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Showing 1921 – 1940 of 15962 publications

Displays of vigilance in wild boar (Sus scrofa ussuricus) groups in a protected area of the central Sikhote-Alin

Central Sikhote-Alin — 2025 — WHE229DA3DF7F

Wild boar (Sus scrofa ussuricus) in the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve exhibit heightened vigilance, likely due to generalized reactions to large predators like tigers and brown bears. The study found that wild boars detect danger primarily through sounds from up to 0.8 km away, with visual scanning and smell identification playing crucial roles when predators are nearby. Vigilance was observed in 35.7% of maternal groups, with guards spending 8–9% of their time on vigilance while resting and 11–12% while grazing. This vigilance increased significantly (up to 41.3 times) during perceived risk or when exposed to extraneous sounds. The research suggests that wild boars can quickly extrapolate the direction of dangerous objects, aligning with tiger hunting tactics characterized by alternating pursuit and cessation periods.

Dissolved organic matter dynamics in a whale-dominated coastal system: Insights from Península Valdés, Argentina

Península Valdés — 2025 — WHEC7468C4995

Research at Península Valdés, Argentina, reveals that large marine mammals, particularly whales, significantly influence dissolved organic matter (DOM) dynamics in coastal ecosystems. The study found that the carbon isotopic signal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was predominantly derived from whale and phytoplankton sources, suggesting a 'whale pump' mechanism where whales contribute both labile and recalcitrant DOC to coastal habitats. Microbial overconsumption during the whale calving season increased the DOC:DON ratio, indicating higher refractoriness of DOC. Bioavailable DOC ranged from 18.6% to 52.7% of the total DOC pool, while recalcitrant DOC concentrations averaged 200 ± 19 μM in non-whale seasons and 180 ± 7 μM during whale seasons. These findings underscore the role of whales as vectors for DOM, modulating its dynamics and potentially impacting coastal ecosystem health.

Dissonant Symphonies: The Villa d'Este in Tivoli and the Grotesque

Villa d'Este, Tivoli — 2025 — WHE2B8D683CAF

Pirro Ligorio's design of the Villa d'Este gardens in Tivoli, Italy, offers a unique case study in sixteenth-century attitudes toward grotesque ornamentation. This work compares Ligorio's theoretical writings on the grotesque with his garden designs, particularly focusing on the depiction of Artemis of Ephesus in both interior frescoes and the adjacent landscape, where she is represented as the Fountain of Nature. The analysis reveals a sophisticated integration of monstrous imagery into landscape design, challenging conventional perceptions of ornamentation during this period.

Distribution and Characteristics of Table-Type Dolmens in Ganghwa Island and the Hangang River Basin

Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites — 2025 — WHEF4E1B112C2

Table-type dolmens, characterized by their flat-topped stone structures, are more prevalent than individual stone dolmens (개석식) on Ganghwa Island, constituting 55% of the total. These dolmens are predominantly located along ridges (77%) and hills (18%), with only a small percentage found in flatlands (5%). In contrast, the Hangang River Basin exhibits distinct regional variations: the main Hangang River has 24% table-type dolmens, mostly situated in flatlands, while the North Han River Basin shows an even higher proportion (26%) of such structures. However, the South Han River Basin stands out with only 5% table-type dolmens, suggesting a unique cultural or environmental influence. The study proposes that Ganghwa Island's dolmen culture likely spread from the Yellow Sea region and possibly influenced neighboring areas like the Imjin River Basin. Additionally, the research suggests that the North Han River Basin's dolmen culture may have been influenced by the upper Han River (Han-tan) region, further propagating to the main Hangang and South Han River Basins.

Distribution and diversity of commercial mollusc species at shallow depths in the Saloum delta, Senegal

Saloum Delta — 2025 — WHE2C7E6D8F70

A study on the Saloum Delta, Senegal, reveals that Senilia senilis is the dominant commercial mollusc species, with significant spatial and temporal variations in abundance influenced by environmental factors. The research, conducted across 17 stations in five villages during both harvesting and biological rest periods (2019–2020), identified 21 species from 19 families, highlighting higher species richness in Niodior and Sangomar. Diversity metrics indicated a high overall diversity with a few dominant species, emphasizing the importance of biological rest for sustaining shellfish populations. The findings suggest that integrating effective management strategies with existing conservation measures could improve shellfish stock sustainability in the Saloum Islands.

Distributive Equity around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda: Benefits, Accessibility, Perceptions, and Realities among Adjacent Communities

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — 2025 — WHE52159C7194

A study on Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, reveals significant distributive inequities in benefit-sharing around the site, despite economic gains primarily driven by tourism and conservation efforts. While adjacent communities in Kisoro, Rubanda, and Kanungu districts report accessing benefits through tourism businesses, NGOs, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, widespread perceptions of inequality persist due to governance shortcomings. The research, employing mixed-methods including interviews, workshops, and questionnaires with 120 households and 30 key informants, highlights the need for transparent, inclusive decision-making frameworks to ensure fair distribution of benefits. These findings underscore critical gaps in equitable conservation governance, offering actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to balance sustainability with social equity.

Diversity and functional groups of higher mushrooms from the national parks of Taï, Marahoué, Comoe and the Ehotiles Islands (Ivory Coast)

Comoé National Park — 2025 — WHE7A37688EA2

A pioneering study reveals significant mycological diversity and functional variation among higher fungi (macrofungi) across four national parks—Taï, Marahoué, Comoé, and the Ehotilés Islands—in Ivory Coast. The research identified 290 morphospecies, predominantly Basidiomycetes (96.21%), with no mycological resemblance between the areas studied. Symbiotic fungi, particularly ectomycorrhizians, dominate in the Comoé region, while saprotrophic fungi are prevalent elsewhere. Marahoué exhibits the highest functional diversity, followed by Comoé and Taï. The findings highlight the cosmopolitan nature of saprotrophic macrofungi, though some genera or species show restricted distributions. This study underscores the ecological significance of higher fungi in ecosystem monitoring and conservation.

Diversity of Leaf Katydids of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo, Central Tropical Africa (Insecta: Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua — 2025 — WHEB2AD35F1EF

A groundbreaking study of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo, has uncovered significant biodiversity within the leaf katydid (Tettigoniidae) community. Researchers described one new genus and six new species, including Phanreticula fenestrata n. sp., Habrocomes piotri n. sp., and Conocephalus (Anisoptera) mollyae n. sp. Additionally, the first female specimens of Paraeulioptera emitflesti were collected, allowing for its reclassification within the tribe Catoptropterigini. The study also rediscovered Pleothrix conradti after 118 years and described the male of Griffinipteryx mukonja for the first time. An updated taxonomy of the genus Tetraconcha now includes 24 species, with two new additions from Ivory Coast. Overall, 108 Tettigoniidae species were documented, highlighting the park's rich entomological diversity.

Diversity, distribution and conservation of crocodiles (Order: Crocodylia) in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omatí Minhô — 2025 — WHE50C0F5CE56

A potential rediscovery of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in Guinea-Bissau challenges long-held beliefs about its extinction in West Africa. This study, using visual surveys, camera trapping, and molecular barcoding, confirms the presence of this species in the Cacheu region while also documenting the distribution of two other crocodile species: the West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus) across major river basins and coastal lagoons, including the Bijagós Archipelago, and the West African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus cf. tetraspis) in southern mainland and archipelagic areas. Habitat loss and deliberate killings pose significant threats to these populations. The research underscores the need for standardized surveys and genetic sampling to assess population dynamics, connectivity, and genetic diversity, which are critical for evolutionary studies and conservation planning. Community-managed reserves and restoration initiatives, alongside local engagement to mitigate human-crocodile conflicts, are recommended as priority conservation strategies.

Divine Spectacle: Staging Noah's Ark in Baroque Sevillea

Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville — 2025 — WHEE75A03492F

A 1644 performance of the biblical comedy El arca de Noé at Seville's royal theater, Corral de la Montería, revealed unique theatrical effects and local references that distinguished it from contemporary public theaters. The study highlights how the Montería's specialized stage machinery enabled complex staging techniques, while dialogue contained subtle allusions to Seville and its architecture, suggesting a sophisticated interplay between performance and audience reception in Baroque Spain.

Divriği’s architectural plasticity: Study in Seljuk innovation and cross-cultural analogy

Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği — 2025 — WHEBABA148C50

The Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği, constructed in the early 1220s under the joint patronage of Ahmed Şah and Turan Melek, stands as a groundbreaking fusion of Seljuk architectural innovation and sculptural artistry. This study reveals how the complex, attributed to master builder Hürremşah of Ahlat and his cosmopolitan workshop, defies conventional Anatolian Seljuk design by integrating high-relief stone carving, vegetal motifs, and rigorous structural techniques into a courtyard-less, multi-aisled mosque plan. The ensemble’s portals, particularly the North Portal and Darüşşifa entrance, exhibit unprecedented plastic dynamism, drawing heuristic parallels with later European Gothic and Baroque styles without implying direct influence. The research highlights Divriği’s unique programmatic complexity, including a modified four-iwan scheme, lanterned dome, and integrated mausoleum, positioning it as a monumental example where architecture transcends into sculpture through local craftsmanship.

Do tourists’ experiences have impacts on behavioural intentions? A case study in Hoi An ancient town, Vietnam

Hoi An Ancient Town — 2025 — WHE1332B344F9

A study on Hoi An Ancient Town reveals that tourists' experiences—spanning emotional, sensory, behavioral, social, and cognitive dimensions—significantly influence their behavioral intentions, particularly word-of-mouth promotion and revisit intentions. Revisit intention is further positively linked to word-of-mouth intention, suggesting that enhancing these experiences can drive sustained tourism success. The research used an online survey of 361 tourists who visited Hoi An in the past year, providing actionable insights for destination management.

Do Wildlife Management Areas Help to Mitigate Negative Human-Wildlife Interactions? A Case of Eastern Bufferzone of Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania

Selous Game Reserve — 2025 — WHE64C1DA7FFA

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the eastern buffer zone of Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve, while successful in reducing illegal wildlife offtake and habitat destruction, paradoxically increased negative human-wildlife interactions. Following WMA establishment, crop damage surged by 28.6%, livestock predation by 40.6%, and human attacks by 79.2%. The study, applying Citizen Science Theory (CST), analyzed data from 240 households, revealing that while WMAs expanded wildlife habitats and boosted populations, they also heightened conflicts with local communities. Annual crop damage averaged 7.2±0.1 acres near WMAs, compared to 0.6±0.1 acres farther away, with lions, leopards, hyenas, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, and hippopotamuses identified as primary culprits. The research underscores the need for enhanced wildlife control measures, such as local monitoring, deterrents, public education, and predator-proof enclosures, to mitigate these interactions effectively.

Documentary heritage of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in digital space

Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — 2025 — WHEDC7793085D

Digital preservation of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra's documentary heritage offers a robust solution to safeguarding its historical records while ensuring long-term accessibility. The study identifies key technological, legal, and operational challenges in digitizing archival materials, emphasizing the need for high-quality scanning, rigorous quality control, and efficient digital collection management. It also highlights the importance of developing user-friendly web interfaces, addressing budgeting constraints, and planning human resources to sustain these efforts. By addressing these aspects, the research provides a framework for balancing technological advancements with preservation integrity, ensuring that this UNESCO-listed site's invaluable documents remain accessible to scholars and the public alike.

Documentation of the Holy Monastery of Daphni Within a Time Span of 20 Years—A Comparative Approach

Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios — 2025 — WHEF541C7D788

Over two decades, technological advancements have dramatically improved the precision and efficiency of documenting complex heritage sites. A comparative study of the Holy Monastery of Daphni revealed that modern methods in 2023 reduced field and processing time by significant margins compared to 1999 documentation efforts following a severe earthquake. The shift from traditional 2D outputs to integrated 3D models not only decreased personnel requirements but also enhanced the accuracy of capturing damaged or cracked regions. This study underscores the transformative impact of technological progress on heritage conservation, offering a model for future documentation projects.

Documenting Ancient Materials for a Digital Materials Library Project. The Case of Three World Heritage Sites in Algeria

Djémila — 2025 — WHE12E41BDA3D

A comprehensive analysis of three Roman-era World Heritage Sites in Algeria—Timgad, Djémila, and Tipaza—reveals the prevalence of clay-based materials, natural mineral stones, and wood as primary construction components. The study identifies these materials' diverse applications and origins, including both local sourcing and imported trade networks, providing critical insights for restoration efforts. This research contributes to a Digital Materials Library (DML) project aimed at supporting stakeholders in heritage conservation by documenting ancient materials systematically. The findings highlight the importance of understanding material provenance and availability for future reconstruction, addressing key challenges in preserving Algeria's built and archaeological heritage.

Documenting challenges in achieving rabies elimination by 2030 in low-middle income countries; a Kenyan case study from Lamu County, 2020–2022: mixed methods approach

Lamu Old Town — 2025 — WHE7C27D59B49

A Kenyan case study from Lamu Old Town reveals significant challenges to achieving rabies elimination by 2030, despite the nation's strategic plan. Between 2020 and 2022, researchers documented 787 dog bite cases and six human rabies deaths, with only a third of these cases reported in official health databases. The study highlights critical gaps: underreporting of rabies cases, limited availability of human rabies vaccines (with stockouts at 73% of facilities), and inadequate knowledge among healthcare workers regarding proper bite wound management. Additionally, targeted dog vaccination efforts lack sample collection from biting dogs, and One Health collaboration between veterinary and human health departments is insufficient. These findings underscore the need for enhanced surveillance, mass dog vaccination, improved information exchange, and training for healthcare workers to address the persistent rabies threat in low- and middle-income countries.

Dodecanese, One Hundred Years Later: Rhodes

Medieval City of Rhodes — 2025 — WHE745279E803

The book 'DODECANESE, ONE HUNDRED YEARS LATER: RHODES' reveals that the architectural and urbanistic achievements of Rhodes during Mario Lago's governorship (1923-1936) represent a significant yet overlooked chapter in Italian history. It argues that Governor Lago was the central figure behind the eclectic style, blending Deco, oriental, medieval, and rationalist motifs, which transformed Rhodes into a 'park city' with low-density green spaces. The research revisits the 1926 master plan by Florestano di Fausto, debunking claims of racial segregation and highlighting Lago's inclusive policies. It catalogues over 50 buildings and developments commissioned during his tenure, including public infrastructure, residential projects, and tourist facilities, while also documenting the stylistic purges under Governor Cesare Maria De Vecchi post-1936. The study is based on archival sources, contemporary press, and cartographic documents, offering a comprehensive analysis of this period's urban planning innovations.

Dodecanese, One Hundred Years Later: Rhodes Vol. 1 a Short Photographic Guide

Medieval City of Rhodes — 2025 — WHE53E51B0122

Rhodes stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Governor Mario Lago's innovative urban planning during his tenure (1923-1936). This study reveals that Lago, often overlooked in colonial urban planning debates, was the driving force behind Rhodes' transformation into a 'park city,' characterized by low-density architecture interspersed with green spaces. Contrary to previous interpretations, Lago's policies promoted integration rather than segregation among the island's multi-ethnic population. The research employs archival sources and contemporary documents to catalog over 100 architectural projects, including administrative buildings, residential complexes, and tourist developments. It also highlights the subsequent stylistic shift under Governor Cesare Maria De Vecchi, which sought to replace Lago's eclectic style with an abstract crusader architecture, further illustrating Rhodes' dynamic architectural evolution.

Dolichens: An Information System on the Lichens of the Dolomites

The Dolomites — 2025 — WHECE9BD50392

A comprehensive digital platform, Dolichens, has been developed to aggregate and centralize lichen diversity data from the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Dolomites. This innovative system addresses longstanding gaps in data accessibility by consolidating fragmented historical records into an interoperable format compatible with global repositories. By leveraging decades of lichenological research since the 19th century, Dolichens provides researchers, conservationists, and policymakers with a robust tool for monitoring and preserving lichen biodiversity. The platform's design prioritizes usability while ensuring seamless integration with international databases, marking a significant advancement in environmental data management.