The Maltese Islands, although small, have a considerable diversity of landscapes and ecosystems, which represent the range and variety of those of the Mediterranean region.
The main vegetation types are represented by maquis shrubland, garigue and steppe. Human impact is significant: around 38% of the land area is cultivated, circa 15% is built up, and the rest is countryside. The current landscape is a result of the interaction of geology and climate, coupled with the intense human exploitation of the environment over thousands of years, which has altered the original condition of the vegetation cover.
The intervention areas host some protected species, mostly in cultivation: Capparis orientalis, Ceratonia siliqua (carob tree), Cydonia oblonga, Olea europaea, Phoenix dactylifera (date palm tree), Prunus dulcis, Prunus persica, Punica granatum, Pyrus communis, Tetraclinis articulate, and Vitex agnus-castus. Eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) and invasive plants (mainly Arundo donax and Opuntia ficus-indica) have been detected as well.
