Beyond the tropical paradise and beyond the fear of climate change effects, the Maldives is a fascinating island country that faces social, cultural, economic and environmental transformations. Atolls of the Maldives: Nissology and Geography provides a spatial analysis on some key challenges the Maldivian society has to deal with, and guides the reader in the discovery of the human and environmental geography of this Indian Ocean archipelago. Geographers, political scientists, sociologists, geologists, biologists and experts in environmental policies help the audience to move through the complex systems of interrelations, connections and disconnections that shape the environment and the geography of this extraordinary archipelagic country.
Stefano Malatesta is Senior Researcher at the Department of Human Sciences for Education, University of Milano-Bicocca.
Marcella Schmidt di Friedberg is Full Professor at the Department of Human Sciences for Education, University of Milano-Bicocca.
Mizna Mohamed is the Executive Director at the Maldives based non-governmental organisation International Center for Environment, Development and Operational Research (ENDEVOR).
Shahida Zubair is an independent consultant and researcher based in the Maldives and in Oxford, UK.
David Bowen is Reader in Oxford Brookes Business School, Oxford Brookes University.
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Editors’ Introduction
Chapter 1. Environment and Education
Naashia Mohamed and Mizna Mohamed
Chapter 2. The Gender Dimension of Environment in the Maldives
Marcella Schmidt di Friedberg and Aminath Abdulla
Chapter 3. Energy Production and Waste Management: The Human Ecology of Maldivian Islands
Stefano Malatesta
Chapter 4. Water Management and Consumption Models
Cecilia Castaldo and Stefano Malatesta
Chapter 5. The Centralization of Governance and Economy in Maldives: A Reading of the Contemporary Demographic Transition between Domestic Migration and Forced Displacement
Muna Mohamed
Chapter 6. Greening the Resort, De-bordering the Enclave
Elena dell’Agnese
Chapter 7. New Waves: The Guesthouse Dilemma
Shahida Zubair and David Bowen
Chapter 8. Governance, Activism, and Environment in the Maldives
Fathmath Shadiya
Chapter 9. Environment and Ecosystems Protection
Mizna Mohamed
Chapter 10. Sea-Level Changes and the Reefs of the Maldivian Archipelago
Daniela Basso and Alessandra Savini
Chapter 11. Coral Reef Biodiversity of the Maldives
Paolo Galli, Simone Montano, Davide Seveso and Davide Maggioni
About the Editors and Contributors
It is exciting to see such a wide-ranging volume, bringing to the world the richness of a culture and country too often seen as being for only tourism and climate change vulnerability. From gender to water management and from energy to activism, the book builds up an important picture of a fascinating archipelago. — Ilan Kelman, Professor of Disasters and Health, University College London
This volume is a manifesto for collaboration, integration, dialectics and change. The contributions are based on transnational and transdisciplinary cooperation and building bridges: between nature and society, land and sea, tradition and modernity, and scientific and traditional knowledge. The book impressively demonstrates that thinking across divides inevitably leads to gains and that vulnerabilities are also linked to opportunities. It is a "must read" for all those who want to look beyond stereotypes – not only in the Maldives. — Beate Ratter, Professor of Integrative Geography, University of Hamburg
Humans have habited the Maldives for over 2000 years; it’s history, people, way of life and rich traditions have been well studied. This book is timely and stands out by reviewing the contemporary issues surrounding the Maldives in terms of Atolls, reefs and islands and their sustainable use. The multi-faceted, dynamic interactions between humans and the atoll environment and modern emerging governance issues are well covered in this book. — Abdulla Naseer, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment, Republic of the Maldives
