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Publications

Showing 41 – 60 of 4230 publications

Bridging Borders, Ecological Connectivity, Peace Parks Linking Conservation Corridors in the Conflict Zones: Climate Change &; Environmental Peacebuilding to Transform Transboundary Environmental Challenges into Opportunities

Maloti-Drakensberg Park — 2025 — WHE81672B96F6

Climate change, while posing significant challenges to conflict-prone regions, also presents opportunities for fostering peace and cooperation through environmental conservation initiatives. This study demonstrates that transboundary protected areas (TBPAs), such as peace parks and conservation corridors, can serve as powerful tools for ecological connectivity and environmental peacebuilding. Analyzing three case studies—Cordillera del Cóndor between Peru and Ecuador, Maloti-Drakensberg Park between Lesotho and South Africa, and Siachen Glacier within Pakistan and India—the research highlights how shared vulnerabilities to climate change can spur collaboration, trust-building, and long-term peace. By linking conservation efforts across borders, countries can mitigate environmental degradation, enhance biodiversity, and transform contentious landscapes into symbols of ecological harmony. The findings underscore the potential for TBPAs to address transboundary challenges while fostering sustainable development and cooperation.

Bryological Flora and Its Biodeteriogenic Effect on the Stones of the Archaeological Site of Volubilis in Morocco

Archaeological Site of Volubilis — 2025 — WHE03FA46F17C

Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Volubilis, Morocco, reveals that 16 bryophyte species—all acrocarp mosses—significantly contribute to stone biodeterioration. These taxa, belonging to five orders, seven families (with Pottiaceae dominating), and 13 genera, thrive in the site's humid conditions, particularly in material joints, leading to aesthetic changes and structural damage over time. The study employed systematic sampling along walls and cobblestones to identify these species, highlighting their destructive potential on historical substrates.

Buddhist monuments in the Orkhon-Tuul region

Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHE3888CE3361

Archaeological and historical evidence reveals the Orkhon-Tuul region as a pivotal center of cultural, economic, and religious exchange from the 8th to 17th centuries, where successive ethnic groups—Uyghurs, Khidans, and Mongols—interacted, shaping Mongolia's cultural landscape. The study highlights the evolution of Buddhism in the region, transitioning from a minor influence during the Uyghur Kaganate to dominance by the 17th century, alongside the development of urbanization and legal systems. Fortification structures, administrative complexes, and religious sites—such as Ordubalyk (Khar Balgas), Khar Bukhyn Balgas, and Chin Tolgoi—demonstrate the layered impact of these groups on the landscape. By integrating written sources with archaeological findings, the research deepens understanding of ethno-confessional dynamics in central Mongolia.

Building an Ontology for the Tangible Cultural Heritage of the Medina of Fez

Medina of Fez — 2025 — WHE49F5607232

A groundbreaking ontology, MedinaOnto, has been developed to model the tangible cultural heritage of the Medina of Fez. This semantic framework integrates social, geospatial, and historical dimensions, enabling robust semantic reasoning and effective data querying. Built upon established standards like CIDOC-CRM, FOAF, and GEOSPARQL, MedinaOnto leverages structured data from open sources such as Wikidata and DBpedia to represent a wide range of heritage entities, including monuments and culturally significant spaces. The ontology was rigorously evaluated through logical consistency tests, scenario-based validation, and SPARQL queries, confirming its scalability and reusability for both public and heritage professionals. This innovative approach offers new avenues for the valorization, mediation, and research of cultural heritage.

Cahokian Neighborhood Dynamics: New Geophysical Data from Rouch Mound Group and Rattlesnake West Neighborhoods

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2025 — WHE60CC3995D8

New geophysical surveys at Cahokia Mounds reveal that peripheral neighborhoods, such as the Rouch Mound Group and Rattlesnake West, mirrored the architectural and infrastructure patterns of Cahokia's densely populated Downtown Precinct. By analyzing structure length and width ratios from these areas alongside datasets from the Cahokia and East St. Louis precincts, researchers identified shifts in neighborhood density over time. This noninvasive approach provides deeper insights into how communities on the outskirts adopted and adapted Cahokia's urban planning, offering a clearer picture of its societal organization.

Caminhos e descaminhos do patrimônio arqueológico do Cais do Valongo (Rio de Janeiro)

Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site — 2025 — WHE7EA352120D

Valongo Wharf, recognized as the most significant physical evidence of enslaved Africans' arrival in the Americas by UNESCO, faces critical challenges in preservation and public recognition despite its 2017 World Heritage designation. Research reveals that coordination gaps between government levels, insufficient funding, and policy implementation delays hinder the site's potential as a memory site for African diaspora history. The absence of an interpretation center further limits educational opportunities on slavery and contemporary race issues. This analysis, based on judicial and administrative proceedings, underscores the need for stronger governance to fully realize Valongo Wharf's heritage value.

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.

Challenges of Sustainability of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park

Blue and John Crow Mountains — 2025 — WHEE35357A842

The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park (BJCMNP) in Jamaica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015, faces significant threats to its natural and cultural heritage values. Climate change, unregulated tourism, land-use pressures, and community marginalization are key challenges compromising the park's long-term sustainability. The study highlights the need for inclusive governance, sustainable tourism planning, and targeted conservation strategies to mitigate these issues. By addressing these factors, the BJCMNP can ensure its protection and continue to contribute to Jamaica’s ecological and cultural legacy.

Chan Chan (Perú), la ciudad de tierra: la amenaza al paisaje cultural de un sitio Patrimonio Mundial

Chan Chan Archaeological Zone — 2025 — WHEFD211A91B9

A multidisciplinary analysis reveals significant transformation and vulnerability of the cultural landscape at Chan Chan, Peru, a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as 'in danger.' The study identifies critical urban-environmental threats—mobility challenges, high urban density, and solid waste pollution—in its buffer zone. Using geographic information systems (GIS) and cartographic tools, researchers propose strategic interventions to mitigate these risks: regulating the buffer zone, protecting agricultural areas, rerouting heavy traffic away from Chan Chan, and leveraging native huachaques ecosystems for biodiversity conservation. These measures aim to restore the site's cultural integrity and potentially remove it from UNESCO's endangered list.

Climate-adaptive prediction of wind erosion risks for earthen heritage under multi-scenario futures

Xixia Imperial Tombs — 2025 — WHE600B33ACC0

A novel framework integrating centimeter-scale LiDAR modeling, high-resolution CFD simulations, and CMIP6 climate data predicts nonlinear wind erosion risks for earthen heritage sites under multiple future scenarios. Applied to the Xixia Imperial Tombs, this approach reveals that moderate climate forcing (SSP2–4.5) poses higher long-term degradation risk than extreme scenarios (SSP5–8.5), with significant interannual variability and uncertainty ranges. The study advances predictive modeling of climate-driven hazards in arid regions, offering critical insights for resilient conservation strategies under UNESCO’s climate action framework.

Colonial Legacies in Heritage Conservation in Algeria

Kasbah of Algiers — 2025 — WHE98822F332D

Algeria's heritage conservation efforts, particularly for the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Algiers, face significant challenges rooted in colonial legacies. This study reveals that contemporary conservation practices often fail to address these issues effectively, despite the country's rich cultural and historical assets. By analyzing pre-colonial valuation processes—such as Numidian 'mausoleum culture' and waqf traditions—the research argues for a shift toward homegrown conservation approaches inspired by indigenous care practices rather than French colonial models like 'secteurs sauvegardés.' The findings underscore the need to reconnect with Algeria's deep-seated heritage values to develop culturally appropriate conservation strategies.

Colonial Narratives and the Ruined Cities of Ceylon: Exploring the Earliest Architectural and Archaeological Documentation during the Colonial Period

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa — 2025 — WHE084D1C03A7

Colonial-era documentation efforts under British rule (1806–1948) laid the foundation for modern architectural and archaeological study of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities, including Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, and Sigiriya. These ruins, rediscovered in the mid-19th century by colonial administrators and professionals, were systematically recorded through archival, cartographical, and iconographical research. This systematic approach culminated in the establishment of the Archaeological Survey of Ceylon, shaping the preservation and recognition of these sites as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Community Perception and Biophysical Assessment of Lapnisan ( Aquilaria species Lam.) in Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Davao Oriental, Philippines

Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary — 2025 — WHE84C9918520

Aquilaria species, known for their valuable agarwood resin used in medicine and fragrance, exhibit distinct community perceptions and biophysical characteristics within Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary. This study reveals that while Barangay La Union features shallow soil with rocky surfaces predominantly inhabited by Aquilaria malaccensis and A. cumingiana, Barangay Maputi showcases deeper soils with fewer rocks, where A. cumingiana thrives. Climatic factors show minor variations between the two areas. The research combines Key Informant Interviews to assess community knowledge and attitudes toward conservation with Line Plot Method for biophysical characterization, alongside climatic and edaphic data collection. Findings underscore the importance of in situ conservation strategies while highlighting Aquilaria species' potential for ex situ conservation, offering livelihood opportunities and climate risk mitigation through forest plantation.

Community Perceptions on Conservation, Livelihood Vulnerability and Quality of Life Around Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro National Park — 2025 — WHEC28C5911C5

A study on Kilimanjaro National Park reveals that improved quality of life correlates with stronger conservation attitudes, particularly among highly vulnerable communities. The research found that as livelihood vulnerability decreases, the relationship between quality of life and conservation support weakens. This suggests that targeted development efforts could enhance both conservation outcomes and community well-being. The findings were derived from a questionnaire survey across four villages bordering the park, analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling.

Complexity Theory and the Harappan Civilization

Dholavira: a Harappan City — 2025 — WHE5A926EC902

A novel application of complexity theory reveals that the Harappan Civilization (2600–1900 BCE) exhibited decentralized innovation, adaptive water management, and flexible social structures, underpinned by interconnected environmental, social, and technological networks. This approach challenges linear interpretations of urban development, demonstrating how emergent properties, feedback loops, and self-organization shaped the civilization's longevity and eventual decline. Analysis of archaeological data from sites like Dholavira, Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, and Rakhigarhi highlights hidden connections in symbolic communication and inter-city trade, offering deeper insights into early urban dynamics and the sustainability of complex systems.

Comprehensive protection and revitalization of Levuka world heritage from the perspective of marine spatial planning

Levuka Historical Port Town — 2025 — WHE1D4F384933

Marine spatial planning offers a promising strategy for the comprehensive protection and revitalization of Levuka Historical Port Town. The study reveals that while the site demonstrates good overall compatibility between land and sea uses, its low degree of land use mixing presents significant potential for revitalization. By dividing the area into four zones—protection, optimization, function expansion, and function integration—the research proposes tailored strategies to mitigate threats to relics while promoting activities that enhance heritage development. This approach aims to increase the vitality of World Heritage Sites through balanced control and moderate introduction of new functions, fostering sustainable development.

Conservation for Whom? Archaeology, Heritage Policy, and Livelihoods in the Ifugao Rice Terraces

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras — 2025 — WHEF91C92D31E

Heritage conservation must prioritize adaptability and community-driven stewardship over rigid authenticity to sustain dynamic socio-ecological systems. A study of the Ifugao Rice Terraces reveals that their long-term viability depends on integrating livelihoods, functional flexibility, and local governance. Archaeological, ethnographic, spatial, and agricultural economic data show that wet-rice agriculture's expansion in the 17th century replaced earlier systems but maintained adaptive strategies, such as incorporating swidden fields and ritual practices. Contemporary shifts—like labor migration and climate variability—reflect ongoing adaptation rather than decline. Comparative analysis with other heritage sites underscores the need for conservation models that support economic viability and local authority to ensure cultural continuity in response to future challenges.

Conservation Gap Within a Nature Reserve: A Case Study in the Biodiversity Hotspot of Rare and Endangered Plants at the Southern Gaoligong Mountains

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas — 2025 — WHEB2F930A228

A significant conservation gap of 76.86% exists within the southern Gaoligong Mountains, part of the UNESCO-listed Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, highlighting the inadequacy of current protected zones in safeguarding rare and endangered plant species. Using distribution data for 361 species and environmental variables, the study employed InVEST and random forest models to project current and future potential habitats under climate change scenarios. Findings reveal that only 23.14% of the identified suitable habitat is protected, with agricultural expansion exacerbating habitat loss. The research underscores the need for prioritizing vertical zone integrity in conservation strategies to ensure continuous protection of biodiversity.

Considerations regarding the management and protection of the „Monumental ensemble created by Constantin Brâncuși in Târgu-Jiu”

Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu — 2025 — WHE2685FA77C3

The Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu is poised to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, underscoring its significance as both national and universal cultural heritage. This recognition necessitates robust management and protection strategies to preserve its inestimable value. The study emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts by central and local institutions to implement measures aligned with international standards for heritage preservation. Effective valorization of this ensemble can enhance Romania's international profile, highlighting its cultural contributions while ensuring long-term sustainability.

Cultural Communication and Digital Design of Fujian Hakka Tulou: Analysis on Shen Yuan Tulou Residents' Questionnaire Feedback

Fujian Tulou — 2025 — WHE4C527C1365

A high level of cultural awareness and openness to digital innovation among Fujian Tulou residents emerges as a key finding, offering a pathway for sustainable heritage development. Residents express strong support for integrating traditional culture into tourism while advocating for minimal disruption to daily life. They also endorse the use of technologies like virtual reality (VR) and interactive experiences to enhance cultural communication without compromising preservation efforts. The study employed qualitative methods—including in-depth interviews and questionnaire surveys—to gather feedback on digital design proposals, revealing that residents perceive these innovations as beneficial for both heritage dissemination and visitor engagement. This research provides actionable insights for balancing technological advancement with community needs, ensuring the long-term viability of Fujian Tulou as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.