Х

This site uses cookies to deliver its services and analyse traffic. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies.

OK
Login

Majjistral Nature and Heritage Park - Habitat restoration of specific sites via the planting of indignous trees and shrub

: Habitat restoration of specific sites via the planting of indigenous trees and shrub
: Malta
|
: Il-Mellieha
|
: 2275 ha
|
: 10868
: 2020
|
: Planting take place during October - November
: Complete
|
: No
|
: Ambjent Malta
: http://mt.majjistral.org/home https://era.org.mt/en/Documents/GI_InformationDocument-Consultation-ERA-18.pdf
: 35.9379
|
: 14.34657
Improved air quality
Yes, tree and woodland cover was associated with air quality improvement ecosystem services (Balzan et al., 2018).
Biodiversity conservation or increased biodiversity
Yes, increasing green areas, enhance the potential for biodiversity and ecosystem service provisioning (Threlfall et al; 2017).
Ecosystem restoration and/or improved ecological connectivity
Yes, one of the aims of this restoration programme is to increase the vegetation cover by planting indignous trees and shrubs.
Increased quality and quantity of green and blue infrastructures
Yes, green infrastructure, by increasing green areas through implementation of Mediterranean native species.
Increased willingness, participation, investment in NBS
Yes, The Majjistral Nature and History Park, which is Malta's first natural national park is managed by the Heritage Parks Federation consisting of three NGOs. The management is overseen by a management board, composed of three representatives from the NGOs, three from the public sector, Mellieħa Local Council and a chairperson. This Park incorporates part of the protected coastal cliffs of the North West of Malta, which now form part of the Natura 2000 network, and also contains a number of historical and archaeological sites. The Park is a member of the EUROPARC Federation, which amongst its aims, is that of promoting good practice in the management of protected areas. (Il-Majjistral, s.a.).
Provision of health benefits
Yes, now a growing body of evidence of the positive physical and mental health benefits associated with greenery and green elements in living and working environments. Parks improve human interaction with nature. Such connections to nature have been shown to benefit human physical and mental health and productivity, and reduce blood pressure and hospital stays. (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2019; Beatley, Newman, 2013).
Education, knowledge exchange and learning
Yes, IL-Majjistral holds great potential as an educational site, in particular for the furtherance of the study and appreciation of the ecology, flora, fauna, geology and history of the Maltese Islands. (Il-Majjistral, s.a.).
Drought and heat risk
Yes, the Mediterranean Basin is undergoing a warming trend with longer and warmer summers, an increase in the frequency and the severity of heat waves, changes in precipitation patterns and a reduction in rainfall amounts (Linares et al; 2020).
Loss of biodiversity
Yes, this project's actions are aimed to reduce biodiversity loss by planting indigenous trees which include olives, carobs and the national Maltese tree, known as tal-għargħar.
Ecosystem degradation
Yes, data from The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES) index (2020) indicates that Malta is one of the highest in the world for the fragility of its biodiversity and ecosystems. (ERA, 2018).
Low aesthetic value
Yes
Terrestrial biodiversity (SDG15)
Yes, this project aims to encourage natural regeneration in the restored sites and possible regeneration in adjacent areas and biotopes.
: Balzan, M. V., Caruana, J., Zammit, A. 2018. Assessing the capacity and flow of ecosystem services in multifunctional landscapes : Evidence of a rural-urban gradient in a Mediterranean small island state. Land Use Policy, 75, 711–725. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.08.025.

Beatley, T., Newman, P. 2013. Biophilic cities are sustainable, resilient cities. Sustainability 5(8):3328–3345. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/5/8/3328/htm.

Bertelsmann Stiftung and Sustainable Development Solutions Network. 2019. Sustainable Development Report 2019: Transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Information obtained: 2019-10-23. Available at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sustainabledevelopment.report/2019/2019_sustainable_development_report.pdf.

ERA. 2018. State of the Environment Report 2018: Chapter 8: Biodiversity. Reporting status from 2009 to 2015. Information obtained: 2021-04-15. Available at: https://era.org.mt/en/Documents/Chapter8_Biodiversity_04Dec18.pdf.

Swiss Re institute (2020) Available at: https://www.swissre.com/media/news-releases/nr-20200923-biodiversity-and-ecosystems-services.html.

Il-Majjistral. 2019. Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park. Information obtained: 2021-04-15. Available at: http://mt.majjistral.org/natural-heritage.

Linares, C., Díaz, J., Negev, M., Martínez, G.S., Debono, R. and Paz, S. 2020. Impacts of climate change on the public health of the Mediterranean Basin population - current situation, projections, preparedness and adaptation. Environmental Research, 182:109107 Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.109107.

Swiss Re institute (2020) Available at: https://www.swissre.com/media/news-releases/nr-20200923-biodiversity-and-ecosystems-services.html.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2019. Using Green Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands. Information obtained: 2019-11-10. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/using-green-roofs-reduce-heat-islands.