Mahzam and Al-Alam Area (32108)
Iraq, Middle East

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2015

National site name: Mahzam and Al-Alam Area

Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.7152, Longitude: 43.6783

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 85 to 109

Area of KBA (km²): 21.46131

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Evans (1994) listed Mahzam and Tharthar as an important bird area (IBA007), but the recent surveys have split this into two independent sites due to their location and logistics. The site consists of homogeneous riparian habitats on bothbanks of the Tigris River as well as desert shrublands. There are also dense fruit and date palm orchards scattered amongst bush and thickets. The geology of the area is alluvial sediments

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)

Additional biodiversity: Additional Important Bird Observations: In total,120 bird species were seen. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus and European Roller Coracias garrulus (both Near Threatened) were observed on passage. The site also held seven breeding Sahara-Sindian Desert biome-restricted species but did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3. Other Important Fauna: Indian Gray Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii was observed and considerd the first record for Iraq (Al-Sheikhly and Mallon 2013). Also photographed at the site was the Indian Crested Porcupine Hystrix indica, which face heavy hunting pressure as they are a preferred food for locals in Salah-ad-Din. No fishsurvey was conducted.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: The land is arid and hemmed in along the western bank of the Tigris by elevated rocky cliffs that extend to Tikrit. The cliffs represent typical breeding habitat for many resident species of raptor, such as Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus. Many vegetable and fruit (largely grape) farms are distributed throughout the site. Bushes and shrubs thin out as the riverbanks turn to stone and gravel with thick Populus trees lining both sides. The eastern arm of the Tigris River is similar in habitat to Mahzam, although the Al-Alam region is characterized by date palms and orchards planted above wheat and barley fields. A few stony islands in the Tigris with scattered Tamarix plants providenesting and roosting habitat forherons and waders. A number of gravel mines are also located on the Tigris riverbank near Al Mahzam.

Land use: agriculture | energy production and mining | fisheries/aquaculture | hunting

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	50
Shrubland	50

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Agricultural activity has caused some disturbance and habitat destruction. Water pumping stations and electricity generators located on both sides of the river cause noise, oil and fuel spills and air pollution. Gravel mining is largely unregulated and is likely to impact the diversity of fish and invertebrates though disruption of spawning beds and rearing areasand may impact overall water quality. The associated introduction of toxins and physical changes to the aquifer canal so damage riparian habitats. The riverbank between Tikrit and Mahzam is a popular picnic spot in spring and summer causing a high threat from garbage. Illegal hunting and fishing, primarily poisoning and occasionally electro-fishing, were considered the highest threat.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target)	Ongoing

Additional information