Natura 2000 Management Plan (SAC/SPA)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
L-Inħawi tad-Dwejra u tal- Qawra, inkluż Ħaġret il- Ġeneral (SAC) / Rdumijiet ta’ Għawdex: Il-Ponta ta’ Ħarrux sal-Bajja tax-Xlendi (SPA) Rdumijiet ta’ Għawdex: Il- Ponta ta’ San Dimitri sal- Ponta ta’ Ħarrux (SPA) Natura 2000 Management Plan (SAC/SPA) Rural Development Programme for 2007 - 2013 Axis 3 - Improving the Quality of Life in Rural Areas Project part-financed by the European Union Co-financing rate: 75% European Union; 25% Government of Malta The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development Investing in Rural Areas www.natura2000malta. org.mt Natura 2000 Management Plan Project description The Project "Management Planning and Implementation of Communication measures for Terrestrial Natura 2000 Sites in the Maltese Islands" was funded by the EAFRD and pioneered by MEPA. It aims to establish management plans or legal provisions for the management of all terrestrial Natura 2000 sites in the Maltese Islands, and to increase awareness of the Natura 2000 network amongst the general public and stakeholders. The Project started in October 2012 and ended in March 2014. It is considered a milestone in the protection of Malta’s rural environment and undertakes necessary actions required in management planning for the 34 terrestrial Natura 2000 sites: 27 terrestrial Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and 7 Special Protection Areas (SPAs). The Project involved gathering information, carrying out surveys, defining Conservation Objectives and identifying management measures with intensive stakeholder involvement. These management plans are not intended to restrain recreational or other economic activities within the sites, but rather to support sustainability of Malta’s natural resources with the involvement of stakeholders. A Vision has been formulated for the ideal condition of each Natura 2000 site, to be achieved after a period of management. The Project delivered awareness campaigns on Natura 2000 sites amongst public and specific target groups such as farmers and land managers. It set the ground and has equipped key stakeholders with knowledge and skills necessary to effectively participate in the management planning process. In that respect, the Project will help Malta fulfil its EU and international commitments by informing, educating, encouraging ownership, and building momentum for the implementation of the EU Natura 2000 network of protected areas whist improving quality of life in rural communities. Produced by Epsilon International SA - Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd Consortium, Malta www.epsilon.gr // www.adi-associates.com // www.natura2000malta.org.mt Management team Epsilon International SA Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd Despina Kallidromitou Adrian Mallia Marc Bonazountas Rachel Xuereb Key experts Despina Kallidromitou, Thomas Arapis, Eman Calleja, Perit Philip B. Grech, Marlene Borg, Michael Parlato Trigona, Adrian Mallia Team experts Mike Mannaart, Krista Farrugia, Rachel Xuereb, Andrea Pace, Eilis McCullough, Alexander Borg, Edwin Lanfranco, David Dandria, John Borg, Athanasia Kassela, Dimitris Skarlatos, Niki Kardakari, Fay Nakou, Elli Chourdaki Contract Νο. CT3101/2011, Malta Environmental Planning Authority (MEPA) St. Francis Ravelin, Floriana, Malta, www.mepa.org.mt Project leader: Mr Darrin T. Stevens Disclaimer This is a public document provided by the ERA, and as such information contained in this document can be used by any interested party by referencing this publication. Produced maps: © Mapping Unit, MEPA. Maltese Islands maps with site location: © 2012 Nokia © 2013 Microsoft Corporation. For Information Environment and Resources Authority +3562292 3500 [email protected] Site Designation & Management Team (ERA) +35622903665 [email protected] Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd +35621378172 [email protected] Epsilon International S.A. +302106898610 [email protected] page 2 Epsilon-Adi L-Inħawi tad-Dwejra u tal-Qawra, inkluż Ħaġret il-Ġeneral (SAC) / Rdumijiet ta’ Għawdex: Il- Ponta ta’ Ħarrux sal-Bajja tax-Xlendi (SPA) / Rdumijiet ta’ Għawdex: Il-Ponta ta’ San Dimitri sal-Ponta ta’ Ħarrux (SPA) VISION STATEMENT FOR L-INĦAWI TAD-DWEJRA U TAL- QAWRA, INKLUŻ ĦAĠRET IL-ĠENERAL (SAC) / RDUMIJIET TA’ GĦAWDEX: IL-PONTA TA’ ĦARRUX SAL-BAJJA TAX- XLENDI (SPA) / RDUMIJIET TA’ GĦAWDEX: IL-PONTA TA’ SAN DIMITRI SAL-PONTA TA’ ĦARRUX (SPA) The vision for Dwejra presents the desired result once this protected area has been managed for some time. The vision for the site is: At Dwejra, all protected natural habitats, native vegetation and wildlife will thrive, and the site’s habitats and landscape will gain naturalness. Protected birds, in particular cliff-breeding species, will flourish. The site’s spectacular geology, in particular in the core area of Dwejra / Qawra, will be protected and managed. Recreational activities such as diving, sailing, rock climbing, trekking, horse riding and camping will be managed, and practised in full harmony with the site’s conservation objectives, particularly within the core area of Dwejra / Qawra. The site will also enjoy full legal protection under national regulations and policies, to ensure its landscape and ecology are sustained. Epsilon-Adi page 3 Natura 2000 Management Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction L-Inħawi tad-Dwejra u tal-Qawra, inkluż Ħaġret il-Ġeneral (SAC) / Rdumijiet ta’ Għawdex: Il- Ponta ta’ Ħarrux sal-Bajja tax-Xlendi (SPA) / Rdumijiet ta’ Għawdex: Il-Ponta ta’ San Dimitri sal-Ponta ta’ Ħarrux (SPA) Natura 2000 site is found along the north western coast of Gozo, stretching from Il-Ponta ta’ San Dimitri to It-Tkieken, covering an area of 1.44 km². The management plan area falls within the administrative boundaries of the Għarb, Kerċem, Munxar, and San Lawrenz Local Councils. The site is found close to another terrestrial Natura 2000 site; L-Inħawi tax-Xlendi u tal-Wied tal-Kantra (SAC) / Rdumijiet ta’ Għawdex: Id-Dawra tas-Sanap sa tal-Ħajt which is located south of the SAC and SPA. The Żona fil-Baħar fl-Inħawi tad-Dwejra Natura 2000 Marine Protected Area is also bordering the management plan area, seaward from il-Maxwell to il- Ponta tal-Wardija (Il-Pinnur tal-Wardija). This management plan area includes a mosaic of distinctive and uncharacteristic geological, geomorphological and ecological features making this site one of extraordinary scientific importance and heritage value. The site comprises extensive coastal cliffs and rdum structures (forming part of the Rdumijiet ta’ Għawdex), cliff plateaux, valleys, the il-Qattara permanent freshwater pool, the Ħaġret il-Ġeneral Nature Reserve and the Qawra/Dwejra Heritage Park. The Site’s Biodiversity and the Factors Affecting It The habitats of importance in this SAC include: Vegetated sea cliffs of the Mediterranean coasts with endemic Sea Lavender species (Habitat 12401); Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs perennial vegetation of marine saline muds) (Habitat 1420); Rock pools of low to moderate nutrient content having clear waters with submerged aquatic plants and algae (Habitat 3140); Garrigue dominated by Mediterranean shrubby species such as Wild Thyme (Habitat 5330); Garrigue/phrygana dominated by the Shrubby Kidney Vetch (Habitat 5430); Cliff communities characterised by many Maltese endemic species (Habitat 8210); and Southern riparian galleries and thickets which are dominated by Tamarisk trees and Chaste trees growing along the valley watercourse (Habitat 93D0). Field surveys, desk studies and expert knowledge were applied to evaluate the conservation status of all Annex I habitats. These habitats support a number of rare species and species important for conservation. The coastal and cliff habitats support species such as the Maltese Toad Flax, the Maltese Salt Tree, the Maltese Cliff-orache, and the Maltese Rock Centuary, all of which are endemic to the Maltese Islands (with the Maltese Toad Flax, also known from Sicily), whereby they are not known from anywhere else in the world. Dwejra supports the most abundant population in the Maltese Islands of the very rare Maltese Everlasting (Helichrysum melitense) and the Gozo Hyoseris as well as a good population of 1 The Habitats Directive assigns codes to the habitat types of conservation interest, these should be referred to for the full technical habitat description. page 4 Epsilon-Adi L-Inħawi tad-Dwejra u tal-Qawra, inkluż Ħaġret il-Ġeneral (SAC) / Rdumijiet ta’ Għawdex: Il- Ponta ta’ Ħarrux sal-Bajja tax-Xlendi (SPA) / Rdumijiet ta’ Għawdex: Il-Ponta ta’ San Dimitri sal-Ponta ta’ Ħarrux (SPA) the Egyptian St Johns Wort. The garrigue habitats also support endemic species and provide ideal habitat for orchid species and the rock pools are also home to rare species. The conservation status for species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive was evaluated based on reference to desk studies and expert knowledge. The site extends to include a Special Protection Area on account of the important breeding Yelkouan Shearwater and Scopoli’s Shearwater seabird populations located along the cliffs as well as other breeding species such as the Short-toed Lark which are ground nesting birds and the Blue Rock Thrush which is also associated with the cliff area. Dwejra is an important site for migratory birds and provides suitable staging areas for a number of birds including heron species, passerines, and raptors. The conservation status of bird species of importance (as identified in the Birds Directive) was also evaluated. A number of activities exert pressure on the site.