MAL004 - Tal-Blata Salt Pans

Description

Tal-Blata Salt Pans are a series of salt pans, located in northern Malta within the limits of Xemxija. The site is accessible to the public through a pathway near Fort Campbell. The salt pans cover an approximate area of 19,020m2. The site is a popular tourist destination. It is probable that the salt pans are no longer used for salt production due to being left in derelict conditions. The site is surrounded by abandoned agricultural land. The area is being used as an off-roading dirt track by motorcyclists and cars. The site is classified as an Area of Ecological Importance under G.N. 400/96, as a Special Area of Conservation – International Importance under Government Notice No. 1379 of 2016, in accordance with the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2016 (S.L. 549.44), a No Trapping Zone under S.L. 504.71 and is within a Natura2000 site.

Wetland data

Basic information
Wetland location: Marine/Coastal
Wetland type: Artificial
Wetland area: 1.90 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 (%): 76 - 95
Hydroperiod: Permanent
Geographic information
Census district: Northern
Island: Malta
Local council: Il-Mellieha
Longitude: 14.395650 East
Latitude: 35.966810 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 Irdumijiet Ta' Madwar il-Kosta mill-Irdum tal-Griebeg sa Il-Qala tal-Mistra fil-Mellieha/San Pawl il-Bahar 14775 100 Development Planning Act (Act VII of 2016)
National Area of High Landscape Value Diversi Rdumijiet 555546316 100 Development Planning Act (Act VII of 2016)
International Special Areas of Conservation - International Importance L-Inhawi ta' l-Imgiebah / Tal-Mignuna 330723 100 Environment Protection Act (Act I of 2016)
CDDA protection status
CDDA code CDDA category
MT01 Area of Ecological 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 Medium
800 = Landfill land reclamation and drying out High
Activities on catchment area
Activity Intensity
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 Medium
EO- = Increase potential for natural products High
EU- = Increase of tourist/recreation potential

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