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Showing 15141 – 15160 of 15962 publications

Developing a Monitoring Programme for Mammals in Himalayan Protected Areas: A case study from Khangchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, India

Khangchendzonga National Park — 2014 — WHE5BA34F6947

A comprehensive monitoring programme for mammals in Khangchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, India, was developed using field techniques like trail monitoring, scan counts, camera trapping, and dung counts between 2008-2012. The study confirmed the presence of 42 mammal species, with camera trapping proving most effective for carnivores and solitary ungulates. To detect a 10% annual decline in snow leopard populations with 70% power, 800 effective camera days per year over seven years are required. The estimated cost for detecting significant population changes in mammals ranges from Rs.3,067,000 (US$51,116) over 10-15 years. Regular monitoring of critical habitats and strict patrolling can mitigate negative impacts of anthropogenic activities such as unsupervised livestock grazing and unsustainable resource extraction.

Development of artificial intelligence based NO 2 forecasting models at Taj Mahal, Agra

Taj Mahal — 2014 — WHED0DEF0C0C6

A novel artificial intelligence-based model outperforms traditional methods for forecasting NO₂ concentrations at the Taj Mahal, Agra. The PCA–ANN (Principal Component Analysis–Artificial Neural Network) model demonstrated superior accuracy with a correlation coefficient of 0.91 during validation, compared to multiple linear regression (MLR), which achieved 0.89. This study highlights the potential of computational intelligence in public health-oriented air quality forecasting, particularly for high-pollution periods like November when levels spike significantly around the monument. The model's reliability was validated through statistical metrics including NMSE, IOA, and FB, all showing strong agreement with observed data.

Differences in Survival and Growth Among Tropical Rain Forest Pioneer Tree Seedlings in Relation to Canopy Openness and Herbivory

Sinharaja Forest Reserve — 2014 — WHE93884A63F3

A study on pioneer tree species in Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka, reveals that canopy openness significantly enhances seedling survival over time, while herbivory reduces it, particularly under dense canopies. The research tracked 960 seedlings of six species across four gap-understory positions, finding that survival and growth varied consistently with known shade tolerance rankings. Notably, Trema orientalis exhibited the lowest survival but highest growth potential when established, whereas Dillenia triquetra showed the highest survival but minimal growth. Wendlandia bicuspidata uniquely responded positively to herbivory by resprouting. These findings suggest that both light availability and herbivory play crucial roles in shaping pioneer species distribution through fine-scale niche partitioning, with implications for reforestation strategies.

Dynamic Monitoring of Yin Xu Site by Remote Sensing

Yin Xu — 2014 — WHE25E9DC3E40

Remote sensing reveals that the protection planning system for Yin Xu, China's 3,300-year-old Shang Dynasty capital, has been effective but is threatened by rapid urban expansion. The study used aerial photo interpretations and field-validated classifications to monitor changes in settlements, riverways, roads, factories, and green areas from 1972 to 2010. While the heritage site's protection efforts have largely succeeded, adjacent construction has negatively impacted its preservation.

Earthquake Damage and Repair: New Evidence from Jerusalem on the 1927 Jericho Earthquake

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2014 — WHE2464CD0FFE

A field survey in Jerusalem's Old City uncovered numerous iron anchors used to stabilize earthquake-damaged structures following the 1927 Jericho earthquake, revealing a previously undocumented repair technique. These anchors, classified into six types and found on pre-twentieth-century walls, were part of a strategy implemented by the British Mandate to reinforce weakened buildings. The study maps their locations, characterizes their host structures, and provides new evidence of the earthquake's impact on Jerusalem, located 30 km from the epicenter near the Dead Sea.

Effects of poaching on Topshell Tectus niloticus population of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Palawan, Philippines

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park — 2014 — WHE68541E716B

A dramatic 75% decline in the topshell (Tectus niloticus) population at Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park between 2006 and 2008 was attributed to poaching, with abundance highest near intertidal zones (~1.5m depth) but significantly reduced at deeper sites (5m). The study, conducted in 2008 following illegal harvests in 2006–2007, revealed that 15 of 33 poaching cases since 2004 involved topshells, implicating 26 boats and 190 fishermen. Economic incentives and black-market demand drove the poaching, posing a threat to reef ecosystems. The research underscores the need for sustained law enforcement to curb further population decline.

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro y la colonización en la jurisdicción de las villas de San Miguel y San Felipe en el siglo XVI

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro — 2014 — WHE22B95C5AB1

The Camino Real de Tierra Adentro played a pivotal role in the colonization of northern territories during the 16th century, serving as a critical geographic and administrative framework for the establishment of villas like San Miguel and San Felipe. This study reveals how the route facilitated land grants for livestock ranching and agricultural activities, shaping the region's socio-economic landscape under Spanish rule. While its prominence waned by the mid-19th century, the path remained a dominant transit corridor until its eventual decline. The research draws on historical records to trace the Camino's influence on settlement patterns and governance in the area.

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, Eje De Comunicación Del Septentrión Novohispano

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro — 2014 — WHE02D7F2E8EC

The Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a vital communication route in the Novo-Hispanic Septentrion from the 16th to 18th centuries, facilitated cultural exchange and settlement across northern Mexico. This study reveals how its evolution was shaped by mining booms, indigenous resistance, and geographic challenges, leading to shifts in its path. Researchers analyzed historical documents, contemporary accounts, and modern historiographical studies to trace these changes, offering insights into the route's role in forming a distinct mestizo culture in the region.

El turismo cultural en una Ciudad Patrimonio de la Humanidad: El caso de la ciudad de San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Tenerife, España)

San Cristóbal de La Laguna — 2014 — WHECFB34C9677

A significant portion of tourists visiting San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tenerife, are drawn to its cultural attractions despite the island's reputation for mass tourism centered on sun and beach. This study reveals that cultural tourism plays a pivotal role in diversifying the region's offerings, with tourists exhibiting distinct sociodemographic profiles, behaviors, and motivations during their visits. Conducted by the University of La Laguna, the research analyzed survey data collected from tourists at the end of their stay to assess key factors influencing their experience. The findings underscore the potential for cultural tourism to enhance the economic and cultural value of heritage sites in high-traffic tourist destinations.

Eriobotrya balgooyi (Rosaceae), a new obligate ultramafic endemic from Kinabalu Park, Borneo

Kinabalu Park — 2014 — WHE229E5A444D

A new species of Eriobotrya, named Eriobotrya balgooyi (Rosaceae), has been discovered in Kinabalu Park, Malaysian Borneo. This obligate ultramafic endemic is restricted to ultramafic soils on Mount Kinabalu and nearby Mount Tambuyukon, both within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The discovery highlights the significant but understudied flora of ultramafic outcrops in northern Borneo, emphasizing the need for urgent conservation efforts. Taxonomic analysis using herbarium material from multiple collections confirmed its novelty.

Espaço e Materialidade na Tripolitania Romana: uma tentativa de reconstituição da cidade de Oea em meados do II Século * Space And Materiality In Roman Tripolitania: an attempt of recovery of the city of Oea in the Mid-Second Century

Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna — 2014 — WHEAA3B8D2F6E

A groundbreaking attempt to reconstruct the lost Roman city of Oea, now buried beneath Tripoli, Libya, sheds light on its material culture and urban space. By analyzing Apuleius of Madaura's Apology—a firsthand account of his public vilification for witchcraft—and comparing it with surviving archaeological and epigraphic artifacts from nearby Leptis Magna and Sabrata, researchers partially visualize the city as it existed in the mid-2nd century AD. This interdisciplinary approach, combining literary, epigraphic, and comparative urban studies, offers a rare glimpse into a Roman city otherwise obscured by modern development.

Ex Oriente Ad Danubium; The Syrian Units on the Danube Frontier of the Roman Empire

Frontiers of the Roman Empire — 2014 — WHE4BB16FB8DC

Roman military strategy on the Danube frontier incorporated Syrian units, as revealed by historical and archaeological evidence. These units played a crucial role in securing the empire's northern border, blending Eastern tactical innovations with Roman organizational frameworks. The study analyzes their deployment, training, and cultural integration through textual sources, inscriptions, and material culture, offering new insights into the Roman army's adaptability and multicultural dynamics during the 2nd to 4th centuries CE.

Exploring the impacts of protected area tourism on local communities using a resilience approach

Purnululu National Park — 2014 — WHE8793E86BE1

Protected area tourism, while offering intrinsic and tangible benefits to local communities, also presents complex challenges that require multifaceted policy responses. A study examining the impacts of tourism on communities bordering Kruger National Park (South Africa) and Purnululu National Park (Australia) revealed a sense of disconnect between tourists and locals, alongside entrenched poverty and limited economic opportunities. The research, grounded in resilience thinking, highlighted that while intrinsic appreciation for nature conservation exists among local communities, tangible benefits such as employment are crucial but insufficient alone. Negative impacts, including damage from wildlife and visitation difficulties, were also noted. The study underscores the need to develop diverse economic opportunities, build community capacity, and manage expectations to achieve social equity and long-term benefits for local communities.

Exploring the Shared Use of World Heritage Sites: Residents and Domestic Tourists' Use and Perceptions of the Summer Palace in Beijing

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2014 — WHE3B73C71A08

Residents and domestic tourists at the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Beijing, share similar motivations and experiences despite differing use patterns. The study highlights that while both groups value the site for its cultural significance and aesthetic appeal, their behaviors—such as peak visitation times and preferred areas—can lead to conflicts or interplay. These findings provide actionable insights for heritage management, suggesting strategies to balance shared access while mitigating potential disruptions.

Feeding ecology of the Ethiopian wolf in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Simien National Park — 2014 — WHE3BB597EBAF

Ethiopian wolves in Simien National Park primarily rely on rodents, particularly Arvicanthis abyssinicus, as their main prey source. This was determined through a study analyzing 214 fecal samples collected between 2011 and 2012. A. abyssinicus accounted for 72% of rodent consumption, with a Chesson index value of 0.3 indicating it as the most preferred prey item. The study also found no significant seasonal difference in prey frequency, suggesting consistent feeding patterns regardless of weather conditions. Protecting rodents is deemed crucial for the conservation of Ethiopian wolves in this region.

First High‐resolution GPR and Magnetic Archaeological Prospection at the Viking Age Settlement of Birka in Sweden

Birka and Hovgården — 2014 — WHE0ACDFC96BD

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic gradiometer surveys at Birka, a UNESCO-listed Viking Age settlement in Sweden, revealed intricate structural details of the proto-urban site. The non-invasive geophysical methods mapped houses, property boundaries, pathways, and buried town ramparts from multiple construction phases, including a gate. This pioneering 2006 study demonstrated the effectiveness of high-resolution GPR and magnetometry for archaeological prospection in Scandinavian contexts, combining state-of-the-art data processing with GIS-based interpretation to uncover new insights about Birka-Hovgården's layout and development.

Forest Carbon Stocks in Lowland Area of Simien Mountains National Park: Implication for Climate Change Mitigation

Simien National Park — 2014 — WHE11BB5C5520

Simien Mountains National Park's lowland forests store significant carbon, with mean above-ground and below-ground biomass carbon stocks of 270.89±154.50 t ha⁻¹ and 54.18±30.81 t ha⁻¹ respectively, alongside 242.51±46.42 t ha⁻¹ in soil organic carbon. These findings highlight the park's potential for climate change mitigation, with 20 species contributing to a total of 2334 trees and shrubs (DBH ≥5 cm). The study used allometric models (Brown, 1998) for above-ground biomass and below-ground-to-above-ground ratios (MacDicken, 1997) to estimate carbon stocks, while dead wood, leaf litter, herb/grass, and soil organic carbon were assessed via quadrate sampling and lab analysis. This research underscores the ecological value of Simien's lowland forests in Ethiopia's climate change mitigation efforts.

Fossil treasure house for exploring the Cambrian explosion

Chengjiang Fossil Site — 2014 — WHEE32BC02BC5

The Chengjiang Fossil Site has emerged as a pivotal 'fossil treasure house' for unraveling the Cambrian explosion—a rapid diversification of life forms during the early Cambrian period. This site, along with other Burgess Shale-type fossil Lagerstatten, preserves soft-bodied fossils in exceptional detail, offering unique insights into marine biodiversity and evolutionary trends. The recently discovered Xiazhuang Assemblage, similar to the Chengjiang fauna, includes arthropods, brachiopods, priapulids, lobopods, and problematic taxa, though with notable absences like Kunmingella douvillei. Comparative studies across these sites reveal chronological changes in biological communities, while limited specimen collections highlight the need for intensified fossil excavation to further enrich our understanding of this critical period.

Fresco-Icons on Façades of Churches in Upper Svaneti (Georgia)

Upper Svaneti — 2014 — WHE85DEF4F461

Fresco-icons on the south facades of 13th-century churches in Upper Svaneti, Georgia—specifically the Church of the Archangels in Iprari and St. George church in Ipkhi—serve as liminal markers, functioning as visual references to the chancel barrier (templon) and addressing the space in front of them. These exterior murals, depicting the Deesis iconography, play a crucial role in the spatial and symbolic organization of Christian churches, bridging the gap between the sanctuary and the laity. The study interprets the facade fresco-icons as templon imagery, highlighting their significance in religious architecture and ritual practice.

Gaudí Gehry Barcelona

Works of Antoni Gaudí — 2014 — WHE1AF49AC75D

This study reveals a subversive critique of architectural and spatial conditions embedded in the late works of Antoni Gaudí and Frank Gehry, challenging their roles as mere tourist icons. It establishes a link between Gaudí’s Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Família and Gehry’s late works, particularly his Fish sculpture in Barcelona, by interpreting their organic forms through Heideggerian philosophy. The research argues that both architects deconstruct traditional architectural practices to critique ontological closure, urging a radical reimagining of space and time beyond historical norms.