https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/70712 2026-05-31T19:28:07Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/74380 Title: The identification of an initial selection of potential prime butterfly areas for Malta : a landscape approach Abstract: Centrally located within the Mediterranean, the Maltese Islands form part of an ecological linkage that bridges the African and European continents. The impoverished butterfly fauna that characterizes these islands is the product of both natural and anthropogenic root causes. The small islands state's unrelenting development phase in the last decades and global warming may possibly be exacerbating pressures, further altering butterfly microhabitat conditions and consequently species behaviour and distribution. The singular findings of Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) and Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) - butterflies that are probably risking extinction at a local level, in this study, corroborate this state of affairs. This evolving scenario is thus an unambiguous admonition that safeguarding local butterfly fauna has become an urgent conservation priority. In this context, this study outlines a novel methodology for determining core butterfly habitats, within this central Mediterranean archipelago's landscapes, based upon the evaluation of site physical and ecological criteria with a view to identifying and suitably managing local Prime Butterfly Areas (PBAs). For this scope, the study considered the following attributes: the mean butterfly species count per visit and assemblage structure; characterising vegetation assemblages; topographical elements - aspect, slope and height and, land cover and associated pressures, within ten candidate study sites. The research suggests that butterfly activity and numbers depend upon consumable and non-consumable resources within their habitat range and proposes four local study sites: Qormi (Wied Qirda); /mgieban/Tal-Mignuna Area; Banrija and Lapsi for PBA designation. A set of recommendations is additionally, being set forth with a vision to make the eventual establishment and the operational aspect of a local PBA network in the Maltese archipelago, successful. Description: M.ENV.MANGT.&PLANNING 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/73523 Title: Waste management of pharmaceuticals in the local environment Abstract: Pharmaceuticals have been classified as emerging pollutants, affecting non-target organisms following exposure to these chemicals in the environment. The risks of pharmaceuticals are, to date, not fully understood. Evidence of adverse environmental effects, including male fish feminisation, and awareness about the fate and effects of phannaceuticals in the environment indicate that a precautionary approach needs to be adopted, in order to reduce the release of phannaceuticals into the environment. The scope of this study was to determine the level of environmental commitment from regulatory bodies, as well as to understand the level of awareness across different stakeholders on pharmaceuticals in the local environment, and what is being done in terms of legislation and enforcement. A desk study of European and local legislation regulating environmental pollution in the aquatic and terrestrial environments was performed. As a result, gaps that fail to address pharmaceutical environmental pollution in legislation and management action were identified. Furthermore, semi-structured interviews or questionnaires were used to collect data from 53 representatives of government bodies, health professionals and a spokesperson for a state hospital. The views from the general public were also evaluated, with data collected through 300 questionnaires. Pharmaceutical waste management practices currently in place indicate that there are both legislative and managerial gaps relating to the effective management of this waste stream. Results indicate a general lack of infonnation across stakeholders on the proper way to dispose of pharmaceuticals, except within pharmaceutical industries. Even though the government has established civic amenity sites that are able to accept pharmaceuticals from household waste, only few use this service. 51 % and 75% of the population of civil society dispose of liquid medicine and solid medicine respectively in the municipal solid waste bin. Although appropriate management and disposal is evidently needed, the research also raised several questions about local waste management throughout the life cycle of these products, with no apparent solution to the problem of their long-term disposal. Description: M.ENV.MANGT.&PLANNING 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z