Climatic and environmental changes during the late Holocene at Harier area, North of Basrah Governorate, Southern Iraq

A new reconstruction of late Holocene climatic and environmental changes in the Harier area, Southern Iraq, reveals significant shifts in regional ecosystems. Analysis of 36 sediment samples identified five distinct pollen zones, indicating fluctuations in vegetation, climate, and hydrological conditions over the past few millennia. The study recorded approximately 30 species and 14 genera of pollen, alongside spores, fungi, and dinoflagellates, providing insights into the dynamic interactions between human settlements—such as those linked to Mesopotamian cities—and their surrounding marshes. This work advances understanding of how environmental changes in the Ahwar region, a UNESCO-listed biodiversity refuge, have evolved over time.

Klakhan, S. Q., Muhammad, A. H., & Al-Jubouri, B. S. (2021). Climatic and environmental changes during the late Holocene at Harier area, North of Basrah Governorate, Southern Iraq. Mesopotamian Journal of Marine Sciences, 35(2), 61–74. https://doi.org/10.58629/mjms.v35i2.22