https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144124 2026-09-18T23:31:34Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149252 Title: Understanding sediment transport and deposition in the Liemu and Fiddien catchments Abstract: This study aims to investigate the dynamics of suspended sediment transport and deposition in Liemu and Fiddien catchments. Situated in Rabat and Dingli, these subcatchments form part of the larger Għasel catchment and are known for being predominantly agricultural with dispersed pockets of urban fabric. To achieve the work’s aim, two methods were employed. Firstly, suspended sediment concentrations were measured at three points along the watercourse following precipitation events in order to assess how concentrations vary between sampling points, and with precipitation intensity. Secondly, deposited sediment was quantified at three sites over an area of 113.1 cm2 with the use of a sediment trap in order to obtain estimates for annual deposition rates. Values for suspended sediment concentrations ranged from 1 μgL-1 to 2746 μgL-1. This variability was explained through a combination of geomorphological properties of the areas surrounding the sampling points, and discharge. For deposited sediment, annual sedimentation rates at the chosen deposition sites ranged from 7 kgm-2 to 53 kgm-2 and once again, surrounding geomorphological features affected these values. Additionally, a sieve analysis was carried out on the collected sediment to assess size variations between suspended and deposited sediment and between different sampling points. Deposited sediment contained a larger representation of coarse sediment (>2 mm) while suspended sediment contained a larger percentage of fine sediment. While limited by a short sampling period, this study provides baseline sediment values for Maltese streams, and global IRES where such site-specific values remain scarce. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149251 Title: Promoting sustainable fashion through repair and upcycling : an exploratory study at the University of Malta Abstract: The fast fashion industry is a major driver of environmental pollution with global textile waste emerging as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of modern consumer society. Underlying this crisis is ‘planned obsolescence’, whereby garments are intentionally produced at low-quality to accelerate disposal and replacement. While circular practices like thrifting are gaining traction among younger generations, repair and upcycling practices which are crucial for reducing waste at source, remain largely marginal. This study investigated repair and upcycling behaviours, perceptions and barriers among University of Malta students and tested whether university-led skill-building workshops could foster pro-environmental behavioural change. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed, combining a survey of 153 students, structured workshops and three follow-up focus groups conducted three months later. Results revealed a clear value-action gap: students strongly endorsed repair and upcycling as environmentally and practically valuable, yet engagement remained minimal. Since most already owned basic repair tools, material accessibility was not the primary obstacle. Barriers instead clustered into three dimensions: practical (lack of skills, time and financial resources), structural (dominance of cheap alternatives) and psychological (anticipatory failure anxiety and low self-efficacy). The workshops partially addressed barriers of proximity, time, financial costs and confidence. However, no participants reported independent repair or upcycling activity in the three months following the intervention, indicating the insufficiency of one-off initiatives. This study recommends institutionally-embedded opportunities at both university level and early education, including visible on-campus repair initiatives, curriculum integration through a mandatory ‘Green Skills’ module and targeted digital communication to normalise repair cultures among younger generations. Description: B.sc. (Hons)(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149250 Title: Assessing habitat connectivity and conservation strategies for Brachytrupes megacephalus in Malta Abstract: The Giant Sand Cricket, Brachytrupes megacephalus, is indigenous to the Mediterranean and the Maghrebian Sahara, of conservation concern whose Maltese populations are increasingly threatened by habitat fragmentation. This study assesses the conservation status, habitat connectivity, and spatial distribution of the species across the Għadira population and the fragmented Aħrax metapopulation in northern Malta. Bioacoustic surveys, habitat mapping, direct field observations, and GIS-based spatial analyses are conducted to evaluate population density, dispersal potential, and barriers to movement between habitat patches. Seasonal observations were additionally used to assess temporal shifts in habitat use, while a pilot translocation exercise explores the feasibility of ex-situ population expansion as part of a conservation strategy. Results indicate substantial habitat fragmentation and a reduction in occupied habitat areas, particularly within the Aħrax metapopulation, where several previously recorded sites no longer show evidence of occupation. Habitat suitability is strongly influenced by substrate properties, vegetation density, and exposure to climatic conditions. Physical barriers, including roads, rubble walls, and drainage infrastructure, are seen to restrict connectivity between habitat patches and potentially limit dispersal. In contrast, the Għadira population displays comparatively high local densities, with one specific occupied field containing approximately one burrow per 1.89 m². Seasonal observations suggest redistribution between reserve habitats and adjacent agricultural land, while behavioural observations reveal increased intraspecific competition associated with spatial restriction and habitat degradation. The pilot translocation ex-situ exercise highlights challenges associated with receptor-site suitability and habitat exposure, emphasising the importance of careful site selection in future conservation interventions. Predation pressures, particularly from stray cats, is also identified as an important conservation concern within cricket-occupied habitats. The findings of this study demonstrate the importance of maintaining habitat connectivity, protecting and restoring dune systems, and integrating long-term monitoring with adaptive management strategies. These results provide updated ecological data and evidence-based recommendations to support future conservation planning and long-term persistence of B. megacephalus in Malta. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148728 Title: Understanding temporal dynamics of meteo-marine parameters at the Ċirkewwa Marine Park Abstract: This study investigates the temporal variability of key meteo-marine parameters within the Ċirkewwa Marine Park (ĊMP), Malta, through the integration of in-situ observations and modelled datasets. This site was selected due to its ecological significance and exposure to dynamic coastal processes, providing an appropriate setting to assess atmosphere-ocean interactions. Particular emphasis is placed on subsurface sea temperature variability and the extent to which model outputs accurately represent observed conditions. A multi-method approach was employed, involving the deployment of temperature loggers at depths of 5 m, 10 m, 15 m, and 20 m to collect high-resolution hourly measurements. Following the loss of the 5 m logger, analyses were based on observations from the remaining depths. These measurements were complemented by meteorological parameters, including air temperature, wind speed, and direction, alongside model outputs from the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS). The combined datasets were analysed to evaluate temporal trends, vertical stratification, and the influence of atmospheric forcing on water column dynamics. Results demonstrate clear seasonal variability, with temperatures increasing from early summer to a peak in September, followed by a gradual decline into autumn. A persistent vertical gradient was observed, indicative of stratified conditions, although episodic wind events exceeding 5 m/s promoted short-term mixing and partial disruption of the thermocline. While modelled and observed datasets showed general agreement in near-surface trends, discrepancies became increasingly pronounced with depth, with CMEMS consistently underestimating deeper temperatures. This highlights limitations in the capacity of models to resolve fine-scale coastal processes and vertical structure. However, the study is constrained by its relatively short temporal coverage and limited spatial resolution, which restrict the generalisability of the findings. Despite these limitations, it provides a valuable high-resolution baseline for the ĊMP and underscores the importance of sustained, multi-depth monitoring and rigorous model validation to enhance understanding of coastal dynamics and inform effective marine management strategies. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z