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Publications

Showing 15841 – 15860 of 15944 publications

Demography and dynamics of mountain nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Bale Mountains National Park — 2010 — WHE7F4AAE7F87

A significant decline of 45% in the mountain nyala population (Tragelaphus buxtoni) was observed in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, between 2003 and 2005, with an annual decrease of 2%-5%. The study attributed this reduction to anthropogenic factors such as competition with livestock for forage, habitat encroachment, and poaching. Population density varied significantly between sub-populations (Dinsho Sanctuary and Gaysay/Adelay), with the Dinsho group being isolated, potentially limiting their access to mates and suitable habitats. The population size was estimated at 830-908 individuals, despite an increase in mean density due to habitat contraction. Demographic parameters remained stable over three years, suggesting that the decline was not due to random variations but likely driven by human activities.

Dendrochronological dating of coal mine workings at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, Nova Scotia, Canada

Joggins Fossil Cliffs — 2010 — WHEBABB486AA8

Researchers used dendrochronology to date timber pit props from relic coal mine workings at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, revealing two distinct phases of mining activity between 1849 and 1875. The study identified that most adits (1-9 and 11-12) were part of an initial operation by the General Mining Association, with cut dates ranging from 1849 to 1868, while others (10 and 13-14) likely belonged to a later mine opened by the Joggins Coal Mining Company in 1873-1875. The findings align with archival records and suggest that timber stockpiled from an earlier mine may have been used in the construction of the initial operation. This study enhances our understanding of the industrial archaeology at this UNESCO World Heritage Site and refines the regional red spruce chronology for future dendrochronological studies.

Detection of Babesia Sp. EU1 and Members of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in Ticks Collected from Migratory Birds at Curonian Spit, North-Western Russia

Curonian Spit — 2010 — WHEDC0200C021

A groundbreaking study on the Curonian Spit reveals that migratory birds may serve as reservoirs for human pathogens. Researchers detected Babesia sp. EU1 and spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in ticks collected from passerine birds, marking the first such findings in this region. Using PCR analysis, 1.6% of ticks tested positive for Babesia spp., with sequences matching human pathogenic strains, while 15.1% carried SFG rickettsiae, including Rickettsia helvetica, monacensis, and japonica. This suggests a potential role for migratory birds in the epidemiology of these diseases, warranting further investigation into their transmission dynamics.

Diagenesis of Flint and Porcellanite in the Maastrichtian Chalk at Stevns Klint, Denmark

Stevns Klint — 2010 — WHE9A488848AA

Flint nodules in the Maastrichtian chalk of Stevns Klint, Denmark, form through early diagenetic processes driven by microbial activity and low sedimentation rates. The study identifies four types of siliceous nodules—porcellanite, white flint, white flint with a dark core, and dark flint—composed primarily of microquartz, lutecite, chalcedony, megaquartz, and dolomite. Stable isotope analysis (δ18Osmow) indicates precipitation temperatures ranging from 15–17°C for microquartz and lutecite to up to 48°C for megaquartz, suggesting a transformation pathway from silica gel or opal-CT via dissolution-precipitation (Ostwald ripening). The research proposes that microbial decomposition of organic matter at the redox boundary below the seafloor initiated flint formation during periods of minimal sedimentation. This process implies that flint deposition reflects shallow-water conditions with high biosiliceous input and microbial activity, offering potential paleo-oceanographic insights for shallow carbonate systems.

Discovery and preparation of a large mass of articulated Early Jurassic crinoids from Black Ven (Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site, south-west England)

Dorset and East Devon Coast — 2010 — WHEBF9A770427

A remarkable discovery of a large mass of articulated Early Jurassic crinoids, specifically Pentacrinites fossilis, has been made on the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site. This find provides exceptional insights into the palaeobiology and geological context of these marine organisms during the Early Jurassic period. The study details the meticulous preparation, conservation, and preservation techniques employed to safeguard this significant fossil mass. The research highlights the scientific value of the site's marine mudrocks, which are renowned for their spectacularly preserved fossils, contributing valuable data to our understanding of ancient marine ecosystems.

Distribution and risk factors for spread of amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Australia

Tasmanian Wilderness — 2010 — WHEA4E973EAA3

A study reveals that the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) remains largely free of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), with only 3% of surveyed sites testing positive, despite providing optimal conditions for the pathogen. In contrast, surrounding areas with human disturbance—characterized by gravel roads, forests, and altitudes under 1000 meters—showed a 52% infection rate. The research suggests anthropogenic activities may facilitate Bd spread, while walking tracks in remote regions were strongly associated with its absence. These findings imply that the TWWHA’s inaccessible nature and lack of Bd could make disease control feasible, given that Tasmanian frogs reproduce in ponds rather than streams.

Double Trauma and Manifold Narratives: Jews' and Muslims' Representations of the Departure of Moroccan Jews in the 1950s and 1960s

Historic City of Meknes — 2010 — WHE306F8EE083

A study of the departure of Moroccan Jews in the 1950s and 1960s reveals that both Jewish and Muslim narratives reflect deep, unresolved trauma. While Muslims often depicted Jews as 'fearful' or 'weak,' this perception shifted dramatically during the Six-Day War, when Jews were seen as 'courageous' and 'strong.' This transformation disrupted Muslim societal norms, which associated emigration with a lack of virility. The research, based on oral histories from both communities, shows that the memory of these events remains fragmented and sensitive, with Muslims suppressing recollections of two young Jews murdered in 1967 in Meknes. The study argues that the departure of a historic component of Moroccan society has left an enduring emotional wound, with Jewish narratives oscillating between fear and nostalgia.

Dynamics of Sundarban estuarine ecosystem: eutrophication induced threat to mangroves

The Sundarbans — 2010 — WHEFCD768192F

Eutrophication poses a significant threat to the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and only tiger habitat. A 2010 study revealed that high nutrient levels, particularly during winter, led to eutrophic conditions (Chlorophyll-a ≥10 μg/L), which negatively impacted phytoplankton biomass and species diversity. The research identified diatoms as the dominant phytoplankton group, with 46 taxa recorded across six groups. Key findings included the presence of bio-indicator species such as Polykrikos schwartzil and Dinophysis norvegica, signaling moderately polluted water quality. The study also highlighted that high salinity levels (21.2PSU) in May favored more resilient phytoplankton species. These insights underscore the deteriorating marine status of the Sundarban estuary, which threatens the ecology of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and raises concerns about the sustainability of its mangroves.

Early and Middle Woodland Earthwork Enclosures in Iowa

Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks — 2010 — WHE5002002785

Research reveals that earthen enclosures, typically associated with the Early Woodland Adena complex and Middle Woodland Hopewell Interaction Sphere in the eastern U.S., also extend westward to Iowa. At least five such enclosures in eastern Iowa exhibit characteristics akin to those of Adena and Hopewell, including size, non-defensive function, and association with ritual areas like burial mounds. This suggests that while the Mississippi River valley may have marked the western limit of these ceremonial structures, their cultural significance likely extended more broadly across the region.

Economic Valuation of Cultural Heritage: Application to a museum located in the Alto Douro Wine Region World Heritage Site

Alto Douro Wine Region — 2010 — WHE1F4F301095

A museum's cultural value within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alto Douro Wine Region is positively influenced by visitors' educational level and gender, while negatively affected by travel costs. This insight emerged from applying the travel cost method—a non-market valuation technique—to analyze demand for the Museum of Lamego. Researchers used a Poisson model to quantify these relationships, revealing that higher education and female visitors are more likely to engage with cultural heritage, whereas travel expenses deter participation. The study underscores the importance of indirect economic valuation methods in assessing intangible assets like museums, which lack market transactions but drive territorial development through spillover effects.

Ecotourism: The Modern Predator? Implications of Gorilla Tourism on Local Livelihoods in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — 2010 — WHE014A43847D

Ecotourism, often hailed as a tool for conservation and local development, may instead perpetuate poverty and dependency in nearby communities. A study analyzing gorilla tourism's impact on rural villagers adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, reveals that the commodification of wilderness for foreign visitors shifts control to international organizations, creating new forms of vulnerability rather than alleviating hardship. Through a year of ethnographic fieldwork, the research exposes how ecotourism's 'new' relations between people and parks often reinforce existing power imbalances.

Ectomycorrhizal fungal communities on seedlings and conspecific trees of Pinus mugo grown on the coastal dunes of the Curonian Spit in Lithuania

Curonian Spit — 2010 — WHE0C0ABCE622

A study on the Curonian Spit, Lithuania, reveals that Pinus mugo, a non-native tree species thriving in harsh coastal dunes, forms ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations with a low but consistent fungal diversity. Molecular analysis identified 12 ECM taxa across three study sites, with Cenococcum geophilum dominating both seedlings and mature trees, though more abundantly on seedlings. Shannon's diversity indices indicated slightly higher diversity in mature trees. While mycorrhizal communities were similar across sites, subtle differences emerged between seedlings and mature trees. The study also highlighted discrepancies between below-ground ECM diversity and aboveground fruiting body surveys, emphasizing the need for comprehensive sampling methods to accurately assess fungal symbionts. These findings suggest P. mugo's adaptability in distinct habitats, supported by a stable suite of ECM symbionts that facilitate growth and natural regeneration.

Effects of artificial lights and moonlight on petrels at St Kilda

St Kilda — 2010 — WHE6E9FCB395A

Artificial lights at St Kilda attract petrels, particularly when moonlight is scarce, but deliberate light reduction measures significantly decrease this attraction and its negative impacts. The study found that while reductions in artificial lighting effectively lowered the number of Leach's Storm-petrels drawn to lights, their effect on Manx Shearwaters was less pronounced. Mortality rates were extremely low, with only juveniles affected, primarily after nights with minimal moonlight. Although the overall numbers of petrels attracted were small compared to breeding populations, light reduction measures remained beneficial in preventing disorientation and grounding during fledging periods. This phenomenon is rare in other UK breeding areas, highlighting St Kilda's unique vulnerability.

Efficient, large‐scale archaeological prospection using a true three‐dimensional ground‐penetrating Radar Array system

Birka and Hovgården — 2010 — WHE650BE38761

A ground-penetrating radar (GPR) array system demonstrated the capability to conduct high-resolution, large-scale archaeological surveys at unprecedented speed and resolution. The true three-dimensional MIRA system surveyed 1 hectare or more per day with an 8 cm cross-line spacing, revealing fine details such as postholes of only 25 cm diameter at Birka, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in Sweden. This pilot study, conducted in collaboration with the Swedish National Heritage Board, showcased the potential of advanced GPR technology for efficient and detailed archaeological prospection at complex Scandinavian sites.

Elite Emulation and Patronage Relationships in the Middle Bronze: The Egyptianized Dynasty of Byblos

Byblos — 2010 — WHE6E4E98E063

Rulers of Byblos in the Middle Bronze Age adopted Egyptianized language, administrative titles, and religious traits as elite emulation practices to differentiate themselves from local peers and gain prestige through patronage bonds with Egypt. These relationships, rooted in early Old Kingdom interactions, were sustained by the exchange of high-value goods. The study argues that such cultural borrowing was a strategic move to align with Egypt's esteemed elite, reinforcing Byblos' status in the northern Levant and Euphrates region.

Energy, Forest, and Indoor Air Pollution Models for Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone, Nepal

Sagarmatha National Park — 2010 — WHEF8EC64C89E

A critical decline of 38% in forest biomass within Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone (SNPBZ), Nepal, from 1992 to 2008 has been attributed to rising fuelwood demand driven by tourism growth. This trend threatens the preservation of current forest conditions unless 75% of fuelwood is replaced with alternative energy sources. The study employed a participatory modeling framework to simulate management scenarios, revealing that reducing fuelwood use by 75% and dung use by 80% could lower indoor carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations to WHO-recommended limits. This research underscores the urgent need for adaptive management strategies to mitigate environmental degradation and health risks in this remote mountain region.

Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants of Kara and Kwego semi-pastoralist people in Lower Omo River Valley, Debub Omo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Lower Valley of the Omo — 2010 — WHE8BC2438D25

A study of the Lower Omo River Valley, Ethiopia, identified 38 wild edible plant species used by Kara and Kwego semi-pastoralist communities as dietary supplements or famine foods. The plants, primarily trees (50%) and shrubs (29%), were consumed for their fruits (59%), leaves (33%), roots (8%), and seeds (3%). No significant differences in species richness, growth forms, or plant parts used were found between the two groups. Most plants were gathered during specific seasons, with 41% serving as substitutes for cultivated vegetables when scarcity struck. The research highlights the cultural significance of wild edible plants in food security strategies, while also noting gaps in nutritional and toxicological data that warrant further investigation.

Ex Situ Orchid Conservation - A Case Study from the Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens — 2010 — WHE74F3D01716

Singapore Botanic Gardens' orchid conservation program has successfully re-introduced five native orchid species, including Grammatophyllum speciosum and Bulbophyllum vaginatum, demonstrating effective ex situ conservation strategies. The study highlights the potential of cryo-seed banking for long-term germplasm preservation, with promising results achieved for multiple endangered species such as Cymbidium finlaysonianum and Dendrobium crumenatum. By monitoring existing populations and exploring innovative conservation techniques, the program aims to restore native orchid diversity in Singapore's managed habitats. A dedicated area at the National Orchid Garden showcases this biodiversity, serving both conservation and educational purposes.

Fallout Deposition in the Marshall Islands from Bikini and Enewetak Nuclear Weapons Tests

Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site — 2010 — WHEFDE2C4295D

Only 20 out of the 66 nuclear tests conducted at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls (1946-1958) resulted in substantial radioactive fallout deposition on inhabited Marshall Islands, according to a comprehensive analysis. Researchers estimated deposition densities for 63 radionuclides from these tests using historical data, contemporary soil samples, and meteorological analyses. The findings align with measurements of cesium-137 (137Cs) deposition, validating the approach. This study provides the most detailed estimates of fallout composition, fractionation, and transit times, enabling accurate dose assessments for external and internal radiation exposure.

Family Space: Buddhist Materiality and Ancestral Fashioning in Mogao Cave 231

Mogao Caves — 2010 — WHE8D4DFE5756

Mogao Caves, particularly Cave 231, exhibit a unique integration of family references into Buddhist art and architecture from the ninth century, representing a significant shift in medieval Chinese religious space. This study reveals that cave temples served as hybrid spaces where ancestral commemoration and Buddhist devotion intersected through figural representations, epigraphic inscriptions, and decorative elements like domestic furniture. By analyzing these visual and textual cues, researchers demonstrate how Mogao Caves functioned as a multifacetional environment, blending the sacred with familial memory while bridging the boundaries between image, object, and architecture.