The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Iraq

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

IRAQ

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Iraq on 17 February 2008. Iraq presently has 1 site designated as a Wetland of International Importance, with a surface area of 137,700 hectares.

Hawizeh Marsh (Haur Al-Hawizeh). 17/10/07; Basra, Amara; 137,700 ha; 31°25'N 047°38'E. The Hawizeh Marshes are an integral part of the Mesopotamian marshlands complex centered at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. A transboundary wetland, the marshes are ca.75-80% located in Iraq and extend partly into the Islamic Republic of Iran, where they are known as Hawr Al-Azim. Representing the only significant area to have survived recent drainage actions and the most intact part of the original Mesopotamian system, they are a biodiversity reservoir of priority importance for conservation. The results of recent reflooding have been promising so far, and many displaced Ma'dan or Marsh Arabs have returned to resume their traditional ancient ways of life. The site is of international importance as a staging and wintering area for at least 79 species of waterfowl and 9 species of birds of prey on their way between Western Siberia/Central Asia and eastern and southern Africa. The northern half of the marsh was never completely dried and is being used as a reference for monitoring the flora and fauna of the newly re-inundated southern sector. The effects of extensive drainage in the 1990s and warfare destruction, as well as dam-building activities upstream in Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey, are seen as the chief potential threats to the site. Ramsar site no. 1718. Most recent RIS information: 2007.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 29 October 2007, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.