OAR@UM Community:

Wied Għollieqa : is-sbuħija, il-proġett

Sun, 16 May 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Wied Għollieqa : is-sbuħija, il-proġett Abstract: F’dan l-artiklu, l-ambjentalisti jiktbu dwar il-manteniment ta’ Wied Għollieqa u dwar kif dan il-wied jista’ jiġi ppreservat b’mod sostenibbli.

The Green Whistleblower

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The Green Whistleblower Abstract: In this article the green whistleblower Alan Deidun writes about various environmental issues of the time - amongst them Ta Ċenċ, party financing, NGO's and drinking water in Ħondoq ir-Rummien.

Scenic walks off the beaten track

Sun, 29 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Scenic walks off the beaten track Abstract: Lino Bugeja, the honorary president of the Ramblers Association, highlights four stunning walks that lead off the standard paths along the mesmerizing northern trails of Gozo. Simonne Pace is enthralled by the breathtaking scenery, fascinating legends, and an element of mystery.

Development and the natural environment in the Maltese Islands

Fri, 01 Jan 1993 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Development and the natural environment in the Maltese Islands Abstract: The Republic of Malta is a small Mediterranean island nation with a limited land area (< 316 km2) and very high population density (at 1,095 per km2, the highest in Europe). As might be expected, human pressure on the natural environment is intense. Development of the Maltese islands commenced some 7,000 years ago with the arrival of the first colonists who radically modified the landscape by clearing the native forests and other natural vegetation for agriculture, construction and fuel, and by the introduction of grazing animals which prevented trees from regenerating. Other significant modifications took place over the period 1530-1798 when the islands experienced a population explosion, a building boom and heightened agricultural activity, all connected with the reign of the Knights of Saint John. Improved medical services and sanitation after the islands passed into British hands caused a second population explosion in the early twentieth century with a concurrent spread of settlements, causing further modification to the natural landscape. This was mainly caused by building activity connected both with housing and with military installations. The population has continued increasing steadily since. This contribution describes and analyses the main effects of development on the natural environment of the Maltese islands. Three key factors shape the Maltese natural environment: the geology, the climate and man. In order to understand the effect of man it is therefore necessary to have an understanding of the other two factors. Accordingly, before discussing human impact, a brief overview of the physical geography of the Maltese islands is given.