| Download |  Nature%20Iraq%20Status%20Report%20-%20Buffalo%20Thi%20Qar%20%20Missan%20-%20Feb%202007.pdf ( 2 MB) |
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| View | Open in browser |
| Upload date | 25 Nov 2014 |
| Contributor | maysa |
| Geographical coverage | IRAQ |
| Keywords | KBA, BIOSURVEY, BIODIVERSETY, buffalo, MARSH |
| Release date | 23/05/2012 |
Southern Iraqi marsh desiccation was an environmental disaster that severely impacted a variety of species. Water buffalo, for which the marshes have provided a long-time favorable habitat, were affected by the desiccating process, with additional negative ramifications on economic livelihoods. Drying reduced the number of water buffalo in the marshes, mainly due to their dependence on available water and reeds. Additionally, the buffalo’s economic importance forced most breeders to leave the marshes and seek other wetland habitats far from the desiccated areas. However, in 2003 many breeders returned to the marshes after the re-flooding.