In this topic we're going to delve deeper into Maltese habitats. We're also going to see why rubble walls and posidonia are so important for their habitat. Knowing more about the environment we're living in makes us take care of and appreciate it much more! Let's go!
The lessons covered in this unit are: 1. Sampling techniques 2. Local habitats on the land 3. Rubble walls 4. Local habitats with water 5. Posidonia oceanica 6. Human impacts on the environment 7. Conservation practices |
1. SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
🡺 I can state the relevance of using a sampling technique.
🡺 I can use quadrats as a sampling technique. If we want to know what kind of plants and animals are in a particular habitat, and how many there are of each species, it is usually impossible to go and count each and every one. This problem is usually solved by taking a number of samples from around the habitat, making the assumption that these samples are representative of the habitat in general. A quadrat is often used to sample species. Quadrats are square frames of wire usually 0.25 m2. They may contain further wires to mark off smaller areas inside. These are placed on the ground to look at the plants or slow-moving animals within them. It marks off an exact area so that the plants in that area can be identified and counted. Sampling can be done in two ways: Random sampling The quadrat must be placed at random locations. Systematic sampling This method is used if there is a pattern across the habitat. This could be a pattern of plants that changes with distance from the beach, or up a hillside. |
2. LOCAL HABITATS ON THE LAND
🡺 I can identify different local habitats including garigue, valleys, cultivated fields and woodland.
There are many habitats in the Maltese Islands. Here are the four most common ones. GARIGUE Garigue is one of the main natural habitats in Malta. It is an open rocky area with many holes in the ground in which one can find a thin layer of soil. Plants are usually low-lying, aromatic bushes, like the Mediterranean thyme. WOODLAND In the past, Malta was covered with woodland. Today, this habitat can only be found in a few places in Malta. Plants growing here are large bushes and trees. Some of the Holm Oaks are estimated to be over 500 years old. VALLEYS Valleys are areas with steep sides. They can be either dry or with a stream passing through. Dry valleys were made in the past, when larger rivers were found in Malta. Many species of plants grow on the valley sides (such as Maltese Spurge and Rosemary) and on the valley floor (such as Carob and Lentisk trees) CULTIVATED FIELDS 50% of Malta is made up of fields that are used for growing crops or rearing animals during different times of the year. Many times chemicals (like pesticides and fertilisers) are used to help to grow crops. During the time these fields aren’t being used, they become covered with flowers like the Wild Turnip and Poppies. |
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Geo-check!
1. On the table here, tick the statement the habitat refers to.
2. For these species, write down which habitat the following species live in. HOLM OAK A tree which is protected and threatened in the Maltese Islands. It has waxy leaves to minimise water loss. Leaves on the lower branches are spiny, which tend to discourage grazing animals. MEDITERRANEAN THYME Mediterranean Thyme is a small, woody, aromatic, perennial herb, usually found in rocky areas, where it is usually a dominant species. They normally grow to form shrubs. CAROB The carob tree is a Maltese indigenous tree. Although the tree is evergreen it sheds leaves all year round, making the soil beneath it very fertile. It spreads it roots in search of water. SPINELESS CAPER A very common plant in the Maltese Islands. Its flowers emit a delicate sweet aroma to attract potential pollinators, It has a very deep root system, PAINTED FROG It is found in places with a source of freshwater. Adults are carnivorous, and catch their prey using their sticky tongue. MALTESE PYRAMIDAL ORCHID It can only be found in the Maltese Islands, and hence is an endemic species It has scented flowers that vary from white to whitish-pink. TOMATO April is the time when farmers start sowing these to grow into small plants and finally planting them in the open fields |
3. RUBBLE WALLS
🡺 I can identify the importance of rubble walls.
Rubble walls can be seen all over the Maltese Islands. They are usually found separating fields. Although they look like a pile of rocks places on top of each other, it takes a very particular set of skills to build a good rubble wall.
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Geo-check!
1. Draw a poster trying to convince everyone to conserve rubble walls.
a. Write down at least THREE reasons why it is important to conserve the rubble walls.
b. Give at least ONE suggestion the government / the public / farmers could do to convince people to conserve the walls.
a. Write down at least THREE reasons why it is important to conserve the rubble walls.
b. Give at least ONE suggestion the government / the public / farmers could do to convince people to conserve the walls.
4. LOCAL HABITATS WITH WATER
🡺 I can identify different local habitats including freshwater, marine and coast.
Since Malta is an island it has salt water habitats surrounding it. On land, Malta also has a number of areas of freshwater, where different species of plants and animals live. FRESHWATER Freshwater habitats are very scarce in Malta and Gozo. In winter, water collects in small rock pools and freshwater species live here for a short period of time. The Maltese Freshwater Crab can be found in a few areas. This crab is endemic and also almost extinct due to the pollution of water and the drying up of valleys with freshwater pools. COASTAL Coastal areas can be found all along the Maltese Islands. There are many different type of coastal habitats including rocky shores, sandy shores, sand dunes, marshlands and cliffs. Plants and animals here need to be adapted to the salt and wind coming from the sea. MARINE The seafloor is full of algae and sea grasses. These are the perfect environment for a number of species to live in, including fish, snails and crabs. Sometimes species that migrate through the Mediterranean pass very close to the Maltese Islands, such as the Loggerhead sea turtle, Common Bottlenose Dolphin and the Sperm whale. |
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Geo-check!
1. Read the following article and answer the questions below.
a. Should the Maltese be worried about crayfish in the freshwater habitat? b. List two reasons the freshwater habitat in Malta is in danger. c. How did the crayfish end up in this habitat? d. Why for important for this study to be carried out? |
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2. Read the fact file about the Small Periwinkle.
a. What adaptation does the periwinkle have for the summer months? b. What adaptation does the periwinkle have for the winter months? c. Why is it an important adaptation for the periwinkle to stay close to the shore? |
SMALL PERIWINKE
The small periwinkle (Melarhaphe neritoides) is a seasnail. It spends the summer months hiding in cracks on bare rock, in a part of the shore where the sea does not reach. It seals itself up with a protective coating to prevent losing water in the extreme heat during the day. As soon as winter comes, more powerful waves start wetting the area where the snail lives, eventually filling pools in the rocks. This allows the snail to resume its 'normal' lifestyle - moving about, grazing on algae, mating and laying eggs, in time before the dryness returns. It is able to detect its distance away from the sea, and never moves too far away from the seashore. Its source of food is lichens, which also grow in the winter and spring times. |
5. POSIDONIA OCEANICA
🡺 I can identify the importance of Posidonia oceanica.
Posidonia oceanica is a seagrass which is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. It grows in large underwater meadows. Scientist call these meadows the “lungs of the Mediterranean”. When the leaves dry, they are brought to our beaches and form banquettes. This seagrass and its habitat has been protected by the European Union.
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Geo-check!
1. Look at the infographic on this seagrass and answer the questions.
a. Give TWO reasons why so many animals live in Posidonia meadows. b. From the map, write down in which parts of Malta Posidonia is found. c. Why do you think the Posidonia banquettes can only be removed in summer? d. Why do you think machines can’t be used near sand dunes or turtles nests? e. How would you protect Posidonia? |
6. HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
🡺 I can identify positive and negative human impacts on the environment.
Ever since humans have been on earth, the have had an impact on the environment around them. As our numbers grew, and our technology advances, this impact has also grown. There are both positive and negative impacts humans have on our environment. POSITIVE IMPACTS
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
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7. CONSERVATION PRACTICES
🡺 I can describe different conservation practices.
Conservation is the protection of resources for future use and limiting damage to the environment. It is important to try and conserve our resources, including the air, the sea, minerals, soil, energy, trees, wildlife and scenery. Here are a few ways we conserve our environment:
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Geo-check!
1. Imagine you’re a member of a team working for one of the Wildlife Trusts and have been given the task of improving a small nature reserve.
Your aims are to: a. Improve facilities so that wildlife is protected and encouraged b. To improve public access within the reserve c. To improve visitor facilities and help promote enjoyment and understanding for the public You have € 25,000 to spend on any of the options in the table below. You need to decide which you will use and how much will be spent on each one. You can do this on the table itself. Mark what you are going to do on the map on the last page. Write a report for the Project Director giving details to your plan. In your report describe what you propose to do and explain how each of your suggestions will improve the nature reserve. Link your explanations to the three main aims. |