A survey conducted early last year showed that many Europeans do not understand what is meant by biodiversity. Malta was no exception, with 53 per cent of respondents saying that they had heard of the term, although only 18 per cent actually thought they knew what it meant. Over the past year, following an awareness campaign and a number of educational initiatives carried out by Mepa, the figures seem to have improved slightly, but there still exists a high percentage that do not appear to have even heard of the term ‘biodiversity’ at all.

Biodiversity, which is the rich variety of life that exists on our planet and ensures our survival, concerns all species of plants and animals, as well as people. It encompasses the whole of the natural world, not just the rare or the endangered.

Biodiversity is important globally and our quality of life depends on it. It is indispensable for the production of food and medicine. It is central to economic prosperity and good health. It provides psychological and social benefits, and is essential for agriculture, recreation, tourism and many other sectors. Human well-being depends on a healthy physical environment.

The main threats to biodiversity are caused by human actions that include pollution, the spread of invasive species, unsustainable fishing or agricultural practices and land or water use among others. All these actions destroy, fragment or degrade habitats.

Global trade and transport make it possible for invasive, alien species to spread at an unprecedented rate. New species can wreak havoc on our environment and are a growing concern in Malta. There are many examples of this in Malta, ranging from the spread of the South African Cape Sorrel (il-ħaxixa Ingliża) throughout the Mediterranean since the early 20th century, to the more recent invasion of the Asian Red Palm Weevil, an insect that has spread over the last few years in the Mediterranean region, with devastating consequences on palm trees.

Healthy ecosystems are essential for the maintenance of soil fertility and agriculture, including pollinators, which are important for producing fruit and seed. Important microhabitats also exist in rubble walls, in the borders of roads and fields, and in watercourses, rocks and cliffs. Green open spaces in urban areas can provide a variety of habitats in towns and villages.

The importance of our Maltese xagħri landscape, which includes ‘garigue’, is increasingly appreciated as part of our national identity. It plays a role in replenishing the water table and contains an immense diversity of animal and plant life. It forms the basis of our natural heritage, with endemic species known nowhere else in the world, and is linked to traditional foods, herbs and spices, honey, medicine and folklore.

Today, every effort is being made by Mepa to ensure that outside development zones remain free from any type of development which can be accommodated within the development boundaries. Over the past months, the Mepa board has taken many bold decisions in this respect to stop the sprawl of development in ODZ areas.

Big strides have been made in recent years in the conservation of important habitats and species, including awareness campaigns and various initiatives led by both government and environmental NGOs. The promotion of native species of trees and shrubs in specific sites, and their use in restoration projects, is significant. Mepa has also planted various rare and endangered native tree species in its own gardens in Floriana.

So far, insufficient scientific knowledge and data is available on the status of many species and habitats in Malta. Nonetheless, Mepa has worked on a number of important habitats and species, and on the basis of information gathered it has designated a large swathe of Maltese countryside as protected, specifically because of the importance of the habitats and species known to be present in these areas.

These protected areas are also recognised internationally as part of European natural heritage, and are protected under European legislation as part of the Natura 2000 network of sites. Mepa has recently secured €3.4 million from EU funds to draw up management plans for all these protected sites. These plans will provide a framework that will help assure the long-term conservation of the species present in these areas.

Mepa has also designated Marine Protected Areas, which were partly chosen because of the Posidonia sea-grass meadows (mergħat tal-alka) located within their boundaries, which provide food and shelter for a variety of marine species.

The Environment Protection Directorate at Mepa oversees the carrying out of environmental impact assessments on proposals for large projects. Over the last 10 years or so, this procedure has helped to highlight potential threats to biodiversity in development proposals. Today, more than ever before, more development planning applications are passed on to the environment protection directorate for screening and assessment.

However, there is still much hard work that needs to be done to halt biodiversity loss in Malta. These concerns must be integrated into policies and action in all sectors, promoting the protection of biodiversity throughout the community.

Maltese participants in the EU survey ranked among those who were most convinced that the protection of biodiversity was important for well-being and quality of life but also as a moral obligation.

One of the aims of ‘Biodiversity Day’ is to raise awareness on the meaning and importance of biodiversity – in short, the diversity of life on earth. Our biodiversity faces significant challenges and threats, and we must strive to ensure the continued survival of native and endemic species and their habitats in Malta, both on land and at sea.

Dr Bianchi is the Malta Environment and Planning Authority’s Director for Environment Protection