ISAT/Geog Study Abroad In Malta 2006
2006 Field Study Projects
TITLE
Reforestation on Mellieha Bay
ABSTRACT
The project considers the reforestation of Mellieha Bay, an area on the northern part of the island republic of Malta. This project, which has been ongoing for the past three years, is administered by the Ministry for Resources and BirdLife, a Maltese Environmental NGO. The site is a large slope that overlooks Mellieha Bay, Malta's largest sandy bay, and possibly the most popular beach for tourists and locals. The area is divided into seven sectors, all of which are roughly the same size and relatively large where sector one is the area of most concern for the project. Approximately 9,000 trees and shrubs of about 15 different species have been planted throughout the area. The focus of this project for us is to organize the data and create a data framework or reference tool for future studies. This will be accomplished with ArcView and previous information in AutoCAD by creating various layers consisting of location of every tree or shrub and then adding information about the slope and wind velocity at different parts up the site. Information regarding the type, height, girth, branching, signs of new growth, and a general physical description, and picture of each tree will be provided in a framework. These data will provide the beginning of a comprehensive reference tool to monitor and study the vegetation over many years. This will then allow for the assessment of the trees and shrubs so it can be determined how well the environment is responding.
TEAM
Megan Cuzzolino, Geog '06
Brian LaShier, ISAT '08
Sonja Long, ISAT Grad '06
Diana Martin, ISAT '08
SPONSORS/ADVISORS
Dr. Tano Rolé, Lecturer, Institute of Agriculture, Malta
Mr. Antoine Gatt, Landscape Architect, Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Malta
Mr. Ray Veela, Warden, BirdLife, Malta
Dr. Bob Kolvoord, Professor, ISAT, JMU
FINAL PRESENTATION (PDF)
