Did you know that there are over 1,100 floral species in the Maltese islands? That about 850 of them are indigenous, and over 20 are endemic, that is, confined to the Maltese islands, the rest being naturalised aliens or adventives?
You will learn that, and much more, if you attend a course on the Maltese natural heritage being held in April and May by the Foundation for International Studies.
Course coordinator Dr Alan Deidun says that from the ecological and geomorphological aspects, the Maltese islands are truly an intriguing archipelago. The floral bonanza mentioned can be attributed to Malta’s strategic biogeographical position at the centre of the Mediterranean. In fact, apart from the endemic species, a number of other species are sub-endemic ones (ie restricted to a narrow geographical region) – for example, Siculo-Maltese endemics (restricted to Malta and Sicily) and Pelago-Maltese endemics (restricted to Malta and the Pelagian Islands).
A number of different biogeographical affinities are shown by the remaining species – eg North African affinity. A similarly rich posse of faunal species is present locally, with over 4,000 non-marine species being recorded from the islands, of which almost 70 are endemic.
The tectonic history of the Mediterranean Sea is as chequered as the history of its diverse civilisations, says Dr Deidun. In fact, the depth of this cradle of civilisation has varied greatly through time, due to numerous cataclysms, such as the Messinian Salinity Crisis, Pleistocene glaciations, etc. Some of the local floral endemics are considered to be “palaeoendemics” (old endemics) since they hail from Messinian times, while others are considered to be “neoendemics” (new endemics) since they hail “only” from the Pliocene.
The Maltese islands are also endowed with a number of natural habitats, pertaining to the sclerophyll successional series, such as woodland, maquis, garigue and steppe and other more “specialised” ones that are restricted to incipient pockets around the islands, such as salt marshes, sand dunes, watercourses, rockpools, cliff sides, boulder screes, etc.
Ever since the advent of man on the Maltese Islands, about 7,000 years ago, the islands’ natural wonders have been pillaged through unsound practices such as tree-felling and land clearing and overgrazing and, more recently, by more insidious threats, such as urbanisation, road construction, bird trapping, etc.
The green movement was slow to pick up pace locally, but currently environmental NGOs are mounting effective campaigns to safeguard sensitive natural sites around the islands. These NGOs are also availing themselves of EU environmental policies in their efforts.
Dr Deidun believes that a thorough knowledge of the natural assets of the Maltese islands is necessary for the Maltese to fully appreciate the legacy bequeathed to them, and safeguard it for posterity. It is for this reason that the Foundation for Inter-
national Studies is holding the course, between 18 April and 5 May, with lectures being held in Valletta on Wednesdays, on 18 and 25 April and 2 May, between 5.30 and 8.30pm.
There will also be two field trips, on Saturday, 28 April and Saturday, 5 May between 8am and 1pm.
The course will give participants the opportunity to improve their knowledge of the Maltese natural heritage, and to visit two locations that offer unique examples of Malta’s natural heritage and stunning scenery.