Desk Study on the Environment in Iraq Desk Study on the ... - UNEP

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large number of reptiles occur in Iraq, but information on their distribution and conservation
status is limited. The 2002 IUCN Red List ranks the Euphrates soft-shelled turtle Rafetus
euphraticus as ‘endangered’, and common tortoise Testudo graeca as ‘vulnerable’.
Over 400 species of birds have been recorded in the northern Gulf Region (comprising
Kuwait, Iraq, eastern Saudi Arabia and western Iran). Among the species occurring in Iraq,
white-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala is listed as endangered in the 2002 IUCN Red List,
while Socotra cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis, marbled teal Marmaronetta angustirostris, greater
spotted eagle Aquila clanga, imperial eagle Aquila heliaca, lesser kestrel Falco naumanni, corncrake
Crex crex, and sociable lapwing Vanellus gregarius are listed as vulnerable. A further nine species
are listed as ‘conservation dependent’ or ‘near threatened’. 49,50 The region is especially
important as part of the intercontinental flyways used by huge numbers of birds moving
between Africa and Eurasia. It has been estimated that some two to three billion migrants
move south across Arabia each autumn. 51,52
In a generally arid to semi-arid region, Iraq’s wetlands are of immense importance for the maintenance
of biodiversity. Until their virtual disappearance (see page 39), the Mesopotamian
Marshes were of global conservation value. In central and northern Iraq, most of the natural
freshwater lakes and marshes have long since been drained for agricultural purposes, although
significant remnants still survive. The valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates themselves have been
extensively modified for agricultural purposes. Most of the original riverine forest which once
lined the banks of the two rivers has been replaced by orchards and other cultivated land,
although some significant stands of forest still exist, especially on small islands. The surviving
patches of forest provide important breeding habitat for a wide variety of birds, notably regional
specialities such as the grey hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus, Iraq babbler Turdoides altirostris
and Dead Sea sparrow Passer moabiticus, and are used as staging areas by large numbers of migratory
passerines. Other important natural wetlands in central Iraq include two large brackish to
saline lakes, Shari Lake to the east of the Tigris north of Samarra, and Haur Al Shubaicha on the
plains to the east of the Tigris southeast of Baghdad. 53
Reports prepared by BirdLife International detail the organization’s fears concerning the possible
impacts of the current conflict on birds and biodiversity in general.
NIK WHEELER
The marshlands of southern Iraq, now virtually dry, , were once an important site for pelicans and
many y other migrator
atory y waterbirds
48
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