MAL089 - Il-Ponta tal-Gidien & Il-Ponta ta' Delimara

Description

Il-Ponta tal-Gidien & il-Ponta ta’ Delimara are a series of salt pans, located in the outer periphery of ll-Kalanka tal-Gidien Bay within Marsaxlokk. The site is accessible to the public through an unsurfaced road. The salt pans cover an approximate area of 13,760m2. The salt pans are likely no longer being utilised for salt production due to the presence of green algae in most of the salt pans. The site is predominantly surrounded by coastal habitat and in close proximity to the Kalanka Lighthouse. Some species present close to the salt pans include Crithmum maritimum and Suaeda maritima. Due to the presence of Coastal cliffs the Salt pans are classified as an Area of Ecological Importance under G.N. 400/96 and Area of High Landscape Value under G.N. No. 903/15 – GF 124/08. The site is within a No Trapping Zone under S.L 504.71.

Wetland data

Basic information
Wetland location: Marine/Coastal
Wetland type: Artificial
Wetland area: 1.40 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: 14.561690 East
Latitude: 35.821390 North
Biological significance
Biological significance: Low
Ramsar wetland type
Type Coverage (%)
5 -- Salt exploitation sites; salt pans, salines, etc.
Property status
Private
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 Medium
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
Vegetation types
Type Coverage (%)
Halophytic < 5
Shrubby / Arborescent < 5