Restoration rate of waterfowl population in the restored Marshes, Southern Iraq

Abstract EN

Three marshes in southern Iraq (Huwayzah, Suq Shuyukh and East Hammar) were monitored for more than two years (June 04 till August 06).

Seventy-eight species were recorded in the three marshes, 69, 60, 59 species were recorded in Huwayzah, Suq Shuyukh and East Hammar respectively, during the first year 64 species was recorded, 58, 46, 30 species in the three marshes respectively, while in the second year 74 species were recorded, 62 species were recorded in Huwayzah marsh and 53 species were recorded in Suq Shuyukh and East Hammar.

There was increment in number of birds count between the two year in the three marshes, percentage of increment where 3.51, 3.01, 4.25 respectively, Comparison of total number of waterfowls surveyed between the three marshes, Huwayzah marsh came first followed by East Hammar and Suq Shuyukh, number of birds in Huwayzah marsh was 5.30 time the number of birds in Suq Shuyukh marsh and 3.47 time the number of birds in East Hammar marsh.

The restoration index for number of species was 59.5% which means there were more than 40% of water birds that did not return, and for number of individuals was 19%.