Courses in biology and biological research are crucial, given the need for suitably qualified professionals to work in the environmental sector, according to Environment Minister Leo Brincat. He was speaking at the opening of the 2014 Biology Symposium organised by the University of Malta’s Department of Biology.

The annual symposium, which was attended by over 150 students, professionals and researchers, showcased undergraduate and postgraduate research projects concluded in 2014 at the department. Brincat emphasised the need to use the knowledge gained from this research to strengthen Malta’s capacity for implementing environmental objectives.

The topics dealt with in the research projects involved aquaculture, botany, conservation biology, genetics, marine and terrestrial ecology, marine pollution, microbiology, and the effects of plant extracts on biological systems, among others.

Botany-related projects focused on the influence of the shape and depth of freshwater rockpools on aquatic plants; the effects of sediment burial and water salinity on germination of wetland plants; the variation in the morphology of local species of Sea Lavender (Limonium sp.); and the drawing up of a checklist of the Maltese islands’ vascular flora.

Among the projects dealing with marine pollution, one focused on the quality of sediments in the Grand Harbour, while two projects on mariculture concerned using sea cucumbers in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, and the influence of stocking density and feed regime on cultured sea bream.

Projects on marine biology concerned an in-depth study on the ecology of cobble bed habitat; an assessment of changes to local coastal fish fauna; the development of a computerised guide for identifying shore and shallow water algae; and an assessment of the distribution and abundance of rocky shore molluscs in the Maltese islands.

Two projects concerned use of plant extracts on germs and cancer cells – one concerned an investigation of the influence of essential oils on bacteria, and the other assessed use of extract from grapevine waste to combat cancer cells.

Projects on genetics and molecular biology featured an investigation on X-chromosomal short tandem repeats in the Maltese population, and development and validation of a molecular method for detecting and typing Legionella.

Projects dealing with conservation biology and conservation genetics, included a detailed study focused on the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus giseus); the implications of the foraging habitat used by local bat populations for conservation; and phylogenetics of wrasse species.

Abstracts of the 18 projects have been published in a booklet, copies of which may be purchased from the Department of Biology (Tel: 2340 2272).