Current view: Text account
Site description (2014 baseline):
Site location and context
The site is a wetland (similar in characteristics to the southern marshes, but rare in Kurdistan) on the Lesser (Little) Zab River and is surrounded by low foothills and steppe/grasslands. Located below the town of Altun Kopri, the main marshland area is upstream of (and is likely partially formed by) the Dibis embankment dam, which was constructed between 1960 and 1965 to divert water from the Lesser Zab into the Kirkuk Irrigation Project.
During the survey period 109 species were observed. In addition to those listed in the table above the following were observed at levels that did not meet the IBA criteria: European Roller Coracias garrulus, breeding and Red Kite Milvus milvus, migrant (both Near Threatened). The site had breeding populations of biome restricted species: Mediterranean (two), Irano-Turanian (two) and Sahara-Sindian Desert (three), but these did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3.
Other Important Fauna: Mammal data were collected in 2007 and 2010 only. Locals reported the presence of the globally Near Threatened Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra. No significant reptile observation was made at the site.
Fish: Data were collected in 2008 and 2012 only and 20 species were found. According to Coad (2010), significant species were: Acanthobrama marmid, Cyprinus carpio, Chondrostoma regium, Carassius auratus, Heteropneustes fossilis, Leuciscus vorax, Liza abu, Luciobarbus esocinus, Luciobarbus xanthopterus and Silurus triostegus. Also present were Mastacembelus mastacembelus and Mystus pelusius for which the conservation status in Iraq is unknown. The 2012 survey took place with the participation of Jörg Freyhof from the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries of Germany. They observed the following significant species: Alburnus mossulensis, Cyprinion macrostomum, Gambusio holbrooki, Hemigrammocapoeta elegans, Pseudorasbora parva and Squalius lepidus.
Additional Plant & Habitat Information: This site contained a good field of chickpea Cicer arietinum ssp. Arietinum, which is important as a genetic resource.
The geology is sedimentary with clay soils supporting reedbeds and submerged marshland vegetation, whereas the uplands are largely steppe grasslands or unvegetated. The river is lined on both sides by tall reed beds, but the core area of the marsh is on the southeast bank of the river, surrounded on the southeastern side by higher land. Much of the area is used for grazing and at least one herd of Water Buffalo is present. Fishing and agriculture, primarily wheat farms with some greenhouses along the road, are practiced in and around the river and wetlands.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
This site’s location downstream of the town of Altun Kopri makes it highly susceptible to sewage, garbage and other pollution. Agriculture is practiced along the river. The survey team also observed people cutting and burning reeds. Instances of bird hunting were also witnessed and electro-fishing has been noted in the area.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Altun Kopri Marsh (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/altun-kopri-marsh-iba-iraq on 23/11/2024.
