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Local Narratives, Regional Histories, and the Demise of Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe National Monument — 2019 — WHE9E55A739AC

Archaeologists have identified Boroma and Chizhou Hill as key sites that provide critical insights into the demise of Great Zimbabwe from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Local narratives, indigenous histories, and documented written sources reveal a complex process involving resettlement by migrants from the Mutapa State and regional dynamics. Boroma, described in Portuguese accounts as a 'fortress' linked to Great Zimbabwe, along with Chizhou Hill, offers a nuanced understanding of post-fifteenth-century developments that contributed to the decline of this iconic monument.

Long-term changes of the trophic status in transitional ecosystems of the northern Adriatic Sea, key parameters and future expectations: The lagoon of Venice as a study case

Venice and its Lagoon — 2019 — WHE4F3BDC60DA

The lagoon of Venice has shown significant improvement in its ecological status since 2010, following decades of anthropogenic impacts. This recovery is marked by a notable reduction in nutrient concentrations both in the water column and surface sediments, alongside a shift towards higher ecological value macrophyte species while opportunistic ones like Ulvaceae are declining. The study leverages long-term datasets—nutrient data since 1948 and macroalgal maps since 1980—to analyze trophic changes and project future environmental trajectories. This research underscores the effectiveness of ongoing conservation efforts in transitional ecosystems, providing a model for managing similar sites under the European Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Long-term diet of the chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Taï National Park: interannual variations in consumption

Taï National Park — 2019 — WHE62314A50F4

Chimpanzees in Taï National Park exhibit significant interannual variations in their diet, with fruit constituting 73.76% of the 503 food items from 363 plant species consumed by two habituated groups over four decades. This long-term study highlights the ecological flexibility and diversified food selection strategies of chimpanzees, revealing strong changes in food composition across years. The research, based on daily observations of four chimpanzee groups, provides critical insights into their socioecology and adaptability within the Taï Forest ecosystem.

Long-term fire resilience of the Ericaceous Belt, Bale Mountains, Ethiopia

Bale Mountains National Park — 2019 — WHE2CED27CAEA

Research reveals that the Ericaceous Belt in Ethiopia's Bale Mountains has exhibited long-term resilience to fire, with a positive feedback loop between Erica vegetation and wildfire operating since approximately 14,000 years ago. This finding challenges assumptions about the vulnerability of this tropical African montane ecosystem to human-induced disturbances like fire and grazing. The study employed pollen and charcoal analysis from Lake Garba Guracha (3950 m.a.s.l.) to reconstruct millennial-scale fire history, identifying periods of intense burning, particularly during the early Holocene (10.8-6.0 cal ka BP). The results suggest that controlled burning could be a viable strategy for landscape management in Bale Mountains National Park, promoting ecosystem resilience while mitigating negative impacts from modern human activities.

Long-term history of vehicle collisions on the endangered Nēnē (Branta sandvicensis)

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — 2019 — WHEB1E6F12DE9

Vehicle collisions pose a growing threat to the endangered Hawaiian goose (Nēnē) in and around Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, with mortality rates increasing over nearly four decades despite stable per-capita risk. A 40-year dataset revealed that while absolute Nēnē deaths rose from 1977 to 2014, the rate remained consistent. Mortality peaked during breeding season (November–December) and was concentrated along just three road segments, with no significant variation by location or sex. Surprisingly, mortality showed no correlation with visitor numbers or traffic volume, nor did it depend on population density. These findings highlight the need for targeted mitigation strategies, particularly in high-risk areas and during critical life stages.

Looking beyond the city walls of Mystras

Archaeological Site of Mystras — 2019 — WHEE928AAFB1B

A significant spatial and temporal disparity exists in the distribution of Byzantine religious structures—including chapels, churches, hermitages, and monasteries—in Laconia, a region of the Peloponnese. This uneven development, analyzed through statistical methods and digital mapping using data from diverse sources and field surveys, highlights the dynamic evolution of the Late Byzantine built landscape beyond the confines of Mystras' city walls. The study reveals that religious architecture in this era was not uniformly distributed but instead reflected complex patterns of settlement, abandonment, and renewal across time and space.

Los calendarios de Xochicalco, Morelos

Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco — 2019 — WHE8353CA64FC

Xochicalco's calendars, inscribed on the site's reliefs, offer a unique window into Mesoamerican calendar systems during the Epiclassic period (600–900 CE). By analyzing and reconstructing the sequence of days and years—comprising 52-year cycles known as 'siglos'—researchers have pieced together a previously fragmented understanding of pre-Hispanic calendrical practices. The uniformity of these inscriptions, derived from a single site over a defined period, bridges the gap between earlier (Classic) and later (Postclassic) calendar traditions, providing critical insights into how such systems evolved across Mesoamerica. Additionally, the eclectic artistic styles and graphic representations in Xochicalco's calendars reflect broader trans-regional influences, underscoring the site's role as a cultural nexus during this transitional era.

Los mayas y los otros: integración y distinción cultural en el paisaje urbano y rural de Copán

Maya Site of Copan — 2019 — WHECE27EF797E

Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Copán reveals how Maya elites strategically integrated a multi-ethnic population through cultural identity formation. By analyzing epigraphic, archaeological, and bioarchaeological data alongside settlement patterns, the study demonstrates that Copán's peripheral location relative to the Maya heartland allowed its ruling class to adopt and adapt high-status cultural elements from Tikal (5th century CE) as a unifying ideological tool. This approach sheds new light on how peripheral Maya states maintained political cohesion while distinguishing themselves culturally, offering insights into the dynamics of identity and power in Classic-period Mesoamerica.

Loss and social-ecological transformation: pathways of change in Xochimilco, Mexico

Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco — 2019 — WHE0757C1C2A4

Xochimilco faces significant social and ecological transformation driven by urbanization and environmental degradation. Research reveals that despite these challenges, the region exhibits resilience through adaptive governance and community-led initiatives. The study identifies key pathways of change, including shifts in land use, water management, and cultural practices, which have both negative and positive impacts on the site's sustainability. By analyzing historical data, interviews, and participatory mapping, the authors highlight the importance of integrating local knowledge with scientific approaches to mitigate loss and foster sustainable development. This work provides critical insights for balancing conservation efforts with the needs of a growing urban population.

Lowland Mesoamerica

Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche — 2019 — WHEA7D19BE726

Climatological evidence from cave stalagmites reveals that the flourishing Classic Maya civilization, which thrived between AD 300 and the tenth century, was significantly impacted by a series of drought cycles. These environmental shifts, combined with social disorder and warfare, led to the collapse of southern Maya city-states such as Tikal, Uaxactún, Calakmul, Palenque, and Copán. The study also highlights how the Maya civilization evolved from its roots in the Olmec tradition along the Gulf of Mexico Coast and Yucatán, developing complex institutions like kingship and written glyphs by AD 300. Following the collapse, the political center shifted northward to the Yucatán Peninsula, where it persisted until the Spanish arrival in the fifteenth century.

Luana Giurgevich Henrique de Sousa LeitãoClavis Bibliothecarum: catálogos e inventários de livrarias de instituições religiosas em Portugal até 1834

Monastery of Alcobaça — 2019 — WHE0767498566

A monumental catalog of ecclesiastical libraries in Portugal, spanning from the medieval period to 1834, reveals the vast scope and diversity of religious book collections before institutional suppression. The work, 'Clavis Bibliothecarum,' compiles 901 library catalogs and inventories from approximately 400 religious institutions, along with 348 related documents, organized by order and geographical location. Notably, it includes early modern records such as Frei António de Araújo's 16th-century catalog of the Monastery of Alcobaça, which describes both its books and decorative elements. This comprehensive resource provides unprecedented insight into the history of book collecting, reading practices, and ecclesiastical cultural heritage in Portugal, supported by a digital companion platform hosted by the Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal.

Macro and Microhabitat Patterns of Habitat Use and Selection by Wild Boar in Los Alerces National Park

Los Alerces National Park — 2019 — WHE23176BB852

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) preferentially select Lomatia hirsuta forest over other habitats, such as Nothofagus pumilio forest and Valdivian evergreen rainforest, in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina. This preference is consistent across both spring-summer and autumn-winter periods, with microhabitat selection favoring low slopes and high canopy cover, particularly on southeast-facing areas with intermediate ground cover. The study, one of the first to analyze wild boar habitat use at macro and micro scales in Patagonian protected areas, provides critical insights for managing this invasive species and understanding its ecological impact.

Magma interactions, crystal mush formation, timescales, and unrest during caldera collapse and lateral eruption at ocean island basaltic volcanoes (Piton de la Fournaise, La Réunion)

Pitons Management Area — 2019 — WHE756C519265

A study of Piton de la Fournaise volcano reveals that magma interactions and crystal mush formation during caldera collapse and lateral eruptions differ significantly from other mafic ocean island volcanoes. The research, using olivine crystal compositions and melt inclusions, shows that the 2007 eruption was driven by rapid magma crystallization at shallow depths without significant magma mixing. Geophysical data indicated that magma intrusion began approximately a month before the eruption, migrating from ~3 km below sea level to about 1 km above sea level. The chemical zoning of olivine crystals suggests lateral movement of crystal mush towards the surface within days to months. Post-caldera samples also showed significant hydrogen loss due to depressurization. These findings contrast with other volcanoes like Kilauea and Etna, where magma mixing is more common, and are attributed to variations in magma supply rates from depth.

Magma Propagation at Piton de la Fournaise From Joint Inversion of InSAR and GNSS

Pitons Management Area — 2019 — WHE4E456050AF

A study of Piton de la Fournaise volcano (La Réunion, France) reveals that the 26 May 2016 eruption was fed by a single batch of magma quickly disconnected from its source. The research, combining InSAR and GNSS data with advanced modeling techniques, identified a 2,700-meter-long sill located 800 meters above sea level, connected to the eruptive fissure by a subvertical dike. The intrusion stalled for approximately five hours before final upward propagation and eruption, suggesting limited magma supply. Two potential mechanisms—magmatic gas pressure or eastward flank slip—may have triggered the eruption.

Mainstreaming climate adaptation and mitigation policy: Towards multi-level climate governance in Melaka, Malaysia

Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca — 2019 — WHE611F61DF67

Melaka, Malaysia, serves as a model for integrating climate adaptation and mitigation policies through multi-level governance, demonstrating how supportive sub-national policies can bridge gaps between national and local scales. This study highlights the city's role as a testing ground for climate mitigation projects, aiming to reduce carbon emissions while fostering dynamic horizontal and vertical interactions across administrative levels. A dual approach—combining top-down and bottom-up collaboration—emerges as a key strategy for effective governance, with potential applications for other Malaysian states and regions with similar ecological and economic contexts.

Making a Mark: Image and Process in Neolithic Britain and Ireland

Heart of Neolithic Orkney — 2019 — WHED5E026627E

Neolithic Britain and Ireland's visual imagery, particularly on decorated portable artefacts, reveals that mark making was a central practice, not peripheral. This insight emerged from the Making a Mark project, which used advanced digital imaging techniques to analyze artefacts made of chalk, stone, bone, antler, and wood from southern England, East Anglia, the Irish Sea region, and Northeast Scotland and Orkney. The analysis uncovered widespread practices of erasure and reworking, challenging previous understandings of these enigmatic objects. The study also compared these practices with those found in passage tomb art, rock art, and pottery decoration, providing a comprehensive view of Neolithic visual culture across Britain and Ireland.

Making Borobudur a Buddhist Religious Tourist Destination: an Effort to Preserve Buddhist Temples in Indonesia

Borobudur Temple Compounds — 2019 — WHE05D3AC7799

Borobudur Temple, one of Indonesia's UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the world's largest Buddhist temple, faces sustainability challenges due to rising tourist numbers. A shift towards a sustainable tourism paradigm, integrating spiritual and religious themes, is proposed as an effective solution. This approach not only aligns with Borobudur's Buddhist heritage but also shares responsibility among Buddhists globally. The study analyzed existing research using content analysis with an interpretive approach, emphasizing the need for a new management model that prioritizes sustainability while maintaining its cultural and spiritual significance.

Making post-glacial uplift visible: A model based high-resolution animation of shore displacement

High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago — 2019 — WHEF3BCD91AA6

A groundbreaking high-resolution animation reveals the dynamic nature of post-glacial uplift and shore displacement in the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage site, where land rises at rates exceeding 8 mm per year. The study employed a mathematical model to transform digital elevation models (DEMs) over ~9300 years, integrating LiDAR-derived DEMs from Finland and Sweden with bathymetric data of the Gulf of Bothnia. By leveraging geophysical uplift rate surfaces and ancient shoreline observations, researchers derived an exponential model that accurately describes the non-linear correlation between elapsed time and land uplift. The animation, rendered at 4K resolution with a five-year interval between frames, provides a visually intuitive representation of this decelerating phenomenon, highlighting regional differences in post-glacial history. While future improvements may include removing post-glacially developed features like rivers, the current model offers unprecedented continuity and clarity in visualizing shore displacement.

Male reproductive input, breeding tenure, and turnover in high-density brown bear (Ursus arctos yesoensis) populations on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan

Shiretoko — 2019 — WHE49EC45D37F

A high-density brown bear population on Japan's Shiretoko Peninsula shows relatively even male reproductive input, with 19 males siring 82 offspring from 54 litters over a decade. Paternity analysis using microsatellite DNA revealed that while some years favored certain individuals, breeding tenure typically lasted 1 to 6 years. Human-caused mortality in peripheral areas disrupted this balance, highlighting the impact of human activity even within protected zones. Male reproductive success peaked at ages 10–14, aligning with physical maturity. These insights advance understanding of solitary mammal breeding systems and inform conservation strategies for vulnerable populations.

Mamíferos do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu

Iguaçu National Park — 2019 — WHEBA5C9FD3BB

Iguaçu National Park, established in 1939 to protect the iconic Iguaçu Falls and a pristine subtropical forest, is revealed as one of the richest areas in mammal biodiversity within the Atlantic Forest. A comprehensive study, combining extensive camera-trapping (over 23,000 trap-days/nights), roadkill surveys, and bibliographic reviews, identified 84 mammal species, including three exotic ones, with an additional 18 potentially present. This makes Iguaçu a critical priority for mammal conservation, though isolation and illegal poaching pose significant threats to its wildlife. The research underscores the urgent need for enhanced protection measures and expanded scientific inquiry to safeguard this vital remnant of the Atlantic Forest.