The Study of Nature of Fish Assemblage in Al-Saffia Reservation, Al-Hawizah Marshes, Iraq.

A study of fish assemblages in Al-Saffia Reservation, part of Iraq's Hawizeh Marshes—a UNESCO-listed site—revealed seasonal variability in species richness and diversity. Over a one-year period (March 2006 to February 2007), researchers identified 16 fish species, with the highest abundance (13 species) recorded in July and the lowest (7 species) in November and January. Four dominant species—Alburnus mossulensis, Liza abu, Barbus luteus, and Carassius auratus—constituted over 70% of the assemblage, with A. mossulensis being the most prevalent at 20.64%. The study calculated annual indices for species richness (D = 1.95), diversity (H' = 2.12), and evenness (J = 0.76), highlighting the ecological dynamics of this critical wetland ecosystem. This research contributes to understanding biodiversity patterns in the Ahwar, a relict landscape of Mesopotamian cities.

Younis, K. H., Al-Mukhtar, M. A., Al-Katrani, L. M., Abdullah, A. J., & Abdullah, S. A. (2022). THE STUDY OF NATURE OF FISH ASSEMBLAGE IN AL-SAFFIA RESERVATION, AL-HAWAIZAH MARSHES, IRAQ. Iraqi Journal of Aquaculture, 5(2), 73–84. https://doi.org/10.58629/ijaq.v5i2.277