Restoration of the sand dunes at Ramla tat-Torri and maintenance of the protected areas at ix-Xagħra tal-Kortin/ Imġiebaħ

Description: Habitat restoration

Country: Malta

City: Ramla tat-Torri and ix-Xagħra tal-Kortin/ Imġiebaħ

start: 2020

Timeframe: Rehabilitation of sites via actions other than planting

Phase: Complete

Nature-based solutions (NBS) : No

Initiator: Ambjent Malta

Latitude: 35.9671

Longitude: 14.3833

Co-benefits

Improved air quality

Yes

Biodiversity conservation or increased biodiversity

Yes

Ecosystem restoration and/or improved ecological connectivity

Yes

Original problems

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 by implementing different action such as active and passive restoration projects.

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).

SDGs

Terrestrial biodiversity (SDG15)

Yes

Reference: ERA. 2018. State of the Environment Report 2018: Chapter 8: Biodiversity. Reporting status from 2009 to 2015. Information obtained: 2019-11-08. Available at: https://era.org.mt/en/Documents/Chapter8_Biodiversity_04Dec18.pdf.

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