Protecting the natural heritage in the Maltese islands (6)

Wied ix-Xlendi and environs constitute an extensive valley system located between the settlements of Kerċem, Munxar, Fontana and Victoria.

The area displays a varied and, in places, dramatic, topography dominated by a complex valley network and an inextricably linked suite of floral and faunal species.

The main watercourse known as Wied ix-Xlendi is very deeply incised into the Lower Coralline Limestone, forming a steep-sided U-shaped gorge. It is, in turn, fed by a number of tributary valleys including Wied il-Ħmar, Wied il-Lunzjata, Wied Siekel, Il-Wied tas-Saqwi, Il-Wied tal-Għawdxija, Wied il-Għarab, and an unnamed tributary at Tax-Xlendi.

The morphology of the individual tributaries is strongly influenced by localised geological and geomorphological factors, including lithostratigraphy, faulting and catchment area, giving rise to distinct landscape sub-units.

The Wied tal-Għawdxija is another deep gorge, spectacularly eroded out of the Lower Coralline Limestone. It joins Wied ix-Xlendi at a sharp angle, giving rise to a conspicuous prominence known as Il-Fekruna ta' Wied ix-Xlendi.

Wied il-Għarab and the tributary at Tax-Xlendi are mainly incised into the Globigerina Limestone strata, and thus possess a characteristic gentle V-shaped profile. They merge quasi-perpendicularly with Wied ix-Xlendi as hanging valleys.

The formation of Il-Wied tas-Saqwi and Wied il-Ħmar is largely determined by major fault escarpments which are readily visible as steep inland cliffs on one side of the respective valleys. An even more conspicuous slicken-sided escarpment is present at Blat Żellieq, overlooking Tax-Xlendi.

Mepa scheduled Wied ix-Xlendi, Wied il-Lunżjata and environs as an Area of Ecological Importance, Site of Scientific Importance and Area of High Landscape Value, as per Government Notice No. 856/00 in the Government Gazette dated October 27, 2000, followed by amendments as per Government Notice No. 776/08 dated September 9, 2008.