In the past few days, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority published 12 sites which are being proposed for protection for their unique character and for the flora and fauna they harbour. In total, Malta has now proposed to the European Union 27 potential Sites of Community Importance (pSCI) and 12 proposed sites for Special Protection Areas (pSPA).
The sites were listed in The Malta Government Gazette under Government Notice 112/06. One of the obligations arising out of the EU Habitats Directive is the proposal to the EU Commission of pSCI. Once proposed, such sites are evaluated by the Commission prior to their inclusion in the network as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). A site may be proposed as a pSCI when it supports natural habitat types and habitats of species of community interest, as listed in the EU Habitats Directive. The main aim of such a network is to support habitats and species that are important and/or threatened across Europe, and is referred to as Natura 2000.
Member states are also to designate Natura 2000 sites in view of the Wild Birds Directive, which sites are referred to as Special Protection Areas (SPAs). These sites are to include areas that are particularly important for the conservation of selected naturally-occurring wild birds and their habitats. Such sites, once submitted to the Commission will automatically form part of the Natura 2000 network.
When such sites are proposed by member states of the European Union to fulfil the obligations of contributing to the creation of Natura 2000, the states have to take into consideration the proportion to the representation within their territory of the natural habitat types and the habitat of species specified by both the Habitat Directive and the Birds Directive.
Important habitat types within the proposed sites include old Holm Oak forest remnants, sand dunes, marshlands, coastal cliffs and islets. Species of European Importance that are present within the Maltese islands and can be found in the selected sites include, among others, the plant species Maltese Everlasting (Helichrysum melitense; Sempreviva ta’ Ghawdex), Maltese Toadflax (Linaria pseudolaxiflora; Papocci ta’ Malta) and Maltese Rock-centaury (Palaeocyanus crassifolius; Widnet il-Bahar). Among the important fauna, one finds two Door-snail species (Lampedusa imitatrix; Dussies ta’ l-Irdum and Lampedusa melitensis; Dussies ta’ Malta).
Potential Sites of Community Importance (pSCI)
The sites proposed in this government notice as pSCI are:
• Il-Qortin tal-Magun (l/o Nadur, Gozo)
• Ghar Dalam
• Ghar ta’ l-Iburdan
• The stretch of sea from Rdum Majjiesa to Ras ir-Raheb
1. Ghar Dalam
Ghar Dalam is an underground cave located at Birzebbugia, and important since it is one of only two localities where the woodlouse Armadillidium ghardalamensis is found. This woodlouse was first described from this site, and is found in the deepest parts of Ghar Dalam, at about 100m from the entrance of the cave, in parts where artificial illumination is absent.
This is important since the woodlouse is a cave-dwelling species living in the darkest parts of the cave, and also since access is not allowed and is also not possible. The Armadillidium ghardalamensis is endemic to the island of Malta, with small populations that are at risk, and in fact, this species is listed as a priority species in Annex II of the Habitats Directive as a species of Community interest whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation of its habitat.
Ghar Dalam, as well as its immediate surroundings, had also been designated earlier as an Area of Archaeological Importance under the provisions of the Development Planning Act, through Government Notice 358 of 1998.
2. L-Ghar ta’ l-Iburdan
This is another underground cave located in the limits of Rabat and is important due to the presence of bat species which are listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. This is a natural cave, much extended by man, which is several metres deep in three directions, and which has a two-storey plan. The bat species present include the following: Rhinolophus hipposideros, Myotis blythii and Plecotus austriacus species (all listed in Annex II). These are considered to be species of Community Interest whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation. This cave is the most important winter roost for the horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros, with up to approximately 65 individuals being present.
3. Il-Qortin tal-Magun and
l-Qortin il-Kbir
This site is located in the limits of Nadur on the island of Gozo, above Wied Gragel and Dahlet Qorrot valley system. It constitutes habitats and species of importance in view of the EU Habitats Directive. This site provides an exceptional mature phrygana habitat, perhaps the best example of phrygana in the Maltese islands. In view of the existing rare and highly localised species within the phrygana community at this site, the area is ecologically of great importance.
A few rock pools are also present at this site, and these are known to be in a relatively healthy state. Important species at the site include plant and animal species, the former including various orchid species, while the latter include a selection of molluscs and reptiles. The site has also been designated as an Area of Ecological Importance and as a Site of Scientific Importance under the provisions of the Development Planning Act, under Government Notice 712 of 2006.
4. Il-Bahar bejn Rdum Majjiesa u Ras ir-Raheb
This is the first marine site being proposed as a Site of Community Importance, proposed to form part of the EU Natura 2000 Network, located towards the north-western side of mainland Malta extending from Rdum Majjesa to Ras ir-Raheb. It is rich and diverse in biota which can be found in this marine area, complementing its heterogeneous seabed which gives rise to a number of varied seascapes and bottom types. The site hosts representatives of the main marine habitat types occurring in the Maltese islands, with the associated biotic assemblages, including species and ecosystems of conservation importance. The habitat types of EU importance at this site include: sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time, reefs, Posidonia beds (a priority habitat type), and submerged or partially submerged sea caves.
The meadows of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica dominate large areas of the seabed within the 50-metre bathymetric region; such meadows are of great importance since they support a large variety of organisms of conservation interest and other species of economic importance. The variety of marine habitats found in the site provides important feeding, breeding and nursing ground for many fish species, including demersal (fish found at or near the bottom of the sea) and predatory types. The site has also been designated as a Special Area of Conservation of International Importance under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act and of the Development Planning Act, through Government Notice 1138 of 2005. The site has also been designated as a Special Area of Conservation of International Importance under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act and of the Development Planning Act, through Government Notice 1138 of 2005.
Sites Proposed As Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
• Sea cliffs in Gozo: Il-Ponta ta’ San Dimitri to Il-Ponta ta’ Harrux; Il-Ponta ta’ Harrux to Il-Bajja tax-Xlendi; Id-Dawra tas-Sanap to Tal-Hajt; Ta’ Cenc
• Sea Cliffs in Malta: Ras il-Pellegrin to Ix-Xaqqa; Ix-Xaqqa to Wied Moqbol
Gozo Sea Cliffs: Ta’ Cenc
This SPA constitutes part of the southwestern stretch of cliffs of the island of Gozo. It primarily constitutes vertical Lower Coralline Limestone sea-cliffs with characteristic maritime garrigue and rupestral vegetation. The site is very important since it supports a large population of Calonectris diomedea (Cory’s Shearwater; Ciefa). In effect, the cliffs in question support the largest relative breeding colony of Cory’s Shearwater. These cliffs are also an important breeding site for Puffinus yelkouan (Yelkouan Shearwater; Garnija). It is also the only “mainland” breeding site for a population of Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis (Storm-Petrel; Kangu ta’ Filfla).
Various other bird species are known to exist this site. Among others, the cliffs offer an ideal habitat for Monticola solitarius (Blue Rock Thrush; Merill), Falco peregrinus (Peregrine Falcon; Bies) and Tyto alba (Barn Owl; Barbagann) which are also known to have bred at Ta’ Cenc.
Gozo Sea Cliffs: Id-Dawra tas-Sanap to Tal-Hajt
This SPA is contiguous with that of Ta’ Cenc. The site primarily constitutes vertical Lower Coralline Limestone sea-cliffs and sea caves. The bird species of importance which are present within this area are: Calonectris diomedea (Cory’s Shearwater; Ciefa) and Puffinus yelkouan (Yelkouan Shearwater; Garnija).
Gozo Sea Cliffs: Il-Ponta ta’ Harrux to Il-Bajja tax-Xlendi, and Il-Ponta ta’ San Dimitri to Il-Ponta ta’ Harrux
These are two contiguous sites, which constitute part of the western stretch of cliffs of the island of Gozo and primarily constitute vertical Lower Coralline Limestone sea-cliffs with various crevices, boulder screes and sea caves. Part of the area, Il-Qawra, is a Bird Sanctuary in terms of national legislation. The bird species of importance which are present within these areas are: Calonectris diomedea (Cory’s Shearwater; Ciefa), and Puffinus yelkouan (Yelkouan Shearwater; Garnija). The cliffs constitute an adequate habitat for a number of other protected breeding bird species, including Monticola solitarius (Blue Rock Thrush; Merill).
Malta Cliffs: Ix-Xaqqa to Wied Moqbol and Ras il-Pellegrin to Ix-Xaqqa
The two SPAs are contiguous and stretch along the coastal cliffs on the west side of the island of Malta. The site primarily constitutes Lower Coralline Limestone sea-cliffs of varying heights; and boulder slopes with garrigue slopes. The bird species of importance which are present within these areas are: Calonectris diomedea (Cory’s Shearwater; Ciefa), and Puffinus yelkouan (Yelkouan Shearwater; Garnija).
Other bird species known from the site include Monticola solitarius (Blue Rock Thrush; Merill) and Larus cachinnans (Yellow-legged Gull; Gawwija Prima).
All above-mentioned sites have been identified as Important Bird Areas of EU Importance by BirdLife International in their Pan-European IBA Inventory.
Other sites also declared as SPA are:
• Buskett – an IBA known as an important raptor concentration area;
• Filfla – an IBA with a large colony of Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis (Kangu ta’ Filfla);
• Kemmuna – an IBA known as a breeding site for Puffinus yelkouan (Garnija) and a refuge for passerine migrants;
• Ghadira – a wetland identified as one of the two Maltese Ramsar sites;
• Is-Simar – a wetland identified as one of the two Maltese Ramsar sites;
• Rdum tal-Madonna – an IBA with one of the largest known colony of Puffinus yelkouan (Garnija).
All the above, except the Rdum tal-Madonna, are also declared as bird sanctuaries under the national bird protection regulations.
Besides, Filfla is also protected by the Filfla Nature Reserve Act of 1988, which protects all flora and fauna of the islet, also prohibiting access to the islet subject to a permit for scientific and education purposes.
For further information, one may access the following Mepa website: http://www.
mepa.org.mt/environment/
index.htm?nature_
protection/protected_areas/mainpage.htm&1.
Alfred E. Baldacchino is assistant director, Nature Protection Unit Mepa; Sylvana Debono is Mepa’s PRO