World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 19021 – 19040 of 30345 publications

Saltaire, ville-usine modèle du Nord de l’Angleterre : un objet urbain à part entière entre permanence et mutation

Saltaire — 2018 — WHEB83CB5ECAF

Saltaire, a model industrial town in northern England, exemplifies the transition from paternalistic urban planning to cultural revitalization. Originally designed as a self-contained textile village with a grid layout and harmonious architecture, Saltaire has evolved since its factory closure into a symbol of adaptive reuse, blending conservation with modern cultural purposes. This study highlights how Saltaire’s preservation efforts—rooted in its historical significance—have successfully reinvented it within a dynamic urban landscape, offering lessons for heritage-led regeneration worldwide.

Samarra, Madinat al-Zahra y sus irradiaciones arqueológicas

Samarra Archaeological City — 2018 — WHE5F41F7992D

A significant parallel is drawn between the archaeological cities of Samarra (founded 836) and Madinat al-Zahra (founded 936), despite their differing scales. Both faced similar challenges in excavation, beginning around 1907/1908, due to limited prior knowledge beyond written documentation. The discovery of luster ware pottery in Madinat al-Zahra initially suggested chronological parallels with Samarra, though these were later found unsustainable. This misinterpretation had lasting implications for scientific literature, highlighting the complexities of dating and comparing ancient urban sites. The study underscores the importance of rigorous archaeological methodology to avoid such errors.

Santiniketan and Phoenix Schools

Santiniketan — 2018 — WHEB0EE411E71

Santiniketan emerged as a pivotal hub of educational innovation and cross-cultural exchange, blending the visionary pedagogies of Rabindranath Tagore with the transformative ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. The study reveals how two former missionaries, A. C. Andrews and William Pearson, became integral to Santiniketan's growth, fostering deep connections with Tagore and his brother Dwijendranath. Notably, in 1914, Gandhi’s students from the Phoenix School in South Africa were welcomed into Santiniketan, symbolizing a fusion of educational philosophies rooted in 'largeness and freedom.' This historical account underscores Santiniketan's role as an experimental space for progressive education, merging Eastern and Western influences to redefine learning paradigms.

Satellite factors influencing the impact of recreational activities on wildlife

Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve — 2018 — WHE85FC3DA6F2

A significant shift in human attitudes toward wildlife, particularly predators, has led to a focus on minimizing human disturbance. Research indicates that recreational activities, such as boat passages near osprey nests in the Scandola Marine Protected Area (Corsica), can reduce breeding performance without severely impacting overall population stability due to the species' long lifespan and resilience. The study suggests that historical persecution of predators may have favored shy individuals, but contemporary peace with wildlife could promote bolder behavior, potentially benefiting species like ospreys. Additionally, alternative habitats provide buffer zones against disturbance, while interactions with opportunistic predators, often subsidized by human activities, can exacerbate negative impacts on nesting birds. This research underscores the need for nuanced conservation strategies that balance ethical considerations with biological realities in a context of peaceful coexistence.

Satellite tracking of juvenile whale sharks in the Sulu and Bohol Seas, Philippines

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park — 2018 — WHEA1EE71DCDC

Juvenile whale sharks in the Sulu and Bohol Seas, Philippines, exhibit high mobility, traveling up to 2,580 km within 126 days while remaining entirely within national waters. This study, using satellite tracking of 17 tagged individuals from Panaon Island, Mindanao, and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP), reveals their connectivity across the region, emphasizing the importance of these areas for the endangered species. Sharks tagged near TRNP predominantly stayed offshore in the Sulu Sea, while others moved through the Bohol Sea or Surigao Strait, demonstrating dynamic movement patterns. Notably, deep dives (>200 m) were primarily nocturnal, contrasting with observations elsewhere. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive conservation strategies to protect whale sharks, given their extensive range and vulnerability.

Satellite‐Observed Major Greening and Biomass Increase in South China Karst During Recent Decade

South China Karst — 2018 — WHE1880F19B27

A significant greening and biomass increase has been observed in the South China Karst region, one of the largest globally, despite declining rainfall and soil moisture. Satellite data from 1999 to 2017 revealed a rise in vegetation cover from 69% to 81%, covering approximately 1.4 million km². This phenomenon, attributed to large-scale forestry and conservation efforts since 2002, has had profound implications for ecosystem services such as carbon storage, water filtration, and timber production. The study highlights the potential of national conservation policies in mitigating deforestation and climate change impacts on natural resources.

Scenic and Scientific Representation of Water in Mughal Architecture: A case study of ShahJahan’s Quadrangle Lahore Fort, Pakistan

Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore — 2018 — WHEBA31B71576

Mughal architecture, exemplified by ShahJahan’s Quadrangle in Lahore Fort, demonstrates the dual purpose of water as both an aesthetic and functional element. Water, through fountains, channels, and pools, not only enhances visual appeal but also provides passive cooling, contributing to thermal comfort without modern mechanical systems. This study reveals Mughal mastery in integrating Islamic design with local traditions while optimizing environmental performance. The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining architectural analysis with scientific evaluation of water’s role in temperature regulation and beautification.

Scientific instrument collections in the creation of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

Maritime Greenwich — 2018 — WHE545326A06E

The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, significantly expanded its scientific instrument collection through strategic acquisitions of private collections during the 1930s. This expansion, largely driven by the support of shipping magnate James Caird and guided by the museum's first director, Geoffrey Callender, highlighted the interplay between maritime and scientific interests in shaping a national museum. The study examines the motives behind these acquisitions—primarily through purchase and loan—and their broader implications for the museum's identity and purpose. It reveals how private patronage and curatorial vision could rapidly define institutional collections, offering insights into the intersection of science and maritime heritage.

Scientific Support for Policy Making to Protect Lake Baikal and Develop Baikal’s Natural Territory

Lake Baikal — 2018 — WHE44C91D8CD5

Lake Baikal, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, faces complex challenges that necessitate robust legal, institutional, and economic frameworks for its protection. The study highlights the need for long-term instruments to safeguard unique natural complexes like Lake Baikal, emphasizing Russia's legal, economic, and moral obligations under the World Heritage Convention. It underscores the significance of the existing Federal Law On Protecting Lake Baikal as a pioneering legislative measure tailored specifically to preserve this irreplaceable natural treasure. The research approach involves analyzing the effectiveness of current policies and advocating for enhanced protection mechanisms to ensure the lake's sustainability, contributing valuable insights for global conservation efforts.

Sculptural Seeing: Relief, Optics, and the Rise of Perspective in Medieval Italy

Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena — 2018 — WHE83F17E6CE6

Medieval sculptors in Italy were employing advanced knowledge of optics, geometry, and visual theory centuries before the Renaissance, challenging the conventional narrative that perspective was a solely Renaissance innovation. Christopher R. Lakey's study demonstrates that these sculptors used relief sculptures to manipulate viewers' perspectives, enhancing religious and political messaging through carefully orchestrated points of view and architectural space. The research combines meticulous visual analysis with close textual readings of medieval works, including notable examples from the cathedrals of Modena and Ferrara, as well as the Pisano pulpits in Pisa and Pistoia. This reveals that linear perspective concepts, later codified by Renaissance painters, were already in practice among sculptors during the 12th to 14th centuries.

Sea-level change in the Dutch Wadden Sea

Wadden Sea — 2018 — WHED381323305

Projected sea-level rise in the Dutch Wadden Sea by 2100 could reach up to 0.76 meters under the high-emission RCP8.5 scenario, significantly exceeding previous estimates and highlighting the region's vulnerability to climate change. This study compares IPCC AR5 projections with recent updates, incorporating interannual variability from long-term tide-gauge data and assessing potential accelerated Antarctic ice mass loss. Under the RCP2.6 (low-emission) and RCP4.5 (intermediate-emission) scenarios, sea-level rise is projected to be 0.41±0.25m and 0.52±0.27m, respectively, by 2100. The findings underscore the critical need for adaptive strategies in this low-lying UNESCO World Heritage Site, given the potential for extreme storm surges and tidal contributions not accounted for in these projections.

Sea-level rise in northern Australia’s Kakadu National Park: a survey of floodplain eukaryotes

Kakadu National Park — 2018 — WHE4C8AB3D212

Sea-level rise poses significant threats to northern Australia’s coastal habitats, particularly the biodiverse floodplains of Kakadu National Park (KNP). A study using amplicon sequencing revealed that both floodplain morphology and river positioning significantly influence eukaryotic soil communities in KNP's South Alligator River floodplain. Salinity and pH emerged as dominant factors shaping these communities, especially in estuarine regions with major tidal influence. This research provides critical baseline data on how increased and prolonged saltwater exposure may reshape eukaryotic communities, offering insights into the potential impacts of sea-level rise on this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seasonal and spatial distribution of mercury in stream sediments from Almadén mining district

Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija — 2018 — WHE5429C087EA

A significant risk of mercury (Hg) transfer from sediments to the aquatic environment is identified, particularly during dry periods, due to increased organic Hg fractions. The study, conducted in Almadén's Valdeazogues River—one of the world's largest Hg mining districts—revealed that while Hg is predominantly stored as residual cinnabar, a substantial organic fraction also plays a critical role. Using BCR sequential extraction on nine sites over six time periods, researchers found seasonal variations: wet seasons favor residual Hg, whereas dry seasons enhance organic Hg availability, heightening ecological risk. Exchangeable/carbonate and Fe-Mn oxide phases showed minimal seasonal susceptibility. The findings underscore the need for seasonal monitoring to mitigate Hg's impact on aquatic ecosystems.

Seasonal Variation in Physiology Challenges the Notion of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) as a Forest-Adapted Species

Taï National Park — 2018 — WHE5D2152FB42

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in savanna-mosaic habitats, such as Fongoli, face greater physiological challenges compared to those in lowland rainforests like Taï National Park. Despite the extreme and seasonal climatic conditions at Fongoli, chimpanzees there exhibited more stable energetic status but higher stress levels, indicating that such environments push the limits of their ecological niche. The study used urinary biomarkers—creatinine for hydration, c-peptide for energetic status, and cortisol for stress—to compare physiological responses across both sites. While dehydration affected chimpanzees at both locations, Fongoli's harsher conditions led to elevated cortisol levels, suggesting that savanna habitats are not universally more severe than forested ones but do present unique challenges.

Second Homes And The Commons

High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago — 2018 — WHEA985C1B14B

Land elevation in the Kvarken Archipelago, driven by post-glacial rebound at 0.8–0.9 cm/year, creates 1 km² of new land annually, which becomes a valuable resource managed by local commons. This study reveals that part-owners of these commons hold significant power in negotiating leasehold contracts and access to second homes on emergent land, often leading to unequal opportunities for non-part-owners. While locals benefit from fairer pricing and greater access, second home leaseholders without part-ownership are excluded from decision-making, resulting in social and landscape conflicts. The research, based on interviews with commons representatives and second home owners, highlights the tension between equitable resource management and the exclusionary practices of local governance.

Security in Monastir and the Sahel

Medina of Sousse — 2018 — WHEEC9568658A

Tunisia's approach to security in the Sahel, exemplified by fortified medina walls and ribats, is evolving to address 21st-century challenges. The study highlights a shift toward investing in higher education, particularly in practical fields like medicine and science, as a strategy for national development and enhanced security. While traditional defense structures remain prominent, modern threats such as terrorism have significantly impacted the region's tourism sector, with notable declines in hotel occupancy post-2001. This analysis underscores the need for adaptive security measures that balance historical defenses with contemporary economic and educational advancements.

Sediment budget and morphological development of the Dutch Wadden Sea: impact of accelerated sea-level rise and subsidence until 2100

Wadden Sea — 2018 — WHE3BA077B5B3

The Dutch Wadden Sea, a unique tidal wetland spanning nearly 500 km along the North Sea coast, is experiencing morphological changes due to accelerated sea-level rise (SLR) and subsidence. Research indicates that while the intertidal flats have been accreting faster than local relative SLR since 1926, this is primarily driven by sediment imports from ebb-tidal deltas and barrier islands rather than direct response to rising sea levels. Long-term modeling suggests that the impact of accelerated SLR on the Wadden Sea will remain limited until at least 2030, with noticeable effects only emerging by 2100 under high-end SLR scenarios. The study highlights the complex sediment-sharing system involving barrier islands, ebb-tidal deltas, and tidal basins, where processes like residual flow, tidal asymmetry, and wave dispersion play crucial roles in maintaining sediment balance.

Seed Dispersal by Chelonians: From Individuals to Communities

Aldabra Atoll — 2018 — WHE48A3BC41D0

Aldabra giant tortoises play a crucial role in seed dispersal, contributing significantly to the plant-frugivore community dynamics on Aldabra Atoll. This study is the first to provide a comprehensive overview of chelonian frugivory and seed dispersal (FSD), highlighting their importance from individual, population, and community perspectives. Using network analyses, it evaluates the role of tortoises in the seed dispersal community, offering insights into their efficiency and spatial extent of seed spread. The research also demonstrates that both small and large tortoises can retain seeds for long periods, supporting their potential for ecological restoration. Additionally, it explores the thermoregulatory ecology of Aldabra giant tortoises, providing practical applications for captive management.

Seismic vulnerability study of Soltaniyeh dome using nonlinear static and dynamic analyses

Soltaniyeh — 2018 — WHE7896850C34

A seismic vulnerability study of the Soltaniyeh dome, the world's largest brick dome and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals significant structural weaknesses under seismic loads. The research, employing finite element modeling (FEM) validated by experimental data, identified critical crack formation and propagation originating from openings on the second and third floors during a 475-year return period earthquake. Nonlinear static and dynamic analyses demonstrated that while the dome performs adequately under gravity loads, its top is particularly vulnerable to seismic stress, necessitating urgent rehabilitation efforts.

Selaginella germinans (Selaginellaceae), a new articulate species from Chapada dos Veadeiros region in the State of Goiás, Brazil

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2018 — WHEDBC9373477

Researchers have identified Selaginella germinans, a new articulate species of fern ally, endemic to the Chapada dos Veadeiros region in Brazil's Cerrado biome. This discovery highlights unique morphological traits, including dorsal rhizophores, flagelliform stems, and flattened buds or gemmae at branch apices, which are proposed as an adaptive vegetative reproductive mechanism for survival under adverse conditions like fires and droughts. The study employs Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to illustrate key features such as stem sections, leaves, and megaspores, while also addressing taxonomic affinity, habitat specifics, and conservation implications. Published in Botany Letters, this work contributes to the understanding of biodiversity in the Cerrado Protected Areas, particularly within UNESCO-listed sites like Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks.