MAL051 - Zonqor Point
Description
Żonqor Point Pans are a series of salt pans along the coast in southern Malta, within Marsascala. The sites are easily accessible to the public through a surfaced road. The salt pans cover an approximate area of 8,120m2. The majority of the salt pans are still used for salt production by a local resident, however, the ones close to the sea were overtaken by green algae. The rest of the salt pans were bare from any vegetation. The site is predominantly surrounded by natural coastal habitat, however, it is also close to a diving centre.
Wetland data
Basic information
Wetland location: | Marine/Coastal |
Wetland type: | Artificial |
Wetland area: | 0.80 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: | South Eastern |
Island: | Malta |
Local council: | Marsaskala |
Longitude: | 14.574040 East |
Latitude: | 35.868090 North |
Biological significance
Biological significance: | Low |
Ramsar wetland type
Type | Coverage (%) |
5 -- Salt exploitation sites; salt pans, salines, etc. |
Property status
Public |
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 | High |
710 = Noise nuisance | Medium |
920 = Drying out | High |
Activities on catchment area
Activity | Intensity |
401 = continuous urbanisation | Low |
502 = roads motorways | Medium |
621 = nautical sports | High |
622 = walking horseriding and non-motorised vehicles | Low |
Impacts
Impact | Intensity |
EB- = Increase in aesthetic qualities | High |
EE- = Increase of economic potential | High |
EF- = Increase in protection from natural forces | High |
EO- = Increase potential for natural products | Medium |
EU- = Increase of tourist/recreation potential | High |