MAL095 - Il-Blata tal-Melh 1

Description

Il-Blata tal-Melħ is predominantly surrounded by natural habitat with a handful of active agricultural land. Due to the surrounding 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. Il-Qlejgħa Cave is also situated in close proximity to the site with a Class B Degree of Protection.

Wetland data

Basic information
Wetland location: Marine/Coastal
Wetland type: Artificial
Wetland area: 2.30 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: Western
Island: Malta
Local council: Ir-Rabat
Longitude: 14.329530 East
Latitude: 35.897990 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 mic-Cirkewwa sa Benghisa 174729 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)
International Special Areas of Conservation - International Importance Rdumijiet ta' Malta 330728 100 Environment Protection Act (Act I of 2016)
International Special Protection Areas Rdumijiet ta' Malta: Ras il-Pellegrin sax-Xaqqa 555552413 100 Environment Protection Act (Act I of 2016)
International Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas Il-Kullana to ta' Gifen Cliffs MT008 84
Other Scheduling - Archaeology Il-Qlejgha AAI 100
CDDA protection status
CDDA code CDDA category
MT01 Area of Ecological Importance
MT15 Area of High Landscape Value
MT11 Special Areas of Conservation - International Importance
MT13 Special Protection Areas
Important bird areas
IBA code Site name Coverage (%) References
MT008 Il-Kullana to ta' Gifen Cliffs 84
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
920 = Drying out High
Activities on catchment area
Activity Intensity
220 = Leisure fishing Medium
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
EO- = Increase potential for natural products
EU- = Increase of tourist/recreation potential

Images