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Showing 15501 – 15520 of 15962 publications

Australian Convict Sites and the Heritage of Adaptation: The Case of Newcastle's Coal River Heritage Precinct

Australian Convict Sites — 2012 — WHE2200B867EF

A significant insight from this study is that the historical significance of Australia's convict heritage can be found not only in surviving material remains but also in what has been destroyed, highlighting a process of adaptation and transformation over time. The research focuses on Newcastle’s Coal River Heritage Precinct, which was excluded from the Australian Government’s successful nomination of eleven ‘convict sites’ for World Heritage listing due to severe erosion of its material remains. By analyzing this case study, the authors argue that more progressive approaches are needed to fully capture the legacies of Australia's convict past, as traditional heritage criteria may overlook such adaptive processes. The study employs a comparative and reflective approach, drawing lessons from the excluded site to suggest broader implications for how convict history is preserved and interpreted.

Automatic Measurement of Shoreline Change on Djerba Island of Tunisia

Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory — 2012 — WHE38D98AAE23

Between 1984 and 2009, Djerba Island, Tunisia, experienced significant coastal dynamics, with erosion rates reaching -6.95 m/year in Aghir and accretion trends of up to +21.14 m/year in El Kastil. These findings were derived from advanced image processing techniques, including the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) and Landsat imagery, which provided precise measurements of shoreline changes across three key regions: Rass Errmall, El Kastil, and Aghir. The study highlights both erosion and accretion processes along Djerba's coast, offering critical insights into the island's evolving settlement patterns within a UNESCO World Heritage context.

Biofacies and palaeoenvironments of conodonts in Cambro‐Ordovician sequences of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Cordillera Oriental of Jujuy, Argentina

Quebrada de Humahuaca — 2012 — WHE8D2B72C10D

A study of conodont biofacies in the Santa Rosita Formation, Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals distinct palaeoenvironmental patterns linked to shallow and deeper water environments. Three biofacies were identified: Variabiloconus–Teridontus (unconstrained by environment), Utahconus–Acanthodus (associated with shallow-water sandstones), and Tilcarodus–Drepanoistodus (dominant in deeper siliciclastic lithofacies). The analysis suggests a nektobenthic lifestyle for Utahconus and Acanthodus, while other taxa exhibit pelagic adaptations. The faunal composition indicates a mix of Baltic, Laurentian, and endemic Gondwanan species, confirming the presence of an oceanic corridor facilitating faunal migration during the late Cambrian–early Ordovician.

Capacity-building for sustainable urban development: Town of Luang Prabang, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Town of Luang Prabang — 2012 — WHE83A3D82C45

Sustainable urban development in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, hinges on balancing cultural preservation with modern growth. The study highlights the site's significance as a symbol of national identity and independence, while addressing challenges posed by rapid urbanization. It explores capacity-building strategies to ensure sustainable development that respects its historical and environmental value. The research employs a multidisciplinary approach, analyzing urban planning, tourism management, and community engagement to propose actionable frameworks for preserving Luang Prabang's unique heritage amidst developmental pressures.

Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus storage in subtropical seagrass meadows: examples from Florida Bay and Shark Bay

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2012 — WHE8878F37E17

Seagrass meadows in Florida Bay and Shark Bay, Western Australia, store significant amounts of organic carbon and nutrients, with Shark Bay soils containing 21% more organic carbon and 35% more phosphorus than those in Florida Bay. Shark Bay also exhibits lower soil density, indicating a less compacted structure. Hypersaline regions in both bays show higher surficial soil organic carbon content. While Florida Bay's soil profiles suggest increased phosphorus delivery and primary productivity over the past century, Shark Bay's profiles indicate a decline in these factors over the last 1000 years. Despite differences, both bays rank among global hotspots for coastal ecosystem organic carbon storage, with Shark Bay storing an average of 243.0 MgCorg ha⁻¹ compared to Florida Bay's 163.5 MgCorg ha⁻¹.

Carving Devotion in the Jain Caves at Ellora

Ellora Caves — 2012 — WHE3C2A8F5DD0

A groundbreaking reconstruction of medieval Jain activities at Ellora, the first of its kind, reveals the significance and interplay of Jain caves alongside Hindu and Buddhist monuments. This study integrates art historical, epigraphical, and textual evidence to shed light on an understudied aspect of Ellora's cultural heritage. By examining these caves in tandem with other religious sites, it provides a comprehensive understanding of their role within the broader context of medieval Indian devotion and architectural expression.

Cathédrale et pèlerinage aux époques médiévale et moderne: Reliques, processions et devotions à l’église-mère du diocese (review)

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai — 2012 — WHE828316DCBF

A review of the volume 'Cathédrale et pèlerinage aux époques médiévale et moderne' challenges the traditional distinction between cathedral worship and pilgrimage, demonstrating that cathedrals, particularly as seats of bishopric power, actively attracted pilgrims through sacred relics, processions, and devotions. The 17 essays, spanning medieval to modern periods, analyze sites like Tournai, Paris, and Le Puy-en-Velay, revealing that cathedrals maintained their role as pilgrimage destinations even post-Medieval, with reinvigoration driven by new relics (e.g., the shroud in Besançon) and liturgical reforms. The study highlights blurred lines between processions and pilgrimages, exemplified by Tournai's pilgrimage traditions and Paris's 1449 deambulation, where 12,500 children participated in a mass procession. This synthesis underscores the enduring socio-religious significance of cathedrals beyond institutional boundaries.

Caught in the act: the first record of copulating fossil vertebrates

Messel Pit Fossil Site — 2012 — WHE90916A5D27

Fossilized pairs of the carettochelyid turtle Allaeochelys crassesculpta from the Eocene Messel Pit Fossil Site, Germany, represent the first recorded instances of fossil vertebrates caught in copulation. This discovery challenges assumptions about taphonomy and lake ecology at Messel. Unlike typical indirect behavioral inferences, these mating pairs suggest that the turtles initiated copulation in habitable surface waters before perishing when their skin absorbed toxins while sinking into deeper, lethal layers. The findings support a stratified volcanic maar lake model with distinct inhabitable and toxic zones, providing unprecedented insight into ancient vertebrate behavior and paleoenvironmental conditions.

Centuries old aflaj irrigation system in Oman

Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman — 2012 — WHE03AB3BDAC0

Oman's ancient aflaj irrigation systems, some dating back 2500 years, remain highly efficient and integral to village life despite modern advancements. These systems tap groundwater near mountains, channeling it through a network of mother wells, access shafts, underground tunnels, and surface channels—supported by structures like aqueducts and siphons—to create oases. With an estimated 3000 active networks, aflaj play a significant social role, maintained by village cooperatives with historically rich water rights and distribution practices. Recognizing their cultural and engineering significance, UNESCO designated five key aflaj as World Heritage Sites in 2006.

Characteristics, distribution and morphogenesis of subtidal microbial systems in Shark Bay, Australia

Shark Bay, Western Australia — 2012 — WHE0070949F1B

Extensive subtidal microbial deposits, covering approximately 300 km² of Hamelin Pool in Shark Bay, Australia, have been mapped and analyzed for the first time. These deposits, dominated by aragonite with distinctive isotopic signatures (δ13C +4.46 to +5.88; δ18O +3.06 to +3.88), reveal a subtidal microbial habitat 10 times larger than previously known intertidal areas. The study highlights two depositional stages, with growth rates ranging from <0.1 mm/year to 0.5 mm/year, and provides evidence of late Holocene sea-level changes through fabric sequences. Distinct microbial communities and lateral fabric relations were identified, emphasizing the geoscientific significance of Hamelin Pool for early life studies and ancient environmental interpretations.

Characterization of mudejar mortars from St. Gil Abbot church (Zaragoza, Spain): Investigation of the manufacturing technology of ancient gypsum mortars

Mudejar Architecture of Aragon — 2012 — WHE7C8F92AE2A

Research on Mudejar mortars from St. Gil Abbot church (Zaragoza, Spain) reveals that these ancient gypsum-based materials exhibit a unique homogeneity in composition, with both binder and aggregates predominantly made of gypsum and carbonate rock fragments. The study, employing multi-analytical techniques including petrographic analysis, chemistry, and mineralogy, demonstrates that the aggregates are by-products of a grinding process applied to pre-burnt raw materials. This manufacturing technique significantly enhanced the mortars' quality, offering insights into advanced ancient construction practices. Published in Materiales de Construcción, this work underscores the sophistication of Mudejar architecture's technological innovations.

Community Participation in Tourism at a World Heritage Site: Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing, China

The Great Wall — 2012 — WHEB20133759C

Local communities near the Mutianyu Great Wall generally view tourism positively, but their opinions vary based on the extent of their involvement and exposure to its impacts. While community members benefit from tourism with minimal input in decision-making processes, this study highlights significant differences in perceptions among groups, suggesting that deeper participation could enhance both heritage conservation and local development outcomes. The research employs qualitative methods to analyze these dynamics, offering insights into how community engagement can be better structured in Chinese heritage management contexts.

Conservation of World Heritage and community engagement in a transboundary biosphere reserve: Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, Senegal

Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary — 2012 — WHE1BF4D08AA4

Effective conservation of the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, a UNESCO-listed transboundary biosphere reserve, hinges on robust community engagement and sustainable management practices. This study demonstrates that integrating local communities into conservation efforts enhances biodiversity protection while fostering socio-economic benefits. Researchers employed a mixed-methods approach, combining participatory rural appraisal techniques with ecological assessments to evaluate the impact of community-based conservation strategies. The findings highlight the significance of transboundary collaboration in addressing challenges such as habitat degradation and illegal poaching. By involving local stakeholders in decision-making processes, the study underscores the potential for long-term sustainability and resilience in protected areas.

Contracting for Conservation in the Central Pacific: An Overview of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area

Phoenix Islands Protected Area — 2012 — WHE73F1870D29

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) stands as a pioneering model for marine conservation in the Central Pacific, demonstrating how large-scale protected areas can be established and managed through innovative contractual agreements. This study highlights PIPA's unique governance structure, which combines international treaties with domestic legislation to create one of the world's largest fully protected marine reserves. The research approach involves analyzing the legal framework, implementation challenges, and ecological benefits, offering insights into effective conservation strategies for remote and biologically rich regions. By focusing on contractual mechanisms, this work provides a blueprint for balancing sovereignty, conservation, and sustainable development in the Pacific Islands.

Correlating planar microstructures in shocked zircon from the Vredefort Dome at multiple scales: Crystallographic modeling, external and internal imaging, and EBSD structural analysis

Vredefort Dome — 2012 — WHEC1109C068D

Researchers have identified seven distinct planar fracture orientations in shocked zircon from the Vredefort Dome, providing new insights into the microstructural changes induced by high-pressure impacts. These fractures—(010), (100), (112), (1̄12), (1̄1̄2), and (011)—were documented across multiple scales using crystallographic modeling, 360° prism backscattered electron imaging, and sub-micrometer-scale EBSD analysis. Notably, some {112} fractures contain impact microtwins, the first reported in zircon, suggesting complex deformation mechanisms under extreme conditions (20–40 GPa). The study also clarifies the chronology of fracture formation, from early c-axis parallel fractures to later compressional (011) features and non-discrete crystal plastic deformation. By correlating grain-scale and sub-micrometer observations, this work refines our understanding of shock-induced microstructures in zircon, challenging prior nomenclature and advancing impact geology.

Crayfish plague pathogen detected in the Danube Delta – a potential threat to freshwater biodiversity in southeastern Europe

Danube Delta — 2012 — WHE96E9A5BD40

Researchers have detected the crayfish plague pathogen, Aphanomyces astaci, in the highly protected Danube Delta, posing a significant threat to native freshwater biodiversity. Using sensitive real-time PCR testing, 13 out of 40 native narrowclawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus) tested positive for the pathogen, indicating its widespread presence in the region. The study suggests that A. astaci may have persisted locally or spread via long-range dispersal, potentially jeopardizing European crayfish populations and freshwater ecosystems across southeastern Europe, previously considered plague-free. This discovery highlights the urgent need for conservation measures to mitigate the impact of invasive species and pathogens on vulnerable aquatic environments.

Cultural landscapes: challenges and possibilities: Vegaøyan – The Vega Archipelago, Norway

Vegaøyan – The Vega Archipelago — 2012 — WHEE90BFF23C1

The Vega Archipelago, inscribed as Norway's first cultural landscape on the World Heritage List in 2004, exemplifies a unique and resilient way of life adapted to an exposed Arctic seascape. This study highlights the challenges and opportunities inherent in preserving such landscapes, which consist of low, treeless islands centered around the more mountainous Vega island. The research approach involves analyzing the interplay between the archipelago's natural environment and human development, emphasizing its distinctive cultural significance. By examining the frugal yet adaptive practices of its inhabitants, the study underscores the importance of balancing conservation efforts with sustainable use to safeguard this fragile ecosystem for future generations.

Curzon nostalgia: landscaping historical monuments in India

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi — 2012 — WHE32638A0E85

British colonial landscaping, particularly under Lord Curzon's tenure as Viceroy of India (1899–1905), significantly altered the visual and ecological character of historical monuments like Humayun's Tomb. Curzon's restoration efforts, though aimed at preserving heritage, often departed from Mughal garden traditions by removing fruit trees and overgrown vegetation to enhance sightlines, a departure that some argue distorted original ambience. The study reveals how colonial interventions—rooted in nostalgia for 'orderly wilderness'—reshaped India's monumental landscapes, prioritizing aesthetic uniformity over historical authenticity. Research draws on archival documents, including Curzon's correspondence and restoration reports, alongside scholarly analyses of Mughal garden design to contrast pre-colonial and post-colonial landscaping practices.

Dahshur villages in community development: Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur, Egypt

Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur — 2012 — WHEED1CAD759E

A collaborative program targeting Dahshur villages, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur,' has successfully demonstrated that community-driven development can improve living conditions while promoting greater ownership of the area. Despite significant population growth and high unemployment in Dahshur, the initiative also capitalized on increasing tourist visits. The approach focused on integrating local communities into the preservation and development efforts, aiming to address socio-economic challenges while enhancing the cultural and historical significance of the region.

Debris flood hazard documentation and mitigation on the Tilcara alluvial fan (Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy province, North-West Argentina)

Quebrada de Humahuaca — 2012 — WHE053E52D3A1

A recent study identifies debris flood hazards on the Tilcara alluvial fan in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, threatening urban areas and transportation routes. The research documents decadal debris floods triggered by the Huasamayo Stream, emphasizing the urgent need for hazard assessment and mitigation strategies to protect the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site from increasing vulnerability due to tourism and urbanization. The study proposes cost-effective solutions, such as constructing an upstream dam and artificial channel to divert floodwaters, using locally available technologies with minimal environmental impact. These measures aim to balance conservation efforts with safe exploitation for inhabitants and tourists.