Chott el Hodna

Chott el Hodna
شط الحضنة
Landscape of the Chott el Hodna
Location in Algeria
Location in Algeria
Chott el Hodna
شط الحضنة
LocationHodna
Coordinates35°26′N 4°46′E / 35.44°N 4.76°E / 35.44; 4.76
TypeEndorheic salt lake
Basin countriesAlgeria
Max. length77 km (48 mi)
Max. width16 km (9.9 mi)
Surface area76,000 ha (190,000 acres)
Surface elevation394 m (1,293 ft) above sea level
Designated2 February 2001
Reference no.1053[1]

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.[2] 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.[3]

Ecology

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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.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Chott El Hodna". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Chott el-Hodna (lake, Algeria)". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  3. ^ J. Despois, Le Hodna (Algérie)
  4. ^ The Annotated Ramsar List: Algeria
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