An event organised by the University of Malta’s Institute of Earth Systems last month provided a panoramic snapshot of aspects of the environment through some of its undergraduate research work.
The earth systems approach goes beyond traditional disciplinary investigation, adopting a wide and integrated view of Earth’s dynamic systems and of interactions between its different parts. It addresses the need to consider people and their activities within planning and management frameworks.
Undergraduate research projects with a bearing on environmental management and planning were showcased by the institute at the University’s Valletta campus.
After an introduction on the institute’s work, given by its director Louis Cassar, an overview of its three-year BSc (Hons) Earth Systems course was given by course co-ordinator Elisabeth Conrad.
The course aims is to train scientists to understand the many facets of environmental processes and how they interlink, providing an opportunity to explore earth systems in a more holistic model.
Studies presented by the students themselves showcased the results of their dissertations.
Restaurant sustainability and the effect of environmental considerations on consumer food choices were evaluated in two studies.
Using remote sensing and data from a Nasa satellite, differences in the phytoplankton in Mellieħa Bay and Marsaxlokk Bay were recorded, adding new information to an emerging field. The minute marine organisms are the basis of the marine food web but also influence climate and the carbon cycle through photosynthesis. The student is continuing this work as part of his research in ocean sciences.
How and where sand is transported by the wind on the dunes at Ramla Bay was investigated in a dissertation related to coastal dynamics. The graduate intends to further her studies, pursuing a Master’s degree in oceanography.
A graduate who is currently a climate change researcher with the Ministry for European Affairs studied the response of the local weasel population to land fragmentation.
As with the Algerian hedgehog, it appears that road kill is taking its toll on the weasel, albeit to a lesser extent. A weasel leaves its den in woods and is often forced to cross roads to forage on agricultural land to find prey, such as rats. Wildlife corridors in the form of underpasses may help to protect the weasel and slow a decline in its population.
The course aims is to train scientists to understand the many facets of environmental processes and how they interlink
Another student, working as an assistant environment protection officer at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, based his dissertation on identification of different levels of susceptibility to landslides induced by earthquakes in locations around Malta and Gozo. Landslides are among the more predictable natural hazards among all those faced by the Maltese islands.
A study on the socio-economic impacts of a deadly storm on the island of Sardinia two years ago revealed lack of preparedness. A number of people lost their lives and thousands were made homeless.
The study, which included data analysis and site visits, found that the local council lacked readiness and intervention/rescue strategies. The storm had caught many families unawares as storm warnings did not reach them. A number of short- and long-term recommendations were made to reduce loss of life in future storm events.
One study analysed landscape changes in Xewkija over the past 50 years, finding an increase in urbanisation but also preservation of open spaces. Further studies of this type may provide a direction for future landscape management in Gozo.
Aspects of calculating the national water footprint and ensuring that photovoltaics meet energy targets were two very topical dissertations on natural resources. Economical implications of water use in the Maltese islands were looked at as part of research which confirmed that despite all water management plans and legislation, there is a steady increase in water use.
The difficulty of formulating a water policy when there is a substantial lack of data was highlighted. The absence of sectoral allocation in water management plans was also noted. Water which was appearing as ‘saved’ was, in fact, not accounted for, being imported in the form of virtual water.
To what extent the performance of photovoltaic panels can be expected to degrade over time and how this might affect the nation’s renewable energy targets was also investigated. Degradation from year to year of solar panels in Malta is about one per cent higher than the global rate. The study found that there is adequate area to compensate for this loss if more panels are installed on greenhouse roofs. Owing to the significance of the study on a regional level, the study was accepted for publication by the Med Green Forum, a four-day event being held in Florence this month.
An investigation into the financial sustainability of Malta’s 34 terrestrial Natura 2000 sites revealed the need for management plans based on private sector models. Such sites are subject to EU directives requiring that they be brought up to and maintained at favourable environmental status.
Local N2000 sites receive their main income from government yet there is no financial plan. Financial planning for these sites from one year to the next tends to be project-based, depending on EU funding rather than on an overall strategy for conservation and generation of income.
User fees and setting a charge for hunting within season were discussed. If concessionaires are using park areas to make a profit, they should give something back to help maintain them. Nearby hotels, restaurants and even parking lots could contribute. The current situation may present difficulties in ensuring the long-term sustainability of these sites.
The IES graduates launch pad wrapped up with a dissertation on exploring connectedness to nature. How childhood experiences influence ecological behaviour in adulthood was the subject of this dissertation on biophilia, looking at which childhood activities have most influence in shaping positive attitudes towards nature later in life.
A connectedness to nature scale was used to identify a range of patterns of interaction with nature, from consumptive to appreciative.
Walking, tree planting and taking care of indoor or outdoor plants all help people feel emotionally connected to nature, although camping as an activity comes lower down the scale than one would expect. It is debatable whether the declared connection to nature is reflected in the daily lives of the Maltese, concludes the study.
The half-day event was brought to a close by Cassar, who highlighted the importance of holism while not losing sight of the finer detail. The institute runs a number of postgraduate courses, including a 13-month dual degree programme with James Madison University in the US, offering a foundation for both natural resource conservation and sustainability management.
https://www.um.edu.mt/ies