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Flora and Fauna Habitats
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Although the Islands are of
limited size the biological richness is quite considerable. A number of
vegetation assemblages exist each of which offer a different type of habitat to
various plants and animals. The scarcity of fresh water together with a Mediterranean
type of climate have left an imprint on the ways of how flora and
fauna have adapted to living on the Islands.
The major assemblages include: |
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Woodland:
This is characterized by the Holm Oak (Quercus
Ilex) and Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) (see picture below). Very
few woodlands exist today, most have become extinct when the first inhabitants
came to the Islands. The only woodland or rather semi-natural woodland that
exists today is that of Buskett. Here fresh water coming from the water course
of Wied il-Luq is the ideal habitat for frog species (amongst which is the painted frog) to
inhabit the area. Other trees also dominate such as the Olive, Buckthorn, Lentisk and Carob. Maquis:
This is a scrub community generally characterized by a dense undergrowth of
shrubs and trees. The maquis communities in Malta are partly the result of a
degeneration the climax Sclerophyllus woodland community. Again the Olive (Olea
europaea), Lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus), Yellow Germander (Teucrium
flavum), carob (Ceratonia siliqua), Bear's Breeches (Acanthus
mollis), White Hedge nettle (Prasium majus) and the Mediterranean
Honeysuckle can be found here. |
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The Blue Stone Crop, a typical garigue low lying
plant |
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Garigue:
Garigue are stretches of rocky karstic ground with characteristic karst
depressions and scattered pockets of soil that is trapped within the eroded
limestone surface. With shallow or no soil at all low lying shrubs dominate.
These are usually geophytes and therophytes that can survive harsh temperature
extremes and lack of water. The many herbaceous and aromatic species include the
Mediterranean Thyme (Coridothymus capitatus), Yellow Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis
hermanniae), Olive leaved Germander , the Mediterranean Heath (Erica
multiflora), and Maltese Spurge (Euphorbia melitensis).
Steppes:
Steppic ecosystems in the Maltese islands are
widespread and result from the degradation of the Maquis and Garigue ecosystems.
mainly due to overgrazing and soil erosion. The latter is exacerbated by
the occasional heavy downpours of rain. Such communities are dominated by
grasses, umbellifers, thistles and geophytes. Steppic communities can also grow
on clay slopes and are dominated by the Esparto grass (Lygeum spartum),
the berad grass (Hyparrhenia hirta) can also be found. Generally the more
degraded steppes are characterized by grasses.
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 A
Maltese Lizard sunbathes on a rock near
the Qattara freshwater pool |
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Freshwater
communities: As mentioned previously the only source of fresh water on
the Maltese islands is rainfall. As rain water collects in natural hollows on
the coralline Limestone stratum, temporary fresh water pools are formed. These
are very transient and immediately dry up as soon as the dry season starts. Rare
species are found in such assemblages making these fresh water pools
particularly important ecologically and all the more highlighting their
vulnerability. A number of freshwater pools are permanent, however these are
very few and tiny. Nevertheless they are also highly important for the rare
species that can be found. The water courses found in the Widien or
valleys are also areas were freshwater species thrive, whilst a number of
springs aid in supporting such a distinct community of freshwater fauna and
flora.
Rupestral
communities: As pointed out previously these
cliffs are located on the south, southwestern and western coasts of Malta. Due
to the boulder scree that can be found at their base, or due to their
inaccessibility these cliffs offer shelter to many flora and fauna. Cliff
communities are dominated by shrubs and halophitic plants as well as the endemic
Maltese Rock Centaury (Palaeocyanus crassifolius), the Maltese National
plant. Other endemic species found in this community include the Maltese Salt
Tree (Darniella melitensis), Maltese Sea-Lavender (Limonium melitense),
Maltese Fleabane (Chiladenus bocconei) and the Maltese Everlasting (Helichrysum
melitense). The Blue Rock thrush (Maltese National bird : Merill) as
well as the Cory Shearwater also inhabit these communities. |
Sand dunes at Ramla Bay, Gozo |
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Coastal
communities: These communities generally
consist of brackish saline pools due to the mixing of sea water with rainwater
as well as saline marshlands in low lying areas. These coastal marshes have a
muddy substratum and pools of brackish water . As the dry season approaches the
water evaporates, coming more brackish until it disappears completely. Therefore
yet again specialized organisms that are able to adapt to this type of habitat
thrive here. some species are typical of both freshwater and saline waters since
some coastal wetlands are transitional between freshwater wetlands and saline
marshlands. As for the few sandy beaches on the island, very small dune systems
remain to this day. the few that are left are inhabited by dune grasses such as
the Sand Couch and the Marram Grass.
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