Assessment of Environmental Changes in the Iraqi Marshes by Index of Biological Integrity

Azhar A Al-Saboonchi,Ibrahem M Abd,Abdul Hameed M Jawad Alobaidy,Bahram K Maulood,Haider S Abid

doi:10.4236/jep.2012.37080

Abstract

Preventing water flow through the marshes in southern Iraq was a policy of the previous regime in Iraq during 1990’s. This phenomena lead to tremendous structural changes in ecosystems, however after 2003 rehabilitation policy applied to the area was implementd in order to re-establish marshes ecosystems. In this study, a zooplankton Index of Biotic Integrity (Z-IBI) was measured for the first time in different sites in the Iraqi marshes. The following eight metrics were used: zooplankton ratio, relative abundance of Calanoid, relative abundance of Cyclopoid, relative abundance of Cladocera, relative abundance of Rotifera, biomass of tolerant species, biomass of sensitive species, and ratio of zooplankton biomass to phytoplankton biomass. Results of application of Z-IBI on the Iraqi marshes in this study indicate a slight improvement of water quality in the central marshes and degradation in other parts of the marshes. This work may fill part of the existing research gap in the application of the IBI index in Iraqi inland waters to illustrate the effects of previous deterioration in water quality.

Highlights

The Mesopotamian marshlands are one of the unique ecosystems which had been deliberately dried up for more than a decade
Results of application of zooplankton Index of Biotic Integrity (Z-Index of Biological Integrity (IBI)) on the Iraqi marshes in this study indicate a slight improvement of water quality in the central marshes and degradation in other parts of the marshes
Karr and Kane [3,4] stated that the solution of water resource problems will not come from better regulation of chemicals or the development of better assessment tools to detect degradation; “what is needed is a better understanding of biological water quality and what organisms are appropriate for its measurement”

Summary

Introduction

The Mesopotamian marshlands are one of the unique ecosystems which had been deliberately dried up for more than a decade. A zooplankton Index of Biotic Integrity (Z-IBI) was measured for the first time in different sites in the Iraqi marshes.

Results

Conclusion