Valleys : taking Wied is-Sewda as a case study.

Abstract

"A valley (or wied) can be conveniently defined as a depression of the land surface formed as a result of erosion mostly by the passage of water or land movements and usually containing running water during some time of the year" (Sonya Vella, MCST, Water Network). The depth, width and length of valleys strengthen these hypotheses. The catchment causes a watercourse of a valley. The catchment area or drainage basin is an area made of ridges and land at a higher level. This serves as a natural basin where rainfall and consequently runoff is directed to the watercourse which is basically a water channel along which there is movement of water in the form of a stream or river. "Infact watercourse can be defined as a natural or man-made open channel on the land surface through or along which water may flow" (Sonya Vella MCST Vlater Netvvork). There are about 100km of of main watercourse in Malta and about double that amount in minor tributaries. Most of the Maltese Valleys are appropriately called river valleys because of watercourses actively occurred a long period of time. Different influences have reduced water flow, but the rivers have left behind the legacy of life, both natural and artificial, that water always generates. This is why valleys remain a very important part of Malta's natural, social and cultural history. The sloping sides have led to agricultural activities, the watercourse to very fertile land supporting ecological systems, which all combined, have resulted in a characteristic landscape particular to our islands. The importance of valleys can be summarised as below: 1. They are habitats of great ecological value due to the amount of flora and fauna they support, sometimes finding rare and endangered and indigenous species. 2. They are important water resources where aquifer replenishment is enhanced. 3. Their channel or watercourse along which water is carried prevents flooding over flat land. 4. Valleys enable storage of water temporarily or permanently to be used for agriculture. 5. They collect eroded soil. 6. They usually possess cultural, historical and archaeological heritage. 7. They have a recreational value for tourism and locals alike. 8. They have beautiful aesthetic values. These valuable assets have been exploited completely by human activities which has led to negative influence and sometimes resulted in undesired effects which are detrimental to public health either directly or indirectly and thus pose concern. So with this in mind, I asked my tutor which valley would be best to investigate, in order to note processes and activities practised, identify the hazards they pose and remedial measures taken and further recommendations possible. Our choice fell on 'Wied is-Sewda' and thus this thesis is going to observe how and why human influence has affected it through the valley of time based on the fact that the population of Qormi has increased tremendously throughout the years. In fact a publication of the Central Office of Statistics states that the population of Qormi stood at 17,848 on the 31st of December 1997. The increase in population poses greater pressures on this valley that passes through the village core and that the same damage affects not only the same population but is also wide-spread to many surroundings towns and villages.