Diversity and Conservation of the Mesopotamian Marshes of Southern Iraq: A Survey of a World Heritage Site

A comprehensive survey of the Mesopotamian Marshes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and critical wetland ecosystem in Iraq, reveals significant biodiversity with 127 waterbird species recorded across three marsh systems. The Central Marshes exhibited the highest species diversity (Shannon H'=3.84), surpassing Hawizeh (H'=3.62) and Hammar (H'=3.21). Twelve species, including three classified as Vulnerable, highlight the marshes' international conservation importance, hosting over 1% of flyway populations for eight species. Despite a notable decline in species richness (23%) and winter populations (65%), methodological variations preclude direct comparisons with historical data from the 1970s. Ongoing threats such as reduced water inflows, illegal hunting, and habitat degradation underscore urgent conservation needs. This study provides foundational data for managing this vital biodiversity refuge.

Ahmed, W. K., Abduljabbar, H. a., & Abdu-l Aziz, A. I. (2025). Diversity and Conservation of the Mesopotamian Marshes of Southern Iraq: A Survey of a World Heritage Site. Al-Turath Journal for Biology, 1(4), 16–20. https://doi.org/10.63964/atmj.2025.4.4