THE STATUS AND CONSERVATION OF THE VULNERABLE MARBLED TEAL MARMARONETTA ANGUSTIROSTRIS, MENETRIS (AVES-ANSERIFORMES) IN AL-DALMAJ WETLANDS, IRAQ.

Abstract

    This study is considered the first effort of its kind in Iraq and in the Middle East towards studying the Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris that was carried on in Hor Al-Dalmaj, southern Iraq. The findings of this effort illustrate its importance as it paves the way for further study and observation for the bird and this important wetland itself. This study tackles the all possible aspects of the ecological and biological statuses of Marbled Teal (Threatened –Vulnerable bird species – IUCN Redlist) by means of field surveys and systematic monitoring that were conducted along the four seasons over the years 2013-2014 in one of the ecologically important and prominent and poorly-known wetlands in the Middle Euphrates, that is Hor Al-Dalmaj, as a highly important wetland on the national, regional and global levels that holds Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), Important Bird Areas (IBA), and Important Plant Areas (IPA).