biological diversity and tropical forests in tunisia - PART

Since Lake Monastir is managed for fieh production, there are several
water control structures and fksh traps. Guardians keep out other sources
of distarbance, so the site is a safe haven for many birds.
3.3.1.5. Monastir Salt Ponds (salines)
West of Monastir is the lagoon that replaced Lake Monastir as a salt
collixtion site. The site is over 1000 ha, much of which has been
sectiored off int~ evaporation ponds. The salines are further inland than
Lake Mocastir and the banks prevent free circulation of the water.
A. Vegetatioc
Halocnemum strobilaceum, Arthrocnemum indicum, Salicornia sp. and
Halopeplis amplexicaulis dominate the vegetatkon on the shores of the
salices. Poor water circulation and high salinity prevent vegetation
growth ic maay of the sections. In the large, less- salty sections green
filarneetom algae mats form.
B. Fauca
Mammals. Brown hares inhabit the halophile vegetation around the salt
pocds acd it is possible that red fox and Egyptian mongoose occasionally
occar there. The range of Shaw's jird and Gerbiillus campestris (gerbil)
extecds to this area and the habitat between the saltponds and the
Mocastir airport is favorable for those species.
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Birds. Many species of waterfowl and waders feed in the salt ponds
sad there are several nesting species such as shelduck and little tern.
Most of the species found along the coast of the Gulf of Hammamet and the
Calf of Gabes probably also stop at the Monastir salt ponds and Lake
Mocastir. Species present in August, 1987 included:
Little grebs
Grey heron
Little egret
Flamingo ( 1 400 )
Spoonbi 11
Shelduck
Black-winged stilt
Avocet ( 1000+ )
C. Icflaecces
Oystercatcher
Kentish plover
Curlew sandpsper
Spotted redshank
Redshank
Greenshank
Marsh sandpiper
Wood sandpiper
Black- tailed godwit
Slender-billed gull
Mediterranean gull
Herring gull
Little tern
Collared pratincole
Spectacled warbler
Lesser short-toed lark
Water level manipulation and equipment operation for salt production
affect the vegetatioc and nesting birds. The adjacent airport causes some
distxbacce to the birds. Water quality is fairly good si~ce it must be
kept clear for acceptable salt prodaction. Fish are seiced ic the larger
pocds, bat l-r~cticg is usaally not allowed.