MAL032 - Il-Wied tal-Imsida

Description

Il-Wied tal-Imsida is an artificially constructed reservoir, intended for irrigation and water storage, located in central Malta within Imsida. The borders of the reservoir have been constructed out of limestone blocks, and the site covers an area of approximately 1,900m2. Access to the site is via a surfaced road. A car park is located on the north, while an active roadway lies to the east. Active agricultural fields are present towards the west and south with pipelines accessing the reservoir, indicating it is used for irrigation. Lemna minor L. was present within the reservoir, while Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Ricinus communis were present around the basin, all aliens and the latter are highly invasive. The site is not protected by any legislation.

Wetland data

Basic information
Wetland location: Inland
Wetland type: Artificial
Wetland area: 0.20 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 (%): > 95
Hydroperiod: Permanent
Geographic information
Census district: Northern Harbour
Island: Malta
Local council: L-Imsida
Longitude: 14.484110 East
Latitude: 35.895350 North
Biological significance
Biological significance: Low
Ramsar wetland type
Type Coverage (%)
6 -- Water storage areas; reservoirs/barrages/dams/impoundments (generally over 8 ha)
Property status
Public
Ecosystem services
Type of ecosystem service Ecosystem service Scale of Βenefit (%) Importance
Provisioning services Food
Provisioning services Fresh water
Activities on wetland
Activity Intensity
020 = Resource conservation High
110 = Use of pesticides High
120 = Fertilisation High
130 = Irrigation High
701 = water pollution High
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
502 = roads motorways High
Impacts
Impact Intensity
EE- = Increase of economic potential High
ES- = Increase in water supply High
PF- = Fertilizer/Excess nutrient pollution High
PP- = Pesticide pollution High
Vegetation types
Type Coverage (%)
Floating-leaved 76 - 95
Shrubby / Arborescent 5 - 25
Flora
Species Presence status References
Urtica sp.

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