Search Results (57)

The Maltese Islands, situated at the centre of the Mediterranean basin, are recognised as a climate change hotspot. This study utilises projected changes in temperature and precipitation derived from the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) and analyses outputs from six coupled model intercomparison project phase 5 (CMIP5) models under two Representative Concentration pathways (RCPs). Through statistical and spatial analysis, the study demonstrates that climate change will have significant adverse effects on Maltese agriculture. Regardless of the RCP scenario considered, projections indicate a substantial increase in temperature and a decline in precipitation, exacerbating aridity and intensifying heat stress. These changes are expected to reduce soil moisture availability and challenge traditional agricultural practices. The study identifies the Western District as a relatively more favourable area for crop cultivation due to its comparatively lower temperatures, whereas the Northern and South Eastern peripheries are projected to experience more severe heat stress. Adaptation strategies, including the selection of heat-tolerant crop varieties such as Tetyda and Finezja, optimised water management techniques, and intercropping practices, are proposed to enhance agricultural resilience. This study is among the few comprehensive assessments of bioclimatic and physical factors affecting Maltese agriculture and highlights the urgent need for targeted adaptation measures to safeguard food production in the region. Full article

Measurements of concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) were collected over a period of thirteen years (2011–2023). The data were collected at Giordan Lighthouse atmospheric monitoring and research station on the Island of Gozo, forming part of the Maltese Archipelago, in the Central Mediterranean. Trend analysis shows that NO_x concentrations are decreasing at an annual rate of 0.15 ppbv per year. This is in comparison to what has been recorded across Europe due to stricter regulations and improvements in vehicle technologies. Significant reductions were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the implementation of lockdowns and restrictions on mobility. NO_x concentrations also exhibit an amplitude seasonal variability of 35% with a maximum in October and a minimum in December, while the nitric oxide (NO) component of NO_x presents a broad maximum in May/June and a minimum in February. NO_x concentrations also show a strong diurnal variability with a maximum in the morning and a minimum in the afternoon. The diurnal amplitude of NO_x and NO is 44% and 148%, respectively. With respect to wind direction, the NO_x concentrations exhibit a maximum when the prevailing wind is from the South-East sector and a minimum when the wind is blowing from the West sector. Full article

Ocean warming poses significant threats to coastal ecosystems. This study investigates the impact of thermal effluents from power plants, as proxies for climate-driven temperatures increase, on Posidonia oceanica meadows and associated fish communities. Using a gradient-based approach, we analyzed environmental variables, seagrass indicators, fish assemblages, and functional group (FG) dynamics across a thermal gradient extending from the effluent outfall itself. Results indicate that temperature is the dominant factor influencing P. oceanica, with reduced leaf length, shoot density, and rhizome weight characterizing samples closest to the effluent. Despite compensatory mechanisms, the overall photosynthetic biomass and resilience declined under thermal stress. Fish assemblages exhibited reduced species richness and biodiversity close to the thermal effluent, with opportunistic and thermophilic species dominating. An FG analysis revealed disrupted seasonal patterns, shifts in trophic dynamics, and functional compensation among species, highlighting potential ecological imbalances. Notably, transient predators thrived near the effluent, while more sedentary and temperate species were displaced. These findings underscore the cascading effects of rising temperatures on coastal habitats such as P. oceanica meadows and their associated communities, emphasizing the urgency for conservation measures. By identifying critical thresholds and adaptive responses, this study contributes valuable insights into the consequences of localized impacts of thermal stress on coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services. Full article

This paper presents the findings of a 12-year study on radon conducted from January 2011 to December 2022 at the Giordan Lighthouse station on the island of Gozo, Malta. Located in the Central Mediterranean, Gozo’s strategic position enables effective monitoring of air mass movements between Africa and Europe (from south to north) and between Europe and Central Asia (from west to east). Our research involves an analysis of seasonal and diurnal variations in radon levels, alongside analysis of relevant meteorological variables, clustering of air mass back trajectories, and assessment of local and remote radon production. The findings provide critical insights into the dynamics of atmospheric radon, which are significant not only for the Maltese islands, but also for enhancing our understanding of transcontinental radon transport in the Central Mediterranean, a region that has remained largely unexplored. Full article

The invasion history of the gastropod mollusk Bursatella leachii in the Mediterranean Sea demonstrates a dynamic progression through distinct phases, comprising arrival, establishment, and expansion phases. Initial records in the 1930s trace its entry through the Suez Canal, likely followed by larval transport to the Aegean Sea facilitated by natural currents. The subsequent spread to Maltese and Italian waters suggests secondary dispersion favored by maritime traffic or aquaculture activities. The establishment phase shows a significant increase in occurrences and spatial dispersion, with aggregated nuclei in the central Mediterranean. The expansion phase was characterized by rapid dispersal and intensified densities, particularly in the Aegean, Adriatic, and Spanish coasts. These findings underscore the species’ capability to invade from multiple fronts, driven by both natural and human-mediated processes. A new location in the Strait of Sicily, i.e., the island of Lampedusa, is reported in the present paper for the species. Given the low number of observations, its establishment with a viable population on the island is not confirmed, although its detection validates the Straits of Sicily as a key area of intense settlement of the species. Full article

Marine regions are undergoing rapid evolution, primarily driven by natural and anthropogenic activities. Safeguarding these ecosystems necessitates the ability to observe their physical features and control processes with precision in both space and time. This demands the acquisition of precise and up-to-date information regarding several marine parameters. Thus, to gain a comprehensive understanding of these ecosystems, this study employs remote sensing techniques, Machine Learning algorithms and traditional in situ approaches. Together, these serve as valuable tools to help comprehend the distinctive parametric characteristics and mechanisms occurring within these regions of the Maltese archipelago. An empirical workflow was implemented to predict the spatial and temporal variations in sea surface salinity and sea surface temperature from 2022 to 2024. This was achieved by leveraging Sentinel-2 satellite platforms, the random forest Machine Learning algorithm, and in situ data collected from sea gliders and floats. Subsequently, the numerical data generated by the random forest algorithm were validated with different error metrics and converted into visual representations to illustrate the sea surface salinity and sea surface temperature variations across the Maltese Islands. The random forest algorithm demonstrated strong performance in predicting sea surface salinity and sea surface temperature, indicating its capability to handle dynamic parameters effectively. Additionally, the parametric maps generated for all three years provided a clear understanding of both the spatial and temporal changes for these two parameters. Full article

The island of Malta, despite its small size, boasts a great variety of landscapes and landforms, offering a wide range of geological and geomorphological features of great interest. The identification and assessment of geosites can contribute to the preservation, protection, and promotion of this rich geodiversity. In addition, geosites have a high potential of attracting geotourists, thus also contributing to the development of the local economy. Tourism plays a key role for the Maltese Islands, with Malta’s tourism direct contribution to GDP being among the highest in Europe. Thus, geotourism could represent a significant resource for Malta, though it has yet to receive the attention and recognition it deserves. Within this framework, this work aims to highlight the role of geoheritage and geotourism as potential resources for the enhancement of sustainable tourism and geoconservation in the southern sector of Malta. This region of Malta receives less visitors compared with the northern sector of the island, which is popular for its sandy beaches. To this end, potential geosites were inventoried and quantitatively assessed using a commonly applied methodology tailored to the local setting. The results of this evaluation let to identify 18 potential geosites that can be recognized as both parts of the Maltese natural heritage and tourist resources. Among these 18 sites, we identified four priority geosites which could be incorporated into a potential geotourism route to also highlight the valuable elements of the cultural heritage located in the vicinity. Moreover, the assessment methodology, applied for the first time in the investigated area, has proven to be a valuable support for geosite identification and can be extended to other Maltese regions. Full article

International shipping is a fundamental component of the global economy. As the industry expands, the demand for high-capacity vessels increases, raising concerns about their impact on the marine environment. While awaiting access to port facilities, vessels often anchor to save fuel and prevent drifting, but this practice is a significant cause of mechanical disturbance to the seafloor and benthic habitats. Identifying and quantifying anchoring pressure is essential for better managing and mitigating the damage to the seafloor. The Automatic Identification System (AIS) can be utilized to assess anchoring pressure by transmitting vessel information (e.g., position, type and size) to other vessels and coastal stations. This research evaluates anchoring pressure in a strategically located bunkering area around the Maltese Islands using AIS data collected from an antenna at the University of Malta. An arbitrary index was developed to determine anchoring pressure, and the AIS data was used to create GIS maps showing the location and size of vessels within the bunkering area, as well as plots depicting anchoring pressure by vessel type, seasonality, and density. This study serves as a blueprint for future assessments of anchoring pressures from various maritime activities in other areas around the Maltese Islands and provides a decision support tool for national policy-making related to Descriptor 6 (Seafloor Integrity) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD), and the management plan for Sites of Community Interest (SCI) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Full article

A previous study of Narcissus species on the Maltese Islands had suggested the existence of a natural hybridogenous species. A fresh study on Narcissus in Malta was conducted in 2021 and 2023 with the primary aim of studying the previously reported populations of intermediate forms and to update the taxonomy of Narcissus in Malta. Four main taxa of native species were identified: N. deficiens, two distinct morphotypes of N. tazetta, and a new hybrid species. The species identified as N. deficiens replaces records of N. serotinus and N. obsoletus. One of the two morphotypes (“autumn-flowering”) is now combined as subsp. aequilimbus (previously described from Maltese material as Hermione aequilimba) and the other one (“spring-flowering”) corresponds to subsp. tazetta. The new hybrid is derived from N. deficiens and N. tazetta and is named N × briffae. This hybrid was previously incorrectly reported as N. elegans. Detailed morphometric analysis and ecological data justify these new taxonomic appraisals. A dichotomous identification key for eight Narcissus taxa (including non-native ones) is provided to facilitate the identification of the occurring and doubtful species recorded on the Maltese Islands. Full article

The previous research has proven that one of the fundamental requirements for ensuring increased profitability and economic competitiveness in offshore-based projects is co-locating different technologies within the same marine space. This paper presents a number of techno-feasibility analyses for floating offshore technologies for the Maltese Islands, located in the central Mediterranean Sea. The first part compares the feasibility between offshore floating solar photovoltaics with onshore-based systems, taking into consideration Malta’s average land rental price per square metre. The second part considers the use of a novel floating breakwater design that integrates energy storage and creates a sheltered water area for a multi-use marine park, thus introducing different revenue streams. The latter includes renting the sheltered marine space out to operators of floating solar farms, aquaculture cages and vessel berthing facilities, as well as the provision of energy storage services. It is found that the combined income from the multiple revenue streams from the multi-use marine park is still insufficient to justify the investment and that financial support from governments is essential to render the floating breakwaters viable. Full article

Wood-decaying fungi are important study subjects for their ecological role as well as for their biotechnological applications. They break down lignin, cellulose, and hemicelluloses using enzymes that modify the chemical structure of these complex macromolecules. Due to their ability to degrade wood, these fungi can create structural damage to wooden structures and to trees, especially those with very low level of fitness. Previous studies on wood decay fungi in the Maltese Islands are limited to records and checklists described by a handful of authors. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of wood decay fungal diversity in the Maltese Islands including an updated checklist based on DNA barcoding, as well as to establish the first wood-decay fungal culture collection at the Biology Department Seed Bank of the University of Malta. Several surveys were carried out during the rainy season along wooded areas of the Maltese Islands as well as in historical gardens. Isolates were identified using macro- and micro-morphological features, dichotomous keys, as well as molecular data. Basidiomes were recorded growing on 14 different host plant species, 11 axenic cultures have been made and 9 species of wood decay fungi have been conclusively identified by DNA barcoding. The collection of the axenic isolates includes one of Aurificaria cf. euphoria, three of Ganoderma resinaceum sl., two of Laetiporus sulphureus, one of Inonotus sp., one of Inonotus rickii anamorph, one of Inocutis tamaricis, one of Stereum hirsutum, and one of Pleurotus eryngii. However, the mycelium of Coriolopsis gallica, though collected and identified, could not be isolated. Full article

This study explores the bioactive potential of olive mill waste derived from cultivars grown in the Maltese Islands through various analytical approaches. Cell culture, cell staining, allelopathic assays, shrimp brine lethality assays, and HPLC analysis were conducted to assess the efficacy and bioactivity of the extracts using different treatments, including methanolic extraction, acid, and alkaline hydrolysis. Notably, the results from cell lines revealed that NB4r2 cells exhibited high susceptibility to the tested extracts, with the lowest IC₅₀ recorded after 72 h of exposure. Notably, the ‘Bajda’ cultivar displayed the most effectiveness, particularly with acid hydrolysis. In allelopathic assays, higher concentrations of ‘Malti’, ‘Bidni’, and ‘Bajda’ extracts significantly inhibited lettuce seed germination. Similarly, in the brine shrimp lethality assay, higher concentrations led to increased mortality rates of Artemia salina, though rates decreased at lower concentrations. The identification of phenolic compounds found in olive mill waste was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with the use of internal standards. The identification revealed a variety of compounds, with 3-hydroxytyrosol and oleacein being present in high abundance in nearly all hydrolyzed and methanolic extracts, whereas gallic acid was found to be the least abundant. These findings highlight the rich bioactive potential of olive mill waste and provide insights into its applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and agriculture, emphasizing the importance of further research to fully exploit these valuable resources. Full article

The genetic diversity of the ancient autochthonous olive trees on the Maltese islands and the relationship with the wild forms growing in marginal areas of the island (57 samples), as well as with the most widespread cultivars in the Mediterranean region (150 references), were investigated by genetic analysis with 10 SSR markers. The analysis revealed a high genetic diversity of Maltese germplasm, totaling 84 alleles and a Shannon information index (I) of 1.08. All samples from the upper and the lower part of the crown of the Bidni trees belonged to the same genotype, suggesting that there was no secondary top-grafting of the branches. The Bidni trees showed close relationships with the local wild germplasm, suggesting that the oleaster population played a role in the selection of the Bidni variety. Genetic similarities were also found between Maltese cultivars and several Italian varieties including accessions putatively resistant to the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which has recently emerged in the Apulia region (Italy) and has caused severe epidemics on olive trees over the last decade. Full article

Dancers are considered aesthetic athletes due to the great emphasis directed towards maintaining svelte figures with the aim of enhancing the aesthetic of performance. Ballerinas are consistently found 10–12% below their ideal body weight and are susceptible to the female athlete triad. Still, while the dietary intake of several sports populations has been extensively studied worldwide, in the dance arts data are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the dietary intake of adult female dancers on a small Mediterranean island. All dance schools in Gozo (n = 7) were invited to participate via email. A 4 day food and beverage diary recorded between Thursday and Sunday was used to assess the dietary intake of eligible students and teachers of dance schools. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess demographic data and exercise energy expenditure, adapted from the ‘International Physical Activity Questionnaire’. Participants’ energy and macronutrient intakes were compared to the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) using the one sample t-test. The paired samples t-test was used to determine any significant differences in dietary intake between weekdays and the weekend. Of a potential 25 eligible participants, 14 engaged in the study yielding a 56% response rate. The majority of participants were recreational dancers (n = 11). The mean energy intake was 1306 kcal/day with 34.7% derived from fat. The mean carbohydrate and protein intakes were 2.4 g/kg bodyweight and 1.1 g/kg bodyweight, respectively. The mean total energy expenditure was 2034 kcal/day. The daily mean energy, carbohydrate and protein intakes were lower than the RDA, while mean fat intake was higher. There was no evidence of a significant difference in dietary intake between weekdays and the weekend (p = 0.309 carbohydrates, p = 0.596 fat, p = 0.956 protein). Professional dancers failed to meet energy, carbohydrates and protein recommendations for athletic populations, whereas, recreational dancers were likely to consume sufficient energy, carbohydrate and protein intakes. Dietary fat recommendations were met by half of the participants and exceeded by the rest. This study was the first to assess the dietary intake of a dance population in the Maltese Islands. Further research in a larger cohort of local dancers is merited. Full article

Loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758), nestlings were investigated through specimens found dead either after hatching or unhatched (n = 120) from eight nests around the Maltese islands (Central Mediterranean). Molecular genetics was used to conduct maternity and paternity tests of the collected specimens utilizing expanded mitochondrial DNA sequences from the control region (858 bp) and 25 microsatellite loci (12 dinucleotide loci and 13 tetranucleotide loci). Mitochondrial data produced two haplotypes, CC-A2.1 and CC-A3.1, with the most common haplotype being present in seven nests. Microsatellite data revealed the identity of six different females that were involved in the deposition of the eggs in the eight turtle nests analysed. This confirms that two females laid multiple nests. Additionally, microsatellite data allowed for the determination of multiple paternity, with one clutch being sired by two fathers. These results are useful for monitoring the genetic diversity of loggerhead sea turtle nestlings and of the turtle mothers and fathers contributing to future turtle offspring, which rely on Maltese sandy beaches for their successful start to life. Effective conservation management benefits from merging scientific knowledge with effective measures at potential nesting sites to avoid losses of nestlings caused by human negligence. Full article