Biodiversity in the Maltese Islands

Biodiversity in the Maltese Islands

The biodiversity of the Maltese archipelago is shaped by its distinctive Mediterranean habitat types. Due to the small land area of the islands, there is relatively little variety in habitat types. This limited number of ecosystems, combined with a strong human presence and long history of land use, often leads to the assumption that Malta’s biodiversity is poor. However, despite the islands’ small size, human pressures, and habitat constraints, the archipelago is surprisingly rich in species of both flora and fauna.

Covering just over 300 square kilometres, Malta ranks as the world’s tenth smallest country. This isolated group of islands in the central Mediterranean has been shaped over millennia by wind and water erosion, as well as tectonic activity. This is especially evident in the dramatic sea cliffs that make up a large part of Malta’s 270-kilometre coastline. Inland, the landscape is defined by rocky hills and the fertile valleys that lie between them.

Freshwater is scarce on the islands. Natural water sources are typically limited to temporary streams formed after rainfall or shallow rock pools filled during the wetter seasons. Still, forested areas such as Foresta 2000 and Buskett offer important habitats, while other natural spaces like garrigue and maquis represent typical stages of Mediterranean forest degradation and succession.

Key Natural Habitats in Malta

Stages of Natural Succession:

• Steppe (l-isteppa): Open, grassy habitats dominated by annual herbs and shrubs.

• Garrigue (ix-xagħri): A mosaic of low-growing, aromatic plants and hardy shrubs.

• Phrygana (il-frigana): A degraded form of garrigue with sparser vegetation.

• Pre-desert scrub (il-ġmiem): Low, tough shrubs adapted to very dry conditions.

• Maquis (il-makkja): Denser shrubland, often found on moister and more protected slopes.

• Woodland (il-bosk): Found in areas such as Buskett and Foresta 2000, these are among the few forested areas left in Malta.

Specialised Habitat Types:

• Saline marshlands (bwar salmastri): Coastal wetlands important for migratory birds and salt-tolerant plants.

• Freshwater rock pools (l-għadajjar tal-ilma ħelu): Seasonal pools that support unique invertebrates and amphibians.

• Sand dunes (l-għaram tar-ramel): Fragile ecosystems threatened by development and erosion.

• Valley watercourses (il-widien): Lush habitats along water-bearing valleys.

• Caves (l-għerien): Provide microhabitats for bats and specialised cave fauna.

• Cliffs and screes (l-irdumijiet u s-sisien): Dramatic coastal cliffs that are nesting sites for seabirds and home to cliff-dwelling plants.

Excluding marine ecosystems, around 4 to 5 thousand species of flora and fauna can be found across the Maltese islands. A number of these, especially of plant species, are endemic to the islands’ local ecosystems. In spring, the endemic plant species ‘paint’ the islands with their colourful flowers.

Flora

Over 1,100 species of flowering plants have been recorded in the Maltese Islands. This number is significant, given the country’s size and arid climate. Around 25 of these are endemic—found nowhere else on Earth. Many others are regionally rare in the Mediterranean basin.

Spring is the most colourful season, as native plants bloom across the countryside. Endemic species such as the Maltese pyramidal orchid, Maltese rock-centaury (the national plant), and Maltese spider orchid brighten the landscape. These plants are uniquely adapted to Malta’s harsh conditions—intense sun, dry summers, and nutrient-poor soils.

However, these plant species are also vulnerable. With increasing urbanisation, habitat degradation, and invasive species, many are now threatened. Conservation efforts focus on habitat restoration and the protection of key areas such as Għadira Nature Reserve and Simar Nature Reserve.

Mammals, Reptiles, and Insects

Compared to flora, Malta’s mammalian diversity is relatively low. The islands’ isolation and small size limit the presence of large land mammals. The European rabbit is the only wild herbivore remaining, while other mammals include hedgehogs, shrews, and bats—the latter being the only native flying mammals.Very rarely one could see the weasel, known in Maltese as ballottra, is the smallest carnivorous mammal in the world, but largest in Malta.

Reptiles, however, are more varied. The Maltese wall lizard, a sub-endemic species, has four distinct subspecies spread across the islands and their surrounding islets. The western whip-snake and the Mediterranean chameleon are also common.

One of the most overlooked yet richest areas of biodiversity is Malta’s insect population. Over 3,000 insect species have been recorded so far, with many more likely to be discovered. Butterflies, bees, beetles, and moths all play essential roles in pollination, decomposition, and the broader food web.

Birds

During winter, common visitors include the Common Kingfisher, White Wagtail, and European Robin. As spring approaches, migration begins to intensify.

In spring (March–May), birdwatchers can expect to see:

• Ducks: Garganey, Ferruginous Duck, and Pintail—often observed briefly at Għadira and Simar Reserves.

• Raptors: Marsh Harrier, Common Kestrel, followed by Pallid Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Black Kite, Montagu’s Harrier, Hobby, and later Honey-buzzard and Red-footed Falcon.

• Waders: Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Wood and Common Sandpipers, and Greenshank.

• Passerines and other migrants: Barn Swallow, House and Sand Martins, Common and Pallid Swifts, Red-rumped Swallow, Alpine Swift, Willow Warbler, Hoopoe, Northern Wheatear, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Wood Warbler, Pied and Collared Flycatchers, Golden Oriole, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Icterine Warbler, Common Cuckoo, Nightjar, Spotted Flycatcher, European Bee-eater, Short-toed Lark, Turtle Dove, and Common Quail.

Spring migration brings life and colour to Malta’s countryside. Buskett Gardens, the cliffs of Rdum tal-Madonna, and nature reserves like Għadira and Salina are some of the best spots for watching these birds in transit.

In autumn (late August–October), another migration spectacle unfolds. As the first thunderstorms hit, birds travelling from Sicily land in Malta to rest. This season is particularly known for its impressive raptor migration, with hundreds of Marsh Harriers (Bagħdan Aħmar) and Honey Buzzards (Kuċċarda) soaring through the skies and roosting in woodland areas.

Key autumn species include:

• Herons and Egrets

• European Bee-eaters

• Passerines like warblers and shrikes

• Birds of prey, peaking in mid-September over Buskett, one of Malta’s most important migration hotspots.

The islet of Filfla is home to one of the Mediterranean’s largest colonies of storm-petrels, with nearly 8,000 breeding pairs.

Birdwatching has grown in popularity, and protected areas like Għadira, Simar, and Salina Nature Reserve offer excellent opportunities to observe both resident and migratory species in their natural habitats.

Human Impact and Conservation

It’s no secret that human activity has left a mark on Malta’s environment. Urban sprawl, tourism, land reclamation, and pollution have all led to habitat loss and fragmentation. Yet, in recent years, awareness about environmental protection has grown.

NGOs such as BirdLife Malta, Nature Trust, Rangers Unit and others along with national authorities and EU-funded projects, work to preserve and restore critical habitats. Education, public outreach, and citizen science initiatives aim to reconnect people with nature and provide the lush future.

Malta’s biodiversity, despite seeming limited at first glance, is quite impressive for a small island with a high-density population. While habitat loss and human influence have detrimental impacts on Malta’s ecosystems, the archipelago’s biodiversity keeps persisting onwards. For nature lovers and enthusiasts, a mere walk through the islands’ countryside is enough to begin discovering all the hidden natural wonders Malta has to offer.