Trophic levels of Tidal and Non-Tidal Marshes of Southern Mesopotamia

Southern Mesopotamian marshes, including both tidal and non-tidal systems, exhibit eutrophic conditions primarily due to untreated domestic sewage and agricultural runoff. A study applying Carlson’s Trophic State Index (CTSI) across six stations—three in the non-tidal Chebiyesh marshes and three in the tidal East Hammer marsh—revealed CTSI values ranging from 47.59 to 61.96, indicating mesotrophic to eutrophic status. Notably, salinity spikes in 2018 significantly altered CTSI values in the East Hammer marsh, highlighting the sensitivity of these ecosystems to environmental changes. The findings underscore the broader impact of water quality parameters such as transparency, chlorophyll-a, and phosphorus concentrations on trophic dynamics in these critical wetlands.

Hussain, N. A., & Sabbar, A. A. (2020). Trophic levels of Tidal and Non-Tidal Marshes of Southern Mesopotamia. Basrah J. Agric. Sci., 33(2), 172–181. https://doi.org/10.37077/25200860.2020.33.2.15