Climate Change Impacts on Iraq’s Marshes: Al-Huwaizah, Central Marshes and Hammar

Iraq's Mesopotamian marshlands have experienced severe ecological degradation due to climate change, with mean annual temperatures rising by 2°C and rainfall declining significantly since 1970. This study identifies the dual threats of reduced river inflows from the Tigris and Euphrates and increased evaporation, leading to widespread wetland shrinkage, soil salinization, and biodiversity loss. The findings highlight a critical imbalance in hydrological conditions, which not only threatens ecological stability but also undermines the cultural heritage of these marshes. The research combines hydrological data, observational records, and published reports to underscore the urgent need for transboundary water management strategies, salinity reduction, and reed bed restoration to mitigate competing interests between biodiversity support and ecological preservation under climate change.

Ati, A. S., Ali, A. K., Hussein, H. J., & Majeed, S. S. (2025). Climate Change Impacts on Iraq’s Marshes: Al-Huwaizah, Central Marshes and Hammar. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1567(1), 12034. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1567/1/012034