The Site is a seasonally-flooded wetland composed of two main habitats: the shallow brackish lake or sebkha, and the chott, a peripheral zone with halophilic (salt-tolerant) vegetation. The wetland hosts 24 bird species, of which 11 are protected under national law. Sebkhet El Hamiet is important for wintering waterbirds such as the ruff (Philomachus pugnax), the black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and the European herring gull (Larus argentatus); the population of common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) exceeds 1% of the population of the North African biogeographical region.  Livestock raising is the main economic activity for the local population, while outside the Site cereals and vegetables are cultivated. Waste disposal and pollution from both domestic and industrial sources are among the main threats facing the Site. The Site does not have yet a management plan, but some conservation measures are being taken.