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Showing 17241 – 17260 of 30345 publications

Rebuilding coral reefs: success (and failure) 16 years after low‐cost, low‐tech restoration

Komodo National Park — 2019 — WHE6361F3B1C9

Low-cost, low-tech coral reef restoration techniques can significantly boost hard coral cover over 16 years, according to one of the longest monitoring studies of its kind. The research, conducted in Komodo National Park, Indonesia, found that coral cover increased from 0% to an average of 44.5% on rehabilitated rubble fields—areas previously devastated by blast fishing—whereas untreated sites remained stagnant at around 3%. This success highlights the potential for simple substrate stabilization methods to facilitate natural coral recruitment and growth. However, outcomes varied widely across sites, suggesting that factors like current strength and turbidity also play crucial roles in restoration efficacy. The study underscores the importance of long-term monitoring to assess the true return on investment in reef rehabilitation efforts.

Recalibration of the insect evolutionary time scale using Monte San Giorgio fossils suggests survival of key lineages through the End-Permian Extinction

Monte San Giorgio — 2019 — WHEBD016C986F

A groundbreaking recalibration of the insect evolutionary time scale, using exceptionally preserved 240-million-year-old fossils from Monte San Giorgio, reveals that key insect lineages survived the catastrophic End-Permian Extinction. These findings, derived from phylogenomic dating analysis, push back the origins of major groups like Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), Hemiptera: Heteroptera (true bugs), and Diptera (flies) by up to 200 million years. The study suggests that critical evolutionary innovations, such as flight and metamorphosis, emerged much earlier than previously thought, challenging long-held assumptions about insect resilience during mass extinction events.

Recent Advances in Dynamic Investigation of Leaning Tower of Pisa

Piazza del Duomo, Pisa — 2019 — WHED86DD71A34

New research reveals that the Leaning Tower of Pisa's resilience to seismic events, including strong tremors since medieval times, is significantly influenced by soil-structure interaction. Unlike previous studies focusing on static stability, this investigation employs dynamic analysis techniques such as historical seismicity review, dynamic identification, and site response analysis to assess the tower's behavior under seismic forces. The study, conducted from 2014 onwards, highlights the critical role of soil-structure interaction in mitigating seismic damage, providing insights that could inform future conservation efforts for this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Recent Archaeological Investigations in the Meseș Gate pass (Dacia Porolissensis). The Roman Frontier Watchtower from Poguior Hill

Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia — 2019 — WHE761A626A22

Recent archaeological excavations at the Meseș Gate Pass in Dacia Porolissensis have shed light on the Roman frontier watchtower located on Poguior Hill, a critical component of the Roman limes system. The study reveals that this watchtower was part of a strategic network designed to monitor and control transit through one of the empire's key northwestern frontiers during the province of Dacia's existence (106–271 CE). Unlike earlier fortifications by prehistoric, La Tène, or medieval communities, the Roman system integrated linear defenses such as walls, watchtowers, and valley fortlets to ensure organized surveillance. The excavation provides new insights into Roman frontier organization, emphasizing the tower's role in maintaining security along this historically significant transit route.

Recent disruptions in the timing and intensity of precipitation in Calakmul, Mexico

Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche — 2019 — WHE079F1A6B99

Rainfall patterns in Calakmul, Mexico—a UNESCO World Heritage Site balancing biodiversity and agriculture—have become more intense and uneven from 1982 to 2016. While total precipitation slightly increased, the distribution shifted dramatically, with more extreme wet and dry spells, including pronounced crests and troughs after 2004. Five analytical methods revealed significant changes: the Mann-Kendall test detected trends; fuzzy logic identified rainy season onsets; the Gini Index and Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) measured unevenness; the Simple Precipitation Intensity Index (SDII) assessed intensity; and the Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI) tracked deviations from long-term averages. These findings highlight growing interannual variability, suggesting that tropical precipitation is becoming more erratic—a critical insight for local water management and global climate studies.

Recent Forest Cover Loss in the Core Zones of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve — 2019 — WHE06B95C2242

A dramatic 98% reduction in large-scale illegal logging has occurred in the core zones of Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) between 2012 and 2018, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed aerial ortho-photographs and satellite images, validated with fieldwork, to quantify forest cover loss—totaling 163.44 hectares—with climate-related factors (rain and wind) accounting for the majority (125.44 ha), while illegal logging (both large-scale and small-scale) contributed significantly less (38.0 ha and 12.14 ha, respectively). The findings suggest that despite ongoing threats, forest loss in the monarch's winter habitat is not the primary driver of their population decline since 2010, which has been far more severe than expected.

Recent morphologic evolution of the German Wadden Sea

Wadden Sea — 2019 — WHE5AEAED26CE

The German Wadden Sea is experiencing significant morphologic changes, with tidal flats steepening at an average rate of +7.9 mm/year while subtidal channels deepen at -20.0 mm/year, despite overall sediment accumulation and sea level rise. This counterintuitive trend suggests that the intertidal zone is expanding, even as mean depths in subtidal areas increase. Researchers analyzed digital elevation models from 1998 to 2016, revealing that most intertidal flats accumulate sediment faster than local sea level rise, while channels deepen. The study highlights the dynamic response of this UNESCO-listed ecosystem to changing environmental pressures.

Reconstrucción virtual del Presidio de San Pedro del Gallo en el Camino Real de Tierra Adentro en México

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro — 2019 — WHE9959F9FA51

A virtual reconstruction of the Presidio de San Pedro del Gallo, a historic military fortification along Mexico's Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, reveals key architectural and functional details lost to time. This study bridges historical documentation with modern digital techniques—such as architectural surveys—to reconstruct the presidio’s layout and daily activities, providing insights into its role in colonial defense. The findings highlight the potential for such reconstructions to support future heritage recognition, particularly under military or fortified patrimony categories. By combining historical analysis with virtual modeling, this work offers a method to preserve and interpret vanished fortifications, contributing to broader efforts in cultural preservation.

Reconstructing the Landscape of the Past in the Agricultural Terraces of the City of Avdat

Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev — 2019 — WHEEA530295BF

Ancient agricultural terraces and runoff harvesting installations in the Negev Highlands, Israel, offer unprecedented insights into environmental conditions during the middle Holocene. These structures, built between the 3rd–4th centuries CE and maintained for 6–7 centuries before abandonment after the 10th century, document over a millennium of land degradation and soil erosion. Using high-resolution 3-D data, researchers reconstructed the landscape's evolution from pre-anthropogenic intervention through centuries of cultivation to the present-day erosion phase. This study provides rare long-term measures of siltation and erosion rates in arid environments, enhancing understanding of environmental change mechanisms. Additionally, it offers valuable insights for soil conservation strategies, sustainable desert inhabitation, and protecting world-heritage installations, making it highly relevant amid global efforts to combat soil erosion.

Reconstruction et réaménagements des châteaux devenus royaux dans les Corbières après le traité de Corbeil (XIIIe-XIVe siècles)

Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne — 2019 — WHE414058F122

After the Treaty of Corbeil in the 13th century, the fortified line along the southern French border underwent significant reconstruction and reinforcement. This study reveals that the seneschalcy of Carcassonne played a pivotal role in managing the logistics of building, maintaining, and equipping royal fortresses in the Corbières region. Additionally, private fortifications, particularly those belonging to the Archbishop of Narbonne, complemented the royal defenses. The research focuses on the most prominent fortifications near the treaty's border, providing insights into the strategic adjustments made during this period.

Reconstruction of a coastal raised bog development in the proximal part of the Curonian Spit, Kaliningrad Region, Russia, South-Eastern Baltic

Curonian Spit — 2019 — WHEBEAFB5F76B

A unique coastal raised bog on the Curonian Spit, Russia, transitioned from a shallow water body to a maritime climate mire over 7000 years, driven by climatic and anthropogenic factors rather than sea-level oscillations. The study identified 12 distinct formation phases, with a prolonged transition mire stage lasting 1200 years, unlike other regional peatlands. Radiocarbon dating and plant macrofossil analysis revealed that peat accumulation rates peaked during the Late Atlantic and Late Sub-Atlantic periods (1.7–2 mm/yr), while the lowest rate occurred in the Sub-Boreal period (0.8 mm/yr). This reconstruction provides insights into the ecological dynamics of coastal peatlands under changing environmental conditions.

Recording and curating relics at Westminster Abbey in the late Middle Ages

Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church — 2019 — WHEB243D61DC8

A detailed analysis of inventories from the late Middle Ages reveals how relics and related objects were meticulously curated at Westminster Abbey, offering new insights into the spatial organization and care of these sacred items. The study highlights the role of a dedicated monastic officer, 'the keeper of St Edward’s shrine,' in managing a discrete collection within the shrine chapel of St Edward the Confessor, where English monarchs were traditionally buried. By examining inventories from 1467, 1479, and 1520, researchers uncovered the contents of the collection, monastic interest in its preservation, and the precise locations of relics within the chapel's spatial configuration. This holistic approach contributes significantly to understanding the cult of relics during this period.

Recovery of Acroporidae verrill Coral Communities After Widespread Bleaching in Amitori Bay, Iriomote Island in 2016

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2019 — WHE2F1AF96CCB

Amitori Bay, Iriomote Island, experienced severe coral bleaching in 2016. Research conducted in 2017 and 2018 revealed that while coral cover significantly declined post-bleaching and remained low, spawning rates showed signs of recovery, particularly in 2018, indicating partial healing from bleaching damage. Juvenile coral colonies were notably abundant near the bay's mouth. Recovery varied by location, with areas closer to the bay's entrance or central region showing potential for faster restoration. The study also noted that typhoons in subsequent years mitigated water temperature spikes, preventing further large-scale bleaching events.

Recovery of introduced Pacific rats following a failed eradication attempt on subtropical Henderson Island, South Pacific Ocean

Henderson Island — 2019 — WHE0FC7BAE564

A failed eradication attempt of Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) on Henderson Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the South Pacific, led to rapid population recovery within two years. The study found annual per capita growth rates ranging from 0.48 to 5.95, with rat numbers rebounding from 60–80 individuals to two-thirds of pre-eradication levels before stabilizing around carrying capacity. Seasonal fluctuations in trapping rates—peaking at 36.6 rats per 100 trap-nights and dropping to 12.6—were observed, alongside density variations (20.4 to 42.9 rats/ha) in embayment forests and lower densities (0.76 to 6.08 rats/ha) on coral plateaus. These findings highlight the challenges of rodent eradication in tropical environments, where reduced seasonality and resource pulses complicate population dynamics. Understanding invasive species behavior is critical for future eradication success.

Recuerdos del movimiento. Cuerpo, paisaje y memoria en la Quebrada de Humahuaca

Quebrada de Humahuaca — 2019 — WHE928CC34786

A study of the Quebrada de Humahuaca reveals how changes in mobility and landscape use have reshaped the bodily experience of rural inhabitants and their social memory. The research found that the construction of new vehicular routes and shifts in livelihood strategies altered how people move through the landscape, impacting both individual and collective memory transmission. Using an anthropological approach rooted in experiential analysis, the study employed participatory walks with residents across generations, combined with open-ended interviews conducted during these walks and in community settings. This methodology allowed for a nuanced exploration of personal histories and social memory, highlighting the dynamic interplay between movement, landscape, and cultural heritage.

Redesain Stan Pedagang Suvenir Dilingkungan Museum Sangiran Sragen dengan Pendekatan Ergokultural

Sangiran Early Man Site — 2019 — WHE1293D8D9D5

A new souvenir booth design for Sangiran Museum, incorporating ergonomic and cultural principles, successfully enhanced the display of local products while increasing sales turnover. The redesign addressed functional demands, comfort, and aesthetic appeal, aligning with the museum's tourism objectives. Using a mixed-methods approach—combining qualitative analysis with quantitative field measurements—the study evaluated existing booth conditions, synthesized findings, and developed an innovative design. This research not only improved commercial transactions for souvenir vendors but also provided educational material for Interior Design and Furniture Design courses at ISI Surakarta.

Redescription of Mugil setosus Gilbert 1892 with comments on the occurrence of Mugil curema Valenciennes 1836 in the Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Perciformes: Mugilidae)

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo — 2019 — WHE23451074C5

A redescription of the mugilid fish Mugil setosus, originally described from Clarion Island in Mexico's Revillagigedo Archipelago, reveals key diagnostic traits such as pelvic fin extension beyond the third dorsal-fin spine base, pectoral-fin ray count (ii+13-14), and distinctive dental patterns visible in adults. The study expands M. setosus's known range to include Ecuador and Peru, while also documenting the presence of Mugil curema in the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Researchers analyzed type material alongside newly collected specimens, clarifying taxonomic distinctions between these species. This work contributes to the understanding of mugilid diversity in the eastern Pacific, with implications for biodiversity studies in UNESCO-listed marine sites like the Revillagigedo Archipelago.

Rediscovering Community Participation in Persian Qanats: An Actor-Network Framework

The Persian Qanat — 2019 — WHE9718A49841

A critical shift is needed in Iran's water management, moving from centralized bureaucratic approaches to community-driven governance. This study highlights the effectiveness of traditional Persian qanats—a centuries-old system of groundwater exploitation—as a model for sustainable water management in arid regions. By applying Actor-Network Theory, it reveals how socio-economic networks within qanat-dependent communities foster civic participation and collective problem-solving, offering a viable alternative to modern, top-down infrastructure. This framework challenges the dominance of large-scale dams and centralized systems, advocating instead for decentralized governance that leverages local knowledge and collaboration.

Reed warblers in the Marquesas Islands: song divergence and plumage convergence of two distinct lineages

Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands — 2019 — WHEABA5DD0168

Marquesan reed warblers exhibit convergent evolution in carotenoid-based plumage coloration, with two distinct lineages acquiring yellow coloring independently. However, significant variation exists among islands, and vocalizations differ slightly between species, with island-specific dialects acting as pre-zygotic barriers when birds from different lineages interact. Nuku Hiva serves as a primary contact zone for these lineages, where gene flow occurs. The study integrates genetic (mitochondrial sequences and microsatellite markers) and phenotypic (reflectance spectrometry and song analysis) data to elucidate the evolutionary history of Pacific Ocean avifauna.

Reef fish structure assemblages in oceanic islands of the eastern tropical Pacific: Revillagigedo Archipelago and Clipperton atoll

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo — 2019 — WHE7EA7F2B02E

A new study reveals that the reef fish communities of the Revillagigedo Archipelago and Clipperton atoll, both located in the eastern tropical Pacific, exhibit significant differences in abundance and richness despite similar diversity levels. Roca Partida stands out due to its high density of pelagic species, while Clipperton is distinguished by endemic species such as Thalassoma robertsoni and Stegastes baldwini. The research used underwater visual censuses across two depth levels at three islands in the Revillagigedo Archipelago and Clipperton atoll, analyzing ecological indices like density, richness, Shannon diversity, Pielou evenness, and taxonomic distinctiveness. Quantitative comparisons and qualitative analyses (ANOSIM, nMDS, SIMPER) showed no significant differences in functional diversity, indicating high ecological redundancy. Both areas are dominated by lower-level carnivores with mean trophic levels between 3.3 and 3.8, though Clipperton's unique fauna sets it apart.