Simar nature reserve

Abstract

Is-Simar is a marsh where streams eroded the nearby valleys providing inorganic sediment for the marsh. Is-Simar is coastal wetland supplied by freshwater coming through seepage from the surrounding aquifer and saltwater from seepage from the sea through porous substratum. In this study, four representative sampling points were selected. Sampling was carried out on a monthly basis between July 1998 and February 1999 inclusive, in order to study seasonal variation. The parameters analysed were pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, chloride concentration, nitrate-nitrogen concentration phosphate, faecal streptococci and faecal coliforms. The results of each parameter measured at each sampling point were then compared in order to study the variation form one sampling station. A salinity gradient is found along the reserve with the substrate and the water being more saline towards the Western side. This in tum affects the abundance of the halophytic vegetation present in the marshland. Moreover the salinity of the water is highly correlated to the amount of rainfall, hence the reserve is maintained by direct precipitation during the wet season. A monitoring programme would be essential to periodically check the state of the aquatic ecosystem at is-Simar. The sampling points taken can be the same as in this study. Therefore the establishment of a wetland vegetation community depends on the establishment of the wetland hydrological dynamics.