The flora and vegetation of Gozo

Abstract

The Maltese Islands lie in the centre of the Mediterranean. The highest points for the two main islands are only 253 m (Ta' Zuta, Malta) and 191 m (Dbiegi, Gozo) above sea level. Therefore, as is to be expected, this archipelago is subjected to the typical climatic regime which is characteristic oflow-lying coastal Mediterranean areas. Typical Mediterranean climate is characterised by the alternation of a warm dry season and a wet cool season. In the case of the Maltese Islands the dry season starts around the beginning of May and persists till about midSeptember, when it gives way to the wet season. Temperatures are not extreme, rarely exceeding 40°C or descending below 3°C for more than a few days. Grass temperatures may occasionally descend to a few degrees below freezing. Most rainfall precipitates in the first half of the wet season and, in the Maltese Islands, averages between 500-600 mm annually with extremes of between 190 mm and 1030 mm. For more detailed meteorological information see Chetcuti et al. (1992). Mediterranean vegetation is adapted to flourish in this particular climatic regime where the main limiting factor is water availability. Thus to survive successfully in a typical Mediterranean habitat, plants must be able to cope with long periods of drought coupled with brief episodes of torrential rains. Another factor which determines the nature of the vegetation of an area is the chemical composition of the soil. Since the Maltese Islands consist almost entirely of limestones, the soils are consequently calcareous. This means that only plants which tolerate or prefer such soils can flourish.