This habitat is generally devoid of shrubs, and is mainly comprised of annuals, that is, plants that live up to one year. (iii) Tuberous or bulbous species such as the southern star of Bethlehem (MT: Д§alib it-tajr ЕјgД§ir SN: Ornithogalum narbonense). (ii) Legumes such as the common vetch (MT: il-ДЎilbiena sewda SN: Vicia sativa subsp. (i) Umbellifers such as the fennel (MT: il-buЕјbieЕј SN: Foeniculum vulgare), the Maltese ferule (MT: il-ferla SN: Ferula melitensis) and the wild carrot (MT: iz-zunnarija salvaДЎДЎa SN: Daucus carota) It is widespread, and is characterised by herbaceous plants, especially grasses, such as: It is derived from maquis and garrigue as a result of some form of degradation, such as that caused by fire or animal grazing. Steppe is considered as the first stage in the ecological succession process. Cliffs and boulder shores ( l-irdumijiet u l-komunitajiet rupestrali ) Freshwater rockpools ( l-gД§adajjar tal-ilma Д§elu)ДЎ2. Habitats that form part of the process of succession:ДЁ. There are six principal stages of ecological succession in the Maltese Islands these are relative to Mediterranean type vegetation. In certain localities, it is easy to differentiate between these stages, though in most cases, the habitats occur as a mosaic of the different stages of ecological succession. Natural habitats in the Maltese Islands appear in different stages of ecological succession. The latter type is generally less species rich. Apart from biotic factors (living), limiting factors may also be abiotic (non-living), such as lack of water.ДЄ) Primary succession: Begins when pioneer species, like mosses and lichens, colonise barren substrate, such as rock, sand or soil, which has never before supported any vegetation.Д«) Secondary succession: Occurs in areas where natural vegetation has been disturbed or destroyed. The process of succession can halt at a pre-climax stage when some factor is limiting such as when the organism needed to bring about the necessary changes that lead to the creation of the following community is absent. This process starts with what is called as the вЂњpioneer communityвЂќ, and eventually leads to the development of a stable and mature community, referred to as the вЂњclimax communityвЂќ. These ecosystems undergo ecological succession in response to changes in environmental conditions this is a natural process of change over time that is brought about by progressive replacement of one plant or animal community with another.

Other communities: Either specialised to occupy particular habitats, or occupy habitats that are rare in the Islands, or are relics from a previous ecological regime.Д®cosystems are formed by the interactions between a community of living organisms and the physical environment that surrounds them.

Human-linked communities: Owe their existence to anthropogenic activities.Mediterranean communities: Part of the succession sequence towards climax communities.Terrestrial habitats are based mainly on vegetation types these are grouped into three main categories: