Current view: Text account
Site description (2014 baseline):
Site location and context
Part of this site, Hor Saaroot (IBA024 in Evans, 1994) is a seasonal marsh on a flat plain running in a narrow band along the eastern part of the Tigris between the towns of Ali Al-Gharbi and Amara. The approximate length is about 60 km and the width approximately 8 km
Hoshiya is a flat plain south of Saaroot, which floods during the rainy season. Hoshiya, which was listed by Evans (1994) as IBA028, is really a part of Saaroot (IBA 024). This area also receives some waters from the Tigris when the water level exceeds a certain point, via a canal with a barrage. Some embankments and unpaved roads exist around the area, which are used during summer only
The geology of the entire area is Mesopotamian alluvium, mainly silts
During the surveys, 39 bird species were observed in this seasonal marsh area. In addition to those in the table above, the area provides good habitat for large numbers of wintering waterfowl during the rainy season. The open plain areas also provide good habitat for the Vulnerable Macqueen’s Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii and raptors, e.g Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (Vulnerable). Even though few Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris (Vulnerable) were seen in winter, the area might harbor many more of this species. The restricted-range Iraq Babbler Turdoides altirostris was found breeding in this area, but did not trigger the A2 criterion. The site also held breeding populations of six Sahara-Sindian Desert biome-restricted species (Appendix XX) but this did not trigger inclusion under A3 criterion.
Important Other Fauna: According to frequent reports by locals and hunters, the reported animals are: Honey Badger Mellivora capensis, Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena (Near Threatened), Red Fox/Ruppell’s Fox Vulpes sp., Golden Jackal Canis aureus, and Grey Wolf Canis lupus. Some reptiles were observed, but not identified. No fish data were collected.
The area (Hoshiya) consists of lowland that acts as a catchment for rainwater flowing from the Iranian highlands to the east. Most of the area dries out during the non-rainy seasons and water becomes confined to scattered patches in the depressions. A high soil embankment was constructed parallel to the Amara-Kut motorway to prevent flooding, which contains openings with regulators that discharge water to the eastern bank of the Tigris River. Most of the water in the lower part of this area discharges south towards Sinnaaf Seasonal Marshes (IQ069).
(Saaroot) No agricultural or institutional features were observed at the site. The site has remained largely unchanged since Scott visited it in the 1970s. As with Saaroot, this site attracts considerable numbers of waterfowl.
There are no reed beds or dense plant cover except in the depressions and canals. The dominant plant cover can be described as scattered annual herbs and bushes. The area is a good wintering location for large numbers of waterfowl and waders. There were three sub-sites surveyed in this area
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
As it is a seasonal marsh, this site faces unique issues. It floods just before the arrival of migrant and wintering waterfowl, so conserving this area to support these migrants is crucial. But the site faces trans-boundary issues, as considerable (though not specifically measured) amounts of the marsh water comes from the Iranian highlands.
Natural systems modification, specifically the control of the water from Iran, was rated a very high threat. Two threats were ranked as high threats: species over-exploitation specifically from the netting of large numbers of ducks in the winter and human intrusion through disturbance from human activities such as the movement of the locals and picnicking, and movement of heavy vehicles. Three categories presented medium threats: agriculture, specifically farms in the central part of the area but which appeared abandoned during the survey; transportation, especially the road between stone quarries to the east of the area and the main highway; and pollution such as plastic trash and litter left by visitors
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Hoshiya and Saaroot (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/hoshiya-and-saaroot-iba-iraq on 21/12/2024.
