https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/403 2026-07-02T11:31:55Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147682 Title: Quantifying the resilience of coastal phytocoenoses though a trait-based adaptation index Authors: Schmidbauer, Lena; Micallef, Greta; Buhagiar, Joseph; Lanfranco, Sandro Abstract: Coastal ecosystems, particularly in Mediterranean regions, are increasingly threatened by climate change and the associated fluctuations in salinity, temperature and drought. The long-term survivability of coastal phytocoenoses depends on their ability to adapt quickly to these conditions. Current assessment methods, often based on static inventories, may not capture the functional mechanisms. To address this gap, we developed a novel, trait-based ‘Index of Adaptation’, which quantifies how plant communities persist under environmental stress by measuring functional adaptation across sites and stress gradients. We hypothesised that harsher coastal habitats, defined by high abiotic stress, would necessitate a higher degree of local functional adaptation for community survival, reflected in a high index score. For our trait-based approach we quantified key morphological adaptations of coastal halophytes and xerophytes (e.g., leaf area, stomatal dimensions, trichome density, chlorophyll a content, epidermal thickness) during both the peak growing season (wet) and the peak stress season (dry). This temporal comparison is critical for distinguishing plastic responses from constitutive strategies. These data were used to define two metrics: A “Performance Score” (PERF) that quantifies the community’s physiological condition during the harsh summer period. It is calculated from trait values that reflect the capacity to maintain physiological function under stress. A high PERF score indicates a community that "performs" well during the primary annual selection bottleneck. [excerpt] 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147674 Title: Establishing a temporal baseline for vegetation change in Malta’s coastal sand dune systems Authors: Camilleri, Leanne; Lanfranco, Sandro Abstract: Coastal sand dune ecosystems are among the most dynamic and threatened habitats of the Mediterranean, hosting specialised flora that is highly sensitive to environmental pressures and human disturbance. Understanding their long-term vegetation dynamics is essential to evaluate resilience, adaptive capacity, and restoration potential, particularly under the framework of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR). This study analyses temporal shifts in plant species composition in sand dune systems over the past fifty years. [excerpt] 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147673 Title: Thirty years of change : monitoring vegetation dynamics in two Maltese coastal saline marshlands Authors: Puglisevich, Erika; Micallef, Greta; Palii, Paola; Camilleri, Leanne; Schmidbauer, Lena; Lanfranco, Sandro Abstract: Coastal saline marshlands are critically important ecosystems, providing invaluable services including flood mitigation, water purification, and biodiversity support. However, they are among the world's most threatened habitats, facing pressures from coastal development, pollution, and climate change. In microisland states like Malta, where anthropogenic pressure is intense and land resources are scarce, the longterm monitoring of these fragile systems is paramount for effective conservation and management. We present an analysis of vegetation change over a 30-year baseline at two of Malta's key saline marshlands: Għadira s-Safra and Marsaxlokk. The context of these sites is contrasting. Marsaxlokk was reclaimed and restored as a marshland in the early 1990s and still undergoes active management. It is situated within a heavily industrialised and urbanised port complex. Conversely, management practices in Għadira s-Safra have been far more conservative, with less anthropogenic disruption of the site. It was subject to significant pressures up to the 1990s but has since been protected as a nature reserve. We synthesised historical vegetation data from Marsaxlokk (1992) and Għadira s-Safra (1996) and compared them with contemporary surveys from 2022 for both sites. The dataset was further augmented by recent monitoring at Marsaxlokk (2025) and intermediate data from Għadira s-Safra (2002), providing a high-resolution timeline of change. The analysis focused on shifts in plant community composition, the decline or expansion of key indicator species (e.g., halophytes, ruderals), and changes in vegetation zonation. [excerpt] 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147570 Title: Reservoir characterization review in sedimentary basins Authors: Ibekwe, Kelechi N.; Oguadinma, Vivian O.; Okoro, Victory K.; Aniwetalu, Emmanuel; Lanisa, Ademola; Ahaneku, Chibuzo V. Abstract: Evaluating the subsurface characteristics of reservoirs is an important part of gas storage, hydrocarbon exploration, and production in sedimentary basins. This process combines geological, geophysical, and engineering data to understand the subsurface geology, and fluid distribution, determine reserves and predict the fluid movement in the reservoir. And in the case of empty reservoir, the storage capacity, sealing strength is analysed. The primary goal of reservoir characterization is to create a precise and dependable reservoir model to maximize the production procedure and reduce the associated risks of hydrocarbon exploration and production. This review examines different approaches used for reservoir characterization in sedimentary basins, including geological, geophysical, and engineering methods. Each method's advantages and disadvantages are discussed, alongside their uses in different reservoir contexts. The importance of combining multiple lines of evidence to enhance the accuracy of the reservoir models is also examined. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z