Marsh Arabs and Marshland Agriculture (Iraq)

Outstanding Features

The marshlands at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in southern Iraq are vast in extent (once covering 20,000 km²) and constitute a unique freshwater ecosystem, which supports unique tribes of Marsh Arabs, or ‘Madans', (population of 0.5 million) that have practiced their agriculture over 5,000 years since the Sumerian civilization.

The wetland ecosystem consists of permanent marshes dominated by the giant reed (Phragmites communis), seasonal marshes with bulrushes (Typha augustata) which dry up in autumn and winter, and temporary marshes with sedges (Scirpus brachyceras) that are inundated during floods. The wetlands are rich in biodiversity and are important breeding grounds for fish and shrimps (Metapenaeus affinis), wintering grounds for wildfowl, and staging grounds for migratory waterfowl (pelicans, herons, flamingos) between their breeding grounds in western Siberia and Central Asia and their winter grounds in Africa. The marshlands contain many endemic and unique species under threat (e.g. Basrah reed warbler, Iraq babbler), and some species have already become extinct (e.g. smooth-coated otter, Indian crested porcupine, grey wolf). The Marsh Arabs use the reed wetlands for traditional sustainable agriculture and livelihood. They construct reed houses (‘mudhif') and long reed canoes (‘mashuf'), gather reeds for mat and basket weaving, cultivate cereals (wet rice, great millet) and date palm, graze large livestock (cows, water buffalo), fish and hunt. Water channels among the reeds enable them to transport their goods and produce to domestic markets.

Goods and Services Provided

The freshwater marshlands of the Euphrates and Tigris provide fish and shrimp spawning grounds, wintering and, staging grounds for wildfowl, habitats for Marsh Arab communities, reeds and reed products, fish, cereals, and dates.

Threats and Challenges

The freshwater marshlands are threatened by upstream dam construction hydropower and water diversions for irrigated agriculture by Turkey, Syria and Iraq. 90% of marshlands have been drained or reclaimed (present area 2,000 km²). While this has facilitated access to marshes and oil resources and control of the Shi'ite Muslims (Marsh Arabs) in a predominantly Sunni state, it has resulted in potentially irreversible effects such as soil salinisation, water shortage, limited water transportation, potential biodiversity loss, putting 40% of migratory waterfowl at risk, and affecting the livelihood of the Marsh Arabs.

Policy and Development Relevance

There is a need to examine the policies, institutions and economy affecting this important wetland and its rich biodiversity, especially in terms of the agro-biodiversity nurtured by and the security issues concerning the Marsh Arabs.

Global Importance

The wetlands of the lower Tigris and Euphrates are of global value due to their uniqueness to the desert environment, ancient cultural heritage, biodiversity and wildlife of global importance, with rare and threatened species.