Title:  Human ‘Presence’  on Coastal Areas

Location:  Bugibba, or any of these:  Marsascala, Marsaxlokk, Birzebbuga or Sliema.

Aims:

• To observe and investigate the human influence on particular coastal areas.

  Equipment:

• Camera

• Maps

 Method:    

1. Choose a coastal area.  This should preferably be in the East of Malta where the human presence is more prominent.  This is because this side is low lying and thus more accessible.

2. Prepare a list of indicators that you would use during your observations.

3. Prepare also a key for these indicators so that it would be easier for you to map the indicators.

4. By walking slowly very close to the coastal area chosen (the promenade would be ideal), identify any features that indicate human presence.

5. These are some indicators of human presence:  parts of shore covered in concrete, slipways, benches, ladders, beach concessions, etc.

6. Using the key you prepared beforehand, map all these features on the map.

7. After the field session is carried out, write a report on the features you observed.  These questions might help you in your analysis:

• Is the human influence very present in this area?

• How can this influence be seen?  (mention all the indicators)

• Why are these used?

• How did these features modify the natural environment?

• Are there any areas which have been completely modified to accommodate the human needs?

• Are there any possible land-use conflicts between the natural areas and the modified areas?

  Conclusion:

• Write a report on all your observations.

• The questions above can help you in organising your observations.

  Further tips:

• In your report, include a map showing the location of the area studied and a detailed site map.

• Make sure that the map showing human presence has a clear key and a suitable title.

• You can include photographs in your report as long as they are well annotated and referenced to in the text.

Recommendations:

• The localities mentioned in this fieldwork (Bugibba, Marsascala, Marsaxlokk, Birzebbuga or Sliema), have been chosen because they are amongst the coastal areas that are mostly influenced by human activities.  Similar sites in Gozo include Marsalforn and Xlendi Bay.

• You can also choose another site which is not mentioned in this list.  However, make sure before you start working on your fieldwork that the key indicators to be studied in such fieldwork are present and easily accessible!