Island wetlands of Malta

Is-Salini Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is found within Salini Bay, which is located on the northeast coast of Malta between Naxxar and St. Paul’s Bay. Is-Salini is one of the last remaining salt marshes in the Maltese Islands. It is characterised by an estuary whereby sea water meets and mixes with rainwater originating from a complex of valley systems leading to Is-Salini. The Salini estuary is dynamic and dependent on the build-up of dead sea grass foliage. The consistent presence of freshwater makes this marshland unique to other similar habitats in the Maltese Islands and consequently the marshland supports several endemic species as well as a relatively large number of rare, endangered, and/or locally threatened species. It is the largest extant marshland in the Maltese Islands, though it used to be considerably larger before parts of it were reclaimed for health reasons, for salt harvesting, or for agriculture. Other parts of the site were later built over or afforested and turned into a recreational area (Kennedy Grove). One of the major features in the area is the seventeenth century salt harvesting complex, which was built in the inner reaches of Salina Bay and is now flanked on all except the seaward side by the remnants of the original marshland, which has been restricted to a canal-like feature, known as Is-Sokkorsu. The habitats of importance in this SAC (listed in the Habitats Directive under Annex I) include: • Coastal lagoons (Habitat 1150*) ; • Large shallow inlets and bays (Habitat 1160); • Salicornia (Twiggy Glasswort) and other annuals (plants that complete their lifecycle within one year) colonising mud and sand (Habitat 1310); • Mediterranean salt meadows (subject to flooding by sea water) (Habitat 1410); • Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs perennial vegetation of marine saline muds) (Habitat 1420); • Garrigue/phrygana dominated by the Shrubby Kidney Vetch and Wild Thyme (Habitat 5410); and • Southern riparian galleries and thickets which are dominated by Tamarisk trees and Chaste trees growing along the valley watercourse (Habitat 93D0). The salt marsh is highly diverse in habitat composition and it is often difficult to distinguish between the different habitat types. Despite the number of habitat types recorded, however, it should be noted that Salini has been subjected to continual significant disturbance, which has obliterated the character of the original communities. Is-Salini was known to be the only or one of few remaining localities in the Maltese Islands for a number of plant species such as the Marsh Couch, Beaked Tassel Pondweed, Saltmarsh Bindweed, Slender sea hard-grass, and the Drooping Broomrape. It is also ecologically important for the fauna it supports. Most of these are typical of salt marsh areas and some have only been recorded at this site including molluscs, arthropods, moths and other invertebrates. The Tas-Sokkorsu canal is an important habitat for the brackish water native fish, the Killifish, an Annex II species (Habitats Directive). Notably, is-Salini provides ideal habitat for migratory bird species. In addition, a small breeding population of the Reed Warbler makes use of the reed bed at this site. A number of activities exert pressure on the ecology of the site. The site experienced significant negative effects with the development at Ta’ Mattew as a result of which, the freshwater spring as well as garrigue habitat were lost. Other interventions in more recent years have included the dredging and removal of the sediment that had accumulated in the southern branch of the canal over the years. This action resulted in the removal of certain vegetation communities inside and along the banks of the canal. This would also have impacted on the blue carbon storage of the site. Other pressures include impacts from agricultural runoff which is likely to be causing eutrophication of the watercourse as well as potential contamination from pesticides. Issues related to site abandonment have also impacted the site including dumping, vandalism, disturbance to accessible areas such as the reed bed and the introduction of invasive and non-native plant species. Poaching and trapping also result in negative impacts.