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Showing 1721 – 1740 of 15962 publications

Can Southeast Asia's Tigers Break Free? The Connectivity, Constraints, and Recovery of the Region's Remaining Tiger Populations

Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex — 2025 — WHE2A1C879ACA

Southeast Asia's tiger populations face critical challenges but show signs of recovery, particularly through habitat connectivity. A study using spatially-synoptic modeling identified only four contiguous core habitat patches across three landscapes—Dawna-Tenasserim (DTL), Upper Chindwin (UCL), and Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai (DPKY)—as having broad-scale connectivity potential. The DTL landscape emerged as a key site for population spread, while UCL's expansive habitat offers unparalleled potential for expansion, though its status remains uncertain. Conversely, DPKY's isolated configuration poses significant constraints to movement, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts. This research provides actionable insights for tiger recovery strategies in a rapidly changing region.

Canon law and the nature of the Vatican City State

Vatican City — 2025 — WHEAC842D70C2

Vatican City State's legal system uniquely integrates canon law with contemporary democratic principles, balancing the magisterium of the Catholic Church against modern governance. This study reveals that while canon law remains foundational, the state incorporates external legal norms, creating tensions between traditional ecclesiastical authority and democratic rule of law. The research analyzes these dynamics through historical context, particularly the resolution of the 'Roman question' post-Papal States, highlighting how the Vatican's legal framework both upholds Church teachings and adapts to global standards.

Capoetobrama kuschakewitschi

Tugay forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve — 2025 — WHEF0DC2F9CD6

Acanthobrama kuschakewitschi, now reclassified as Capoetobrama kuschakewitschi, is confirmed as an endangered species in Tajikistan, with its presence documented across multiple river systems including the Syr Darya, Amu Darya, and Vakhsh. The study highlights its restricted distribution within the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve, where specimens were caught between 2003–2018, though none were preserved. Historical records trace its range from the 19th century to modern observations in the Kairakkum reservoir. Conservation assessments align it with IUCN's endangered status, emphasizing urgent protection measures for this vulnerable freshwater fish.

Carbon and nitrogen stocks in sediment at Península Valdés Biosphere Reserve: novel insights into the potential contribution of large marine vertebrates to carbon sequestration

Península Valdés — 2025 — WHE55DBB8A213

Research at Península Valdés Biosphere Reserve reveals that large marine vertebrates, such as South American sea lions and southern right whales, contribute to coastal carbon sequestration through their organic carbon (OC) stocks. Sediment analysis across three locations showed OC storage ranging from 140 to 317 Mg ha-1, with a notable proportion (0.8–6.8% dry weight) of OC originating from these vertebrates. While salt marshes and terrestrial plants were the primary carbon sources, this study provides novel evidence that large marine vertebrates act as significant OC vectors in coastal systems, offering new insights into their role in blue carbon dynamics.

Caring for the Dead: Plant Uses as Mortuary Offerings at Monte Albán

Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán — 2025 — WHE86EE425DCA

A new analysis of botanical remains from Monte Albán, Oaxaca, reveals that mortuary offerings—such as maize and other plants—were not tied to the social status of the deceased. Contrary to long-standing assumptions, this study found no clear relationship between the types of plant offerings and the rank or identity of individuals interred at the ancient Zapotec site. Researchers examined vessels and sediment samples from mortuary contexts using paleoethnobotanical methods to reconstruct burial practices. The findings suggest that while plants played a significant ritual role in caring for the dead, their selection was not strictly hierarchical. This work highlights the potential of mortuary studies to deepen our understanding of ancient beliefs and social structures, offering new insights into Zapotec funerary traditions.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park southwestern willow flycatcher surveys and intensive point count surveys at Rattlesnake Springs, 2022 and 2023: Final report

Carlsbad Caverns National Park — 2025 — WHE50F3F3BBC4

A critical survey of the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and adjacent Rattlesnake Springs Preserve yielded no detections in 2022 but recorded positive sightings in 2023, highlighting a potential recovery trend. In 2022, 165 standardized point counts using the USFWS protocol detected zero flycatchers, while intensive surveys identified 34 bird species. By contrast, 519 point counts in 2023 documented at least seven flycatchers across three survey dates, including likely pairs, alongside 61 total species. Conducted by trained Tucson Audubon staff under USFWS protocols, these surveys employed rigorous call-back and 10-minute intensive point count methods to assess biodiversity and track the flycatcher's presence in this UNESCO-listed site.

Cartographie et analyse des dynamiques d'appropriation territoriale. Entre la conservation, l'exploitation minière et la migration: étude géopolitique et socio-environnementale des nouvelles formes contemporaines d'occupation du Territoire de Faradje

Garamba National Park — 2025 — WHECCFB27EC1E

Rapid transformations in land use and governance are reshaping the Territory of Faradje, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), driven by refugee migration, park expansion, mining exploitation, and nomadic herding. These changes, often occurring outside legal frameworks, are fragmenting traditional territories, increasing resource pressure, and generating social tensions. The study reveals that conservation efforts in Garamba National Park conflict with local land-use practices, while unregulated mining causes ecological damage and displacement. Mbororo herders' presence further exacerbates land and security conflicts. Urgent reforms in territorial mapping and governance are needed to address these challenges through transparency, recognition of local rights, and inclusive dialogue.

Carving the Chimeric Mind: The Hohlenstein-Stadel Ivory and the Genesis of Therianthropic Cognition

Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura — 2025 — WHEF8EF45D19F

The Löwenmensch figurine, discovered in the Hohlenstein-Stadel cave and dated to approximately 40,000 years ago, represents a pivotal artifact in human cognitive evolution. This therianthropic sculpture, combining elements of a cave lion and a bipedal human, is the earliest known depiction of a non-natural being, suggesting a significant leap in abstract thought, symbolic representation, and 'cognitive fluidity.' The study examines the figurine's archaeological context, technological craftsmanship, and iconography to argue that its creation marks the emergence of complex symbolic systems underpinning modern human culture, mythology, and religion. This challenges the notion that such cognitive capabilities developed later in human history.

Caryota sympetala Gagnepain & Conrard 1934

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park — 2025 — WHEC9730FD140

Caryota sympetala, a palm species found in central Vietnam and Laos, exhibits unique morphological characteristics that distinguish it from related species. This study provides a detailed botanical description of its physical traits, including its clustered stems, large bipinnate leaves, and distinctive inflorescences with bisexual flowers arranged in triads. The species' acaulescent habit—where a slender stem only appears at flowering time—and its reproductive biology, characterized by hapaxanthic growth and basipetal inflorescence development, are notable features. Caryota sympetala is also distinguished by its fused petals in pistillate flowers, a trait reflected in its scientific name. Despite its widespread distribution across lowland to montane forests on non-limestone soils, the species faces no significant threats, leading to its conservation status being classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN and BGCI.

Case study #06: Ethiopia – Pastoralism, rangeland management and agriculture (Livestock & farming–wildlife interactions) – Lower Omo Valley

Lower Valley of the Omo — 2025 — WHEEA15DEE134

A critical analysis of the Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia, reveals that integrated land management—combining pastoralism, agriculture, and conservation—can mitigate conflicts and foster resilient landscapes. The study highlights how industrial sugarcane expansion, hydroelectric dams, urban growth, and climate change have intensified competition for resources, threatening biodiversity, food security, and indigenous livelihoods. Solutions proposed include agropastoral systems, participatory land planning, community-based resource management, and Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), emphasizing the need for social inclusion and rights recognition to achieve nature-positive outcomes in East Africa.

Case Study on the Evaluation of Tourism Comprehensive Competitiveness of Mount Huangshan as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site Based on Factor Analysis

Mount Huangshan — 2025 — WHE6BF738C379

Mount Huangshan, a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage site, has demonstrated a significant upward trend in tourism competitiveness from 2015 to 2024. A study analyzing 22 indicators through factor analysis revealed two key factors: 'Core Development and Service Competitiveness' and 'Industrial Investment and Market Competitiveness,' which together account for 97.62% of the variance. Notably, the latter showed strong resilience, rapidly recovering after pandemic-related fluctuations. The comprehensive tourism competitiveness score rose from -1.16 to 1.39 over the decade. This research provides actionable insights for enhancing the sustainable development of dual-heritage sites, emphasizing strategies such as consolidating protection foundations, deepening cultural-tourism integration, and fostering diversified business models.

Catedrales centroeuropeas catalogadas como Patrimonio Mundial de la Unesco: conflictos de derechos en algunos casos controvertidos

Naumburg Cathedral — 2025 — WHE5644F42600

UNESCO World Heritage classification imposes significant restrictions on central European cathedrals, such as those in Cologne and Naumburg, to ensure their preservation. However, these limitations often overlook conflicting rights, including religious practice, raising legal and ethical concerns. The study evaluates whether German legal arguments addressing such conflicts could be applied to other controversial cases, like the Cathedral of Burgos and the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. It also compares the financial structures supporting cathedrals in central Europe with those in Spain, highlighting how funding constraints influence their use and management.

Caterpillar diet breadth in Área de Conservación Guanacaste, a large and diverse Neotropical wildland in northwestern Costa Rica: toxins, silica, aluminum, and sclerophylly

Area de Conservación Guanacaste — 2025 — WHE030D098F7C

A comprehensive analysis of caterpillar–food plant interactions over nearly four decades in the Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), Costa Rica, reveals that dietary specialization is strongly influenced by plant defenses. The study, based on 431,212 rearing records spanning 7,160 Lepidoptera and 2,489 plant species, found that unpalatable, aposematic herbivores tend to be specialists while highly toxic plant families, such as Aristolochiaceae and Zamiaceae, host many monophagous caterpillars. Biochemical and structural defenses in plants appear to mediate herbivore diet breadth, with defended plant families hosting fewer polyphagous species compared to less-defended ones. The research also highlights that while plant species composition remained relatively stable, caterpillar communities showed significant changes over time, particularly in rainforest and dry forest habitats.

Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland: Developing a Geohazard Citizen Observatory to Assist Risk Management

Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast — 2025 — WHEA5772A729F

A pilot geohazard citizen observatory on the Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland, successfully integrated community engagement with advanced monitoring techniques to enhance landslide risk management. The study recorded numerous landslide events and developed a millimetre-scale reference dataset for future change detection analysis. By leveraging satellite data from the Copernicus programme, LiDAR surveys, photogrammetry, and citizen-collected data through a mobile application, researchers improved understanding of geohazard exposure at two high-traffic sites: Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-rede. Outreach events raised awareness among local communities, fostering active participation in hazard monitoring. This approach demonstrates the potential for citizen observatories to support evidence-based risk management in UNESCO World Heritage Sites with complex geological vulnerabilities.

Celebrating Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens — 2025 — WHE102BF60A0D

A special issue of Curtis's Botanical Magazine highlights the significance of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the only tropical botanic garden inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The publication features rare tropical plants, including species from the Dipterocarpaceae family, alongside detailed scientific accounts and botanical illustrations by the Botanical Art Society Singapore. This collaboration celebrates the Gardens' 2025 milestones, including its 10th anniversary as a UNESCO site, 150 years of the Singapore Herbarium, and 30 years of the National Orchid Garden. The 82-hectare site serves as a living collection of palms, orchids, cycads, and gingers, preserving heritage trees and primary rainforest while advancing botanical heritage.

Centipedes (Myriapoda, Chilopoda) of Aldabra Atoll (Seychelles)

Aldabra Atoll — 2025 — WHEBBA19D0D59

Aldabra Atoll hosts a unique centipede fauna comprising 12 species, with affinities primarily traced to East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. This is the first comprehensive checklist of Aldabran centipedes, including newly identified species such as Lamyctes tristani and Scolopendra morsitans, alongside revisions to taxonomic classifications. Notably, the study designates Hovanyx and Mixophilus as junior synonyms of Tuoba, while questioning the validity of Cryptops daszaki based on type material examination. The research leverages historical Royal Society survey data (1968–1975) to document morphological variation and infer biogeographical origins, contributing critical insights into the island's myriapod diversity.

Central European climate variability during the Eocene hothouse

Messel Pit Fossil Site — 2025 — WHEF566E0F9BE

A previously unknown 'hyperthermal-like' warming event, correlating with marine isotopic excursions, has been identified in the Messel Pit Fossil Site record, suggesting that profound global warming events occurred more frequently during the Eocene than previously assumed. This discovery challenges the understanding of climate variability in past warm periods. The study utilized biomarkers from annually resolved maar lake sediments to reconstruct sub-millennial to millennial-scale temperature dynamics over a ~430 thousand-year period (47.7 to 47.2 million years ago). It revealed nonlinear warming of up to 3.5°C during the hyperthermal event, modulated by Earth's orbital cycles, and significant ecological changes in the lake ecosystem. Additionally, the research demonstrated that the Eocene climate transitioned from an unstable state with 5°C fluctuations to a stable state with only 2°C variability, likely driven by orbital configuration. Hydrogen isotopic analysis further indicated a decoupling of the hydrological cycle from regional temperature history and shifts in relative humidity of up to 60%.

Centring Water in Impact Assessment: Reconsidering Environmental and Cultural Flows in Development Decision-Making in Canada

Wood Buffalo National Park — 2025 — WHEAD45C11387

A novel framework for integrating environmental and cultural flows into impact assessments could significantly enhance water protection in development projects. This study proposes the 'three Cs'—advisory councils, regional data assessment, and consensus-building—to embed ecosystem and rights-based needs in decision-making processes. While current Canadian practices often focus on habitat and fish, this approach expands to include Indigenous rights and cumulative water withdrawals, drawing from successful cases like the Wolastoq Ecological Limits of Hydrological Alteration and Wood Buffalo National Park assessments. The findings suggest that adopting such frameworks could lead to more comprehensive water protection in development projects.

Challenges and Threats Facing Gorilla beringei graueri in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Conservation Strategies

Kahuzi-Biega National Park — 2025 — WHE309FB0B7B5

Grauer’s gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), a flagship species of biodiversity in the Democratic Republic of Congo, faces severe threats from mining activities, poaching, deforestation, and climate change, which have accelerated its population decline. A systematic review identified these pressures as critical challenges, emphasizing the need for urgent conservation action. While ongoing strategies in Kahuzi-Biega National Park aim to mitigate these threats, the study underscores the necessity for global collaboration to protect this endangered species. The findings highlight the interconnected risks posed by human activities and environmental changes, calling for coordinated efforts among governments, NGOs, and local communities to safeguard Grauer’s gorillas and their habitats.

Challenges Facing People with Disabilities in Historic Jeddah

Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah — 2025 — WHEF6980FD224

Historic Jeddah, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014 and a vital gateway to the Two Holy Mosques, faces significant challenges in ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities (PWD) despite its global appeal. This study identifies key barriers that hinder PWD from fully engaging in heritage tourism, threatening inclusive access to this culturally rich site. Through semi-structured interviews with 21 participants and field observations supplemented by photographic evidence, the research reveals systemic issues that disproportionately affect disabled visitors. Addressing these challenges is critical not only for upholding universal tourism rights but also for aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's goals to enhance accessibility in heritage tourism. The findings underscore the urgent need for policy interventions and infrastructure improvements to make Historic Jeddah a truly inclusive destination.