Chott el Hodna

Chott el Hodna
شط الحضنة

Landscape of the Chott el Hodna
Location Hodna
Coordinates 35°26′N 4°46′E / 35.44°N 4.76°E / 35.44; 4.76Coordinates: 35°26′N 4°46′E / 35.44°N 4.76°E / 35.44; 4.76
Type Endorheic salt lake
Basin countries Algeria
Max. length 77 km (48 mi)
Max. width 16 km (9.9 mi)
Surface area 76,000 ha
Surface elevation 394 m above sea level

The Chott el Hodna (Arabic: شط الحضنة) is a very shallow saline lake in Algeria. It is located within an endorheic basin in the Hodna region, towards the eastern end of the Hautes Plaines.[1] The Chott el Hodna includes seasonal brackish and saline pools and marshes, but the central zone of the lake is characterized by a complete absence of vegetation.

J. Despois argues that the Chott el Hodna is not a proper Chott, but a Sebkha.[2]

Ecology

The chott area provides an important habitat for certain endangered species such as the Cuvier's gazelle, the marbled duck and different kinds of bustards, as well as indigenous fish species. The Chott el Hodna was declared a Ramsar site on 2 February 2001.[3]

See also

References

External links


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