Agriculture in subsidence structures : lessons for disused quarries : the case study of Hofret ir-Rizz

Abstract

Post-war Malta has undergone rapid population growth and urbanisation. This process resulted in increased quarrying activity and subsequent reduction in space available for agricultural land. Urban settlement sprawl should have induced the local farmer to seek alternative ways to maximise the limited land available for cultivation. Considering this process, disused quarries could provide an attraction in creating further agricultural space. Agriculture is a traditional a:fteruse for disused quarries in Malta. However, there are no regulations, guidelines or frameworks on how to maximise the benefit derived from quarry rehabilitation into agriculture. Subsidence structures have long attracted agriculture because of features considered beneficial to agriculture. Given the structural similarity, an agricultural study on subsidence structures can help to define and recommend a number of suggestions, that can be then used for agricultural practices in a quarry. This dissertation examines the possibility of rehabilitating quarries by analysing the agricultural potential of subsidence structures. A particular subsidence structure, Hofret ir-Rizz, has been taken as a case study. Evaluation and analysis of arable agriculture in this area is carried out to determine whether this type of agriculture can be applied for the rehabilitation of disused quarries and for already rehabilitated quarries. The discussion therefore, puts forward suggestions on the type of agricultural practices in a quarry, deriving from the study of a subsidence structure.