Though limited in extent, various wetlands and watercourses are present across the Maltese Islands. The following provide an illustration of wetlands and watercourses across the Islands:
Noting the importance of such natural areas, a number of these have been afforded protection through various designations, including scheduled areas/sites, Bird Sanctuaries, Special Areas of Conservation (also forming part of the Natura 2000 network) and Water Bodies (as per EC Water Framework Directive – 2000/60/EC); hence various regulations are involved. Two sites are designated under the UN Ramsar Convention.
