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Iran, Islamic Rep. of

Vegetation description

Mangroves forest in Iran can be found in the tidal zones of the sea of Oman. They are composed by Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata, the first of which forms a dense forest in the intertidal zones where it is possible to find bushes and trees from 3 to 6 metres in height. The diameter of the trees can reach 40 cm. on the other hand, Rhizophora mucronata, grows especially near Sirik, in a mixed forest with A. marina. Originally there were about 200,000 hectares of Avicennia marina forests, but they have suffered a strong decline over the years.

Mahdavi, A. 2001. Investigation on quantitative and qualitative alterations of Mangrove forests in Gheshm area by using of 1967 and 1994 aerial photos. University of Tehran.

National level mangrove area estimates

Year

Area
(ha)

Source

Trend

Methodology/Comments

1970

74 900

Spalding, M.D., Blasco, F. and Field, C.D., eds. 1997. World Mangrove Atlas. The International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems, Okinawa, Japan. 178 pp.

 

Map analysis. Scale map 1:2 500 000. According to the authors, the estimate by Khosravi and Motalebi, 1994 (see below) is likely to be more accurate.

1991

23 717

Behrouzi-Rad, B. 1991. Personal communication.

 

Cited in: Fisher, P and Spalding, M.D. 1993. Protected areas with mangrove habitat. Draft Report World Conservation Centre, Cambridge, UK. 60pp.

1994

20 700

Khosravi and Motalebi. 1994. Mangrove studies project in the Khuran Strait. In: Indus Delta Biosphere Reserve; Workshop report. pp 57-60 IUCN World Conservation Union, Gland Switzerland.

 

Cited in: Spalding, M.D., Blasco, F. and Field, C.D. eds. 1997. World Mangrove Atlas. The International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems, Okinawa, Japan. 178 pp.

Trends in mangrove area extent over time

The estimates for 1980 and 1990 have been calculated applying the FRA 1990 (FAO, 1995) annual forest cover change rate for 1980-1990 (-1.9) and expert estimate. The projection for 2000 is an estimate based on expert estimate.


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