Ritienne Gauci

There is no country which is not obviously in a hundred ways governed … by its physical geography and conditions. But there is more than one difficulty or danger in discussing them. Commonplace hovers all round the edges of the subjects; and moreover, in setting out the consequences of natural agencies, it is hard to know where to stop.

This volume offers a first comprehensive geography of peninsulas, in which 'almost islands' serve as windows onto how peninsularity shapes politics, identity,

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are essential for preserving marine biodiversity; yet they face challenges from various human pressures, including vessel activities. This study examines the extent, spatial distribution, and temporal variability of vessel activity within the Southwest Marine Protected Area (MT101), a Natura 2000 site off the Maltese Islands, with the aim of identifying where and to what degree different vessel categories overlap with protected marine habitats. Using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data spanning 2017–2022, a cumulative, normalised vessel density approach was applied to five vessel types: passenger, fishing, cargo, tanker, and tug and towing vessel, and spatially integrated with the distribution of four Annex I habitat types, including sandbanks, Posidonia oceanica meadows, reefs, and sea caves. The analysis reveals distinct spatial and temporal hotspots of vessel presence, with passenger and fishing vessels showing consistently high overlap with ecologically sensitive habitats, particularly within bay areas and along sections of the MPA boundary, while cargo, tanker, and tug activities are more concentrated offshore. While direct ecological impacts were not quantified and vessel density serves as a proxy for potential pressure, the results highlight areas where vessel-related pressures are likely to be most pronounced and where management intervention is most urgently required. By linking long-term vessel activity patterns with habitat distribution, this study delivers a spatially explicit and transferable framework for assessing cumulative maritime pressures, providing an evidence base to support targeted, habitat-specific management measures, improved enforcement, and marine spatial planning within MPAs.

The dislodgement and transportation of boulders on rocky coasts by storm waves has been the subject of an increasing number of studies in the last decade. Research has been approached from different perspectives, such as numerical models that hindcast wave heights that produce movement, structural control on boulder production, and innovative monitoring and change detection techniques. However, the complex dynamics between boulders and wave forces that determine boulder mobility remain insufficiently understood.This ongoing study aims to document instances of boulder displacement and quantify their frequency over a two-year observation period. Monitoring is being conducted at three coastal sites across the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean): one in Qawra (northern coast) and two in Marsascala (southern coast). Data acquisition is conducted periodically using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with subsequent 3D model reconstruction performed using Agisoft Metashape. Each newly generated model is compared to its predecessor to detect changes in boulder positions.Observed boulder movement is evaluated based on key parameters including size, morphology, initial location, displacement distance, and direction of transport. These transport events are then correlated with wave conditions recorded during the interval between successive UAV surveys.Preliminary findings from the first six-month monitoring phase at Qawra are being presented here. These results suggest that boulder mobility is influenced by a combination of factors, including boulder morphometry and location, coastal topography, wave energy, and wave direction relative to shoreline orientation.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are essential for preserving marine biodiversity, yet they face challenges from various human pressures, including vessel activities. This study applies a cumulative, normalized vessel density approach across multiple habitat types to examine the impact of maritime activities on the Southwest Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Malta, known as MT101. Vessel activities, including anchoring, mooring, and discharge, pose significant threats to benthic habitats such as sandbanks and seagrass meadows. Despite protective measures, vessels continue to frequent these MPAs, raising concerns about habitat degradation. Using data spanning from 2017 to 2022, this research analyses vessel density distribution and its implications for marine habitats within MPA MT101. The results show the cumulative vessel presence, with passenger and fishing vessels showing consistent high presence along bay areas, and on sensitive habitats such as Posidonia meadows and reefs. While the ecological effects have not been directly measured here, the analysis highlights spatial and temporal hotspots where pressures are likely to be most pronounced, offering a basis for targeted management and monitoring. Proposed mitigation measures include enhanced enforcement of MPA regulations and habitat-specific management strategies. By integrating vessel activity patterns with habitat distribution, this methodological framework provides a transferable tool for assessing cumulative pressures and has direct policy relevance for marine spatial planning and targeted MPA management. The findings emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems within MPA MT101. This study contributes valuable insights into the understanding of vessel impacts on MPAs and provides guidance for conservation and management strategies in similar marine environments globally.

Coastal boulder deposits (CBD) found on rocky coasts are considered as the result of erosional and depositional processes by waves. These features are often attributed to extreme wave events such as major storms or tsunamis. Interest in their origin has increased considerably in the past 2 decades, especially after the 2004 and 2011 tsunamigenic events. This study attempts to review the literature available on this topic so far within the context of the Mediterranean region. This study shows how the main aims of research evolved from early descriptive works that tried to identify the causative source or event of boulder transport: storm or tsunami, to more specific evaluation of storm-induced transportation events and testing numerical models. Different methodologies used, as well as technological advances that facilitated data collection and observations, are also discussed. Finally, the study proposes future research directions to address gaps in knowledge relative to coastal erosion and identification of coastal hazards from flooding and inundation.

The Island of Malta is characterized by a great variety of landscapes and landforms, including a wide range of features with great geological and geomorphological interest. The inventory and assessment of geosites can contribute to the preservation, protection, and promotion of this rich geodiversity. Furthermore, geosites hold considerable potential to attract geotourists, thereby contributing to local economic development. Tourism direct contribution to national GDP is one the highest among European countries, thus tourism plays for the Maltese Islands. Despite this, geotourism remains an underexplored resource, yet it has the potential to play a significant role in the local economy. This study aims to highlight the role of geoheritage and geotourism as resources for advancing sustainable tourism and geoconservation in the southern sector of Malta. This area presents significant opportunities for geotourism development. The study involved the inventory and quantitative assessment of potential geosites using widely recognized methodologies tailored to the local context. The analysis identified 18 potential geosites that can be recognized as both part of the Maltese natural heritage and tourist resources. Among these, four key geosites were identified as priorities for inclusion in a potential geotourism route, which also integrates nearby cultural heritage features. Additionally, the assessment methodology — applied for the first time in the investigated area — has proven to be a valuable support for geosite identification and can be extended to other Maltese sectors.

Extreme meteorological events, such as medicanes, are increasingly recognized as key drivers of geomorphic transformation along rocky coastlines. This study explores the response of coastal boulder deposits in Malta to Medicane Helios, focusing on detachment, displacement, and the role of localized geomorphic vulnerabilities.Medicane Helios, originating over the North African coast, intensified as it traversed the central Mediterranean, reaching Malta on February 9–10, 2023. Its passage was marked by torrential rainfall, gale-force winds, and intense wave energy that reshaped the coastal landscape. While studies often generalize the effects of such storms, this research emphasizes micro-scale interactions between wave energy and specific geomorphic features, including solution hollows and structural joints.Field observations and aerial surveys using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were conducted pre- and post-event, providing data for 3D terrain models. The analysis revealed significant movement of boulders, including rotational displacement and intertidal reconfiguration, previously unreported during other extreme events in the region. The findings highlight not just the physical redistribution of clasts but also newly exposed erosional features, such as abrasion marks and scree accumulations.By drawing parallels with other medicanes, the study underscores the increasing vulnerability of Mediterranean coastal zones to intensified storm impacts. These results emphasize the necessity of integrating localized geomorphic assessments with broader climate models to develop effective coastal defence strategies. The outcomes have broader implications for understanding the resilience of coastal systems to future climatic stressors.

The island of Malta, despite its small size, boasts a great variety of landscapes and landforms, offering a wide range of geological and geomorphological features of great interest. The identification and assessment of geosites can contribute to the preservation, protection, and promotion of this rich geodiversity. In addition, geosites have a high potential of attracting geotourists, thus also contributing to the development of the local economy. Tourism plays a key role for the Maltese Islands, with Malta’s tourism direct contribution to GDP being among the highest in Europe. Thus, geotourism could represent a significant resource for Malta, though it has yet to receive the attention and recognition it deserves. Within this framework, this work aims to highlight the role of geoheritage and geotourism as potential resources for the enhancement of sustainable tourism and geoconservation in the southern sector of Malta. This region of Malta receives less visitors compared with the northern sector of the island, which is popular for its sandy beaches. To this end, potential geosites were inventoried and quantitatively assessed using a commonly applied methodology tailored to the local setting. The results of this evaluation let to identify 18 potential geosites that can be recognized as both parts of the Maltese natural heritage and tourist resources. Among these 18 sites, we identified four priority geosites which could be incorporated into a potential geotourism route to also highlight the valuable elements of the cultural heritage located in the vicinity. Moreover, the assessment methodology, applied for the first time in the investigated area, has proven to be a valuable support for geosite identification and can be extended to other Maltese regions.