The Gozo Ministry and the University of Malta have launched Simbiotic (Sicily-Malta Biogeographical Transboundary Insular Connectivity), a €1.16 million EU-funded project focusing on ecological restoration.

The project aims to enhance the ecological connectivity of the South East Sicily-Gozo transboundary migratory route through ecological restoration, improved area management, integrated environmental planning and policy and enhanced local environmental consciousness.

The project was launched in May and is co-financed by the EU under the Italy-Malta 2007-2013 territorial cooperation programme.

Other partners include the Botany Department of the University of Catania and Pachino comune. The Institute of Earth Systems of the University of Malta is leading the project.

The project is part of the government’s eco-Gozo vision that aims to turn Gozo into an eco-island by 2020 through protection of lifestyle, environment, resources, culture and identity.

The project proposes a number of activities in Gozo and Pachino, featuring habitat restoration, improved site management, rehabilitation of the Pandani (marshes) of South East Sicily and of the natural Mediterranean maquis in Gozo.

An important component will be varietal and genetic investigations of the Holm Oak and the Carob, two important arboreal members of Mediterranean maquis ecosystems.

Interaction between the partners, private landowners and the public will also be an important aspect of Simbiotic.