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Showing 16461 – 16480 of 30345 publications

Ecosystem service assessment of selected wetlands of Kolkata and the Indian Gangetic Delta: multi-beneficial systems under differentiated management stress

Sundarbans National Park — 2019 — WHECEBBE7B692

A comprehensive ecosystem service assessment of wetlands in the Sundarbans National Park and East Kolkata Wetlands reveals that 32 out of 36 possible ecosystem services are produced across these sites, with significant variations attributed to differing wetland characteristics and management regimes. The study highlights critical gaps in existing literature, particularly in recognizing provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services, and demonstrates the importance of systemic approaches like the Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services (RAWES) in capturing interdependent service production. This method not only supports the protection of ecological character but also challenges the underrepresentation of peri-urban wetlands' values, offering a practical framework for informed decision-making.

Ecotourism on the Sacred Natural Places

Tongariro National Park — 2019 — WHE4911C21DED

Ecotourism holds significant potential for sustainable development within sacred natural places, provided it adheres to the cultural values and respect the traditions of indigenous peoples. This study demonstrates that ecotourism can thrive in such sites, exemplified by successful models like New Zealand's Tongariro National Park, which attracts around a million tourists annually, Kenya's Sacred Forests of Kaya, and the U.S.'s Devil's Towers National Monument. The research explores various approaches to integrating cultural landscapes with high biodiversity into tourism frameworks while maintaining ecological integrity. It highlights the importance of balancing tourist demands with local cultural significance, offering practical pathways for responsible ecotourism in these sensitive environments.

Edinburgh - The Making of a Capital City

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh — 2019 — WHEAB98FD2C73

Edinburgh stands out as a uniquely preserved capital city, with its development intricately linked to European urban and architectural influences, conservation efforts, and governance. A key insight is the city's deliberate cultivation of identity, blending Old and New Towns holistically rather than treating them as isolated historical events. This approach extends beyond the city center, integrating suburban edges and offering a comprehensive perspective on Edinburgh's evolution over nearly 1,000 years. The study employs a thematic framework centered on architecture, landscape, sustainability, and governance to analyze these dynamics, revealing how political and institutional investments have shaped Edinburgh's distinct character—unmatched in the UK for its careful preservation of image and identity.

Edirne Selimiye Külliyesinde Bilinmeyen Bir Çeşme

Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex — 2019 — WHE1617A1CB11

A previously undocumented fountain within the Edirne Selimiye Mosque complex, a masterpiece by Ottoman architect Sinan, has been identified and analyzed for the first time. This wall fountain, located on the northern outer court wall, was not mentioned in historical records or biographies of Sinan. The study examines its architectural characteristics, construction, and dating, providing new insights into Sinan's lesser-known works. It also contextualizes the fountain within the broader tradition of Islamic water structures, highlighting its significance in Edirne's architectural heritage.

Educating Toward a Culture of Peace Through an Innovative Teaching Method

Historic Centre of Florence — 2019 — WHEAD4ADA42F0

A novel peer education model successfully fostered a culture of peace among high school students in Florence, Italy. The program, involving over 70 participants during the 2016–2017 academic year, integrated non-violent communication techniques and was sustained through local partnerships with the University of Florence and the Florence UNESCO Center. Building on the Peace Education Program of Prem Rawat Foundation, it emphasized active student participation in learning conflict resolution, dialogue, and mutual respect. Its long-term impact is demonstrated by its adoption across new schools and universities, highlighting an effective approach to nurturing peaceful values and behaviors in youth.

Edward J. Gillin. The Victorian Palace of Science: Scientific Knowledge and the Building of the Houses of Parliament.

Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church — 2019 — WHED3E5E22801

A devastating fire in 1834 destroyed much of the Palace of Westminster, including its medieval timber and plaster structure. This catastrophe provided an opportunity for a significant architectural and scientific transformation. Edward J. Gillin's work, 'The Victorian Palace of Science,' explores how this rebuilding process integrated scientific knowledge into the construction of the Houses of Parliament. The study highlights the role of scientific advancements during the Victorian era in shaping the new edifice, including innovative materials and techniques that ensured durability and resilience against future fires. By analyzing historical records and architectural plans, Gillin reveals how this period marked a pivotal moment in the intersection of science and architecture.

Efecto de las actividades antrópicas en la red de caminos Inka, santuario histórico de Machupicchu, Cusco, Perú

Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu — 2019 — WHE39BAF3294D

A study evaluating the impact of human activities on the Inca trail network within Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary revealed significant variations in road depth, particularly along the Salkantay trail. Over three years (2008–2010), solid waste accumulation increased, with plastic being the most prevalent type, alongside organic waste from livestock. The study also documented wildlife presence, including 21 bird species and 3 mammal species on the Traditional Inca Trail, with notable species such as Puma concolor (Near Threatened) and Vultur gryphus (Endangered). This research highlights the ecological challenges posed by tourism and livestock in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Effect of the Place Identity Components on Place Attachment; Study of the Tabriz Historic Bazaar

Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex — 2019 — WHE199CEA1FD4

A significant relationship exists between components of place identity and the sense of attachment people feel toward Tabriz Historic Bazaar, with memorability, satisfaction, and introduction/identification emerging as the strongest predictors. These factors not only influence how business owners perceive their environment but also contribute to the preservation and enhancement of this UNESCO-recognized architectural heritage. The study employed a correlational approach, analyzing data from 374 randomly selected business owners using questionnaires with 36 components across six dimensions. Statistical analysis revealed that memorability had the highest beta coefficient (0.314), followed by satisfaction (0.241) and introduction/identification (0.140), all significantly impacting place attachment at p<0.01. These findings underscore the importance of preserving and improving the quality of Tabriz Bazaar to sustain its cultural significance.

Effective removal of the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) on a landscape level: long term monitoring and removal efforts in Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park — 2019 — WHE8A23CAC078

A successful landscape-level eradication of the invasive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) from Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, has been achieved through long-term removal efforts by the National Park Service (NPS). Starting in 2005, targeted removal using hand, net, and spear techniques led to an 86% reduction in bullfrog populations within the first year. By 2012, no signs of breeding were observed, and the last individual was recorded in 2019. The NPS utilized environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys and audio recordings from 2015 onward to enhance detection accuracy. Following eradication, restoration efforts introduced the federally threatened California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii), marking the first documented successful bullfrog removal on a landscape scale. This study demonstrates that invasive species can be effectively managed in protected areas, facilitating the recovery of endangered native species.

Effects of changes in climate and land cover on Tanzanian nature-based tourism in national parks : How are tourist attractions affected?

Kilimanjaro National Park — 2019 — WHE4E74C93099

Climate and land-cover changes significantly impact tourist attractions in Tanzanian national parks, particularly Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) and Serengeti National Park (SENAPA). The study reveals that while warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns may initially enhance trekking conditions on Mount Kilimanjaro, the long-term loss of snow cover and montane forests poses a threat to tourism. In SENAPA, changes in temperature and land-cover types disrupt wildebeest migration patterns, challenging tourists' expectations. The research introduces the 'eco-parcel' approach, which classifies tourist attractions in fine categories and links them with specific environmental properties, enabling localized impact assessments. This method provides a nuanced understanding of how environmental changes affect individual attractions, offering valuable insights for conservation and tourism management.

Effects of development interventions on biocultural diversity: a case study from the Pamir Mountains

Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) — 2019 — WHEB81B1D1B9D

Development interventions can significantly impact biocultural diversity, as demonstrated by contrasting responses to the introduction of wheat seeds in two Pamir Mountain communities. One community maintained traditional practices, fostering reciprocal exchange and low youth outmigration, while the other adopted store-bought ingredients, abandoned grain cultivation, and experienced circular migration patterns. These divergent pathways highlight the dynamic interplay between social-ecological systems and development interventions. The study suggests that understanding these relationships can empower more effective development strategies by identifying endogenous responses to local, regional, and global changes.

Effects of fire suppression policies on fire regimes in protected areas in the Cerrado.

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2019 — WHE2B5F92503E

In 2018, the Cerrado Protected Areas—Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks—experienced the smallest recorded area burned since the initiation of the PROMAQ monitoring program in 2010. Despite a rise in reported fire incidents, the total area affected by fires dropped significantly, attributed to improved detection using high-resolution PlanetScope imagery and increased firefighting efforts. The study highlights how advancements in remote sensing, combined with enhanced on-the-ground response (e.g., hiring 100 specialized firefighters), can mitigate fire impacts in protected areas. These findings underscore the dual role of technology and resource allocation in shaping fire regimes, offering a model for other conservation zones.

Effects of habitat fragmentation and human disturbance on the population dynamics of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey from 1994 to 2016

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas — 2019 — WHEF6F96F3CB3

From 1994 to 2016, the population of the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) increased from fewer than 2,000 to around 3,000 individuals, driven largely by the establishment of protected nature reserves. However, habitat fragmentation and human disturbance negatively impacted population growth, with uneven subpopulation dynamics and reduced genetic diversity in some regions. The study recommends prioritizing conservation efforts for genetically distinct populations like Baimei and Jisichang while expanding migration corridors to connect larger source populations, such as Guyoulong (Guilong), to smaller ones. This approach ensures not only population growth but also the preservation of genetic diversity, which is critical for long-term survival.

Effects of Hydroclimatic Variability on the Spatial Dynamics of Ponds (Simenti, Kountadala and Oudassi) of the Gambia River Basin in the Niokolo Koba National Park (Senegal)

Niokolo-Koba National Park — 2019 — WHE21C4D6BFB0

A significant increase in pond surface area from 40.3 ha in 1975 to 83.4 ha by 2010 was observed, followed by a sharp decline to 67.8 ha in 2019 due to rainfall deficits and aquatic vegetation expansion in Niokolo-Koba National Park's Gambia River Basin ponds (Simenti, Kountadala, Oudassi). Hydroclimatic trends revealed positive and significant increases in temperature and evaporation, alongside a negative trend in precipitation at a 95% confidence level. The study utilized Landsat, Google Earth, and Sentinel imagery for pond trend mapping and applied Mann-Kendall and Pettitt tests to hydroclimatic data, including precipitation, temperature, evaporation, and discharge. Recommendations included water transfer operations to mitigate scarcity and drying-up of these critical water bodies.

Effects of leaf litter decomposition on bacterial community structure in the leaf litter of four dominant tree species in Mount Tai

Mount Taishan — 2019 — WHE98D8AB947B

Leaf litter decomposition rates vary significantly among four dominant tree species at Mount Taishan, with Robinia pseudoacacia exhibiting the fastest decomposition. This study used decomposition bags and Illumina Miseq sequencing to analyze bacterial community structure and diversity in leaf litter from R. pseudoacacia, Quercus acutissima, Pinus tabulaeformis, and Pinus densiflora over one year. Results showed that decomposition rates and chemical changes (e.g., reduced carbon and lignin content, increased nitrogen and phosphorus) influenced bacterial diversity, with broadleaf species supporting higher bacterial richness than coniferous ones. Notably, initial C/N and lignin/N ratios correlated strongly with bacterial community structure, highlighting the role of litter chemistry in shaping microbial dynamics. These findings advance understanding of how tree species identity affects forest ecosystem processes.

Effects of long soil surface residence times on apparent cosmogenic nuclide denudation rates and burial ages in the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — 2019 — WHE4E7FC82657

Prolonged soil surface residence times of up to 1.5 million years in the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa, can lead to significant underestimation of cosmogenic nuclide-derived denudation rates and overestimation of burial ages when using standard assumptions. Researchers analyzed concentrations of 10Be and 26Al in bedrock and soil above Rising Star Cave, where Homo naledi fossils were discovered, revealing that apparent denudation rates derived from soil samples are 2-3 times lower than those from bedrock. Additionally, the 26Al/10Be ratio in soils was significantly lower than the surface production ratio, indicating complex exposure histories. These findings suggest that long near-surface residence times can distort single-nuclide (10Be) catchment-wide denudation rates and burial age estimates if pre-burial ratios are assumed based on surface production alone.

Effects of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) on survival and edibility of loaches in the World Heritage Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, China

Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces — 2019 — WHE28975AE857

A study on the UNESCO-listed Honghe Hani Rice Terraces reveals that organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), though banned, persist in the environment and pose minimal risk to human consumption of loaches. Researchers found that while OCPs like DDTs and HCHs were present in water and sediment throughout the rice-loach co-culture season, they were not detected in the muscle tissue of loaches sent to market, suggesting low toxicity for consumers. The study also identified heptachlor as a significant contributor to OCP levels early in the season, potentially affecting loach survival. Sampling across three months showed a decline in total OCPs from May to October, with August and October samples clustering together, indicating environmental persistence. These findings provide critical insights for sustainable aquaculture practices and the preservation of this World Heritage Site.

Effects of sampling site, season, and substrate on foraminiferal assemblages grown from propagule banks from lagoon sediments of Corfu Island (Greece, Ionian Sea)

Old Town of Corfu — 2019 — WHE1CEC3ACAD0

A study on the Old Town of Corfu reveals that foraminiferal propagule banks—reservoirs of small, viable foraminifera—act as dynamic species pools that can rapidly respond to environmental changes. Researchers exposed propagules from two lagoons to controlled conditions, finding distinct local propagule compositions while also detecting abundant allochthonous taxa, indicating regional dispersal. Seasonal sampling significantly influenced assemblage composition, suggesting temporal variability in propagule banks. Substrate type had no significant effect, implying that water variables like temperature or salinity play a stronger role in shaping foraminiferal communities. The experimental setups favored small, fast-growing species tolerant of high organic content, underscoring the potential of propagule banks as resilient species reservoirs and refining future applications of this method.

Effects of SCUBA bubbles on counts of roving piscivores in a large remote marine protected area

Papahānaumokuākea — 2019 — WHE3FCB3CD9F6

A study reveals that SCUBA bubbles significantly impact counts of roving piscivores during underwater surveys, with open-circuit (OC) equipment attracting more jacks (Caranx ignobilis and Caranx melampygus) compared to closed-circuit rebreathers (CCR). Specifically, OC surveys recorded 57% more C. ignobilis and 113% more C. melampygus, with higher initial encounter rates for some species within the first five minutes of observation. While benthic damselfish were also more abundant in OC surveys, butterflyfish counts decreased, suggesting that bubble-induced disturbances influence fish behavior. Conducted in the remote Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument—a pristine environment with minimal human interaction—this research highlights the potential bias introduced by SCUBA bubbles in ecological surveys.

Effects of Tractor Passes on Hydrological and Soil Erosion Processes in Tilled and Grassed Vineyards

Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato — 2019 — WHEFAE247EF54

Grass-covered vineyard inter-rows significantly reduce runoff and soil loss compared to tilled inter-rows, especially during wetter conditions. A two-year study in the Alto Monferrato region of Piedmont, Italy, found that grass cover reduced runoff by 76% and soil loss by 83% relative to tillage, highlighting its effectiveness in mitigating erosion. The research also demonstrated that tractor traffic increases soil compaction, particularly in tilled vineyards, which negatively impacts hydrological properties such as infiltration rates and bulk density. These findings underscore the importance of limiting machine traffic to preserve soil structure and reduce erosion risks, offering practical insights for sustainable vineyard management.