Evaluation of the potential for biodiversity conservation on private land in the Maltese islands

Abstract

Biodiversity conservation on private lands is attracting increasing attention, given its potential to halt biodiversity loss and improve landscape connectivity worldwide. The aim of this dissertation was to explore the potential for such conservation on private lands in the Maltese islands. Among other things, the study considered the extent to which private land is currently considered in biodiversity plans and initiatives, the practices and views of a sample of private landowners, whose land falls within a Special Areas of Conservation, and the perspectives of selected stakeholders. Purposive sampling and standardized, open-ended interviews were used for this purpose. Results indicate that consideration of private lands in conservation strategies is presently marginal. Practices and views of both landowners and other stakeholders were found to vary, but most agreed on the important role that private lands play in conservation. Several landowners were interested in maintaining conservation-friendly practices but emphasized costs involved, with many noting lack of support as a significant constraint. Several respondents were in favour of provision of training, incentive measures and land easements, among other options, with both financial support and other support schemes considered positively. However, key limitations were also identified, most notably the lack of a comprehensive land registry system in the Maltese islands. The results also suggest the necessity of monitoring the management needs of owners of land that is of biodiversity value, and the importance of training landowners to value such biodiversity. There is also evident potential to better organize networks of landowners to build capacities.