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Showing 15881 – 15900 of 15944 publications

Juan de Colonia and the west façade of Burgos Cathedral: 1442-1458

Burgos Cathedral — 2010 — WHEC0FF05A938

Research reveals that the west façade of Burgos Cathedral was completed in 1458 under the leadership of master builder Juan de Colonia. This marked the culmination of a project abandoned since the late 13th century, with Colonia's innovative design integrating pre-existing architecture and modern elements to achieve visual unity. The spires' unique design, drawing from southwest Empire influences but distinct from coeval projects, showcases Colonia's reinterpretation of an unfinished structure. The study, based on historical analysis, highlights the fusion of ancient and modern architectural styles in this significant cultural heritage site.

Jupiter, Venus and Mercury of Heliopolis (Baalbek)

Baalbek — 2010 — WHE8B0588710B

A reevaluation of the iconographic evidence challenges long-standing interpretations of the deities Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury at Baalbek (Heliopolis). Contrary to prior assumptions that Jupiter was a solar deity linked to Hadad or that Mercury represented a dying-and-rising Dionysian figure, this study proposes more plausible alternatives. By analyzing visual representations, it argues that these gods were not merely solar or syncretic but held distinct symbolic roles, reshaping our understanding of their religious significance in ancient Heliopolis.

L’impact de l’ouverture de la brèche dans la langue de Barbarie à Saint-Louis du Sénégal en 2003 : un changement de nature de l’aléa inondation ?

Island of Saint-Louis — 2010 — WHE7FCC93C956

A breach opened in the Barbary Tongue sandspit in 2003 dramatically altered flood dynamics for UNESCO World Heritage-listed Saint-Louis du Sénégal, eliminating significant flooding events. The study found that while the city's vulnerability to rising sea levels persists due to its proximity to high-tide levels, the breach has effectively mitigated inland flooding by accelerating river water drainage. Using hydrological models and IPCC projections of sea-level rise, researchers simulated future flood scenarios, revealing potential for increased marine influence could lead to urban submersions during peak annual waters by century's end.

Las unidades espaciales asociadas a la religiosidad chilota: Evolución de las entidades pobladas

Churches of Chiloé — 2010 — WHE174C76FC08

Research on the Churches of Chiloé reveals that churches, both architecturally and symbolically, historically served as central points around which urban settlements in the archipelago developed. However, contemporary globalization and urban expansion threaten this cultural pattern by encroaching upon spaces integral to religious expressions, transcending the traditional boundaries of church properties. The study employs a spatial analysis approach to trace the evolution of populated entities linked to Chilote religiosity, highlighting the tension between historical urban development and modern cultural shifts.

Linking the world heritage and industrial waterfront : urban revitalization of Porto Interior, Macao

Historic Centre of Macao — 2010 — WHE8203CBE36A

Urban revitalization of Macao's Porto Interior waterfront bridges the Historic Centre of Macao with its industrial past through innovative design. The study introduces nine heritage paths and functional 'celebrate nodes'—plazas, gardens, and leisure spaces—that physically and mentally connect the site to its surroundings while preserving cultural elements. This approach enhances public open space quality, improves vehicular and pedestrian circulation via infrastructure like a harbor tunnel and light rail system, and promotes accessibility through shared streets. The design vision, rooted in Macao's history, creates a unique, cohesive experience that reflects both heritage values and industrial evolution.

Local voices on community radio: a study of ‘Our Lumbini’ in Nepal

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha — 2010 — WHE85FE106A3E

Community radio has emerged as a powerful platform for amplifying local voices and fostering social change in Nepal, particularly in Lumbini. A study of the radio series 'Our Lumbini' reveals that community involvement in broadcasting not only enhances representation but also brings tangible benefits to listeners and producers alike. Since Nepal's first independent radio license in 1997, community radio has become a vital medium for sharing diverse perspectives, with this case study highlighting its potential to bridge gaps between local communities and broader societal narratives.

Location of a pre-Angkor capital city in relation to geomorphological features of lower reach of the Stung Sen River, central Cambodia

Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Archaeological Site of Ancient Ishanapura — 2010 — WHE2954971338

Research reveals that the pre-Angkor capital city of Chenla, located at the Sambor Prei Kuk archaeological site in central Cambodia, was strategically positioned on upland II adjacent to a port town near the Stung Sen River. This location minimized monsoonal flood risk while maximizing accessibility and water transport feasibility, demonstrating an adaptation to the region's highly variable dry and wet seasons. The study analyzed geomorphological features of the lower reach of the river, including meander scroll zones, sediment accumulation rates (0.6 mm/year over 4600 years), and floodplain/lake plain divisions to assess flood risk and upland accessibility. These findings highlight the sophisticated understanding of environmental dynamics by ancient inhabitants.

Mangrove system sustainability: public incentives and local strategies in West Africa.

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omatí Minhô — 2010 — WHEC942E5423B

Public incentives and local strategies can significantly enhance the sustainability of mangrove systems, particularly through shellfish enhancement initiatives. This study, conducted across two West African Marine Protected Areas—the Saloum Delta Biosphere Reserve in Senegal and the Bolama Bijagos Archipelago in Guinea Bissau—demonstrates how value-adding schemes like labeling align with local biodiversity management practices. By employing an interdisciplinary approach involving biology, economics, history, and geography, researchers assessed the potential of these initiatives to improve both biological and cultural diversity in mangrove ecosystems. The findings highlight the importance of reconciling local strategies with national and international policies to foster equitable benefit-sharing and sustainable development.

Mapping the English Lake District: a literary GIS

The English Lake District — 2010 — WHE831DA5D8F7

This study demonstrates the potential of literary GIS to map qualitative spatial experiences, offering new methodological and critical approaches for analyzing textual accounts of place. By comparing Thomas Gray's proto-Picturesque journey through the English Lake District in 1769 with Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s post-Picturesque circumcursion in 1802, the research reveals how GIS can capture subjective spatial narratives beyond traditional quantitative data. The findings highlight the utility of literary GIS in spatial literary criticism, providing a framework to explore the critical possibilities and challenges of digitizing space and place in literature.

Marshland vegetation of Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)

Plitvice Lakes National Park — 2010 — WHE87146A9A5A

A study of Plitvice Lakes National Park's marshland vegetation identified 13 distinct plant communities, including three previously unrecorded in Croatia. Using the Braun-Blanquet methodology and numerical classification, researchers confirmed that traditional community classifications align well with observed clusters. The research also revealed ecological characteristics through Ellenberg indicator values and plant life form analysis, highlighting specific features at the vegetation alliance level. Notably, the Phragmitetum australis association, which supports Ligularia sibirica—a rare European species—was found to be widespread. While the study contributes positively to biodiversity, it also notes negative impacts linked to lake eutrophication, posing conservation challenges.

Meltwater flux and runoff modeling in the ablation area of Jakobshavn Isbræ, West Greenland

Ilulissat Icefjord — 2010 — WHE84C638BE3E

Surface runoff from the Jakobshavn Glacier contributes only about 7% of the total freshwater flux to Ilulissat Icefjord, with an average annual volume of approximately 3.4 km³. This finding emerges from a study that modeled meltwater flux and runoff in the glacier's ablation area using high-resolution meteorological data and the SnowModel system. The research, spanning 2000/01 to 2006/07, validated its simulations against winter snow depth observations and MODIS-derived summer melt data. While both runoff and ice discharge showed increasing trends during this period, the overall freshwater flux remained relatively stable. This study highlights the minor but significant role of surface runoff in the broader context of glacial freshwater input to Ilulissat Icefjord.

Monitoring indicates rapid and severe decline of native small mammals in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia

Kakadu National Park — 2010 — WHEA16F9C8F78

A rapid and severe decline of native small mammals has been documented in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia, challenging the assumption that its mammal fauna remained intact. Over a 13-year study (1996–2009), species richness and total abundance decreased by 54% and 71%, respectively, with 10 out of 25 recorded species showing significant declines. The most pronounced losses were observed in northern quoll, fawn antechinus, northern brown bandicoot, common brushtail possum, and pale field-rat. The study employed consistent sampling across plots representing environmental variation and fire regimes, using regression analysis and Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests to assess change. Declines correlated with increased fire frequency, suggesting that too frequent fires, predation by feral cats, and cane toad invasion may be contributing factors. These findings indicate a major conservation crisis in northern Australia, comparable to the losses seen elsewhere on the continent.

Mountain-meadow soils of the highlands in the Western Caucasus

Western Caucasus — 2010 — WHE98B9653F0D

Mountain-meadow soils in the Western Caucasus exhibit distinct mineral and organic transformations driven by soil formation processes, with two dominant elementary processes: humus accumulation and clay formation. These processes are mediated by soil biota and shape the chemical element profiles of these soils. The study analyzes published and original data on soil morphology, substance composition, physicochemical properties, total chemical and mineralogical composition, and micromorphology to characterize these transformations. It also proposes improvements for the classification of mountain-meadow soils based on these findings.

On Structural Features of the Old City of Sana'a, Yemen

Old City of Sana'a — 2010 — WHE23A5ADDD6E

The Old City of Sana'a exhibits distinct structural features within its traditional neighborhood units known as harat. Comprising 56 harat, each contains key elements such as mosques, maqushama (green fields), houses, streets, and sharhat (small open squares). This study reveals how modernization, including the installation of water supply and sewerage systems, has significantly altered these traditional units politically, socially, and physically. The research highlights the impact of such changes on Sana'a's historic environment, emphasizing the need to preserve its unique urban fabric while adapting to contemporary demands.

On the Materia Medica of Dioscorides and a Report About a Copy of It in Tehran

Golestan Palace — 2010 — WHEAD328B1E96

A previously undocumented Arabic manuscript of Dioscorides' Materia Medica, one of the foundational pharmacology texts of the Islamic era, has been identified and reported for the first time. This manuscript, housed in the Golestan Palace library in Tehran, is noted for its exceptional quality and significance. The study highlights its historical value, emphasizing its role as a rare and unrecorded treasure in bibliographic literature. The research focuses on the manuscript's attributes, its translation lineage, and its contribution to understanding Islamic pharmacological traditions.

On the Modular Design of Mughal Riverfront Funerary Gardens

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi — 2010 — WHEECD351F48B

A groundbreaking analysis reveals that the modular designs of two iconic Mughal funerary gardens—Humayun's Tomb and the Taj Mahal—were meticulously based on ancient units from the Arthasastra, a 4th-century BCE Indian text. By measuring dimensions in dhanus (D) and vitastis (V), researchers confirmed a low error rate between predicted and actual measurements, providing the first empirical evidence of this architectural canon's influence. This discovery introduces a novel mathematical framework for studying Mughal architecture, bridging ancient textual traditions with tangible structural precision.

Orthopteroids in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India

Kaziranga National Park — 2010 — WHE3FCC337EA8

A survey of Orthopteroids (insects belonging to the order Orthoptera) in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India, identified 14 species, including one potentially new to science. The study highlights the park's biodiversity, particularly its grasshopper and cricket diversity, which may serve as indicators for ecosystem health. Researchers conducted field surveys across different habitats within the park, collecting specimens and documenting their distribution. This work contributes to the understanding of Orthopteroids in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect these often-overlooked but ecologically significant insects.

Prehistoric Timbuktu and its hinterland

Timbuktu — 2010 — WHE716889F383

A new study reveals that Timbuktu, renowned for its medieval significance as a Saharan caravan hub, also possessed distinct urban characteristics during its prehistoric phase before AD 1000. By mapping settlement patterns in the region's hinterland, researchers uncovered evidence of early urbanism and explored how shifts in the Sahara's climate influenced social dynamics. This approach combines spatial analysis with environmental data to reconstruct Timbuktu's past, offering insights into the resilience and adaptability of prehistoric communities in a rapidly changing landscape.

Preliminary Investigations on Odonata from the Lake Ohrid (Macedonia)

Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region — 2010 — WHE1EAB9E459C

A preliminary investigation of Lake Ohrid revealed 17 species of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) from 476 adult specimens collected across 21 stations in June 2009. This study is notable for addressing a significant data gap regarding this invertebrate group in the lake, which is otherwise well-documented in other European lakes. The findings indicate a relatively low species diversity, likely influenced by the lake's mountainous location and moderate climate. Enallagma cyathigerum was the most abundant species, thriving due to its association with elodeid plants like Potamegeton perfoliatus. Four of the identified species are endemic to Southern Europe, while the rest are widespread across the continent. This research provides foundational data for understanding odonate biodiversity in Lake Ohrid and highlights the ecological significance of its unique environment.

Protecting the Tangible and Intangible Heritage of Rani ki Vav: A Unique Subterranean Step Well in Gujarat

Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat — 2010 — WHE191BE6B6AF

Rani ki Vav, a monumental stepwell in Gujarat, India, exemplifies the architectural and cultural significance of subterranean structures from the 11th century. Constructed between 1063 and 1090 A.D., this brick-and-stone structure measures 64m long, 20m wide, and 27m deep, featuring intricate sculptures and a unique design with bracing structures to counteract lateral thrusts. The stepwell, once filled by floods in the 13th century, was restored by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) starting in 1960, preserving its authenticity and integrity through meticulous conservation efforts. Weathering tests on the sedimentary sandstone revealed insights into material degradation over centuries. Today, Rani ki Vav stands as a testament to advanced craftsmanship and technology, highlighting the cultural and historical importance of stepwells in arid regions.