Attariya Plains (8033)
Iraq, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Attariya Plains
Central coordinates: Latitude: 33.4167, Longitude: 44.9167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 110 to 110
Area of KBA (km2): 556.11487
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of semi-desertic plains, arable land, grassland, temporary inundation and small permanent marshes c.40 km east-north-east of Baghdad. The marshes are fed mainly from the Baquba area to the north and are surrounded by Phragmites and Typha beds. The area is grazed, and adjacent plains are dominated by Alhaja and Acacia. The local human population is very sparse, and the environment is unusually intact.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: The site is important for wintering waterfowl, and 8,800 ducks and geese and Fulica atra were recorded in January 1975. Other breeding species include Glareola pratincola (14 pairs). Charadrius asiaticus occurs on passage (max. 300). Data shown in box, from Carp (1975a, 1975b) and Scott and Carp (1982), may include some winter counts from the Baghdad area. Non-bird biodiversity: Flora: the general area is very important for harbouring wild relatives of important cereal crop species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 32 | |
| Grassland | 32 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 32 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No conservation measures are known to have been taken. The site is threatened by drainage of the wetlands to the north from which it obtains its water. Hunting pressure was heavy in 1975, both through shooting from cars and from netting. No conservation measures are known to have been proposed.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Carp (1975a,b), Scott and Carp (1982).