A landscape-level habitat restoration project is ongoing in Comino, which forms part of the Natura 2000 network. The work is being carried out by Ambjent Malta.

Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia, explained that the conservation of our islands’ habitats is crucial in protecting biodiversity, all our species, and ecological processes which are important for the sustainability of our environment.

He said that the scope of this project is to encourage natural regeneration in the restored sites and possible regeneration in adjacent areas and biotopes.

In addition, the Minister said, the restored habitats will also potentially serve as stepping-stones and refugia for migratory species such as birds.

He added that this project consists of the removal of invasive alien species and the planting of indigenous vegetation according to the site-specific characteristics of the Island, including its phytosociology.

Additional works at Tal-Ful camping site were also carried out, this consisted of the levelling of the ground, the installation of drip irrigation, and fencing.

The Minister said that a total of native 13,878 trees and shrubs were planted, including African tamarisk (Tamarix africana), Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea), Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), Mediterranean Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), Common Myrtle (Myrtus communis), Evergreen oak (Quercus ilex), Pomegranate (Punica granatum), Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), Sandarac gum tree (Tetraclinis articulata), Judas tree (Cercis siliquatrum), Lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus), and Dwarf fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), among others.

Ambjent Malta will routinely monitor and maintain these plants for at least the first five years since planting, to ensure that they have established in the area.

The Minister also explained that regular maintenance works (an average of eight visits per month) are carried out by Ambjent Malta, which includes grass-cutting, soil tilling, replacing of dead plants, installation of tree guards to protect against rodents, watering through an irrigation system that includes four 5000 litre tanks, and inspection of the irrigation system and its overall performance.

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