Abstract
In recent years, several trends have emerged that impact human lives in Malta. Some of these trends include an increase in construction activity and a heightened incidence of health conditions or illnesses, such as asthma. These trends may be justified through a multitude of reasons, but a number of factors that contribute to these trends have been identified. These factors mainly involve the weakening of the human-nature connection and illustrate how humans are becoming increasingly isolated from nature and biodiversity. This paper presents a local analysis of the abundance and unique biodiversity present on the Maltese islands and the extent to which the local adult population regard local biodiversity as integral to their health and personal well-being. Additionally, the study aims to identify gaps in knowledge and to address these gaps through transformative educational campaigns. Finally, the paper also discusses the role of higher education institutions in achieving these changes. Through the research findings, a number of recommendations are suggested to increase awareness on the links between human health and biodiversity. The results of this research will also help policy makers in the health and environmental sectors to ensure the effectiveness of efforts to increase awareness through a variety of ways including educational campaigns. This paper will be useful to anyone interested in making the link between human health and biodiversity more apparent through the application of research by Higher Education Institutions whilst fostering a transformative approach.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Aenab AM, Singh SK, Lafta AJ (2013) Critical assessment of air pollution by ANOVA test and human health effects. Atmos Environ 71:84–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.01.039
Balzan M, Cibella F, Ruggieri S, Bilocca D, Drago C, Zammit C, Viegi G et al (2012) Prevalence of allergic respiratory diseases in school children (age 11–14) in Malta and Sicily. In: Operational CROSS-BORDER PROGRAM Italia-Malta 2007–2013, p 1
Barton J, Pretty J (2010) What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis. Environ Sci Technol 44(10):3947–3955. https://doi.org/10.1021/es903183r
Calcerano F, Martinelli L (2016) Numerical optimisation through dynamic simulation of the position of trees around a stand-alone building to reduce cooling energy consumption. Energ Build 112:234–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.12.023
Castillo-Montoya M (2016) Preparing for interview research: the interview protocol refinement framework. Qual Rep 21(5):811–831. Retrieved from https://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol21/iss5/2
Chinnasamy J, Daniels J (2019) The role of universities and educators in developing and implementing sustainable developmental goals. Andragoška Spoznanja 25(3):47–60. https://doi.org/10.4312/as.25.3.47-60
Currie J, Graff Zivin J, Meckel K, Neidell M, Schlenker W (2013) Something in the water: contaminated drinking water and infant health. Can J Econ 46(3):791–810. https://doi.org/10.1111/caje.12039
Deidun A (2008, September 7) The best use for “disused land.” In: The times of Malta. Retrieved from https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/36498
Deidun A (2010) Challenges to the conservation of biodiversity on Small Islands: the case of the Maltese Islands. Int J Arts Sci 3(February 2004):175–187. http://malta.academia.edu/ALANDEIDUN/Papers/303618/Biodiversity_conservation_challenges_on_small_islands
Dodds WK (2007) Trophic state, eutrophication and nutrient criteria in streams. Trends Ecol Evol 22(12):669–676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2007.07.010
Drago G, Balzan M, Ruggieri S, Bilocca D, Zammit C, Colombo P, Cibella F et al (2013) 10–15 years old children living in Malta are at higher risk for developing allergic respiratory diseases than those living in Southern Sicily. In: Operational cross-border program Italia-Malta 2007–2013, p 1
Eilam E, Trop T (2012) Environmental attitudes and environmental behavior-which is the horse and which is the cart? Sustainability 4(9):2210–2246. https://doi.org/10.3390/su4092210
Engemann K, Pedersen C, Arge L, Tsirogiannis C, Mortensen P, Svenning J-C (2018) Childhood exposure to green space—a novel risk-decreasing mechanism for schizophrenia? Schizophr Res 199:142–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2018.03.026
Environment and Resources Authority (2018) State of the environment report 2018—summary report. Marsa. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-011-0027-3
European Environmental Agency (2019) Air quality in Europe—2019 report. No. 10/2019. https://doi.org/10.2800/62459
Fuller RA, Irvine KN, Devine-Wright P, Warren PH, Gaston KJ (2007) Psychological benefits of greenspace increase with biodiversity. Biol Let 3(4):390–394. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0149
Gidlow CJ, Randall J, Gillman J, Smith GR, Jones MV (2016) Natural environments and chronic stress measured by hair cortisol. Landscape Urban Plan 148:61–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.12.009
Granados-Sánchez J, Wals AEJ, Ferrer-Balas D, Waas T, Imaz M, Nortier S, Au T et al. (2011) Sustainability in higher education: moving from understanding to action, breaking barriers for transformation. In: G. U. N. for I. (GUNI) (ed) Higher education in the World 4. Higher education’s commitment to sustainability: from understanding to action. Palgrave Macmillan UK, pp 193–207
Hanski I, von Hertzen L, Fyhrquist N, Koskinen K, Torppa K, Laatikainen T, Haahtela T et al (2012) Environmental biodiversity, human microbiota, and allergy are interrelated. Proc Natl Acad Sci. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1205624109
Ives CD, Giusti M, Fischer J, Abson DJ, Klaniecki K, Dorninger C, von Wehrden H et al (2017) Human–nature connection: a multidisciplinary review. Curr Opin Environ Sustain. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2017.05.005
Kaesler S, Skabytska Y, Volz T, Biedermann T (2018) The biodiversity hypothesis and immunotolerance in allergy. Allergo J Int 27(5):140–146. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40629-018-0072-0
Kjellgren A, Buhrkall H (2010) A comparison of the restorative effect of a natural environment with that of a simulated natural environment. J Environ Psychol 30(4):464–472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.01.011
Kuo M (2015) How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway. Frontiers Psychol 6(August):1–8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01093
Kuronuma T, Watanabe H, Ishihara T, Kou D, Toushima K, Ando M, Shindo S (2018) CO2 payoff of extensive green roofs with different vegetation species. Sustain (Switzerland) 10(7):1–12. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072256
Laaidi K, Zeghnoun A, Dousset B, Bretin P, Giraudet E, Beaudeau P, Vandentorren S (2014) Brogan and Partners the impact of heat islands on mortality in Paris during the August 2003 heat wave. 120(2):254–259
Lapointe M, Cumming GS, Gurney GG (2019) Comparing ecosystem service preferences between urban and rural dwellers. Bioscience 69(2):108–116. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biy151
Li Q (2010) Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environ Health Prev Med 15(1):9–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-008-0068-3
Lindemann-Matthies P, Bose E (2008) How many species are there? Public understanding and awareness of biodiversity in Switzerland. Human Ecol 36(5):731–742. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-008-9194-1
MA (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) (2005) Ecosystems and human well-being. Synthesis report. Island Press, Washington, DC
McLaughlan C, Aldridge DC (2013) Cultivation of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) within their invaded range to improve water quality in reservoirs. Water Res 47:4357–4369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2013.04.043
Mifsud M (2010) Maltese youth and the environment: a qualitative study. J Teacher Edu Sustain 12(2):110–128. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10099-009-0058-6
Mori J, Fini A, Galimberti M, Ginepro M, Burchi G, Massa D, Ferrini F (2018) Air pollution deposition on a roadside vegetation barrier in a mediterranean environment: combined effect of evergreen shrub species and planting density. Sci Total Environ 643:725–737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.217
Mounir M, Ainouche A, Nelson M, Cattin F, El A (2017) Long-term investigation of constructed wetland wastewater treatment and reuse: selection of adapted plant species for metaremediation. 201:120–128
National Statistics Office (2019, October 28) Motor Vehicles: Q3/2019 [News Release], pp 1–8
Nisiforou O, Charalambides AG (2012) Assessing undergraduate university students’ level of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards biodiversity: a case study in Cyprus. Int J Sci Edu 34(7):1027–1051. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2011.637991
Nowak DJ, Hirabayashi S, Doyle M, McGovern M, Pasher J (2018) Air pollution removal by urban forests in Canada and its effect on air quality and human health. Urban Forestry Urban Greening 29:40–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2017.10.019
Pace P (2009) Emerging from Limbo: environmental education in Malta. In: Taylor N, Littledyke M, Eames C, Coll RK (eds) Environmental education in context: an international perspective on the development of environmental education. Sense Publishers, Rotterdam, pp 73–81
Pardo-de-Santayana M, Macía MJ (2015) The benefits of traditional knowledge. Nature 518(7540):487–488
Patel A, Kolt GS, Keogh JWL, Schofield GM (2012) The green prescription and older adults: what do general practitioners see as barriers? J Primary Health Care 4(4):320–327. https://doi.org/10.1071/hc12320
Pearson N, Timperio A, Salmon J, Crawford D, Biddle SJH (2009) Family influences on children’s physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 6(34). https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-6-34
Sandifer PA, Sutton-Grier AE, Ward BP (2015) Exploring connections among nature, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health and well-being: opportunities to enhance health and biodiversity conservation. Ecosyst Serv 12:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2014.12.007
Smith JR, Louis WR (2009) Group norms and the attitude-behaviour relationship. Soc Pers Psychol Compass 3(1):19–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2008.00161.x
Soga M, Gaston KJ (2016) Extinction of experience: the loss of human-nature interactions. Front Ecol Environ 14(2):94–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.1225
Soga M, Gaston KJ, Koyanagi TF, Kurisu K, Hanaki K (2016a) Urban residents’ perceptions of neighbourhood nature: does the extinction of experience matter? Biol Cons 203:143–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.09.020
Soga M, Gaston KJ, Yamaura Y, Kurisu K, Hanaki K (2016) Both direct and vicarious experiences of nature affect children’s willingness to conserve biodiversity. Int J Environ Res Public Health 13(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13060529
State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage (2017) Who cares about the environment?
Stevens DT, Lanfranco E, Mallia A, Schembri PJ (1995) Biodiversity conservation and utilisation in the Maltese Islands. Identifying and monitoring biodiversity and its utilizations in commonwealth Small Island developing states, November. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/21112
Tsao TM, Tsai MJ, Wang YN, Lin HL, Wu CF, Hwang JS, Su TC et al (2014) The health effects of a forest environment on subclinical cardiovascular disease and heath-related quality of life. PLoS ONE 9(7):11–13. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0103231
Vaughn S, Schumm JS, Sinagub J (1996) Focus group interviews in education and psychology. Focus group interviews in education and psychology. SAGE Publications, Inc, Thousand Oaks. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452243641
Waas T, Verbruggen A, Wright T (2010) University research for sustainable development: definition and characteristics explored. J Clean Prod 18:629–636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.09.017
Wall DH, Nielsen UN, Six J (2015) Soil biodiversity and human health. Nature 528(7580):69–76. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature15744
Wang W, Wang Y, Li Z, Wei C, Zhao J, Sun L (2017) Effect of a strengthened ecological floating bed on the purification of urban landscape water supplied with reclaimed water. Sci Total Environ 623:1630–1639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.035
Worthy DA, Gorlick MA, Pacheco JL, Schnyer DM, Maddox WT (2011) With age comes wisdom: decision-making in younger and older adults. Psychol Sci 22(11). https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797611420301
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gatt, D.A., Mifsud, M.C. (2021). Linking Biodiversity and Human Health to Achieve Sustainability. In: Leal Filho, W., Salvia, A.L., Brandli, L., Azeiteiro, U.M., Pretorius, R. (eds) Universities, Sustainability and Society: Supporting the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63399-8_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63399-8_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-63398-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-63399-8
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)