PARENT SESSION
Special Session 9: Restoration of Mesopotamian Marshes of Iraq
Organized by: CJ Richardson and BG Warner
Tuesday, August 9, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Exhibit Hall 210a-e, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal

Ecological assessment of the restoration status of the Mesopotamian Marshes Of Iraq.

Richardson , Curtis ^*,1, ¹ Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

ABSTRACT- Uncontrolled releases of Tigris and Euphrates River waters after the 2003 war have partially restored some former marsh areas in southern Iraq, but restoration is failing in others because of high soil and water salinities. It has been hypothesized that extremely poor water quality conditions, plus the presence of toxic materials, and saline soil conditions in the remaining and drained marshes of southern Iraq will prevent their ecological restoration and thus doom the reestablishment of the 5000 year old marsh Arab culture of fishing and agriculture. Nearly 20% of the original 15,000-km2 marsh area was reflooded by March 2004, but the extent of marsh restoration is unknown. High quality water, non-saline soils and the densest native vegetation were found in the only remaining natural marsh, the Al-Hawizeh, located on the Iranian border. Although significantly reduced in area and under current threat of an Iranian dike, it has the potential to be a native repopulation center for the region. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that marsh drainage and re-flooding resulted in significant changes in soil chemistry and moisture, with the re- flooded Al Sanaf marsh (diked but with no outflow) having much high soil salinities (26 vs. 1.8 mS/cm), sulfate content (1.8 vs. 0.30 mg/g) and lower soil moisture (21% vs. 42%) than the natural marshes. Rapid reestablishment, high productivity, and reproduction of native flora and fauna in reflooded former marsh areas demonstrate a high probability for successful restoration provided the restored wetlands are hydraulically designed to allow sufficient flow of non-contaminated water and flushing of salts through the ecosystem.

Key words: Iraq, marshes, restoration, water quality