Investigating the potential expansion of Quercus ilex (holm oak) forest remnant patches on Malta

Abstract

Ecological restoration projects, carried out for both the benefit of the ecology and the public‟s well-being, are highly complex; merging into various environmental, social and economic dimensions. This study provides an indepth assessment of the four forest remnants on Malta with the intention to provide ideas to improve and enhance their situation and allow connectivity between patches. The mapping results show that these areas are highly influenced through agricultural practices and its abandonment, leading to numerous impacts on the abiotic and biotic factors present here. The need for ecological restoration projects is thereby needed to counteract these negative effects. However projects may be restrained by many issues, the conceptual framework proposed identifies the issues which would need to be tackled in order to move forward with the projects implementation. Finally, six ideas for the expansion of the Q. ilex forest remnants and the enhancement of these fragmented habitats are proposed.