Scholars@Duke publication: Mesopotamian Marshes of Iraq

The Wetland Book II: Distribution, Description, and Conservation

Mesopotamian Marshes of Iraq

Publication , Chapter

Richardson, CJ

January 1, 2018

The Mesopotamian marshes of Iraq were once the largest wetland in the Middle East and home to an ancient civilization of Marsh Dwellers know as the Madan. By 2000, after massive drainage by the Iraqi government only 7% remained. This environmental genocide resulted in the near extinction of numerous endemic species of birds and mammals as well as the livelihood of the Marsh Dwellers. Today efforts are underway to restore the hydrology of the marshes, but upstream retention of water by Turkey, Iran and Syria through a series of dams along with internal water reallocations for agriculture and urban use seriously reduce the water available for restoration. Fortunately, Iraq working with international agencies has created marsh restoration plans, protected Ramsar Sites, a National Park, and just recently a World Heritage Site in the marshes, conservation efforts that promise a better future for the marshes and the Madan.

Duke Scholars

Author Curtis J. Richardson Environmental Sciences and Policy

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DOI

10.1007/978-94-007-4001-3_70

ISBN

9789400740006

Publication Date

January 1, 2018

Volume

Start / End Page

1685 / 1695

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Chicago

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Richardson, C. J. (2018). Mesopotamian Marshes of Iraq. In The Wetland Book II: Distribution, Description, and Conservation (Vol. 3, pp. 1685–1695). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4001-3_70

Richardson, C. J. “Mesopotamian Marshes of Iraq.” In The Wetland Book II: Distribution, Description, and Conservation, 3:1685–95, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4001-3_70.

Richardson CJ. Mesopotamian Marshes of Iraq. In: The Wetland Book II: Distribution, Description, and Conservation. 2018. p. 1685–95.

Richardson, C. J. “Mesopotamian Marshes of Iraq.” The Wetland Book II: Distribution, Description, and Conservation, vol. 3, 2018, pp. 1685–95. Scopus, doi:10.1007/978-94-007-4001-3_70.

Richardson CJ. Mesopotamian Marshes of Iraq. The Wetland Book II: Distribution, Description, and Conservation. 2018. p. 1685–1695.

DOI

10.1007/978-94-007-4001-3_70

ISBN

9789400740006

Publication Date

January 1, 2018

Volume

Start / End Page

1685 / 1695