A vegetation survey of the Munxar peninsula (Eastern Malta)

Abstract

The Munxar peninsula, characterised for its scenic beauty, is predominantly agricultural land set for fodder production. However, land which is not used for agriculture, as well as the coastal fringe, cliffs and country lane support a varied and contrasting semi-natural/natural vegetation organised into distinct communities. The contrasts arise because of a combination of different factors ranging from the physical to anthropogenic. Using standard methodology distributed over two seasons as the primary tool, the differences shown by preliminary surveys have been confirmed. A number of interesting points have also been established, namely: one hundred and thirty-three species have been recorded from the study site. A legume species, Omithopus pinnatus, has been recorded for the first time in the Maltese Islands from the study area. Another rare species, Vicia tetraspenna, together with five species with an overall scarce distribution for the Maltese Islands have also been recorded. Three species of orchids have been recorded from the area. Many of the species recorded are typical of disturbed grounds. Vegetation diversity is generally low with a small number of dominant species. The vegetation is characterised by a distinct seasonal succession. A more long term succession is also evident grading from the recently abandoned (3 years) to long abandoned fields(> 20 years) to established coastal fringe and steppic communities.