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
Nature Trust Malta. (2019). MtIsWet – Database of the Maltese Islands Wetlands. Updated: 12.2023