Abstract
Geodiversity is the variety within abiotic natural elements that include: rocks, minerals, landforms, soil types, and water resources. Recently ecologists and naturalists recognized that there is close relationship between geodiversity and ecosystems. Huwaiza marsh is located south eastern Iraq within Lower Mesopotamian plain. The main rock bed units which crop out north east of the studied area comprises many types of rocks: conglomerate, sandstone, mudstone, siltstone and claystone belong to Bai Hassan, Mukdadiya and Injana Formations. The general elevation of the area ranges around 5 meters (a. s. l.) near the marsh and increase northeast to more than 100 meters (a. s. l.) and the Land forms are: cuesta, oxbow lakes, flood plain, water lake, shallow marshes, mud flats, and sand dunes. Soil (sediments) usually derived from north east rock bed units and from rivers, which are composed of gravel, sand, silt and silty clay. Huwaiza Marsh is provided by water resources from Musharah and Kahlaa distributaries in addition to Al- Teeb and Duwaireeg rivers which enter Al- Sanaf seasonal marsh, then after to Huwaiza Marsh. The later has 1377 km2 during rainy season and 650 km2 during dry season. Geodiversity created diverse ecosystems such as: desert (including sand dune), salt flat (sabkha), mud flats and aqueous ecosystem that provided good flora and fauna diversity of which wide range of plant and animal species use the area. Such geodiversity formed the foundation in creation three main terrestrial ecoregions in this area of Iraq. Huwaiza marsh and adjacent area can be used for scientific researches, education, traditional agricultural, ecotourism and for other sustainable developments. Vertebrate biodiversity comprises 27 mammals, 81 birds, 6 reptiles, 3 amphibians, and 9 freshwater fishes. The characteristic vertebrates of each habitat of Huwaiza marsh were indicated. Of interest among them is the presence of African Darter Anhinga rufa in Deep-water marsh habitat; Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis, Goliath heron Ardea goliath, and smooth coated otter Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli in shallow water marsh habitat.
Highlights
This study depends on two important world conventions: Ramsar Convention (1971) which is focused on the wetland and Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) (1992)
The later describes the variety within abiotic nature which includes: rocks and minerals, land forms, soil type and water resources (Gray, 2004), provides the framework for life on earth (Stanley, 2002) and is considerd the foundation of the ecosystem
Recent ecologist and naturalist recognized the importance of geodiversity on the biodiversity and ecosystem (Jackova and Romport, 2008; Hart, 2012; Petrisor and Sabro, 2010; Gray et al, 2013; Mohammad and Al- Zubaidi, 2014; Al- Zubaidi et al, 2014)
Summary
This study depends on two important world conventions: Ramsar Convention (1971) which is focused on the wetland and Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) (1992). The later describes the variety within abiotic nature which includes: rocks and minerals, land forms, soil type and water resources (Gray, 2004), provides the framework for life on earth (Stanley, 2002) and is considerd the foundation of the ecosystem. Geodiversity and other abiotic resources are sustaining ecosystem and biotic resources (Santucci, 2005). Recent ecologist and naturalist recognized the importance of geodiversity on the biodiversity and ecosystem (Jackova and Romport, 2008; Hart, 2012; Petrisor and Sabro, 2010; Gray et al, 2013; Mohammad and Al- Zubaidi, 2014; Al- Zubaidi et al, 2014). The biodiversity of the Huwaiza marsh in comparison with other southern marshes is rather rich both in the number of species and the number of individuals of each species
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