The Key Biodiversity Area Inventory for IraqIn order to determine the most important sites in a country for biodiversity - and therefore protection and management - an internationally recognized system, with strict criteria, has been developed. This criteria for identifying Key Biodiversity Areas encompasses those for Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and Important Plant Areas (IPAs) that are essential components of a KBA.
Since 2005 Nature Iraq, in partnership with Iraq's Ministry of the Environment and support from the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land & Sea, have undertaken a comprehensive survey of sites in Iraq known or thought to be important for their wildlife component. For many sites over 12 surveys were made - in summer and winter - by skilled biologists, who determined the value of the site for birds, mammals, other animals and, where possible, plants. These surveys and the application of the KBA criteria has identified 82 sites in Iraq that qualify as Key Biodiversity Areas - the first step to establishing a network of protected areas in Iraq. The site accounts will be published in an inventory book in 2017 called the Key Biodiversity Areas of Iraq. Nature Iraq is pleased to share the final versions of the individual site assessments and the inventory book with national and international conservationists, decision-makers and stakeholders by making it available on special order from Nature Iraq. No part of this inventory book may be reproduced, stored, transmitted, or disseminated in any form or by any means without prior written permission. |
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The summary of Iraq KBAs in addition to the press release of KBA sites in both English and Arabic versions are attached: 
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Kurdistan, Northern Iraq Assessments
Ahmed Awa Altun Kopri Marsh Amedi & Sulav Assos Mountain Atrush & Bania Area Bahrka Bakhma & Bradost Mountain Barzan Area & Gali Balnda Benavi & Sararu Chamchamal Chami Razan Darbandikhan Lake De Lezha Dohuk Lake Doli Plngan Doli Smaquli & Ashab Dukan Lake Dure Fishkhaboor Gali Zanta & Garbeesh Gara Mountain & Garagu Haji Omran Halgurd Mountain Hawraman Area Hazarmerd Kalar Area Kherazook Kuradawe & Waraz Maidan Area Mangesh Mawat Mosul Lake Parazan Penjween Peramagroon Mountain Qara Dagh Rawanduz Gorge Sakran Mountain Sangaw Area Sargalu Sari Hassan Bag Sharbazher Area Taq Taq Zalm Zawita |
Central & Western Iraq Assessments
Ajeel Himreen Hills Ga'ara Habbaniya Lake Haditha Wetlands & Baghdadi Himreen Lake Jabal Makhool Mahzam and Al-Alam Area Mandli Qadissiya Lake Samara Wetlands Tharthar Lake & Al-Dhebaeji Fields |
Southern Iraq Assessments
Auda Marsh Central Marshes Dalmaj Fao Gharraf River East Hammar West Hammar Hawizeh Hindiya Barrage Hoshiya & Saaroot Ibn Najm Jabal Senam Jazman (Zurbatia) Khor Az-Zubayr Lehais Musayab North Ibn Najm Razzaza Lake Salman Sawa Lake Area Shuweicha Marsh Sinnaf Seasonal Wetlands Suwaibaat (Sleibaat) Teeb Oasis & Zubaidaat Teeb Seasonal Wetlands Wadi Al-W'eir & Sh'eeb Abu-Talha |
