The Maltese Islands are host to over 1000 species of wild flowering plants. Of these, over 800 are native, the rest being introduced, intentionally or accidentally, as a result of human intervention and running wild. This book illustrates nearly 300 of these species and describes many others. Users should be able to identify a significant number of plants they meet.
This book discusses the remarkable plant diversity of the Maltese Archipelago. Despite its relatively small area and long-term human exploitation, many different plant communities occur in this territory. The book presents phytosociological investigations, together with taxonomical studies, which have been conducted over more than forty years, highlighting the unique features of this central Mediterranean insular ecosystem. It also describes the phytosociological role played by several narrow endemic or phytogeographically relevant taxa and introduces many phytocoenoses exclusively growing in the archipelago. The study integrates the palaeogeographic issues linked to the ancient and intriguing history of the different civilizations that succeeded on the islands for thousands of years. The book also focuses on the N2000 habitats.
"Flora of the Maltese Islands [v. 1-3] describes over 650 species of wild plants in full and with colour photographs; over 370 species are described briefly. An introduction covers brief notes on the evolution of the Maltese Islands, origins of Maltese flora, habitats, climate, soil, and other information such as fire and plants, dispersal and survival strategies of plants, pollination, and defence mechanisms."--NHBS website.
Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a small island country located in the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Sicily, Italy. The country is divided into three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Malta is known for its stunning coastline, pristine beaches, ancient ruins, and historic architecture. The capital city, Valletta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination due to its rich history and cultural significance. Malta has a diverse population and a rich cultural heritage that is influenced by its location and history. The country has been inhabited since prehistoric times and has been ruled by numerous foreign powers, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and British. The blend of different cultures and influences can be seen in the country’s cuisine, language, music, and traditional festivals. Malta is also known for its warm climate, friendly people, and laid-back lifestyle, making it a popular destination for tourists and expatriates. Overall, Malta is a unique and enchanting country that offers visitors a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Flora of the Maltese Islands brings together the previous 4 volumes with minor additions. It describe over 730 species in full colour and contains over 1,500 colour photographs. The book can be regarded both as an informative one on plants and as a guide to the wild flora of the Maltese islands. Fourteen pages describe the endemic and sub-endemic flora in the introductory section. Other information includes about the habitats, flowers, leaves, the islands' geology, climate and soil, origins of the Maltese flora, how plants survive the dry season, how they disperse their seeds, pollination, fire and plants, and the water cycle. A flower-colour guide is also found. Flora of the Maltese Islands is not just another book on plants; it is a comprehensive book full of references and information on the wild plants of these islands in the central Mediterranean region.
This edited volume brings together a collection of works that comprehensively address both the myriad geomorphological landscapes of the Maltese Islands and how their evolution has been shaped over various time-scales by different sets of processes. Additionally, the work highlights how the small geographical setting of the Maltese Islands helped to closely connect these landscapes with Maltese society and as a result, they have evolved from stand-alone examples of geomorphology to important backdrops of Maltese cultural identity. Most of the contributing authors are academics – both local and foreign – with a research focus on the geomorphology of the Maltese Islands. However, the editors have also (and purposefully) chosen other contributors from governmental institutions and research agencies, who complement the geomorphological research with their proactive work in selected case studies on Maltese landscapes.
