GOZ032 - Ghajn Klin

Description

Għajn Klin is an artificially constructed pond, located in south-eastern Gozo within the village of Għajnsielem. The pond covers an approximate area of 3,910m2. The site is accessible to the public from a surfaced road. The site is predominantly surrounded by agricultural land. Residences are located to the north of the pond. The boundary between the residential area and the terraced land beneath is connected through a road that leads past Għajn Klin and eventually to the coast. Pipelines were present scattered throughout the fields, indicating that the pond is being used for the irrigation of the nearby agricultural fields. A conversation with a local confirmed that the water that is collected at Għajn Klin helps to sustain the fields in the area. A maquis habitat was present behind the pond, dominated by Ceratonia siliqua and Olea europaea, with Opuntia ficus-indica being abundant at field boundaries. Within the pond, species of interest included Juncus sp., Tamarix sp. and Typha domingensis, however, a relatively high percentage of alien species such as Mirabilis jalapa var. odorata, Ricinus communis, Oxalis pes-caprae and Arundo donax were also recorded. Pelophylax bedriagae was found to be abundant within the pond. This alien frog was also highly vocal during the field investigation. It is not excluded that a population of Discoglossus pictus might also be present although specimens of this species was not noted during the site investiagation. The site is not protected by any legislation.

Wetland data

Basic information
Wetland location: Inland
Wetland type: Artificial
Wetland area: 0.40 Ha
Hydrological interaction: -  
Water salinity: Fresh (< 0.5 g/l)
Type of fresh water input: Catchment area (precipitation)
Surface water runoff Other
Open water area (%): 26 - 50
Hydroperiod: Permanent
Geographic information
Census district: Gozo and Comino
Island: Gozo
Local council: Ghajnsielem and Comino
Longitude: 14.287880 East
Latitude: 36.022880 North
Biological significance
Biological significance: High
Ramsar wetland type
Type Coverage (%)
2 -- Ponds; includes farm ponds, stock ponds, small tanks; (generally below 8 ha)
Property status
Private
Protection statuses
Protection status category Protection status subcategory Area's name Code Coverage area (%) Legislation
National Area of Ecological Importance/Site of Scientific Importance Ghadajjar ta' l-ilma helu f'Ghajn Klin, ix-Xatt l-Ahmar (l/ta' Ghajnsielem, Ghawdex) 174725 99 Development Planning Act (Act VII of 2016)
CDDA protection status
CDDA code CDDA category
MT02 Area of Ecological Importance/Site of Scientific Importance
Ecosystem services
Type of ecosystem service Ecosystem service Scale of Βenefit (%) Importance
Provisioning services Food
Provisioning services Fresh water
Supporting services Nutrient cycling
Supporting services Provision of habitat
Regulatory services Water regulation
Activities on wetland
Activity Intensity
130 = Irrigation High
502 = roads motorways Medium
701 = water pollution Low
954 = invasion by a species High
Activities on catchment area
Activity Intensity
100 = Cultivation High
110 = Use of pesticides High
120 = Fertilisation High
130 = Irrigation High
401 = continuous urbanisation High
430 = Agricultural structures Low
502 = roads motorways High
530 = Improved access to site High
710 = Noise nuisance Medium
Impacts
Impact Intensity
EE- = Increase of economic potential High
ES- = Increase in water supply Medium
PF- = Fertilizer/Excess nutrient pollution Low
PP- = Pesticide pollution High
Vegetation types
Type Coverage (%)
Emergent 76 - 95
Shrubby / Arborescent 5 - 25
Wet meadow 5 - 25
Other
Other 5 - 25
Flora
Species Presence status References
Arundo donax
Ceratonia siliqua
Juncus sp.
Mirabilis jalapa var. odorata
Olea europaea
Opuntia ficus-indica
Oxalis pes-caprae
Ricinus communis
Tamarix sp.
Typha domingensis
Fauna

Amphibians

Presence status in wetland


References
Pelophylax bedriagae (Camerano, 1882)

Images