2010 – the International Year of Biodiversity

The United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. The aim was to raise global awareness about biodiversity, how this affects our lives and how to safeguard this irreplaceable natural wealth. Biodiversity encompasses the variety of living things, the places that they inhabit and the interactions between them. This includes the vast amount of species of plants, animals and microorganisms, the enormous diversity of the genes in these species and the different ecosystems on the planet. Indeed, the myriad of species of flora and fauna that inhabit the Maltese islands, apart from playing an important role in ecosystem functioning, are also important for the services they provide. One can mention, for example, the carob and olive trees, which are exploited to make carob syrup and olive oil, or the soil biota which are essential in nutrient cycling and maintenance of soil fertility.

In view of this, throughout 2010, various initiatives were organised by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to help increase the public’s awareness on what biodiversity actually is and what they can do to help safeguard Malta’s natural heritage.

This year Mepa has endeavoured to reach the public through radio and television programmes, articles in the local papers, and through various informative presentations on biodiversity, such as to scout groups and to hoteliers. In addition, a number of educational tours to various important natural sites were organised, to help both locals and foreigners appreciate and understand better Malta’s diverse flora and fauna. Such tours, in fact, shall continue to be organised monthly until April 2011, where participants will be visiting interesting places as Wied Ħas-Saptan, il-Qortin tal-Magun and Ta’ Lippija. Stamps related to biodiversity were also issued.

The maintenance of national biodiversity is of utmost importance and it is the responsibility of the Maltese population to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity components. This is imperative, so that Malta’s unique biodiversity shall continue to be enjoyed both by present and future generations.

More information may be ob­tained by e-mail: nature.requests@mepa.org.mt.

Malta, together with many other countries around the globe, is carrying out a number of initiatives to celebrate life on earth and the value of biodiversity for our lives. We are all invited to take action to safeguard the variety of life on earth: Biodiversity.