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Buskett U Tal- Girgenti Natura 2000 Management Plan (SAC/SPA)

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Buskett U Tal- Girgenti Natura 2000 Management Plan (SAC/SPA) L-Inħawi tal- Buskett u tal- Girgenti 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 Niki Kardakari, Krista Farrugia, Rachel Xuereb, Andrea Pace, Eilis McCullough, Edwin Lanfranco, John Borg, Athanasia Kassela , Dimitris Skarlatos, 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 +35622923500 [email protected] Site Designation & Management Team (ERA) +35622923665 [email protected] Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd +35621378172 [email protected] Epsilon International S.A. +302106898610 [email protected] page 2 Epsilon-Adi L-Inħawi tal- Buskett u tal-Girgenti VISION STATEMENT FOR L-INĦAWI TAL- BUSKETT U TAL- GIRGENTI, WILDLIFE SAC/SPA The vision for Inħawi tal-Buskett u tal-Girgenti presents the desired result once this protected area has been managed for some time. The vision for the site is: At l-Inħawi tal-Buskett u tal-Girgenti all natural habitats, native vegetation and wildlife, including bird life, will flourish. The natural habitats and landscape will become even more diverse and natural with time. Agriculture will be practised in harmony with the surrounding ecology. As stewards of the land, local farmers and land owners will actively participate in nature conservation of the area. Rural tourism and outdoor recreation will be practised in full synchrony with the site’s conservation needs. The site will receive full legal protection, in accordance with national legislation and local policies. Epsilon-Adi page 3 Natura 2000 Management Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction The management plan area of L-Inħawi tal- Buskett u tal-Girgenti is found in the western part of Malta and is located within Ir-Rabat, Ħad-Dingli and Is-Siġġiewi locality boundaries. The management plan area includes both a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA). The area is located close to L-Għar tal-Iburdan u l-Inħawi tal-Madwar and to the Rdumijiet ta’Malta: Ir-Ramla ta’ Għajn Tuffieħa sax-Xaqqa management plan areas. L-Inħawi tal-Buskett and tal-Girgenti SAC is one of the largest SACs in the Maltese Islands. It consists of three valley systems, Wied l-Isqof, Wied il-Luq and Wied il-Girgenti, each of which has a permanent watercourse running through it, supporting the highest concentration of riparian woodlands in the Maltese Islands. This SAC is also one of the most diverse and richest in biodiversity, supporting a variety of rare and endemic species. It also hosts the largest woodland in the Maltese Islands, at Buskett, which in turn supports the largest concentration of woodland-associated species of invertebrates and mycoflora in Malta. Buskett is also a popular site with both Maltese and foreigners, recording a high footfall, particularly in winter. Buskett, and the area around it, is also important as a concentration point for birds of prey, many of which are of international importance. This has allowed the area to receive designation both as an SAC and an SPA. The area also hosts a cave: l- Għar tal-Inkwiżitur. Sixty one percent of the SAC, or 149 Ha, consists of agricultural land, most of which is irrigated. The source of water for irrigation is almost entirely from local sources, being either extracted directly from groundwater, or channelled from the watercourse. This creates potential conflict between local land users and hydrophilic flora. Moreover, there is little land available for watercourse vegetation as farmland is maximised by extending the cultivated land to the edge of the watercourse. Moreover, in Wied L-Isqof, Eucalyptus trees are planted extensively along the valleybed, taking up habitat that would otherwise most likely be occupied other important trees. Eucalyptus trees are also being planted extensively in other areas throughout the SAC, with the largest plantations being at Wied l- Isqof. Land management at Il-Buskett is particularly unique for an SAC in Malta. It is one of a handful of sites that are actively managed by the Government. Certain parts of the woodland are under direct management of the ELC consortium through a Private-Public Partnership agreement with the Government of Malta while the Directorate for Parks, Afforestation and Countryside Restoration (PARKS) within the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change is responsible for the woodland. There are a number of plans to rehabilitate the area. Restoration works on the different farmhouses (Razzett tal-Għorof, Razzett tal-Bagħal, Razzett tal-Ispirtu and Razzett tal-Bosk) in the area have already started. Some retaining walls have been repaired but there are still restoration works to be done particularly along the arched water culvert before Razzett tal- Bagħal. page 4 Epsilon-Adi L-Inħawi tal- Buskett u tal-Girgenti The Site’s Biodiversity and the Factors Affecting It The habitats of importance in this SAC (listed in the Habitats Directive under Annex I) include: Mediterranean temporary ponds (Habitat 3170); Arborescent matorral with Bay Laurel (habitat 5320) Garrigue dominated by Mediterranean shrubby species such as Wild Thyme (Habitat 5330); Poplar and Willow galleries (Habitat 92A0); Olive and Carob forests (Habitat 9320); Oak forests (Habita 9340); and Mediterranean pine forests (Habitat 9540). Some of these habitats support some rare species and species important for conservation including a rare cricket, the Leopard snake and the Lesser Horseshoe Bat and the Mouse- eared Bat. Field surveys, desk studies and expert knowledge were applied to evaluate the conservation status of all Annex I habitats whereas desk studies and expert knowledge were used to evaluate the conservation status for species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. L-Inħawi tal- Buskett u tal-Girgenti is a Special Protection Area because of the importance of the site as a stopover for migratory raptors in both the spring and autumn migrations. Regularly recorded and in considerable numbers of migrants include: the honey buzzard, the lesser spotted eagle, the western marsh harrier, and various falcons. 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 ecology of the site. Soil erosion is considered an important factor that affects the watercourse in the valley bed because without effective retaining walls to keep the soil in its place, the watercourse in the valley bed silts
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