over 21 years at Cocos Island National Park. Conversely, the probability of occurrence for tiger, Galapagos, blacktip, and whale sharks increased significantly during this period. The study used mixed effects models to analyze data collected by divers, accounting for observer variation and abiotic factors. These findings highlight that marine protected areas (MPAs) may not effectively protect elasmobranch species unless enforcement efforts against fishing are strengthened. The research underscores the importance of tailored conservation strategies that consider life history traits and vulnerability to fishing pressure.

Small mammals decline with increasing fire extent in northern Australia: evidence from long-term monitoring in Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park — 2015 — WHE6B1142A95A

A decade-long study in Kakadu National Park, Australia, reveals that small mammal populations decline significantly with increasing fire extent, rather than just fire frequency or patchiness. Fire extent—a measure combining fire size and frequency—was the strongest predictor of mammal declines, surpassing other metrics like the proportion of surrounding area burnt. Large, less patchy fires, which exceed the home range scales of small mammals, are particularly detrimental, suggesting limited escape options for these species. Despite ongoing management efforts, current fire regimes remain harmful to native mammals, underscoring the need for more targeted strategies to reduce fire size and mitigate biodiversity loss.

Social Media and Heritage Preservation

Samarra Archaeological City — 2015 — WHE2B2245F798

Social media has emerged as a powerful tool in heritage discourse, particularly in documenting and critiquing the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage during armed conflicts. The study highlights how social media platforms have been used to record and discuss the tragic loss of heritage, such as the destruction of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Ashur (Qal’at Shergat) and Samarra Archaeological City by militant groups like ISIS. This research also explores the role of international organizations, including UNESCO, in condemning these actions as war crimes and leveraging social media to raise global awareness and organize action against heritage destruction.

Solidarity at the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove—a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove — 2015 — WHEE51E894522

A study of the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove reveals that tourists perceive significantly higher emotional solidarity with local residents compared to how residents view tourists. This finding was derived using the Emotional Solidarity Scale (ESS), which demonstrated strong psychometric properties and consistent factor structure in this context outside the USA. The research highlights the nuanced relationship between visitors and locals during events like the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival, offering insights into emotional dynamics in tourism development, particularly in Global South settings.