MAL087 - Il-Kalanka L-Fonda & Il-Ponta tat-Tawwalija

Description

Il-Kalanka l-Fonda & il-Ponta tat-Tawwalija are a series of salt pans, located in southern Malta, between St. Peter’s Pool and Kalanka Bay within Marsaxlokk. The site is accessible to the public through multiple different unsurfaced roads. The salt pans cover an approximate area of 22,480m2. The salt pans were in derelict condition. Thus, it is likely they are not being used for salt production. The site is predominantly surrounded by natural habitats, with a handful of scattered residential buildings. Chrithmum maritimum and Suaeda maritima are present close to the salt pans. Due to the surrounding cliffs, the salt pans are classified as an Area of Ecological Importance under G.N. 400/ 96 and lie within a No Trapping Zone under S.L. 504.1.

Wetland data

Basic information
Wetland location: Marine/Coastal
Wetland type: Artificial
Wetland area: 2.20 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: Marsaxlokk
Longitude: 14.562980 East
Latitude: 35.826420 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 mid-Dahla ta' San Tumas sas-Sarc 14784 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)
CDDA protection status
CDDA code CDDA category
MT01 Area of Ecological Importance
MT15 Area of High Landscape Value
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 Low
800 = Landfill land reclamation and drying out High
920 = Drying out High
Activities on catchment area
Activity Intensity
501 = paths tracks cycling tracks Low
Impacts
Impact Intensity
EB- = Increase in aesthetic qualities High
EE- = Increase of economic potential High
EF- = Increase in protection from natural forces Low
EO- = Increase potential for natural products High
EU- = Increase of tourist/recreation potential High
Flora
Species Presence status References
Crithmum maritimum
Suaeda maritima

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