https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37508 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:16:11 GMT 2026-04-07T05:16:11Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37623 Title: The Għadira Reserve : physico-chemical characteristics of the pool Authors: Hili, Carmel; Axiak, Victor; Schembri, Patrick J. Abstract: The Għadira Reserve is the largest saline marshland in the Maltese Islands. It is a protected bird sanctuary and a review of its development may be found in Sultana (1990) and a more detailed description of the area is given in Borg et al. (1990) This paper will present data on the physico-chemical parameters in the waters of this marsh as recorded from four fixed stations over a period of one year (May 1985 - April 1986). The purpose of this investigation was to provide information to the ecological study of the Ghadira pool (Borg et al., 1989) and thus to contribute towards the basic environmental information which is essential for the correct management of such reserved areas. The present Ghadira marsh complex consists of a central pool with a number of small artificial 'islands' (Figure 1). The pool is surrounded by a embankment and a ditch to limit public access to the area. Furthermore, the ditch was designed to collect rainwater and drain it into a freshwater reservoir constructed on the west side of the pool at the farthest side from the sea. This reservoir was to supply the central pool with enough water throughout the year and thereby to prevent its drying up during the summer months (Axell, 1980). The Ghadira marsh complex is separated from the sea (Mellieha Bay) by a road and a narrow sandy beach which together are approximately 100m wide. Mon, 01 Jan 1990 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37623 1990-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37622 Title: Ecology of the Ghadira pool macrofauna (Għadira Nature Reserve, Maltese Islands, Central Mediterranean) Authors: Borg, Mark J.; Schembri, Patrick J.; Axiak, Victor Abstract: Sediment and water samples were collected quantitatively from three stations in the pool within the Ghadira Nature Reserve at monthly intervals over a period of 12 months (May 1985-April 1986). The macrofauna within these samples was sorted into species and counted to provide estimates of population density and abundance, and of their fluctuation with season. Five species dominated the samples: Ventrosia ventrosa (Gastropoda), Cerastodennaglaucum (Bivalvia),Orchestiagammarellus(Amphipoda),Lekanesphaerahookerimediterranea (Isopoda) and the larvae of an unidentified species of Chironomidae (Diptera). Other species present in lower numbers included: Truncatellasubcylindrica(Gastropoda),Ovatellamyosotis(Gastropoda), Gammarus aequicauda (Amphipoda), larvae of Sratiomys longicomis and an unidentified species of Syrphidae (Diptera), four different species of Hydrophilidae (Coleoptera), and the fish Liza ramada and Aphanius fasciatus. Mon, 01 Jan 1990 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37622 1990-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37620 Title: CENTRO : volume 1 : issue 5 Editors: Axiak, Victor Abstract: Table of contents: 1/ SULTANA, J. - An introduction to the Ghadira Nature Reserve -- 2/ HILI, C., AXIAK, V., SCHEMBRI, P. J. - The Ghadira Reserve: physico-chemical characteristics of the pool -- 3/ BORG, M. J., SCHEMBRI, P. J., AXIAK, V. - Ecology of the Ghadira pool macrofauna (Ghadira Nature Reserve, Maltese Island, Central Mediterranean) -- 4/ GAUCI, C. - The avifauna of the Ghadira Nature Reserve -- 5/ LANFRANCO, E. - The vegetation of the Ghadira Nature Reserve Mon, 01 Jan 1990 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37620 1990-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37584 Title: The avifauna of the Ghadira Nature Reserve Authors: Gauchi, Charles Abstract: The Għadira Nature Reserve covers an area of about six acres of saltmarsh and has a protective, no-shooting zone of SOOm radius around it Excavation work, consisting of the removal of several tons of soil and the formation of islands in an open shallow pool, started in May 1980 and was continued for another three consecutive summers. A ditch was cut around the reserve, except on the seaward side. The soil excavated from the ditch was used to build an embankment running alongside it. The embankment has been successfully planted with Bianca Atriplex halimus on the outer part over-hanging the ditch. Several species of trees, but mostly tamarisk, Tamarix sp., have been planted on and below the embankment. No planting has been carried out on the islands and natural colonisation has been taking place at a fast rate. Mon, 01 Jan 1990 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37584 1990-01-01T00:00:00Z