Baratz Lake - Lakes, Wetlands and Salt Pans

Baratz Lake

(Italian: Lago Baratz (Barazza))
»» Sardinia

Not part of a protected area, but is the only natural lake in Sardinia.
Lake Baratz, slightly salty to the dissolution of minerals in rocks, is situated about 2 km from the sea.
The lake was formed as a result of the dam by a sand dune, the river valleys of the Rio dei Giunchi and Rio from Cuili Puddighinu.
Although they have emissaries, the maximum depth of the lake does not grow beyond their current level because of the permeability of the sand dune.
It has an almost rectangular shape with three main bays and a depth of no more than 2 meters.
The banks are made of yellow sand beaches, and covered with green pine trees, bushes of tamarisk, expanses of Inula sticky and clumps of reeds.
Farther inside, the vegetation of oak host plants and some dwarf palm.
Among the most important wildlife species: the freshwater turtle (Emys orbicularis), coot (Fulica atra) and the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos).
On the walls around the banks nest along the shores of the bee-eater and couriers.
The lake is surrounded by lush pine forest rich in Mediterranean vegetation, including the Strawberry abound, phillyrea, rock rose, rosemary, myrtle, lavender, and numerous species of wild orchids.