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Indoor Microclimate Conditions and the Impact of Transformations on Hygrothermal Comfort in the Old Ottoman Houses in Algiers

Kasbah of Algiers — 2019 — WHE4DAB4CE89E

Architectural transformations in Algiers' Ottoman houses, driven by colonial and post-colonial influences, have significantly altered indoor hygrothermal comfort. The study reveals that these changes, aimed at meeting inhabitants' needs, have negatively impacted the microclimate conditions within traditional houses. Using numerical simulation and modeling, researchers analyzed the components of hygrothermal comfort to assess the environmental quality. Findings highlight the need for corrective measures to restore interior comfort in the historic Kasbah of Algiers.

Infection by and Molecular Features of Learedius learedi (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) in Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) on the Ogasawara Islands, Japan

Ogasawara Islands — 2019 — WHE5FCB80B959

A study of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) on the Ogasawara Islands, Japan, revealed that the blood fluke Learedius learedi exhibits extremely high genetic diversity, with haplotypes distinct from those found in other Pacific rookeries. This suggests that L. learedi may have coevolved with its host turtles on these islands. Researchers analyzed 26 infected turtles using morphological and molecular techniques, including ITS2 and 28S ribosomal DNA sequencing, confirming the species identity of the flukes and distinguishing them from related genera like Hapalotrema. Additionally, mitochondrial COI gene analysis showed significant genetic variation, supporting the hypothesis that L. learedi has differentiated alongside its host population on the Ogasawara Islands.

Inferred Adult Foraging Grounds of Two Marine Turtle Species Nesting at Amami-Oshima, Japan

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2019 — WHEFFD1896202

Loggerhead turtles nesting at Amami-Oshima Island, Japan, primarily forage in the East China Sea, with one individual taking a detour through the Sea of Japan before moving to warmer waters. In contrast, green turtles from the same site exhibit diverse foraging behaviors, with some migrating to Japan's main islands, others moving southwest of Amami, and one remaining near Amami throughout the study period. This variation in migration patterns suggests distinct foraging strategies between species and highlights the importance of regional sea temperature in guiding turtle movements. Researchers tracked 10 turtles using satellite tags over late June and July 2015 to map their post-nesting migrations, providing critical insights into the adult foraging grounds of these marine turtles.

Influence of Land-Use Type on Forest Bird Community Composition in Mount Kenya Forest

Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest — 2019 — WHEAE79D883BF

Remnant natural forests play a critical role in supporting forest biodiversity, particularly for specialist bird species, compared to plantation forests and farmlands. A study assessing avian community composition in the Nanyuki Forest Block of Mount Kenya found that natural forests had the highest overall species richness, while plantation forests exhibited the lowest relative richness across most habitat and foraging guilds. Notably, granivorous birds and non-forest species were more prevalent in farmlands. The research used point counts during wet and dry seasons to compare bird communities across land-use types, highlighting the risks of replacing natural forests with plantations or agricultural lands for biodiversity persistence.

Influence of light environment on deterioration of mural paintings in Mogao Cave 285, Dunhuang

Mogao Caves — 2019 — WHE8FB3D8EE90

Mural paintings in Mogao Cave 285, part of the UNESCO-listed Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, China, exhibit significant deterioration due to environmental factors. Research reveals that hygrothermal conditions and light exposure—particularly UV irradiation—accelerate physical damage such as cracking and color changes, with organic pigments showing pronounced chroma saturation shifts. Experimental simulations on Bengal red, lapis lazuli, and other pigments demonstrated distinct vulnerability patterns: cracks formed predominantly in Bengal red, while salt-induced white crystals emerged universally across pigment layers. The study highlights the critical role of environmental control, especially post-collapses like the one affecting Cave 285's entrance hall, in preserving these irreplaceable cultural artifacts.

Influence of management status on the coral reef fish communities in Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten

Ujung Kulon National Park — 2019 — WHED2428CBCA3

Coral reef fish communities in Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK) exhibit higher species richness and abundance in the Core Zone compared to the Marine Protection Zone, with Caesionidae being the most frequent family in the former. This difference is attributed to stricter preservation measures in the Core Zone, which likely support more diverse coral reef ecosystems. The study used underwater visual census methods during field observations in October 2017 to assess fish communities across zones, revealing that while abundance did not significantly differ, species richness showed a statistically significant variation. These findings underscore the impact of zoning management on marine biodiversity conservation.

Influence of microclimate on the directional dependence of sandstone pillar weathering in Angkor Wat temple, Cambodia

Angkor — 2019 — WHEF4F85FD326

Weathering of sandstone pillars at Angkor Wat is deeply influenced by microclimate conditions. Research reveals that hollows—depression-like notches—form more profoundly on the outer surfaces of inner pillars and are shallower on the northern side of the first gallery. This variation correlates with water content, moisture fluctuations, and temperature/humidity records over five years, exacerbated by direct insolation and rainfall. The study highlights how environmental factors interact with sandstone hardness to accelerate weathering, offering critical insights for the preservation of this culturally significant structure.

Influence of Sustainable Development by Tourists’ Place Emotion: Analysis of the Multiply Mediating Effect of Attitude

Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun — 2019 — WHE2FB231D000

Tourists' emotional connection to place significantly drives their behavioral intentions more strongly than attitudes, subjective norms, or perceived behavior control when visiting rural World Heritage Sites like Xidi and Hongcun. This finding emerges from a study combining planning behavior theory with goal-oriented models, using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze tourist behavior in these UNESCO-listed villages. The research reveals that place emotion exerts the strongest indirect effect on sustainable tourism development, followed by subjective norms and perceived behavior control, with attitudes acting as a partial mediator. These insights provide actionable guidance for balancing tourism growth with cultural preservation in heritage contexts.

Influences of Personality on Ungulate Migration and Management

Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks — 2019 — WHE2D5E5EF67C

Bolder elk are three times more likely to forego migration and exhibit faster learning responses to aversive conditioning, suggesting that personality traits significantly influence migratory behavior and habituation. This study synthesizes research on wild elk populations in the Canadian Rocky Mountains to propose a conceptual model explaining how anthropogenic changes favor bolder individuals, leading to residency over migration. The findings indicate that bold personalities—defined by seven metrics—are linked to cognitive flexibility and behavioral adaptability, potentially driven by genetic differences or gene-environment interactions. Managers could mitigate habituation and promote migration by targeting bolder individuals with aversive conditioning and reducing anthropogenic food sources in predator refugia.

Influencia Española en el Tejido Empresarial de Guayaquil y el Sector Cultural de Cuenca (1900-1960)

Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca — 2019 — WHEDCE237F259

Despite the limited number of Spanish emigrants to Ecuador between 1900 and 1960, their influence on the entrepreneurial landscape of Guayaquil and the cultural sector of Cuenca was significant. This study highlights how a small but impactful group of immigrants shaped economic and artistic development in these cities during a pivotal period of globalization. Using life history narratives collected through snowball sampling, researchers uncovered firsthand accounts from emigrants or their families, revealing the socio-economic transformations driven by Spanish migration. The findings underscore the enduring legacy of this demographic movement on both urban centers.

Informing Protection Efforts for Critically Endangered Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) and Sympatric Mammals amidst Rapid Growth of Extractive Industries in Senegal

Niokolo-Koba National Park — 2019 — WHEEDAF2810B7

A comparative study of mammal species richness between Niokolo-Koba National Park (protected) and Fongoli (unprotected) in Senegal reveals that protected areas significantly enhance biodiversity, particularly for ungulates and carnivores. Despite similar primate species richness, the park's conservation efforts have likely mitigated mammal extinctions. The study highlights the critical role of flexible behavioral responses by western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) to human-driven landscape changes in their long-term survival. Given Senegal's reliance on mineral extraction for development, the research urges collaboration between primatologists and mining stakeholders to integrate sustainable practices that prioritize savannah chimpanzee behavior and ecology.

Innovation, religion and managing value creation: the World Heritage Site of the ArchAbbey of Pannonhalma, Hungary.

Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment — 2019 — WHEDE009B4555

The Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma, Hungary, demonstrates that religious tourism sites can effectively balance commercialization with the preservation and promotion of sacred values. This World Heritage Site (WHS) successfully integrates management best practices to achieve dual goals: fostering economic development while maintaining its spiritual significance. The study highlights how purposeful innovation in such settings can harmonize secular and religious objectives, offering a model for other WHS facing similar challenges.

Insights into the evolutionary and demographic history of the extant endemic rodents of the Galápagos Islands

Galápagos Islands — 2019 — WHE840E690269

Research reveals that the extant endemic rodents of the Galápagos Islands originated from two distinct colonization events, with the ancestor of Nesoryzomys arriving during the Pliocene and Aegialomys during the middle Pleistocene. Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region confirmed monophyly in all four surviving species: Aegialomys galapagoensis, Nesoryzomys narboroughi, N. swarthi, and N. fernandinae. The study also found that populations on each island exhibit high genetic diversity with signs of recent expansion, though conservation status requires further assessment. These findings suggest a complex evolutionary history for Galápagos rodents, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and future research using genome-wide markers to deepen understanding of their origins and relationships.

Inspecting Unattended Irrigation Canals of Dujiangyan in Mountainous Area with UAV Remote Sensing Technology

Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System — 2019 — WHE8876DBF324

A study demonstrates the feasibility and potential of using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for rapid inspection of unattended irrigation canals, particularly in mountainous areas. The research focuses on the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which irrigates about 1 million hectares of farmland in Sichuan Basin, China. UAVs were employed to capture high-resolution images along the Renmin Canal, enabling aerial triangulation and the generation of Digital Surface Models (DSM) and Digital Orthophoto Maps (DOM). These data were then used for confidence-based edge detection and image segmentation to assess the current status of the canal and identify ancillary buildings. The study highlights UAVs' advantages—low cost, flexible operation, and high spatial resolution—as a practical alternative to manual inspections, which are resource-intensive in such terrains.

Institutional dynamics and adaptive capacity in world heritage management: case studies from Southeast Asia

Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape — 2019 — WHE59982BF499

World Heritage site management institutions face increasing complexity due to evolving heritage concepts and global threats, yet many struggle to adapt. A refined framework for adaptive capacity is proposed, identifying six key factors—cognitive frame, learning capacity, formal governance structures, organizational relations, agency, and resources—that shape institutional dynamics. This study, focusing on three Southeast Asian sites (Vat Phou in Lao PDR, Ayutthaya in Thailand, and George Town in Malaysia), demonstrates that while adaptive change concepts are useful beyond climate contexts, existing frameworks fall short of capturing dynamic processes. The research suggests restructuring World Heritage policy to address the growing complexity of heritage conservation.

Integrated Assessment of Climate Change and Land Use Change Impacts on Hydrology in the Kathmandu Valley Watershed, Central Nepal

Kathmandu Valley — 2019 — WHE3F796F62F8

A significant increase in river runoff of up to 37% is projected for the Kathmandu Valley (KV) watershed by 2050 under climate change scenarios, with land use/cover changes exacerbating hydrological impacts. Unlike additive effects, integrated changes from both climate and LULC modifications do not simply superimpose; instead, they interact complexly to alter base-flow and annual flow dynamics. The study employed the CLUE-S model for future LULC projections and SWAT for hydrological simulations, incorporating three regional climate models and two RCP scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Findings underscore the need for integrated strategies to mitigate hydrological risks in rapidly urbanizing regions like KV.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Continental Ecuador and Galapagos Islands: Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing Tourism and Economic Context

Galápagos Islands — 2019 — WHE147150275C

Despite receiving international support for training and financing, Ecuador's integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) faces significant challenges due to economic and administrative instability. This study highlights that such discontinuities hinder the development of tourism and economic growth in coastal areas, including the Galápagos Islands. The research analyzed ten key elements—policies, regulations, institutions, strategies, instruments, information, education, resources, managers, and participation—to assess national coastal management. Findings suggest that while Ecuador has made progress, sustained efforts are needed to strengthen gastronomic and cultural aspects in new policies to overcome these obstacles.

Integrating local knowledge into wildlife population monitoring

Dja Faunal Reserve — 2019 — WHE0F5E2A9C17

A study integrating local ecological knowledge (LEK) into wildlife population monitoring found that LEK-informed methods provided estimates of species occupancy comparable to camera trap data at the village level, though with species-specific differences. The research, conducted in two wild meat hunting villages adjacent to Cameroon's Dja Faunal Reserve, used a mixed-method approach—including daily hunter diaries, seasonal interviews, and camera traps—to triangulate data and identify sources of uncertainty. It revealed that geographical characteristics, hunter methods, and motivations influenced species depletion patterns. Additionally, the study highlighted gender as a predictive factor in knowledge type and noted that local experts did not always provide the most robust estimates. The findings underscore the potential of LEK for cost-effective monitoring but caution against overestimating its reliability without accounting for logistical and financial constraints.

Integrating palaeocaves into palaeolandscapes: An analysis of cave levels and karstification history across the Gauteng Malmani dolomite, South Africa

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — 2019 — WHE74AFC3D6FA

New radiometric dating of the Drimolen Palaeocave System in South Africa's UNESCO-listed Fossil Hominid Sites reveals critical insights into early hominin evolution. The Main Quarry deposits, yielding Paranthropus robustus remains and bone tools, are dated to 1.712 ± 0.269 million years ago (Ma), aligning with biochronological estimates for the Swartkrans Member 1 Hanging Remnant. A nearby deposit, Drimolen Makondo, discovered in 2013, is older at 2.706 ± 0.428 Ma, predating the Main Quarry and overlapping with the end of Australopithecus-bearing Sterkfontein deposits. This challenges prior age estimates, suggesting the Drimolen site records a pivotal hominin and faunal turnover around 2.3–1.7 Ma. The study also integrates cave levels across the Malmani dolomite, revealing that older caves are likely eroded away, explaining the scarcity of pre-2 Ma deposits in this region.

Integrating Participatory Methods and Remote Sensing to Enhance Understanding of Ecosystem Service Dynamics Across Scales

Lower Valley of the Omo — 2019 — WHE1E22C74FC7

A novel approach combining participatory mapping with remote sensing reveals the significant decline of ecosystem services (ES) in the Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia, following regional environmental changes such as the construction of the Gibe III dam. The study highlights the collapse of flood-retreat cultivation and substantial reductions in shrubland and wetland areas, both critical for local communities. By integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with satellite imagery, researchers demonstrate how this mixed-methods approach can provide locally relevant insights into ES dynamics. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating TEK to improve resource management strategies, offering a scalable model for other regions.