North Ibn-Najm (ME8) (IBA026) Babil - N32°18’55” E44°24’25” Area: 1789 ha - Altitude: 26 m KBA Criteria: V IBA Criteria: A1, A2, and A4ii Ecoregion: Arabian Desert and East Sahero-Arabian Xeric Shrublands Status: Unprotected  

 

 

Panoramic picture showing North Ibn-Najm wetlands (Photo by Mudhafar A. Salim, 2009)

Panoramic view of North Ibn-Najm wetlands after its drainage (Photo by Mudhafar A. Salim, 2010)

Site Description: North Ibn-Najm (locally known as Garrat Sayid Jafar) is a small, isolated marsh that receives water from the surrounding network of canals bringing drainage water from rice fields, farms and orchards that surround the site. This patch of wetland (along with Ibn Najm – KBA ME4) are the last remaining wetlands from the original Ibn Najm that covered a large area at the intersection of Najaf, Babil, and Qadissiya Governorates, described by Evans (1994) as a 10,000 ha freshwater marsh of possibly great importance for wintering waterbirds and was listed as a wetland of international importance (IBA026).

The geology of the area is Mesopotamian alluvium, mainly silts. Dense reed beds of Phragmites and Typha grow here, in addition to many species of aquatic plants, but the site also contains shrub woodlands with Tamrix sp. and Alhagi graecorum. Large numbers of ducks were observed.

Major change happened in this marsh between the summer of 2009 and 2010. In 2010, the team found the area entirely dry except for some water patches in the canals and a few depressions. Most of the plant cover had died because of the lack of the water. The locals reported that because of the shortage of water in 2010, the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources did not allow the farmers to grow rice, which decreased the amount of water draining into the marsh.   Key Biodiversity Area Criteria Notes

V. Vulnerability Criteria: Presence o f Cr i t i ca l l y Endangered and Endangered spe c i e s – pres ence o f a s ing l e ind iv idua l or Vulnerab le spe c i e s – 30 ind iv idua ls or 10 pair s . Rafetus euphraticus Reported frequently throughout the area.

Important Bird Area Criteria

All observations made 2009-2010, unless stated otherwise. The population figures are extrapolated unless stated otherwise (see Methodology on p. XX)

A1. Globally threatened species

Breeding Passage /Wintering Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris (Resident)

Not observed but likely present

400 (count 2009)

A2. Restricted-range species Breeding Passage /Wintering Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis

10 pairs

 

 

(Summer visitor) Iraq Babbler Turdoides altirostris (Resident)

25 pairs Present but not found

A4i. 1% or more of biogeographical population of a congregatory waterbird species Breeding Passage /Wintering Marbled Duck Marmronetta angustirostris

Not observed but likely present

400 (count 2009)

Additional Important Bird Observations: During the surveys 37 bird species were observed. In addition to those listed in the table above, the site supported eight breeding Sahara-Sindian Desert biome-restricted species (Table XX) but these did not trigger inclusion under the A3 criterion. The endemic race of Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis iraquensis and endemic race of Hooded Crow Corvus cornix capellanus (Mesopotamian Crow) breed at the site. Other Important Fauna: There were a few reports from locals of either Red Fox or Ruppell’s Fox Vulpes sp. (species could not be distinguished) and Golden Jackal Canis aureus. Fish: A Fisheries Frame survey was conducted here in 2009. A total of eight species were found. Ten fishing boats were observed using fixed nets (mesh sizes of 0.5-1 cm) and electro-fishing. The daily catch average was estimated at 3 kg/boat for net fishing and 7 kg/boat for electro-fishing. The following important species were observed: Alburnus mossulensis, Aspius vorax, Carasobarbus luteus, Carassius auratus, Cyprinus carpio, Liza abu, Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi, and Silurus triostegus. The introduced invasive species Tilapia zillii was also reported by fishermen. Additional Plant & Habitat Information: (To be added after IPA review is completed) Conservation Issues: This site is highly variable due to often yearly changes in the water regime. But based on the results of these very short, rapid assessment visits, it appeared that the site can harbor threatened species such as Marmaronetta angustirostris and endemic species and subspecies such as Tachybaptus ruficollis iraquensis, Turdoides altirostris and Corvus cornix capellanus that breed regularly in or around this marsh. Four threats were ranked very high. These include natural systems modification, specifically the lack of a stable water supply to ensure adaquate water levels and quality. Also over-exploitation due to hunting and over-fishing (primarily through electro-fishing); human intrusion, especially during the breeding season and agricultural expansion. Agriculture is very active in this area to the point that the original Ibn-Najm has been reduced to very small patches among the rice fields and palm orchards. This was during the period of agricultural expansion especially in expanding the strategic crop of rice (local varieties,) which caused more of these areas to be turned into rice fields during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Three threats were rated high: urbanization, road construction, and pollution. The last threat (pollution) mainly stems from smoke from the asphalt factory adjacent to this marsh, but is also the result of plastic waste and other rubbish brought in either by the wind or by visitors. An additional potential threat is the presence of the introduced and invasive Tilapia zillii, which was reported by most of the fishermen in the area. Recommendations: Restoration of this marsh will require a signficant effort to be made by the Babil Governorate. The lack and instability of water is one of the main threats and it is recommended to coordinate with the Ministry of Water Resources and the local office of irrigation to provide a

 

 

more stable water supply in order to restore and sustain at least a portion of this former waterbody and the plant cover. If the wetland can be partially restored it will be important to work on the other ‘Very High’ threats. Some could be achieved through awareness campaigns (flyers and posters) that target locals and hunters and even local decision-makers, with a focus on threatened species such as Marmaronetta angustirostris especially during its breeding season. Enforcing the hunting laws is also crucial to stop the degradation of biodiversity, specificially by enforcing the ban on hunting of threatened birds and controlling fishing. It is also recommened that cleaning campaigns be conducted to remove plastic garbage and other trash from around the site, perhaps by the children in this area. References: Evans, M. I. (1994). Important Bird Areas in the Middle East. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 2.