Showcase category ➤ Recreating Freshwater Ecosystems
Benjamin Camilleri
Nature Reserve Manager - Nature Trust - FEE Malta
Restoration Engineers / Consultants / Practitioners
My Projects
Chadwick Lakes
- Key project facts
Invest in Chadwick Lakes for Tourism Purposes ERDF.05.027
January 2015 to September 2020
€5 Million, 80% EU Funded
Project Partners:
Energy and Water Agency (Malta) - What impact did these projects have on biodiversity, if any?
In the first five years, the project undertook significant restoration activities across approximately 3.5 square kilometres of the freshwater valley system. Key interventions included reinstating the original valley profile, desilting dams to enhance water storage capacity and the removal of the invasive species Arundo donax.
In the last five years, continuous management of invasive species and mitigation of anthropogenic disturbances have further supported the prolific regeneration of the valley bed. These efforts have paved the way for the return of native Riparian habitats, a rarity in the Archipelago, leading to a notable recovery of indigenous flora and fauna.
- What work challenges did you face and what approach did you take to solve them?
Throughout the restoration efforts several challenges were encountered, ranging from technical to bureaucratic.
Lack of a Comprehensive Restoration and Management Plan
Challenge: The lack of an overarching plan hindered coordinated restoration efforts.
Solution: Developed management plans focusing on several deliverables which will help to achieve the restoration targets. These ranged from indigenous flora propagation and maintenance, invasive species management, visitor flow within the nature reserve and watering schedules for afforested areas. These plans provided a structured framework guiding the my daily routine and yearly targets.Insufficient Legal and Financial Support
Challenge: Limited on-the-ground assistance and funding from local authorities impacted site management and biodiversity conservation.
Solution: Personally funded a flora nursery and the required tools/equipment to carry out site operations, raised public awareness on Riparian biodiversity and nature reserve regulations and actively engaged with local authorities to advocate for increased support in the regeneration of Chadwick Lakes.Inaccessibility of valley bed for invasive species management
Challenge: the valley bed is inaccessible to larger machinery, necessitating manual labour for all restoration activities. This significantly increases time and effort to remove invasive flora species and transport them off-site for disposal.
Solution: Innovitavely repurposed dry, seedless invasive plant material as mulch to protect valley embankments from sun expose and water erosion through flash floods. This approach not only facilitated on-site disposal through resource optimisation but also enhanced soil biodiversity, promoting healthier growth of native flora.Unregulated abstraction of freshwater
Challenge: Unregulated water abstraction stressing Riparian plant communities and disrupting local fauna life cycles, especially in drier years.
Solution: Collaborated with local farmers to monitor water abstraction levels and advocated for the establishment of policies by local authorities to protect and conserve freshwater as a resource and Riparian habitats. - What lessons learned are transferable to other places/projects?
A key lesson from this project is the importance of taking a proactive approach to environmental restoration. Rather than waiting for local authorities to initiate action, I actively engaged with the land and its habitats to support the recovery process. By improving soil health, managing invasive species and creating favourable conditions for Riparian communities, I facilitated the quicker return of native flora and fauna and assisted with targeted habitat plantings. This hands-on strategy effectively accelerated the recovery process and enhanced the ecological health of Chadwick Lakes.
- What is your biggest barrier and what are you trying to do about it?
The most significant barrier is the lack of institutional support. To overcome this, I am adopting a proactive approach, focusing on establishing the targeted Riparian habitats as efficiently as possible, while continuously pushing for more dialogue with local authorities for added support.
My Focus and Approach
- Lessons Learnt - Some recommendations for others?
- What’s most important:
Focus on the end goal.
- Do this, not that:
Take a meticulous approach to preserve biodiversity - encompassing ecosystems, species and genetic diversity. This ensures that all restoration efforts are conducted with ecological sensitivity and without shortcuts.
- Always start by:
Gaining a deep understanding of the site’s dynamics and plant communities, allowing you to envision and work towards restoring them to their pristine and natural state.
- What to do when things get difficult…:
Breath, re-assess and adapt.
- 5 simple steps to:
- Define the area’s natural regeneration and restoration potential.
- Understand the dynamics leading to the current situation.
- Identify measures to recover natural ecosystems.
- Meticulously implement management measures.
- Re-evaluate and adapt as required.
- The biggest barrier and what I am trying to do about it:
The most significant barrier I encounter is aligning projects with core ecological principles, prioritizing the creation of functional, self-sustaining ecosystems over aesthetically landscaped areas. To address this, I advocate for restoration strategies that emphasize ecological integrity, ensuring that the primary goal remains the regeneration of resilient natural habitats and the preservation of biodiversity.
- What’s most important:
My Journey
- My journey:
From a young age, I was deeply connected to my natural heritage, spending countless hours exploring various habitats and familiarising myself with local species. Climbing steep valley cliffs and hiking across diverse landscapes instilled in me a profound appreciation for the natural world and its cycles.
Witnessing urban sprawl and habitat destruction in our already overpopulated country compelled me to take action. I began managing local landscapes and participating in restoration projects to deepen my understanding of natural cycles, plant communities and invasive species. This hand-on experience, combined with my activism, gradually transitioned from voluntary efforts to a full-time profession.
- My Education:
University of Malta:- M.Sc. Candidate - Rural & Environmental Sciences
- B.Sc (Hons) in Earth Systems
- The Big Change:
Biodiversity Preservation; ongoing efforts have safeguarded local species and genetic diversity.
Invasive Species Management; Over 200,000 invasive plants (3+ tonnes) belonging to 14 different species and over 5,000 invasive Procambarus clarkii specimens have been effectively managed.
Wider Impact; these actions have boosted local ecosystem resilience and set a benchmark for national restoration efforts.
- Favourite part of the work I do:
The most rewarding aspect of my work is propagating rare Riparian flora species and witnessing the gradual establishment of these habitats on-site. Seeing the tangible results of dedicated restoration efforts brings immense satisfaction and reinforces the importance of preserving these unique habitats.
Interview
Key Topics:
Key Topics
These relate to specific topics (e.g. technical solutions; restoration activities etc.) addressed within the showcase materials.
- Habitat Restoration
- Invasive Species Management
- Genetic Conservation and Flora Propagation
- Soil Management
Prone2Success Factors Demonstrated:
Prone2Success Factors Demonstrated
These are the Prone2Success checklist factors which are highlighted within this showcase. More information on the Prone2Success checklist can be found here.
- Measurable goals to improve ecological status
- Measurable goals to improve ecosystem services
- Supports WFD, NRL and other restoration policy goals
- Engage with the local community from the outset
- Restoration works (design) are self-sustaining
- Include adaptive management approaches (combined with monitoring)
- Ensure stakeholder understanding / education of restoration goals & benefits
NRL Restoration Categories:
NRL Restoration Categories
These are the restoration categories (listed under Annex VII of the European Nature Restoration Law (NRL) which are relevant to this showcase.
- [2] Improve hydrological conditions
- [7] Re-naturalise river beds
- [9] Establish riparian buffers
- [22] Improve connectivity across habitats
- [24] Remove / control invasive species
- [32] Reduce pollution (chemicals, urban/industrial wastewater, litter, plastics)
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Resources
Videos
Peer reviewed papers
https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12325
Clippings, white papers
Wied il-Qlejgħa jitnaddaf minn 90,000 pjanta invażiva
Families can enjoy a new 2 km scenic walk along the Chadwick Lakes Trail
Thousands of alien crayfish removed from Chadwick Lakes
Best solutions I have found
The effective management of invasive plant species can be achieved by re-purposing them as mulch, thereby returning valuable nutrients to the soil. However, this approach is only successful when the propagation dynamics of the invasive species in question are thoroughly understood. For instance, removing an invasive species during its seeding phase and subsequently using it as mulch may inadvertently facilitate its spread, ultimately undermining the purpose of its removal.
On the contrary, by manually dispersing native seeds on-site you promote the natural germination and regeneration of native plant species. The resulting vegetation is more likely to establish successfully and become self-sustaining from the outset. This method often leads to a faster ecological recovery compared to propagation in a nursery setting, as plants develop through direct response to environmental conditions making them more resilient.
Acknowledgements & Links
This material was provided by: Benjamin Camilleri