Environmental consequences of wetland degradation in the Middle East: A regional geographical analysis

University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

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Abstract

Wetlands in the Middle East have been shrinking rapidly during the last two decades. Such a trend has become one of the main environmental problems of the region because the loss of wetlands changes river flow, increases salinity, intensifies dust storms, reduces biodiversity, and limits the use of natural resources. The strongest changes have occurred in the marshes of southern Iraq, the Lake Urmia basin, the lower Tigris–Euphrates region, and the coastal areas of the Persian Gulf. Additional pressure has been created by dam construction, river diversion, agricultural expansion, and changes in land use. The study aimed to determine where wetland degradation is most severe and to identify its main environmental effects at the regional level. The results may be useful for environmental planning, water management, and wetland restoration programs. The analysis was based on data for 2000–2024 obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Ramsar Convention, NASA, the European Space Agency, and national hydrological agencies in Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. Satellite imagery, hydrological indicators, and land-use data were examined together. The results show that wetland area in the main parts of the Middle East decreased by 35–85%. The most serious consequences include stronger soil and water salinity, the loss of habitats for birds and aquatic species, higher dust concentrations in the atmosphere, and the expansion of degraded land. Overall, the findings indicate the need for integrated water management and for the restoration of the most vulnerable wetland ecosystems.