Students at International Wildlife Research Week

Two Maltese students recently joined over 25 foreign students to take part in the 23rd Inter­national Wildlife Research Week 2012, an event that offers young people the opportunity to dis­cover Alpine wildlife.

Keith Sacco and Mark Portelli visited the valley of Val Mora in the Val Müstair region, Switzerland where they studied the ecology of the lichen Cetraria islandica which grows in the mountainous regions of Europe. This lichen has a variety of medicinal uses, namely to relieve coughs as well as having anti-oxidant properties.

The students conducted research at three different altitudes, the highest being at around 2,800 metres. Their research found that altitude did not affect the lichen’s growth but it grew more abundantly in places where the plant Loiseleuria procumbens also grew.

The students took part in the event after having placed second in the Malta Student Science Forum, which is held by the National Student Travel Foun­dation (NSTF) every year between October and April.

They said the experience enabled them to network with like-minded students from other countries as well as conduct research in one of the most picturesque regions in Switzerland.

The event was organised by the Foundation Swiss Youth in Science (Schweizer Jugend Forscht – SJF) and the research results will be published by the foundation on www.sjf.ch.