Nature Trust - FEE Malta Wied Ghollieqa

07/09/2026

07/09/2026

In a Mediterranean climate facing increasing aridification and prolonged, punishing summer heat, soil health is our first line of defence against land degradation. As we know, super-arid soil loses its organic matter very rapidly compromising its ability to retain moisture and sustain a healthy microbiome.

A groundbreaking February 2026 study published in Cell Host & Microbe highlights exactly how critical this relationship is:

Researchers studying semi-mature (35-year-old) Quercus sp. (Oak Trees) discovered that during periods of drought stress, the trees actively recruited microbes like Actinobacteriota which stimulate root elongation allowing the tree to reach deeper moisture, improve bacterial root adhesion, and boost nutrient breakdown. Ultimately, if the soil is dead or degraded, trees lose this critical ability.

Nutrient rich soils are CRITICAL for a healthy microbiome, upon which woodland health depends.

Wied Għollieqa is managed by Nature Trust - FEE Malta in partnership with ERA - Environment & Resources Authority. 🌟🌳

🌳 🍃 🪵 🏞️ 🦉 🐝

Hussain, U., Cambon, M. C., Crampton, B., et al. (2026). Microbial communities in semi-mature oak trees are resilient to drought, nutrient limitation, and pathogen challenge. Cell Host & Microbe, 34, 344-358.

05/09/2026

Healthy ecosystems start from the ground up.
​In a Mediterranean climate facing increasing aridification and prolonged, punishing summer heat, soil health is our first line of defence against land degradation. Exposed, parched earth loses its organic matter rapidly, compromising the soil’s capacity to retain moisture and sustain the microbial networks vital for plant survival.

​At Wied Għollieqa, our ongoing soil conditioning efforts are designed to counter exactly that. Tackling aridification isn't only about watering; it is about rebuilding resilient soil systems capable of sustaining woodland cover and supporting long-term habitat succession.

​Wied Għollieqa is managed by Nature Trust - FEE Malta with funds from ERA - Environment & Resources Authority. 🌟🌳

​🌳 🍃 🪵 🏞️ 🦉 🐝

02/09/2026

A well-organized nursery helps ensure our native saplings get constant attention before they are ready for transplantation. 📈

With the heavy summer heat still lingering, comprehensive watering and repurposing old tree material for soil conditioning remains one of our critical everyday tasks. 💧🌱

Wied Ghollieqa is managed by Nature Trust - FEE Malta, supported by numerous volunteers to whom we are eternally grateful, and funded by ERA - Environment & Resources Authority. 🌟🌳
Water is being suplied by a pump operated by a battery sponsored by APS Bank

28/08/2026

Today at Wied Għollieqa, we harvested seeds from the Sandarac Gum Tree (Tetraclinis articulata / Għargħar) and the Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum / Siġra ta' Ġuda) to propagate in our nursery before reintroducing them to the wild.

C. siliquastrum is especially critical for restoring degraded valley soils. Its rich leaf drop acts as a natural fertilizer. This species also exhibits cauliflory, producing its vibrant flowers directly on its trunk and branches before leaves emerge. This unique phenological pattern makes it a highly visible, crucial early-season nectar source for wild bees and other pollinators when few other native options are available. 🌳🐝

These interventions are key to optimising the ecological carrying capacity of our habitats

We also cleared invasive Blue-leaved Wattle (Acacia saligna / Akaċja) felled earlier this year. Come October, these spaces will welcome native saplings such as Holm Oak (Quercus ilex / Ballut), Mediterranean Buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus / Alaternu), and Lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus / Deru).

Caring for our native canopy is central to attaining our climate and restoration goals. 📊 📈

A massive thank you to the dedicated student volunteers giving their time to safeguard our natural legacy. 🌍💧

Wied Għollieqa is managed by Nature Trust - FEE Malta with funding from the ERA - Environment & Resources Authority. 🌟

27/08/2026

🐜🌳 Invasive Trees & Tramp Ants in Malta

​Recent observations in local valleys, including Wied Għollieqa and Wied Ħarq Ħammiem, reveal a critical ecological loop. The invasive Brazilian Pepper Tree (Schinus terebinthifolia) is acting as a highly resilient food source for destructive tramp ants.

The tree attracts pests that extract and excrete carbohydrate-rich honeydew. Unlike native plants that would collapse under this parasitic drain, the Brazilian Pepper Tree thrives.

This endless food supply subsidizes supercolonies of dangerous alien/ invasive ants, notably the Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile) and Pheidole indica who aggressively farm these pests by protecting them from predators.

​In doing so, they displace keystone native species such as the Mediterranean Acrobat Ant (Crematogaster scutellaris) who provide ecological services such as seed dispersal.

Furthermore, falling honeydew breeds black sooty mold that blocks sunlight and chokes out sensitive native seedlings below.

​Schinus terebinthifolia is financing the destruction of our biodiversity. Systematic eradication in both urban and natural settings is unfortunately the only option to safeguard future biodiversity.

​Once removed, the biomass can accelerate ecosystem recovery. Shredding the timber creates an excellent organic mulch. Layering this over poor-quality soil retains vital moisture, suppresses invasive recurrence, and conditions the soil to support native Mediterranean saplings.

Wied Ghollieqa is managed by Nature Trust-FEE Malta with funding from the ERA - Environment & Resources Authority.

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​Further Recommended Reading:

Brunetti, S. (2024). Alien Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Sicily and Malta: A Review and Updated Checklist. Biodiversity Journal, 15(3): 707-712. https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.3.707.712

25/08/2026

More soil conditioning activities this week, as we process and repurpose invasive species on the valley floor in support of succession planting and the establishment of a healthy riparian phytosociological association. 🦉🏞️

A powerful reminder of what consistent, dedicated work can achieve! 🌿🌳

Wied Għollieqa is managed by Nature Trust–FEE Malta with funding from ERA - Environment & Resources Authority.

Water is being supplied from a pump powered by a battery funded by APS Bank

20/08/2026

Nature always finds a way! 🌱🪵

As part of our ongoing riparian afforestation work, we're turning cleared valley biomass into nutrient-rich wood chips and mulch. Spreading this material helps condition the soil, locking in vital moisture to give our upcoming native plantings the best possible start. 🏞️🍃🌳🍁

At the same time, this thick organic layer acts as a natural suppressant against aggressive and invasive alien species particularly the smothering balloon vine Cardiospermum halicacabum, known locally as Sfineġ sufi, and bramble, Rubus ulmifolius, known locally as l-Għollieq following MaltaWildPlants.com.

Every wheelbarrow of mulch brings us one step closer to restoring a healthier, more balanced ecosystem! 🌿💧

Wied Għollieqa is managed by Nature Trust - FEE Malta with funding from the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA). 🌟 ERA - Environment & Resources Authority
Funds for battery to water the trees were provided by APS Bank

16/08/2026

Keeping our woodlands healthy through the long summer months requires moving water from our wells. For this, we have the British High Commission and the Ministry for Energy, the Environment and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour (MEER), to thank for their generous sponsorships throughout the years. The battery to charge the PV to pump the water was funded by APS Bank

​Naturally, keeping the site running requires a little Zen. Out here in the valley, enlightenment is having all the right sockets for your spanner and some elbow grease.

​Wied Għollieqa is managed by Nature Trust–FEE Malta with funding from ERA - Environment & Resources Authority .

13/08/2026

🌿 All hands on deck at Wied Għollieqa! 🌿

A massive well done and thank you to the St. Aloysius College students who joined our summer activity event yesterday! They rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into removing the invasive species that choke out our native woodlands and riparian habitats.

This hands-on intervention is a crucial part of our long-term ecological restoration of Wied Għollieqa, ensuring it continues to develop as an important reference site for ecological restorations.

A special thanks goes out to everyone who helped lead and organize the day, especially Sasha, Natalia, Annick, and Johann. Your dedication is invaluable.

Looking forward to the next event! 🌍💪

Wied Għollieqa is managed by Nature Trust–FEE Malta with funding from the ERA - Environment & Resources Authority
Watering of plants and trees is being supplied by a battery sponsored through APS Bank