MAL045 - It-Tafal ta' Xmejxi

Description

It-Tafal ta’ Xmejxi is an artificial pond, located in western Malta within Rabat. The borders of the pond had been constructed out of cement blocks, and concrete bumps had been purposely constructed on the adjacent road, to divert water runoff directly into the pond. The pond covers an approximate area of 1,710m2 and is accessible to the public via a surfaced road. The site is predominantly surrounded by agricultural land, thus it is likely the pond is being used for irrigation of these fields. Ricinus communis occupies the basin of the pond, with a dense population of Arundo donax present close by. The pond itself was completely covered with a thin layer of Lemna minor L. The site is located within the Saqqajja Area of High Landscape Value.

Wetland data

Basic information
Wetland location: Inland
Wetland type: Artificial
Wetland area: 0.20 Ha
Hydrological interaction: Yes 
Water salinity: Fresh (< 0.5 g/l)
Type of fresh water input: Catchment area (precipitation)
Surface water runoff Other
Open water area (%): 51 - 75
Hydroperiod: Permanent
Geographic information
Census district: Western
Island: Malta
Local council: Ir-Rabat
Longitude: 14.403990 East
Latitude: 35.876360 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
Protection statuses
Protection status category Protection status subcategory Area's name Code Coverage area (%) Legislation
National Area of High Landscape Value Is-Saqqajja 555546313 100 Development Planning Act (Act VII of 2016)
CDDA protection status
CDDA code CDDA category
MT15 Area of High Landscape Value
Ecosystem services
Type of ecosystem service Ecosystem service Scale of Βenefit (%) Importance
Regulatory services Flood hazard regulation
Provisioning services Food
Provisioning services Fresh water
Regulatory services Water regulation
Activities on wetland
Activity Intensity
020 = Resource conservation High
701 = water pollution High
852 = modifying structures of inland water courses High
954 = invasion by a species Low
Activities on catchment area
Activity Intensity
100 = Cultivation High
110 = Use of pesticides High
120 = Fertilisation High
430 = Agricultural structures Low
501 = paths tracks cycling tracks Low
701 = water pollution High
852 = modifying structures of inland water courses High
Impacts
Impact Intensity
EE- = Increase of economic potential High
ER- = Increase in flow regulation High
ES- = Increase in water supply High
PF- = Fertilizer/Excess nutrient pollution Low
PP- = Pesticide pollution
Vegetation types
Type Coverage (%)
Emergent 26 - 50
Floating-leaved > 95
Other 26 - 50
Flora
Species Presence status References
Arundo donax
Lemna minor
Ricinus communis
Rumex conglomeratus

Images