Environmental Chronology of the Maltese Islands

1. Geological Formation (35–5 million years ago)

• Miocene Period: The Maltese Islands were formed from marine sediments when the African and Eurasian plates collided. Layers of limestone (Upper and Lower Coralline, Globigerina) were deposited.
  
• Malta and Gozo were once part of a larger landmass but became islands after sea level changes.

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2. Pleistocene Epoch (2.6 million – 11,700 years ago)

• Sea levels fluctuated due to glacial and interglacial periods.
  
• Ice Age fauna: Fossil evidence (e.g. Għar Dalam Cave) shows that elephants, hippopotamuses, and deer lived on the islands.
  
• No evidence of human habitation yet.

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3. Early Holocene & First Human Settlement (ca. 5200 BCE)

• First human settlers arrived, likely from Sicily.
  
• Start of deforestation and agriculture—clearance of native woodland (e.g. oak and olive) begins.
  
• Erosion begins due to land clearance, marking the first major human environmental impact.

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4. Temple Period (ca. 3600–2500 BCE)

• Builders of megalithic temples (e.g. Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra).
  
• Intensive agriculture and growing population led to further land clearance and soil degradation.
  
• Faunal remains show a decline in large animals, likely due to hunting and habitat loss.

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5. Bronze Age to Classical Antiquity (2500 BCE–500 CE)

• Shift to fortified hilltop settlements.
  
• Continued deforestation and soil erosion.
  
• Carthaginians, then Romans, introduced new crops (e.g. vines, olives), irrigation, and terracing systems.
  
• Evidence of quarrying and expansion of rural agriculture.

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6. Medieval Period (500–1530 CE)

• Arab rule brought advanced agricultural techniques (qanats, water wheels).
  
• Introduction of citrus, cotton, and almonds.
  
• Continued deforestation and soil erosion, but with more sustainable farming in places.

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7. Knights of St. John (1530–1798)

• Urban expansion (e.g. Valletta), construction of fortifications.
  
• Forests further reduced for timber and firewood.
  
• Introduction of exotic plants in gardens.
  
• Marine environment impacted by shipbuilding and port activity.

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8. British Period (1800–1964)

• Military and infrastructural development (docks, roads, railways).
  
• Urban sprawl begins.
  
• Increase in population puts pressure on resources.
  
• Quarrying increases for construction; natural habitats decline.

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9. Post-Independence to Present (1964–2025)

• Rapid urbanization, tourism, and construction boom.
  
• Agriculture declines, but some conservation efforts begin.
  
• Major environmental issues: overdevelopment, habitat loss, waste, water scarcity, air pollution.
  
• EU accession in 2004 boosted environmental regulations.
  
• Ongoing conservation efforts (e.g. Natura 2000 sites, afforestation, marine protection).

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Key Environmental Themes Over Time

• Deforestation and land degradation: Began with first settlers, exacerbated over millennia.
  
• Soil erosion: Continuous issue due to topography and land use.
  
• Water scarcity: Always a limiting factor; underground water extraction has ecological impacts.
  
• Biodiversity loss: Native species declined due to habitat loss, hunting, and invasive species.