Ecosystem Analysis of a Part of the Wadi Mohammadi Within the Western Desert of Iraq

Abstract

Given the shortage of studies of the distribution of plant communities within the study area, the present research was conducted to identify the composition of natural vegetation and forms of growth and geographical biogenic life in a part of the watershed of Wadi Al-Muhammadi in the period between autumn 2016 and spring 2017. It was found that the region contains several plants, whether perennial or annul, have been identified based on the characteristics of the dominant plant community random Quadrate method, using sixteen squares covered the study. Then natural plant growth was estimated. Distribution of plant communities varied depending on the geomorphology unit of the area, which was divided into following:-the relatively high are: (plateau), the terraces, floodplain, and the bottom of the valley and on the characteristics of the soils dominant and soil salinity and the soil moisture. 36 plant species belonging to 18 families were recorded life forms were Therophytes and Chamaephytes and plants, all within the climate component (Middle Saharo-Sendian sub-region) based on the classification of regions biogeography map (Biogeographically regions) of the study area. The most representative families are Gramineae and Compositae, Chenopodiaceae . A large proportion of these species were abundant within the wetlands, especially in the course of output and schedules for artesian wells flowing waters toward downstream of the main wadi, particularly the valley, and the moisture salts and content of soils first were determinants within the study area as well as geological formations located within the region . Most of the plant species recorded were in danger of degradation and extintion. This region is exposed to human and environmental factors and security threats. These factors are: overgrazing, the cutting of shrubs with herbs as well activity quarries for building materials circulating within the region within the illegal activities of the region's population,It reems that the reason for the survival of these plant communities and spread over the seasons of the year is due to availability of the necessary moisture from artesian water flow for germination through the collector within the valley and the flow of this water stream towards the main valley.

Delineation Suitable Rainwater Harvesting Sites in Wadi Al-Mohammadi, Iraq

“…Studying climatic change in a region is crucial since it is intimately linked to quantity and water quality [14]. The study area is being influenced by the arid desert environment, and to a lesser extent by the Arabian Gulf & Mediterranean climates [11]. Dialy climate data for the rainfall(mm), relateive humidity(%), minimmum/maximmum air tempereture(°C), wind speed(m/s), and solar radeiation(MJ/m 2 /day) are playing an imporetant role in detrmining the variablse related to the qauntity of water that's keept through the water harveseting method.…”

“…Several researchers studied the study area and its surroundings in the Western Desert, for example, [6][7][8][9][10][11]. They all had different studies on water resources, but like water harvesting, they did not mention it as a water management technique.…”

Using SWAT Model to Estimate the Water Balance of Wadi Al-Mohammadi Basin, Western Iraq

“…Studying climate change in a region is important because it is closely related to quantities and water quality [4]. The study area is undergoing the influences of the dry desert climate and, to a lesser degree, the influences of the climate of the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf [5]. One of the mathematical models that simulate hydrological processes in general and water balance, in particular, is the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, which can describe the water balance of watersheds.…”

Applying SWAT Model to Estimate the Annual Runoff of Wadi Al-Mohammadi Basin, Western Iraq

“…It is important to study climate change in a region because it is closely related to quantities and water quality (Al-Kubaisi and Al-Kubaisi, 2018b). The study area is undergoing the influences of the dry desert climate and to a lesser degree the influences of the climate of the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf (Alalwany et al, 2018).…”