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Afterword: Expansive yet Particularised Moments

Würzburg Residence with the Court Gardens and Residence Square — 2025 — WHE0E7898CCEB

A critical reassessment of Giovanni Tiepolo's ceiling fresco (1750–53) in the Würzburg Residence reveals two enduring eighteenth-century interpretations that challenge reductive views of cosmopolitan conviviality. These interpretations emphasize situatedness, spatio-temporal particularities, and limitations—finding relevance for contemporary cosmopolitan philosophy and practice. The study employs close analysis of the fresco's historical context to propose modifications in how cosmopolitanism is understood and applied today.

Age-Dependent Climate Sensitivity of Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) in the Southern Sikhote-Alin Mountains

Central Sikhote-Alin — 2025 — WHE0DEF7CED12

Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) exhibits significant age-dependent climate sensitivity, with radial growth strongly influenced by previous-year August temperatures and drought conditions. Researchers analyzed 191 increment cores from trees at various ontogenetic stages, revealing that climate-growth relationships vary markedly across life stages—with stage-specific chronologies explaining up to 98% of variance, while cambial-age-based models showed minimal predictive power (R² = 0.03–0.14). These findings underscore the critical need to incorporate ontogenetic structure in dendroclimatic studies and climate reconstructions for Korean pine-dominated ecosystems in the Southern Sikhote-Alin Mountains.

Agroclimatic landscapes of pergamon: Modeling agricultural suitability of an ancient city and its environs

Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHE51C1713F0B

Agricultural suitability in Pergamon's environs varied significantly over time, with the western Bakırçay plain consistently supporting crop cultivation due to stable climatic conditions. In contrast, the eastern plain and foothills showed greater variability, necessitating adaptive land management strategies. This study challenges the notion of a uniform 'Roman Climate Optimum,' highlighting local agroclimatic nuances that influenced ancient societies' economic dependencies on trade networks. Researchers used paleoclimate simulations integrated with the EcoCrop niche model to reconstruct spatio-temporal changes in agricultural potential from 400 BCE to 400 CE, validated by pollen-based reconstructions.

Aguas termales y turismo de salud en el Camino Real de Tierra Adentro en Chihuahua.

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro — 2025 — WHEC8386E71F8

Chihuahua, Mexico's largest state, holds significant potential for developing high-quality thermal tourism, though its current balnearios and hot springs are relatively simple. A study identifies the need to enhance these attractions by differentiating between leisure, pleasure, and health benefits while leveraging Chihuahua's cultural heritage tied to the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. The research employs a mixed-method approach, including surveys of users—focusing on socio-demographics, travel motives, and destination preferences—and interviews with stakeholders from the Pueblo Mágico de Casas Grandes. This methodology aims to examine thermalism as both a therapeutic practice rooted in ancient traditions (Arab, Greek, Roman) and a means to strengthen regional identity, particularly among indigenous groups like the Rarámuris, Tepehuanos, and Guarijíos.

Alba, la città delle “cento” torri: una proposta per la valorizzazione delle strutture evidenti e latenti

Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato — 2025 — WHE48D1386DD1

Alba, Italy, is renowned for its medieval towers, which once symbolized the political and military power of leading families. While often described as the 'city of a hundred towers,' this perception is an overestimation, yet it reflects the significant density of these structures in the city's historic core. A notable aspect of this research is the identification and documentation of both visible and latent tower structures—those integrated into building facades or concealed underground—which are crucial to understanding Alba's architectural heritage. The study proposes strategies for preserving and enhancing these structures, emphasizing their importance within the cultural policies of a city that leads the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Langhe-Roero-Monferrato. By focusing on both evident and latent traces, this work aims to foster greater citizen involvement and sensitivity among tourists, contributing to the sustainable development of Alba's cultural landscape.

Alburnoides holciki Coad and Bogutskaya 2012

Tugay forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve — 2025 — WHECE511548B9

A previously unknown species of fish, Alburnoides holciki, has been identified in Tajikistan's rivers, including the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve. Genetic and morphological analysis revealed that this species, initially thought to be Alburnus bipunctatus or Alburnoides bipunctatus eichwaldi, belongs to a recently described taxon (Alburnoides holciki). The discovery was made through examination of 39 specimens from the IBIW_FS collection and additional preserved samples. This finding highlights the biodiversity significance of Tajikistan's riverine ecosystems, particularly within protected areas like Tigrovaya Balka, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The research underscores the importance of genetic studies in unraveling cryptic species diversity in freshwater environments.

Algiers as Laboratory of the Multicultural Urban Environment of Western European Civilization (1830-1962)

Kasbah of Algiers — 2025 — WHEC3495EAE44

Algiers' colonial transformation (1830–1962) exemplifies how Western urban planning imposed civilizational dominance while preserving multicultural layers. French architects, prioritizing European styles like Neoclassic and Neo-Moorish, demolished parts of the Casbah to build colonial districts, symbolizing Western superiority. The 'Prost' master plan accelerated this shift, using architecture as a tool for segregation—evident in the Diar-el-Mahsoul housing complex—which reinforced social fragmentation. This case reveals Mediterranean multiculturalism's complexities, where architecture became both an instrument of coercion and a means to organize coexistence. Legacy effects persist today, shaping Algiers' fragmented structure and post-colonial identity struggles.

Algiers: ‘Rock the Casbah' and Post-Colonial Legacies

Kasbah of Algiers — 2025 — WHE8B3D3AC1E1

Algiers, known as the 'White City,' reflects the enduring impact of colonialism and post-colonial struggles on its urban landscape. The city's distinct European and indigenous quarters, along with an interstitial buffer zone, highlight the dual identity shaped by 132 years of French occupation. This legacy has hindered Algiers' modernization, creating a sense of alienation and limiting its potential as a globalizing nation. The study examines 'Arab Modernism' through Algiers' urban form and architecture, revealing how colonial history continues to influence its development in the 21st century.

Alluvial fan development mirrors settlement dynamics in the peri-urban surroundings of ancient Pergamon, western Türkiye

Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHE86233AF4E6

Intensified human activities during the Roman Imperial period in the peri-urban surroundings of ancient Pergamon triggered significant sediment dynamics, leading to the burial of the Bakırçay alluvial plain by the prograding Araplı alluvial fan. This study identifies distinct phases of landscape development using sediment cores from the Araplı alluvial fan, analyzed through macroscopic and geochemical methods alongside radiocarbon dating. The research reveals that while the Early Holocene period was characterized by a floodplain with seasonal water bodies, human activities during the Roman Imperial period likely increased soil erosion, altering sediment deposition patterns more prominently in peri-urban areas compared to rural regions. This finding underscores the local variability of sediment dynamics in response to historical transformations, mirroring modern-day land degradation trends.

Alpine Connections

Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia — 2025 — WHEF01D7155E9

Aquileia, a Latin colony in northeastern Italy, emerged as the pivotal hub for Roman cultural and economic influence over Noricum, predating Rome's direct annexation. This study reveals that Aquileia's strategic position fostered deep pre-Roman exchanges with Noricum, shaping its political, economic, and cultural trajectory from early interactions to the Severan period. By analyzing epigraphic and archaeological records, the research highlights Noricum's role as a resource-rich frontier, facilitating trade, military distribution, religious syncretism, and artistic influences. The findings underscore Aquileia's transformative impact on local governance, business, and public service, offering new perspectives on provincial life in the Roman Empire.

Altitudinal distribution, diversity, and conservation of pines and oaks in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve — 2025 — WHE3525D8DEE8

Research reveals that the distribution and diversity of pine (Pinus) and oak (Quercus) species in Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve are significantly influenced by human activities, such as logging and agriculture. The study found that while alpha diversity did not vary with elevation, beta diversity exhibited an inverted hump pattern at both high and low elevations, likely due to anthropogenic disturbances. Pinus pseudostrobus and Quercus laurina emerged as the dominant species, with the least abundant species showing the most restricted geographic ranges. To analyze these patterns, scientists established six elevation transects (2,250–3,300 m above sea level) with 32 points spaced 150 meters apart, recording 25 trees per site with a diameter at breast height of at least 10 cm. This work underscores the need for targeted conservation strategies to preserve the biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by these crucial tree species.

Alveolar Weathering Mechanism of Sandstone in the Yungang Grottoes: A Coupled Process of Moisture–Mineral Interactions and Salt Crystallization

Yungang Grottoes — 2025 — WHEF6E583DB8A

A coupled weathering mechanism involving moisture–mineral interactions and salt crystallization has been identified as the primary driver of sandstone degradation at the Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The study reveals that illite-rich siltstone nodules and pore structure heterogeneity accelerate microcrack propagation and cavity formation due to hydration-induced clay mineral adjustments and crystallization pressure from sulfate salts like gypsum. These findings underscore the synergistic role of clay-related structural weakening and salt damage in sandstone deterioration, providing critical insights for assessing weathering risks and guiding conservation efforts in similar semi-arid environments.

Ambivalent temporalities of mega-infrastructures in Lamu, Kenya

Lamu Old Town — 2025 — WHEC36D44DA5D

Mega-infrastructure projects, once central to state development strategies and local contestations, often recede into the background of everyday life as their initial goals falter. A study on Lamu Port, Kenya, reveals that such projects can become overshadowed by shifting political dynamics, leadership changes, and societal adaptations, rather than achieving their anticipated transformative impact. Fishermen displaced by the port's construction adapt precariously to new material conditions, while some actors begin to question whether the project will ever materialize, viewing its lack of progress as more threatening than the infrastructure itself. The research underscores the analytical value of studying infrastructure over time, highlighting how ambivalent temporalities demonstrate that once-spectacular or disruptive projects gradually become nebulous nodes within complex state-society relations and contestations.

Ammonite survival across the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary confirmed by new data from Denmark

Stevns Klint — 2025 — WHE2ADA101507

New evidence from Stevns Klint, Denmark, confirms that ammonites survived the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event. Researchers analyzed fossil specimens from the Cerithium Limestone Member, revealing that most ammonites in this unit are autochthonous Danian survivors, not redeposited Maastrichtian fossils. Only one specimen was identified as reworked from the Maastrichtian era. The study combines taphonomic and sedimentological analyses to support this conclusion, challenging previous assumptions about ammonite extinction. This finding raises questions about what ultimately caused the demise of the last surviving ammonites on Earth.

Amphibians of the largest inland Atlantic Forest fragment, Iguaçu National Park, Paraná State, southern Brazil

Iguaçu National Park — 2025 — WHEA3F7749DCB

Iguaçu National Park, the largest inland fragment of the Atlantic Forest and a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site, harbors 31 amphibian species, including two first records for Paraná State. The study reveals that while the park's anuran assemblage shares strong similarity with Argentina's Iguazú National Park—sharing 24 species—the distinct vegetation types (Semideciduous Seasonal Forest and Mixed Ombrophilous Forest) shape unique local distributions, with some species exclusive to each type. This highlights the importance of both parks in conserving regional biodiversity despite their proximity. The research combined field sampling of adults and tadpoles from 21 water bodies with historical records, uncovering a reproductive diversity comparable to other Atlantic Forest regions.

Ampliación de la distribución del Semillero Pico Rosado Sporophila nuttingi (Ridgway) (Passeriformes: Thraupidae) para Honduras

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve — 2025 — WHEBE5369E727

A groundbreaking ornithological discovery has expanded the known distribution of the Nicaraguan Seed-Finch (Sporophila nuttingi) to include Honduras, marking a significant range extension for this species. Previously documented only in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and northwest Panama, the finch was first observed in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve's cultural zone, particularly within the Miskito indigenous territory of BAKINASTA (Wampusirpi), during a survey in 2023. Researchers identified both male and female individuals, later corroborated by additional sightings in neighboring regions of Guatemala and Honduras. This finding suggests a broader presence of this humid forest specialist than previously assumed, with implications for conservation efforts across Central America's Atlantic slope.

An Ampulla of Saint Menas from Dara (Anastasiopolis)

Abu Mena — 2025 — WHE65523C7F2A

A recently discovered Menas ampulla from the Agora excavations in Dara (Anastasiopolis), dating between 620 and 640 AD, provides tangible evidence of the city's historical connection to Egypt and Abu Mina, a significant Christian pilgrimage site. These small terracotta flasks, typically adorned with depictions of Saint Menas flanked by camels, were produced in Abu Mina and carried holy water or oil by pilgrims returning from their journeys. The ampulla's excavation stratigraphy confirms its late date, offering insights into the enduring influence of Abu Mina during Late Antiquity (500–640 AD) and the broader network of Christian devotion across regions.

An analysis of Ajanta Art: Its features and contemporary significance

Ajanta Caves — 2025 — WHEF51A404CB8

Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Maharashtra, India, stand as a testament to the pinnacle of ancient Indian art and architecture from 2nd century BCE to 6th century CE. This study reveals Ajanta's artistic brilliance through its thematic richness, stylistic innovations, and sophisticated techniques, particularly in depicting Buddhist narratives like Jataka tales with profound emotional depth and naturalism. The integration of architecture, sculpture, and painting within the caves showcases a rare holistic artistic vision. Beyond historical significance, the research explores Ajanta's contemporary relevance, including its influence on modern Indian art movements such as the Bengal School, its role in cultural diplomacy, heritage tourism, and conservation challenges. The study underscores Ajanta's enduring impact on global art history and its deep-rooted connection to ancient Indian religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions.

An analytical review of ancient coating technology employed at Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Ancient City of Sigiriya — 2025 — WHEFE01B34BBC

A groundbreaking analysis reveals the sophisticated ancient coating technology used at Sigiriya, Sri Lanka's 5th-century rock fortress. The study identifies key materials such as Sesame oil, Dorana oil, Hal Dummala, and plant gums through modern chemical studies, offering insights into their compositional properties. This research not only sheds light on the advanced techniques of ancient civilizations but also opens avenues for developing sustainable, environmentally friendly coatings that could inspire future material science innovations beyond historical replicas.

An annotated checklist of terrestrial small mammals of Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda based on recent reassessments (2009–2023)

Nyungwe National Park — 2025 — WHE51DABECE5D

A comprehensive annotated checklist of terrestrial small mammals in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, identifies 58 species, including 40 rodents and 16 shrews, with six species found outside the natural forest. Recent field reassessments (2009–2023) and advanced taxonomic methods revealed around 20 previously unrecorded species, updating existing checklists. The study used voucher specimens and Cytb sequencing to confirm cryptic species, providing critical data for biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts in the park.