GOZ002 - Qbajjar Salt Pans

Description

Qbajjar Salt Pans are a series of salt pans, located in northern Gozo within the limits of Ħaż-Żebbuġ. The site is accessible by the public through a pathway. The salt pans cover an area of approximately 3,350m2 and were originally constructed for the production of sea salt, however, the silt deposited in the salt pans and the broken salt pans present indicate that they are no longer being used. Limbarda chrithmoides was growing in between the salt pans throughout the site.

Wetland data

Basic information
Wetland location: Marine/Coastal
Wetland type: Artificial
Wetland area: 0.30 Ha
Hydrological interaction: -  
Water salinity: Salty (> 18.0 g/l)
Type of fresh water input: Catchment area (precipitation)
Surface water runoff Other
Open water area (%): 51 - 75
Hydroperiod: Permanent
Geographic information
Census district: Gozo and Comino
Island: Gozo
Local council: Iz-Zebbug
Longitude: 14.251370 East
Latitude: 36.079810 North
Biological significance
Biological significance: Low
Ramsar wetland type
Type Coverage (%)
5 -- Salt exploitation sites; salt pans, salines, etc.
Property status
Public
Ecosystem services
Type of ecosystem service Ecosystem service Scale of Βenefit (%) Importance
Cultural services Cultural heritage
Supporting services Provision of habitat
Activities on wetland
Activity Intensity
020 = Resource conservation High
340 = Salt works High
690 = Other leisure and tourism impacts High
920 = Drying out High
Activities on catchment area
Activity Intensity
402 = discontinuous urbanisation Low
501 = paths tracks cycling tracks High
Impacts
Impact Intensity
EB- = Increase in aesthetic qualities High
EE- = Increase of economic potential High
EF- = Increase in protection from natural forces High
EO- = Increase potential for natural products High
EU- = Increase of tourist/recreation potential
Vegetation types
Type Coverage (%)
Halophytic < 5
Flora
Species Presence status References
Jacobaea crithmoides

Images