Nature in Gozo, a BirdLife Malta publication detailing the flora and fauna of Gozo and featuring a plethora of colour photographs, was launched yesterday by Rural Affairs and the Environment Minister George Pullicino at the Natural History Museum in Mdina.

During the presentation of the book, nature expert Guido Lanfranco, who has himself authored several books on nature, provided a critical evaluation of the publication. Mr Lanfranco said “This book is meant to show the flora and fauna of the island of Gozo, to be recognised and appreciated and protected before it is too late. This publication brings to the fore the fear that since Gozo is a small island, there is a greater danger of habitats being lost with all they sustain, because a hasty step in development or one encroachment too many will constitute a greater percentage loss in relation to available habitat area, than if the same thing happened in a bigger country.”

The publication consists of three main sections. The first is penned by Joe Sultana, ornithologist and author of several publications related to the local natural environment.

The following section of the book details the variety of floral species one can find in Gozo. Edwin Lanfranco, who has been involved in the field of botany and conservation since the 1960s, writes about more than 160 species and each is presented with an accompanying photograph.

The final section of the book presents 130 species of fauna, also with accompanying reference photographs. This latter section is co-authored by John J. Borg, principal curator at the National Museum of Natural History, and Mr Sultana.

Nature in Gozo was also launched at the Gozo Ministry, during a separate presentation the same evening.

The publication is a must for all nature lovers and admirers of Malta’s natural heritage. It can be bought from BirdLife Malta’s offices, the nature reserves of Ghadira and Simar, shops around the islands, and the shop at the Natural History Museum in Mdina. To order a copy, call on 2134-7644/5 during office hours or visit www.birdlife malta.org