GOZ029 - Ras il-Bajda Salt Pans

Description

Ras il-Bajda Salt Pans are a series of salt pans, located in south-western Gozo within the limits of Xlendi. The site is accessible to the public through a hiking trail. The salt pans cover an area of approximately 2,270m2. The site is a popular tourist destination, and the salt pans are no longer used for salt production. No vegetation was present growing within and around the site. The site is located within the Wied Ix-Xlendi Area of High Landscape Value, Il-Wied Tal-Kantra (Cliffs / Valley) Area of Ecological Importance/Site of Scientific Importance under G.N 776/08, and a Special Area of Conservation – International Importance under L.N. 311/06 and G.N. 233/05.

Wetland data

Basic information
Wetland location: Marine/Coastal
Wetland type: Artificial
Wetland area: 0.20 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 (%): 5 - 25
Hydroperiod: Permanent
Geographic information
Census district: Gozo and Comino
Island: Gozo
Local council: Il-Munxar
Longitude: 14.212550 East
Latitude: 36.027610 North
Biological significance
Biological significance: Low
Ramsar wetland type
Type Coverage (%)
5 -- Salt exploitation sites; salt pans, salines, etc.
Property status
Public
Protection statuses
Protection status category Protection status subcategory Area's name Code Coverage area (%) Legislation
National Area of Ecological Importance/Site of Scientific Importance Wied ix-Xlendi, Wied il-Lunzjata u l-inhawi taghhom, fil-limiti ta' Kercem, il-Munxar, Fontana u r-Rabat (Ghawdex) 14819 100 Development Planning Act (Act VII of 2016)
National Area of High Landscape Value Wied ix-Xlendi 555546309 100 Development Planning Act (Act VII of 2016)
International Special Areas of Conservation - International Importance L-Inhawi tax-Xlendi - Wied tal-Kantra 330734 100 Environment Protection Act (Act I of 2016)
CDDA protection status
CDDA code CDDA category
MT02 Area of Ecological Importance/Site of Scientific Importance
MT15 Area of High Landscape Value
MT11 Special Areas of Conservation - International Importance
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
800 = Landfill land reclamation and drying out High
920 = Drying out High
Activities on catchment area
Activity Intensity
501 = paths tracks cycling tracks Low
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 High

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