Questionnaire on Valuing the Benefits of Biodiversity in Malta
Background: This questionnaire poses 13 questions intended to help analyse the link of
Maltese citizens with biodiversity and how individuals value the biodiversity of the Maltese
Islands. By completing this questionnaire (should not take more than 30 minutes) you will be
contributing to a national qualitative assessment of biodiversity valuation. Please follow the
instructions when replying to the questions, either by ticking the appropriate answer(s) or by
ranking your answers according to importance. This importance ranking is meant to reflect
the appreciation or emotional value that you attach to the issue in question. Please send
your completed questionnaire by 24 February 2014 to biodiversity.strategy@mepa.org.mt.
Details of Respondent
Are you: (Please tick correct box)
 Male
 Female
How old are you? (Please tick correct box)
 16-25
 26-35
 36-45
 46-55
 >56
What is your nationality? (Please state)
In which locality do you live? (Please state e.g. Mosta)
1. What do you understand by the term “biodiversity”?
(Please tick one answer)
 environment
 nature
 all living animals and plants
 diversity within and between the different animals and plants and the complex land and
aquatic systems them form part
 do not know
2. In your opinion, where is biodiversity found in Malta?
(Please tick one answer)
 natural environment
 rural environment
 urban environment
 all of the above
3. How often do you frequent the Maltese countryside …
(Please tick one answer)
 weekly
 monthly
 yearly
 never
… and for what purpose?
(Please tick one answer)
 recreation
state what type (e.g. walking) _______________________________
 other
state what: _____________________________________________
4. What prevents you from frequenting more often the Maltese countryside?
(You may tick more than one answer)
 work
 family
 access to the countryside
 other forms of diversion
5. Which of the following would you value the most for outdoor recreation
irrespective of the season:
(Rank your answers - 1 [least important], 2 [not so important], 3 [important], 4 [very important])
countryside
1234
of which: (Please tick)
 natural/semi-natural woodland
 valley
 cliffs
seaside
1234
afforested area
1234
(i.e. planted by man)
village/town park or green area
1234
6. Which localities/sites do you prefer to visit for outdoor recreation in the
Maltese Islands?
 Malta: (you may name up to three localities/sites)
1.________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________
 Gozo: (you may name up to three localities/sites)
1.________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________
 Comino
7. How important do you view Malta’s biodiversity for:
(Rank your answers - 1 [least important], 2 [not so important], 3 [important], 4 [very important])
a)
recreation
1234
b)
tourism
1234
c)
food providing sectors (agriculture, fisheries)
1234
d)
economy
1234
e)
science / research
1234
f)
trade of biological resources
1234
g)
culture
1234
h)
aesthetic value
1234
i)
education
1234
j)
private sector / businesses
1234
k)
health
1234
l)
sustainable development
1234
m) your overall physical and spiritual well-being
1234
8. How important do you view Malta’s biodiversity for:
(Rank your answers - 1 [least important], 2 [not so important], 3 [important], 4 [very important])
a)
provision of clean air
1234
b)
provision of fresh water
1234
c)
provision of food
1234
d)
provision of other materials, such as wood and fibre
1234
e)
provisions of genetic resources and biochemicals
1234
f)
natural regulation of climate change through carbon
sequestration
1234
g)
water retention and hence prevention of floods
1234
h)
natural regulation of diseases
1234
i)
pollination
1234
j)
nutrient and water cycling
1234
k)
water purification
1234
l)
erosion control
1234
m) soil formation and fertility
1234
9. How important do you view the need to safeguard Malta’s biodiversity:
(Rank your answers - 1 [least important], 2 [not so important], 3 [important], 4 [very important])
a) for biodiversity itself (intrinsic value)
1234
b) for the continuity of the survival and existence of diverse animal
and plant species native and endemic to the Maltese Islands
(existence value)
1234
c) for future generations (bequest value)
1234
OR
d) It is not important to safeguard Malta’s biodiversity
 (Please tick if this is
your answer)
10. How do you think you can or would contribute to safeguard Malta’s
biodiversity?
(You may tick more than one answer)
 growing plants in my balcony and garden that attract insect pollinators
 attracting wildlife in my garden e.g. by means of feeders and nesting boxes
 recycling my waste
 properly disposing of waste in bins when visiting the countryside and seaside
 buying environmentally-friendly or organic products when available and making other
informed choices as a consumer
 keeping a green roof (roof top garden)
 volunteering in clean up events within my locality
 volunteering in recording observations on threatened plants and animals1
 reporting environmental illegalities
 using non-plastic carrier bags when doing my shopping
 using water and energy efficiently
1
http://www.mepa.org.mt/citizenscience
 becoming a member of an environmental non-governmental organisation
 complying with environmental legislation and being aware of which animals and plants
are strictly protected
 being aware of biodiversity-related issues in the country
 other; please state: ______________________________________________________
OR
 I’m not interested in safeguarding Malta’s biodiversity
Please state why: _________________________________________________________
11. One way of conserving threatened species and habitats is by designating
protected areas. Would you be willing to pay a small fee to visit a protected
area in the Maltese Islands if the money obtained through such visits went
to the management of, and hence safeguard of the biodiversity within, that
protected area?
 Yes
State how much you would be willing to pay:
(Please tick one answer)
 No
 < 2 Euro
 > 2 Euro
(per person)
(per person)
 > 5 Euro (per person), if price also includes
a brochure and/or audio-guided of the
protected area
Please state why: ________________________________________________
12. Do you agree with the following statements?
STATEMENT
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Biodiversity loss is a concern to all sectors and
not just the environmental sector.



Opportunities to engage local communities in
activities that can safeguard biodiversity in their
locality should be explored.



A natural environment that is more species and
habitat diverse is a healthier one and more
resilient to environmental change such as brought
about by climate change and by man.



Greater awareness and appreciation of Malta’s
biodiversity is required at all levels and at all
ages.



13. Are you aware that Malta has adopted a national strategy to safeguard Malta’s
biodiversity and entitled “Working hand-in-hand with Nature”2?
 Yes
Please state how: _________________________________________________
 No
Please state why:__________________________________________________
Would you be interested in learning about Malta’s biodiversity strategy? (Y/N):
________
Thank you for replying to this questionnaire.
2
http://www.mepa.org.mt/biodiversity-nbsap