Maltese Habitats
Saline Marshlands
Saline marshlands form an interface between the marine, freshwater and terrestial environments. Maltese coastal marshes are characterised by a muddy substratum on which a pool of brakish water collects in the wet season. During the dry season this water becomes progressively more brackish until it finally disappears completely, leaving the marsh dry until the following wet season .
Because of these harsh environmental conditions, saline marshlands support a highly specialised biota which is only found in this type of habitat.
Although several species are common to all local marshlands such as the Sharp Rush (Juncus acutus), each site has its own peculiar habitat characteristics.
