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Showing 15661 – 15680 of 15962 publications

Unity in Restoring: A Study on Healing Attributes of Persian Garden

The Persian Garden — 2012 — WHEBEC8A37CAE

Persian gardens inherently possess restorative attributes that mentally refresh visitors, even when not explicitly designed for such purposes. This study reveals that these gardens, through their intuitive connection with nature, alleviate mental fatigue and stress, offering a sense of restoration akin to purpose-built restorative environments. The research explores whether Persian garden design principles can be applied universally to create similar therapeutic spaces. By analyzing visitor experiences, it demonstrates the profound interplay between human perception and spatial design in fostering mental well-being.

Using endemism to assess representation of protected areas – the family Myrtaceae in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area

Greater Blue Mountains Area — 2012 — WHE4D8745C22C

A study assessing the representation of Myrtaceae species within protected areas reveals that 16% of their ranges are endemic to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (GBMWHA), with a higher endemism rate (33%) observed for species with smaller ranges. The research introduces spatially-based quantitative measures, weighted endemism (WE) and corrected weighted endemism (CWE), to evaluate how different land units within protected areas contribute to conservation efforts at both regional and continental scales. While the genus Eucalyptus significantly contributes to endemism scores, Leptospermum shows 3.7% less restriction than expected, whereas Melaleuca is 5% more restricted. The findings highlight centres of high endemism within the GBMWHA and provide a scalable method for quantifying conservation significance in protected areas.

Using tourism to conserve the mist forests and mysterious cultural heritage of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, Jamaica

Blue and John Crow Mountains — 2012 — WHEB5D9CFCAFB

Tourism initiatives within and around the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, Jamaica, have successfully contributed to biodiversity conservation by engaging local communities. These efforts raise public awareness of biodiversity values, provide skills training, and promote ecologically sustainable livelihoods that reduce threats like slash-and-burn agriculture. Community tourism has been established in some areas while others are in planning stages, with several community members now employed as park rangers or involved in park management. The study highlights the potential of tourism to align with Aichi Targets by fostering local capacity building and sustainable income-generating activities for poverty reduction.

Variation in Diet and Resources

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park — 2012 — WHEA524C9BE5B

Maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park exhibit significant dietary flexibility, adapting their food choices based on resource availability. The study found that while small mammals and fruits constitute the core of their diet, these carnivores also opportunistically consume other plant materials when primary resources are scarce. Researchers analyzed scat samples and stomach contents to assess dietary composition across seasons, revealing a dynamic feeding strategy that allows the species to thrive in diverse habitats within the park.

Vegetation Dynamic of Southern Sistan during the Bronze Age: Anthracological Studies at Shahr-i Sokhta

Shahr-i Sokhta — 2012 — WHE9DFFEAFAB9

A study of charcoal samples from the Bronze Age site of Shahr-i Sokhta in eastern Iran reveals that the region's vegetation was significantly richer during the third millennium BCE, with a dominance of riparian taxa like tamarisk and willow alongside steppe species such as Chenopodiaceae and saltwort. This suggests favorable environmental conditions at the time, contrasting sharply with today's arid landscape. The research indicates that ancient inhabitants interacted closely with these vegetal formations, likely influencing their structure through anthropogenic factors. By comparing historical charcoal data with modern flora, the study sheds light on both past human-environment interactions and long-term ecological changes in southern Sistan.

Village on the winding river: Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong

Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong — 2012 — WHE9B79AFA35C

Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, represent the traditional clan villages that flourished during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) and reflect the cultural and academic achievements of the era. These villages, now endangered by rapid urbanization and industrialization, offer a unique glimpse into Korea's past. The study highlights their significance as living examples of Korean heritage, managed collaboratively by central, provincial, and local government agencies. Hahoe and Yangdong stand out for their preservation of traditional architecture, social structures, and cultural practices, providing invaluable insights into the evolution of Korean society.

Von Bildern zu Bühnen: Die Geoglyphen von Palpa und Nasca (Süd-Peru) in ihrem räumlichen und sozialen Kontext

Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa — 2012 — WHE2A3B5F3CFA

The geoglyphs of Palpa and Nasca, Southern Peru, transitioned from symbolic depictions to functional ritual stages over time. Initially, during the Paracas Period, these geoglyphs were primarily located on slopes and featured anthropomorphic motifs borrowed from other media, likely serving as distant focal points for unspecified activities. However, during the subsequent Nasca Period, geoglyphs evolved into vast geometric patterns on desert plains, becoming central to elaborate ritual practices. These rituals, marked by offering deposits, are believed to have been linked to prayers for water and fertility amid increasing aridity. The study suggests that the significance of these geoglyphs shifted from their visual representation to the activities performed upon them, with other media taking on a more prominent role in image-bearing.

World Heritage and Chinese diaspora: Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, China

Kaiping Diaolou and Villages — 2012 — WHE4B5C29DF46

Kaiping Diaolou and Villages exemplify the cultural and architectural legacy of the Chinese diaspora. The study highlights how these structures, primarily built by overseas Chinese for both defensive and commercial purposes, reflect the economic and social dynamics of the late Qing and early Republic periods (1840–1937). Research focuses on the diaolou's role as symbols of wealth, status, and community cohesion, while also analyzing their architectural evolution influenced by Western and local styles. The approach combines historical analysis with field surveys to interpret these sites' cultural significance, offering insights into the broader narrative of Chinese diaspora identity and heritage preservation.

World Heritage in China: Universal Discourse and National Culture

Fujian Tulou — 2012 — WHEC022C3E9C6

China's engagement with UNESCO World Heritage Sites reflects a dynamic interplay between universal discourse and national culture, reshaping heritage preservation structures and introducing well-theorized frameworks. Contrary to post-colonial critiques, these influences are largely voluntarily pursued by the state, involving multiple agents such as transnational organizations, NGOs, and local inhabitants. The study, focusing on Fujian Tulou among other sites, reveals that World Heritage acts as a dialectical force, influenced by political, cultural, and economic contexts at both local and national levels. This research contributes to sociological literatures on collective memory and neo-institutionalism while offering insights into the complex relationship between universalism and particularism.

World Heritage in poverty alleviation: Hoi An Ancient Town, Viet Nam

Hoi An Ancient Town — 2012 — WHEA4CE6028CF

Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Viet Nam, demonstrates how cultural heritage can serve as a catalyst for sustainable poverty alleviation. The study highlights that local community engagement, coupled with economic reforms like Doi Moi, has led to significant reductions in poverty through diversified resource bases and responsive infrastructure development. Public-private partnerships further enhance this progress, offering a model for sustainable human development. This case study underscores the potential of World Heritage sites as demonstration projects for inclusive growth.

World Heritage in poverty alleviation: Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2012 — WHEE6B476DC1B

Serra da Capivara National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northeast Brazil, represents a significant archaeological and geological treasure. The park's semi-arid landscape, characterized by cliffs up to 270 meters high and extensive canyons, preserves a rich heritage of rock paintings and engravings within its sandstone walls. This unique physiographical meeting point between plateaus and an ancient plain also serves as a crucial watershed for the region's river systems. The study highlights the park's dual role in both cultural preservation and poverty alleviation, emphasizing its importance as a bridge between contrasting geological zones and its potential to contribute to sustainable development in the surrounding Piauí and Bom Jesus do Gurgeia regions.

World Heritage site status – a catalyst for heritage-led sustainable regeneration: Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, United Kingdom

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape — 2012 — WHEBBB34A8991

World Heritage site status can serve as a catalyst for heritage-led sustainable regeneration, as demonstrated by the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape in the United Kingdom. This study highlights how the designation of a site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site fosters economic revitalization and environmental sustainability through the preservation and interpretation of industrial heritage. The research examines the Blaenavon landscape, which retains significant evidence of coal mining and ironworking from the Industrial Revolution. By analyzing the impact of its World Heritage status, the study underscores the potential for such sites to drive sustainable development while maintaining cultural integrity.

World heritage sites, human rights and cultural heritage in Palestine

Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town — 2012 — WHE9E14CB58AB

Protecting cultural heritage in conflict zones, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hebron/Al-Khalil and Jerusalem, can serve as a powerful tool for preserving national identity and human dignity. This study highlights the positive impact of Palestinian-led conservation efforts despite significant political and social challenges, including repressive measures that affect daily life. By focusing on heritage management practices, community development, and human rights, local organizations in Hebron/Al-Khalil have successfully sustained cultural preservation amid adversity. The research underscores the importance of integrating human rights considerations into heritage conservation strategies to address the complexities of armed conflict.

Writing the desert: the ‘Tifinagh’ rock inscriptions of the Tadrart Acacus (southwestern Libya)

Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus — 2012 — WHE2C3016CA14

Rock inscriptions in the Tadrart Acacus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwestern Libya, reveal significant insights into Saharan writing systems. The study highlights the potential of 'Tifinagh' inscriptions as tools for interpreting landscape history, integrating them with traditional archaeological approaches. Recent efforts, supported by the British Library's Endangered Archives Programme, have expanded the documentation of these inscriptions, addressing long-standing challenges in dating and decipherment. While preliminary findings underscore their role in reconstructing human activity, future research aims to deepen understanding through refined analytical methods.

“Official” and “practical” kin: Inferring social and community structure from dental phenotype at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2011 — WHEE501D76557

At the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, Turkey (7400–5600 cal BC), social structure was not primarily based on biological kinship despite interments occurring within individual houses. A study analyzing dental phenotypes of 266 individuals found minimal correlation between biological affinity and house membership, challenging the notion that Çatalhöyük was a kin-based society. Instead, the house itself served as the central social unit, suggesting a more fluid definition of 'kin' that transcended biological lines. This research used multivariate and univariate statistical analyses on metric and nonmetric dental traits to test hypotheses about family units and neighborhood organization, providing insights into the transition to settled life and social dynamics in early farming communities.

The conservation status of Sabellaria alveolata (L.) (Polychaeta: Sabellariidae) reefs in the Bay of Mont‐Saint‐Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay — 2011 — WHE9F7621DA1D

Sabellaria alveolata reefs in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, Europe's most extensive intertidal biogenic structures, have shown significant deterioration since 2001. This decline is attributed to increased oyster farming, silt deposition, and recreational harvesting, which fragment the reef and alter hydrodynamics. The study used a Health Status Index (HI) combining physical and biological parameters to map reef health spatially and temporally, revealing rapid degradation, particularly in central areas. These findings underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies to protect these endangered ecosystems.

Lalibala (Lalibela)

Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela — 2011 — WHEE245BB30D1

Lalibela, located in the Lasta mountains of Ethiopia's Wallo province, is renowned for its 11 monolithic churches carved directly from mountainsides during the Middle Ages by the Zagwe dynasty. These monumental structures, often hailed as the eighth wonder of the world, represent a significant cultural and architectural achievement. The study highlights that the Zagwe dynasty prioritized establishing Lalibela as a holy site to rival both the Christian Middle East and the historic city of Aksum. Key findings include the renaming of the city to Roha, mirroring Edessa in Syria, and the river to Jordan, reflecting its religious significance. Imraha's hagiography suggests that construction materials, such as beams for Yemrhanna Krestos, were sourced from Egypt, underscoring the dynasty's ambition and resourcefulness.

A Descriptive Study of Guided Tours at Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park — 2011 — WHE3B4A9BB958

A recent decline in cave tour attendance across the United States has been partially addressed through a study at Mammoth Cave National Park, revealing that guided tours are highly valued by visitors despite low crowding levels. The research, conducted via a mail-back survey of 660 visitors, found high approval ratings and perceived value for the fee paid, suggesting potential strategies to counteract attendance drops. This study highlights the importance of understanding social aspects of visitation in cave settings, where guided tours are often the sole means of exploration.

A Glimpse at Guatemala, and Some Notes on the Ancient Monuments of Central America

Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua — 2011 — WHE8A28CBE289

Alfred Percival Maudslay's seminal work, 'A Glimpse at Guatemala, and Some Notes on the Ancient Monuments of Central America,' pioneered modern Mesoamerican archaeology by introducing systematic scientific exploration and recording techniques for Mayan sites. Published in 1899, this volume documents Maudslay's expeditions to Quiriguá, Tikal, and Copán, providing detailed descriptions and plans that set new standards for archaeological documentation. The appendix includes the first excavation reports of Quiriguá (1883) and Tikal (1883), as well as Copán (1886), originally published in the Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society. Maudslay's meticulous approach laid the foundation for future archaeological studies, significantly advancing the understanding of Mayan civilization.

A new karst-dwelling species of Kalophrynus (Anura: Microhylidae) from Gunung Mulu National Park, Borneo, Malaysia

Gunung Mulu National Park — 2011 — WHEE494667CE7

Researchers have identified a new species of frog, belonging to the genus Kalophrynus (Anura: Microhylidae), endemic to the karst hills and mountains of Gunung Mulu National Park, Borneo. This discovery, described in detail by Dehling (2011), highlights unique morphological traits such as medium size, a distinct white dorsolateral line separating black dorsum and flanks, and a red to reddish-orange iris. The species is found at elevations between 70 and at least 1200 meters within the Melinau Limestone Formation. It differs from other Kalophrynus species through a combination of features including slender forelimbs, specific finger and toe proportions, and an advertisement call characterized by seven pulses lasting approximately 161 milliseconds with a dominant frequency between 2250–2650 Hz. This finding contributes to the understanding of biodiversity in karst ecosystems and underscores the significance of Gunung Mulu National Park as a critical habitat for endemic species.