Sinnaf Seasonal Wetlands (8050)
Iraq, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Sinnaf Seasonal Wetlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.8667, Longitude: 47.3167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 3 to 12
Area of KBA (km2): 260.39299
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site consists of a large complex of marshes on the east of the River Tigris, north of Umm An-Niaa’j in Hawizeh Marsh, a large part of which was described by Evans (1994) as an Important Bird Area (IBA030) The geology of the area is gravels, sands, silt and alluvium, mainly sandy clay and is generally flat in all directions
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Additional Important Bird Observations: During the survey 46 species were observed. In addition to those listed in the table above, Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (Vulnerable) occurred in winter and Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (Near Threatened) on passage and in winter, but both in numbers below the IBA threshold. The site also held five Sahara-Sindian Desert biome-restricted species breeding but this did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3. The endemic race of Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis iraquensis is resident. The Sinnaf area is also important for Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus geneias and large numbers were found after the breeding season - see the table above. This population might breed elsewhere in the marshlands of southern Iraq, but appears to use this site frequently. Other Important Fauna: Several mammal species were found or reported in Sinnaf, including Honey Badger Mellivora capensis, Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena (Near Threatened), Gray Wolf Canis lupus and a Wild cat (either Felis silvestris or F. chaus), and Gazelles Gazella sp. were reported to the north of Sheeb (east of Sinnaf – outside the delineated area) but none were found during the surveys.
Delineation rationale: 2018-11-12 (BL Secretariat): the site has been reduced in area from 42,500 ha (1994 IBA) to 26,049 ha (2017 KBA).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The habitats are salt pioneer swards vegetation and desert Herbaceous vegetation with approximately 50% of the area un-vegetated. Approximately 2-3 years ago, Iran began blocking water from the Iranian highlands, much of which reached the area via the Dweireej and Teeb Rivers. This, as well as a reported decline in rainfall, has reduced the water supply to Sinnaf. The area still receives a good amount of water during the rainy season but now mainly only from Iraqi lands. During the KBA surveys, three sub-sites were visited to cover the eastern, middle (that Evans called Haur Chubaisah (IBA030)) and western parts of Sinnaf. Only a portion of the western part has permanent water due to the presence of sewage pipes from the city of Amara, which attracts large numbers of waders and gulls. Sinnaf contains very little dense vegetation and most of the area consists of saline soils dominated by halophytic plants. Parts of the area have been converted into farms, and others between the lower embankment and the main Amara-Msharah road, were converted into fish farms that receive water from the Msharah River that runs along part of the southern side of the site.
Land use: energy production and mining | hunting | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The most serious threat Sinnaf seasonal wetland faces today is the lack of water caused by diversion and/or blocking of water on the Iranian side. This threat (natural system modification) was ranked very high. Other very high threats are disturbance by people (specifically border police or those visiting the area for recreation) and energy production, which is caused by the oil development and oilfields in the area. Four threats were ranked as high: residential and commercial development transportation, hunting, and pollution. Hunting of birds poses a serious threat to waterfowl populations but this is only practiced in the wetlands of western Sinnaf. The southwestern part of the site where the water is permanent is protected by bird hunters, who mainly hunt flamingos and considerable numbers of ducks each winter. Agricultural expansion (expansion of fields and fish-farms over the southern part of the site) was rated medium a medium, but should be closely monitored.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Large dams | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Evans MI (1994). Important Bird Areas in the Middle East. Birdlife Conservation Series No. 2. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International.