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'''Merja Zerga''' or '''Lagune de Moulay Bou Selham''' is a tidal [[lagoon]] on the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] coast of [[Morocco]], 70 km north of the city of [[Kenitra]]. Classified as a Permanent Biological Reserve in 1978, it is managed by several government agencies.<ref name=birdlife>{{cite web|title=BirdLife IBA Factsheet - Merja Zerga|publisher=[[Birdlife International]]|url=http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sites/index.html?action=SitHTMDetails.asp&sid=6487&m=0|accessdate=2009-01-11}}</ref>
The lagoon, which covers 4,500 [[hectares]], receives water from the [[Oued Drader]] and from the local [[water table]]. Its average depth is 1.5 metres. The area's annual rainfall (600-700 mm) results in winter floods that inundate the surrounding areas[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318340325_Hydrology_vegetation_and_human_use_of_Merja_Zerga_Morocco Allport, G. (1994). Hydrology, vegetation and human Use of Merja Zerga, Morocco. Ecology and Conservation Unit. Univ. College, London.].
A [[Ramsar Convention]] site, the lagoon hosts 100 bird species and has been identified as a key site on the [[East Atlantic Flyway]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Report on the Exchange Programme Planning Workshop|publisher=[[Wetlands International]]|url=http://wow.wetlands.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=tI%2FYqG2efFw%3D&tabid=153&mid=801&language=fr-FR|accessdate=2009-01-11}}</ref> Between 15,000 and 30,000 ducks overwinter at the lagoon, and it regularly holds 50,000 to 100,000 [[wader]]s. Its permanent species include ''[[Asio capensis]]''. Winter visitors include [[ruddy shelduck]], [[common shelduck]], [[gadwall]], [[Eurasian wigeon]], [[northern shoveler]], [[marbled teal]], [[greater flamingo]], [[common coot]], [[pied avocet]], [[grey plover]], and [[slender-billed curlew]].<ref name=birdlife/>
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