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Publications

Showing 15801 – 15820 of 15962 publications

The system of rice intensification as a sustainable agricultural innovation: introducing, adapting and scaling up a system of rice intensification practices in the Timbuktu region of Mali

Timbuktu — 2011 — WHEFAF1348241

A three-year pilot project demonstrated that the system of rice intensification (SRI), originally developed in Madagascar, can be successfully adapted and scaled up in the Timbuktu region of Mali. SRI significantly boosts rice yields while reducing the need for seeds, water, and chemical inputs through practices like single young transplants at wide spacing, compost application, mechanical weed control, and intermittent irrigation. The number of participating farmers grew from 1 to 450 over three years, with volunteers achieving superior yields and income compared to traditional methods. This shift in agricultural perception has spurred further innovation among farmers and technicians, highlighting SRI's potential as a sustainable rice-cropping system in arid regions.

The Trial of the Soul. Post-Byzantine Visual Representations of the Tollbooths in the Romanian Churches in Maramureş

Wooden Churches of Maramureş — 2011 — WHEA5CD4BE56D

Post-Byzantine iconography of the Last Judgment in Maramureş wooden churches reveals unique visual representations of tollbooths, distinct from other Carpathian Rus’ traditions. Unlike typical depictions where demons hold scrolls with sin names, Maramureş artists introduced a 'dialogue' between angels and demons presenting narrative descriptions of the deceased's deeds, reducing ordeals to as few as three. This innovation reflects both religious mentalities—highlighting gradations of sins, good deeds, and repentance—and social dynamics, including local parishioner conflicts. The study, analyzing 17th–18th century paintings, demonstrates how these cultural artifacts offer insights into rural Romanian communities' spiritual and societal structures.

Thinking Hattusha: Astronomy and Landscape in the Hittite Lands

Hattusha: the Hittite Capital — 2011 — WHE0713B1FA60

Astronomical and topographical orientations were not random in Hittite temples, contrary to previous assumptions. This study reveals well-defined patterns in the orientation of Hittite monuments, providing insights into their cultural and religious significance within the Anatolian context. By analyzing a statistically significant sample of Hittite temples and gates, along with preliminary Phrygian data, researchers demonstrate that these orientations were purposeful and linked to solar cults and festival calendars. The findings challenge earlier skepticism about Hittite interest in celestial phenomena and contribute to understanding the transition from Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age religious practices.

Tourism revenue sharing policy at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda: a policy arrangements approach

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — 2011 — WHE8A73E02968

A study on tourism revenue sharing (TRS) at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, reveals that the policy's governance capacity is low due to structural incongruence among its dimensions—actors, resources, rules of the game, and discourses. Despite participatory reforms, the Uganda Wildlife Authority retains control over resources and sets the rules, leaving local communities undercompensated for conservation costs. Weak communication, unfair distribution, corruption claims, and powerful local elites further exacerbate these issues. The research, based on qualitative data from BINP and surrounding parishes, suggests that addressing inequities in TRS design could enhance its potential to support conservation through development.

Towards a Beneficial World Heritage: Community Involvement in the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape — 2011 — WHEB8288D67E2

Heritage management often claims to benefit local communities, but true collaboration is rarely achieved beyond superficial consultation. A case study of Blaenavon Industrial Landscape in Wales reveals that deeper engagement with community concerns and values could better fulfill goals like empowerment and social wellbeing. The research analyzed existing community involvement practices at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting a disconnect between heritage professionals' intentions and actual outcomes. It argues for more critical, needs-driven approaches to community participation to maximize economic and social benefits.

Travels in Syria and the Holy Land

Ancient City of Aleppo — 2011 — WHEACC29B980E

John Lewis Burckhardt's 'Travels in Syria and the Holy Land' offers a unique and detailed account of Arabian life, culture, and architecture during the early 19th century. The publication is notable for its vivid descriptions of the ancient city of Petra, particularly its Nabataean tombs, which provide invaluable insights into the architectural and cultural heritage of the region. Burckhardt's two-year sojourn in Aleppo, where he immersed himself in Arabic studies and Islamic law to prepare for his travels, allowed him to gain firsthand knowledge and perspective. His observations, while constrained by the need to avoid suspicion as a non-Muslim, contribute significantly to our understanding of the historical and cultural landscape of Syria and the Holy Land during this period.

Tsunami vulnerability and damage assessment in the coastal area of Rabat and Salé, Morocco

Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage — 2011 — WHEF9EC28B265

A GIS-based method reveals significant tsunami vulnerability in Rabat and Salé, Morocco, particularly in densely populated coastal areas. The study combines numerical modeling of worst-case tsunami scenarios—derived from historical earthquakes like the 1755 Lisbon quake—and building vulnerability data to produce damage maps. These maps highlight risks in residential and tourist zones along the Bouregreg Valley, where flat terrain and rapid urbanization exacerbate exposure. Findings underscore the need for targeted evacuation planning and mitigation strategies to address tsunami-induced hazards in this UNESCO-listed region.

Upper Jurassic Reefs from the Russian Western Caucasus: Implications for the Eastern Black Sea

Western Caucasus — 2011 — WHE9C88D7B596

Upper Jurassic reefs in the Russian Western Caucasus reveal diverse and structurally controlled reef complexes that serve as potential analogues for exploration targets in the eastern Black Sea. These reefs, categorized into coral-dominated, siliceous sponge-microbialite, and microbialite types, developed on two Late Jurassic carbonate platforms: the North Caucasus platform to the north and the South Adler platform to the south. Coral-dominated reefs, found at shallow-water platform margins and deeper mid-shelf settings, exhibit varying diversity levels, while siliceous sponge- and microbialite-dominated reefs were restricted to deeper-water environments. The study suggests that these outcrops could provide critical insights for understanding seismic-imaged reef complexes on the Shatskiy Ridge, depending on their palaeowater depth.

Urban Regeneration and Hegemonic Power Relationships

Historic Areas of Istanbul — 2011 — WHE6645F62191

A powerful urban coalition, dominated by central and local government actors, state institutions, and private-sector entities, has emerged in Turkey since the 2000s, driving neo-liberal urban transformation policies aimed at maximizing land rents and real-estate development. This coalition's influence, bolstered by legal changes and institutional initiatives like those of the Mass Housing Development Administration (TOKİ), has reshaped Istanbul's socio-spatial structure, prioritizing areas with high rent-gaining potential while exerting pressure on squatter housing and historic urban centers inhabited by the urban poor. The study reveals how this hegemonic discourse, supported by developers, landowners, and media, has steered Istanbul toward a vision of international finance, service, and tourism, illustrating broader trends in economic and political spheres.

Urbanization Impairs Surface Water Quality: Eutrophication and Metal Stress in the Grand Canal of China

The Grand Canal — 2011 — WHE366B4A31C2

Rapid urbanization significantly degrades surface water quality along the Grand Canal of China, with urban sections showing elevated levels of eutrophic nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as metals that, while within national standards, may still pose risks to aquatic life according to stricter U.S. EPA criteria. The study found a strong correlation between urbanization levels and water quality parameters, particularly electrical conductivity, nutrients, and metals, with industrial activities contributing to metal loadings. These findings highlight the urgent need for mitigation strategies to ensure sustainable urban development along this historic site.

Using canopy bridges to link habitat for arboreal mammals: successful trials in the Wet Tropics of Queensland

Wet Tropics of Queensland — 2011 — WHE310B744A46

Canopy bridges significantly aid arboreal mammals, including rare and endemic species, in crossing roads within the Wet Tropics of Queensland. The study found that nine mammal species, five of which are endemic or listed as rare, utilized three types of rope canopy bridges—single rope, ladder-like, and tunnel-shaped—to traverse a 15-meter-wide tourist road and a highway. Notably, over 50 crossings were observed on an elevated ladder-like bridge, while longer (~40 m) bridges were used by four species. These findings suggest that such structures can mitigate road-kill risks and reduce subpopulation isolation, offering potential broad applications for conserving arboreal mammals in fragmented habitats.

Using Multiple Environmental Proxies to Determine Degree of Marine Influence and Paleogeographical Position of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Joggins Fossil Cliffs — 2011 — WHEBB6017C57F

Research at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs reveals that marine influence diminished over time during the Pennsylvanian period. Sedimentologic and paleontologic analyses of interbedded limestone deposits, containing marine organisms like ostracodes and bivalves, indicate open marine conditions in older sections transitioning to fluvial and coastal environments higher up. This finding challenges assumptions about the site's paleogeographical position and suggests that Cordaites trees may not represent the earliest mangroves. The study used multiple environmental proxies to track changes in marine influence, providing new insights into the site's complex depositional history.

Uzon volcano caldera (Kamchatka): A unique natural laboratory of the present-day naphthide genesis

Volcanoes of Kamchatka — 2011 — WHE173E7FD809

Research at Uzon volcano caldera, Kamchatka, reveals it as a unique natural laboratory for studying present-day oil formation. Analysis of thermal spring oil shows using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry demonstrates that these compounds share genetic identity with organic matter from Pliocene–Quaternary deposits, confirming their biogenic origin. The study debunks theories suggesting hydrothermal abiogenic synthesis, providing critical insights into naphthide genesis processes in volcanic environments.

Vilniaus Miesto Centro Urbanistinės-Architektūrinės ir Paveldosaugos Problemos

Vilnius Historic Centre — 2011 — WHE72218E048F

Urban development in Vilnius' Historic Centre faces critical challenges in balancing cultural heritage preservation with sustainable expansion. The study identifies three key issues: protecting intangible and tangible cultural assets, ensuring stable urban growth, and enhancing the architectural and natural uniqueness of the city centre. Specific recommendations are proposed for regenerating buildings along major streets like Gedimino and Konstitucijos avenues, aligning with Vilnius' Official Plan (2007-2015). By integrating historical context with modern urban planning, this research offers actionable strategies to safeguard Vilnius' heritage while fostering sustainable development. The approach combines urbanistic, architectural, and conservation principles to address the complex dynamics of a rapidly evolving city centre.

Walking through World Heritage Forest in Japan: the Kumano pilgrimage

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range — 2011 — WHE7FED45E37F

A shift in perception of the Kumano forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape, has been observed. Originally central to religious beliefs and ascetic practices for centuries, the forest now serves as a destination for modern visitors drawn by wellness trends and a desire to reconnect with Japan's past. This transformation raises questions about how history and memory are perceived in an evolving environment, and what new relationships visitors form with this sacred landscape. The study employs qualitative methods to explore these contemporary dynamics, contrasting them with the historical significance of the forest as both an economic resource and a site of spiritual pilgrimage.

When conservation precedes development: a case study of the opening up of the Socotra archipelago, Yemen

Socotra Archipelago — 2011 — WHE8BA20EFFEA

Socotra Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its outstanding endemic biodiversity, demonstrates the potential of pre-emptive conservation when implemented before major development. Unlike most regions where development precedes conservation, Socotra's unique position—with conservation interventions starting in 1997 and building on centuries-old low-intensity resource management—has allowed for proactive protection. The Conservation Zoning Plan, approved in 2000, has effectively regulated activities such as fishing, coral stone collection, and biological material export, with strong compliance from local communities and authorities. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding inappropriate road construction driven by non-islanders, highlighting institutional coordination gaps. Despite these hurdles, Socotra's conservation institution has shown significant growth in capacity and respect among locals, underlining the importance of integrating conservation with development from the outset. While landscape integrity is expected to decline, particularly along the northern coastline, Socotri conservationists, supported by international efforts, are uniquely positioned to shape the archipelago's future sustainably.

Wilderness and Culture: Tourist Views and Experiences in the Laponian World Heritage Area

Laponian Area — 2011 — WHE64C168FF66

Tourists perceive the Laponian World Heritage Area as a pristine wilderness characterized by untouched nature, wild animals, and minimal human influence, even while acknowledging its use for Sami reindeer herding practices and tourism development. This study reveals that tourists do not view these uses as contradictory, highlighting a nuanced understanding of wilderness that balances natural preservation with cultural and economic activities. To explore these perceptions, researchers surveyed tourists about their views on landscape and the concept of wilderness, providing insights into how people interpret and experience protected areas in northern Sweden.

Wilderness, wasteland or home? Three ways of imagining the Lower Omo Valley

Lower Valley of the Omo — 2011 — WHE8AFAF5EE8F

The Lower Omo Valley is perceived differently by conservationists, state officials, and local communities. Conservationists view it as a 'wilderness' needing protection from human activity, while state officials see it as an unproductive wasteland inhabited by 'nomads,' requiring political control. Local people, however, consider it their home, integral to their livelihoods and identity. This study identifies these three competing imaginings as legitimating ideologies of place-making projects with unequal power dynamics. Conservation efforts, often linked to state coercion, have advanced the state's objectives in the region, while new developments like hydro-electric dams and commercial plantations pose challenges to wilderness protection goals.

World Heritage hot spots: a global model identifies the 16 natural heritage properties on the World Heritage List most at risk from climate change

Pitons Management Area — 2011 — WHE9C06C54D73

A global model identifies 16 natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites most at risk from climate change, including islands, coastal properties, and mountainous regions. These sites, assessed using the World Heritage Vulnerability Index (WHVI), are likely to experience significant climactic changes within the next 40 years, potentially threatening their World Heritage status. The model integrates multi-model general circulation model ensembles, vulnerability assessments, and Human Influence Index (HII). Among the high-risk sites are the Pitons Management Area, Vallée de Mai, Aldabra, East Rennell, Teide, Laurisilva of Madeira, Isole Eloie, Morne Trois Pitons, Galapagos Islands, Everglades, Desembarco del Granma, High Coast and Kvarken Archipelago, Doñana, Brazilian Atlantic Islands, Ichkeul, and the Sunderbans. The study highlights adaptive strategies for proactive climate change adaptation in these vulnerable properties.

World Heritage Sites and Domestic Tourism in Thailand

Historic City of Ayutthaya — 2011 — WHE86397D488E

Rapidly growing domestic tourism, particularly from Thailand's urban middle class, is redefining the use and value of UNESCO World Heritage Sites while also exerting significant pressure on their conservation. This study highlights how metropolitan-driven development and shifting lifestyles are reshaping attitudes toward cultural and natural heritage, with Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, and the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex serving as case studies. By analyzing these tensions, researchers reveal a complex dynamic where tourism growth both benefits and threatens heritage preservation, offering critical insights for sustainable management in Thailand.