World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 1621 – 1640 of 15962 publications

Assessing Stability of Meromictic and Dimictic Lakes of Bolshoi Solovetsky Island

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2025 — WHED3954D2074

Research on the Bolshoy Solovetsky Island's lake-channel system reveals that 19 of its 48 lakes exhibit meromictic characteristics, with six confirmed through hydrological studies. The study assesses the stability of these meromictic lakes and the potential for chemocline destruction in autumn, as well as the likelihood of wind-induced thermocline destruction in dimictic lakes during summer. Findings indicate that in dimictic lakes, convective mixing driven by higher surface layer mineralization dominates water mixing in autumn, rather than wind-induced processes.

Assessing strategies for remote island beach cleanups: Lessons from the Pacific and Alaska

Henderson Island — 2025 — WHEA804092FE2

Effective remote island beach cleanups require careful planning, local engagement, and innovative technologies to balance benefits with potential harms. A study comparing Henderson Island in the South Pacific and Kruzof Island in Southeast Alaska identified key strategies for managing plastic pollution in isolated regions. Using a six-step cleanup framework, researchers evaluated approaches based on feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and co-benefits. The findings highlight that while downstream cleanups are necessary, they must be executed with caution to avoid ecological disruption or unintended consequences. This research provides actionable insights for marine debris management in remote locations.

Assessing the Conservation Priority of Alpine Carabid Beetle Communities by Mapping the Index of Natural Value (INV) in Natura 2000 Habitats in the Brenta Dolomites (Italian Alps)

The Dolomites — 2025 — WHEBC6D607B50

Alpine carabid beetle communities in the Brenta Dolomites exhibit heightened vulnerability to extinction at higher altitudes, particularly in limestone cliffs, screes, and alpine grasslands. This finding emerges from a study that mapped the Index of Natural Value (INV) across Natura 2000 habitats, revealing a positive correlation between vulnerability and altitude. The research used INV—a metric based on specialized species' frequencies—as a proxy for disturbance sensitivity. While alkaline fens hosted the least vulnerable communities, intermediate levels were observed in bush and forest habitats. This study underscores the critical conservation priority of high-altitude carabid beetle assemblages within UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Assessing the Contribution of Women's Activities to Environmental Conservation in Sectors Surrounding Nyungwe National Park, Nyamagabe District, Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park — 2025 — WHEA4BC7DF48F

Women's participation in conservation activities around Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, significantly enhances environmental outcomes. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.712, p < 0.05) was found between women's engagement in reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and water management, and improved forest cover, reduced deforestation, and biodiversity. Despite challenges like resource scarcity and cultural barriers, women play a pivotal role in community-based conservation. The study, using mixed-methods including surveys (391 women) and interviews (5 local leaders), underscores the need for greater empowerment of women through education, resources, and policy involvement to sustain environmental benefits.

Assessing the Economic and Ecological Costs of Human–Wildlife Conflict in Nuwara Eliya

Central Highlands of Sri Lanka — 2025 — WHE6770021EFE

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, is driven primarily by wild boars, which cause significant agricultural damage, livestock losses, and infrastructure destruction. Spatial analysis identified conflict hotspots near forest and tea plantation boundaries, highlighting the impact of land use on HWC intensity. While farmers employ multiple mitigation strategies with varying effectiveness, the study emphasizes the need for region-specific solutions to foster sustainable coexistence between wildlife and local communities. The research combined field surveys, expert interviews, satellite imagery, and analytical techniques like the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to quantify economic and ecological costs.

Assessing the effect of local heterogeneity on anuran diversity in the Serra da Capivara National Park, Piauí State, Brazil

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2025 — WHE13967E7A0A

Local habitat heterogeneity does not significantly influence anuran species richness but plays a crucial role in supporting higher abundance and stability of frog populations in the Caatinga biome. Researchers recorded 16 anuran species across five families within Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, most of which are endemic or widespread taxa. The study highlights that while species diversity remains consistent, heterogeneous environments enhance population stability, offering key insights for conservation strategies. This research updates the park's anuran checklist and provides evidence for the importance of habitat diversity in maintaining healthy amphibian communities.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Buffer Zones in Reducing Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park — 2025 — WHE939F4FD701

Buffer zones around Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, are largely ineffective in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs), particularly against crop raiding by primates. A study found that over 71% of respondents perceived these zones as inadequate, with land-use changes like agricultural expansion and settlements undermining their protective role. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining GIS analysis, household surveys, and key informant questionnaires to assess conflict patterns and buffer zone characteristics. Findings highlight the need for multi-layered buffer strategies, incorporating non-palatable agroforestry crops and deterrent plant species, alongside improved land-use planning and community engagement to foster sustainable human-wildlife coexistence.

Assessing the epistemic dimension of people–place relationships for inclusive ecosystem governance

High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago — 2025 — WHEA5E2187C75

A strong connection between people's knowledge and their emotional bonds to place, termed 'epistemic bonding,' significantly influences perceptions of ecosystem governance. This study found that higher epistemic bonding correlates with long-term residency, family history in the area, and a more negative stance towards official nature protection in Finland. By analyzing survey data from 306 residents of the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site, researchers demonstrated that epistemic bonding is closely tied to place dependence and identity. This concept highlights how diverse ways of knowing shape responses to environmental decision-making, emphasizing the need for inclusive governance that recognizes multiple forms of knowledge.

Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on the Landscape Stability in the Mediterranean World Heritage Site Based on Multi-Sourced Remote Sensing Data: A Case Study of the Causses and Cévennes, France

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHE84909A11B5

Climate change is significantly destabilizing the Causses and Cévennes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in France. A study using multi-sourced remote sensing data from 1985 to 2020 revealed that this Mediterranean agro-pastoral landscape experienced warming and drying trends, leading to a decline in woodland coverage (from 76% to 66.5%), increased fragmentation, and shifts among land cover types like cropland, shrubland, and grasslands. Landscape stability showed marked spatiotemporal variations with an overall downward trend. Precipitation emerged as the dominant climatic factor influencing landscape stability, particularly through its interaction with temperature. These findings highlight vulnerabilities in Mediterranean heritage sites, offering critical insights for sustainable conservation strategies.

Assessing the proportions of economic values in the Trang An Scenic Landscape complex using an improved fuzzy AHP approach

Trang An Landscape Complex — 2025 — WHE38E9FDA8DE

A novel study quantifies the economic value of Vietnam's Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, revealing that cultural heritage contributes 49.31% to its total economic value (TEV), followed by natural heritage at 38.99%, and settlement heritage at 11.71%. The research employs an improved Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) with integral values ranking, addressing limitations of traditional models for more precise weight determination. Notably, archaeological value was found to be underestimated at just 1.05%, despite evidence of early human occupation dating back circa 20,000 years. The findings underscore the dominance of non-market values and provide actionable insights for policymakers, UNESCO, and local authorities to balance heritage preservation with economic resilience. This holistic framework offers a new approach to assessing the multifaceted contributions of heritage features in World Heritage Sites.

Assessing the Resilience of Diving Tourism Systems to Complex Change: A Case Study of Southern Mozambique

iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park — 2025 — WHEF497DD0F88

Diving tourism systems, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), demonstrate resilience to complex changes such as the COVID-19 pandemic, urban development, and governance transformations. A study of Ponta do Ouro, Maputo National Park, Southern Mozambique, engaged 71 stakeholders from the diving industry, businesses, park authorities, and communities in 2022 and 2023. Stakeholders identified interconnected changes with both negative and positive effects, highlighting the importance of stakeholder engagement in planning resilience strategies. The research underscores that participatory approaches can mitigate conflicts and benefit small communities in LDCs, ensuring sustainable development for diving tourism systems.

Assessing the Stability of Meromictic and Dimictic Lakes on Bolshoy Solovetsky Island

Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands — 2025 — WHE24169BDB2E

Research on the Solovetsky Islands reveals that nearly half of the 48 lakes analyzed exhibit meromictic conditions, with six confirmed through hydrological studies. These lakes maintain stable stratification due to chemoclines, which can be disrupted in autumn, leading to bottom water mixing. In contrast, dimictic lakes show resilience against wind-induced thermocline destruction during summer, with autumn mixing driven primarily by convective processes influenced by surface layer mineralization. The study combines morphometric data and hydrological assessments to evaluate lake stability and chemocline behavior, providing insights into the unique hydraulic dynamics of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Assessing the UNESCO community capacity building initiative: a case study from the historic city of Vigan, Philippines

Historic City of Vigan — 2025 — WHEF5FFF09AC2

A critical evaluation of UNESCO's capacity-building initiatives reveals that while such programs aim to empower local communities as heritage custodians, their effectiveness may be limited by preexisting community capabilities and social dynamics. The study, conducted using an ethnographic approach in Vigan, Philippinesexamined how homeowners interacted with a co-developed manual designed to educate them on conservation techniques. Findings suggest that capacity-building efforts must account for varying levels of social capital and adapt to local contexts to fully meet the needs of communities. The research provides actionable insights for future program designs, emphasizing the need for flexibility in addressing the complexities of heritage management at World Heritage sites.

Assessing Transportation, Accommodation Facilities and Major Problems of Tourist Places in Raigad District

Elephanta Caves — 2025 — WHE8B9EEAFD42

Raigad district, Maharashtra, India, holds significant potential as a tourist destination due to its natural beauty, historical forts, coastal landscapes, and cultural heritage. However, it faces substantial challenges that hinder sustained tourism growth, including poor internal road connectivity, underutilized rail and waterway options, uneven accommodation availability, sanitation deficits, safety concerns, and lack of coordinated marketing. A mixed-methods study involving structured questionnaires from 150 tourists, interviews with 20 stakeholders, and a review of secondary sources identified these constraints. Strategic recommendations for infrastructure upgrades, integrated transport planning, regulation and standardization of accommodation, community-based tourism initiatives, and targeted marketing are proposed to position Raigad as a sustainable tourism destination, balancing economic development with environmental protection and community welfare.

Assessing Walking Routes for Wheelchair Accessibility at a Historic District in Saudi Arabia to Enhance Social Sustainability

Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah — 2025 — WHEEBAA2636EA

A study assessing wheelchair accessibility in the UNESCO-listed Historic Jeddah District reveals significant barriers to physical access, with route crossing signals and connectivity scoring lowest. Researchers developed a 14-indicator checklist and observation strategy to evaluate 14 walking routes, highlighting inconsistent compliance with accessibility standards. The findings underscore the need for improved regulations to enhance social sustainability and equal access in historic urban spaces. This practical method offers a cost-effective approach for other heritage sites worldwide to prioritize wheelchair inclusion.

Assessment of ecological and landscape services in urban green spaces in South China Karst

South China Karst — 2025 — WHEE00B6482C7

A significant portion (89.63%) of urban green spaces (UGS) in South China Karst exhibits low quality, with ecological services showing a distinct 'high in the east and low in the west' pattern, while landscape perception services vary nonlinearly. The study, using a multi-dimensional attribute index system and TOPSIS method, identifies that the indicator SC holds the highest weight (20.89%) among evaluated factors. Notably, there is a strong correlation between ecological benefit indicators, with GSA showing significant relationships with seven other metrics. This assessment provides critical insights for sustainable urban management in Karst regions globally.

Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking purposes using water quality index in volcanic rock areas of Axum, Northern Ethiopia

Aksum — 2025 — WHE78369FA10E

Groundwater quality in the volcanic rock areas of Axum, Northern Ethiopia, is significantly compromised for drinking purposes, with 24% classified as excellent and only 44% as good according to the Water Quality Index (WQI). The study reveals that groundwater chemistry is primarily influenced by calcite, dolomite, gypsum, fluorite, and halite dissolution, along with ion exchange processes. Several critical parameters, including electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and trace metals, often exceed WHO permissible limits, indicating severe pollution threats. Hydrogeochemical evolution analysis identified dominant water facies such as Ca–Mg–Na–HCO3 and Mg–Ca–HCO3, with anthropogenic influences contributing to water chemistry degradation. The research underscores the urgent need for continuous monitoring and effective management strategies to safeguard drinking water quality in this region.

Assessment of Land Cover Changes and an Exploration of the Sustainability Key Factors at Al-Ahsa Oasis in Saudi Arabia

Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHE137593E154

Between 2000 and 2020, Al-Ahsa Oasis—a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape in Saudi Arabia—experienced significant land cover changes (LCC), with vegetation declining by 324.35 hectares and desert shrinking by 1625.81 hectares, while bare ground and urban areas expanded by 1389.79 and 560.37 hectares, respectively. A binary logistic model (BLM) identified key sustainability factors influencing these changes: climate change, elderly farmers (>50 years), and small farm sizes increased LCC likelihood (odds ratio >1), while modern irrigation techniques, technology adoption, and labor availability mitigated it (odds ratio <1). Urban sprawl had a non-significant negative effect. The study recommends targeted interventions—such as promoting sustainable practices among elderly farmers, enhancing plant resilience, and scaling up farm sizes—to preserve Al-Ahsa’s agricultural heritage amid climate pressures.

Assessment of Residents’ Perception of Tourism Activities in the Selected Host Communities in Osun State

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove — 2025 — WHE85FE518B87

A critical need for inclusive tourism policies emerges from this study, which highlights the diverse perceptions of residents in Osun State's host communities regarding tourism activities. The research, employing a mixed-methods approach with surveys and interviews involving 1,778 participants, reveals that while tourism brings socio-economic benefits, it also presents challenges that require resident feedback to address effectively. Key demographic insights include a majority of respondents being married (53%), holding tertiary qualifications (52.3%), and earning between 50,000 to 100,000 Naira monthly (61.3%). The findings underscore the importance of community engagement in tourism initiatives to maximize positive outcomes for both residents and visitors.

Assessment of spatial distribution of organic contaminants and metallic compounds on a tropical island’ coral reef fish communities

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems — 2025 — WHED45CA17633

Contamination by mining-related elements (Ni, Cr) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is widespread throughout New Caledonia's lagoon, extending from coastal areas to the barrier reef. A study analyzing 36 contaminants in ~400 coral reef fish revealed that fish body size was the strongest predictor of contaminant concentrations, followed by monthly rainfall for POPs and reef area for metallic compounds (MTEs). Mining activity significantly influenced contamination levels, particularly for Ni and Cr, while mercury (Hg) contamination showed strong dependence on biological variables. The research used boosted regression trees modeling to predict and map contaminant distribution at the community level, providing critical spatial data for policy-making.