Key Biodiversity Areas in Iraq

Locating and protecting important sites for biodiversity

Nature Iraq’s Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) program aims to create an Iraq National Inventory of Important Sites of biological diversity. CMEP is assisting the KBA program through capacity building and surveying in northern Iraq.

The KBA project aims to locate and assess important sites for birds, mammals and plants. The KBA survey program for plants has been running in Iraq since 2007. To date, surveys have been undertaken in the southern marshlands and in the northern mountains of Sulaimani, Erbil and Dohuk governorates. 

Since 2009, CMEP has assisted Nature Iraq with botanical KBA surveys, data management, plant identifications, and training for conservationists and botanists in Sulaimani governorate.

In May 2010, CMEP ran a 10 day training course on Qara Dagh for 10 participants from Nature Iraq, Baghdad University, Twin Rivers Institute and Sulaimani University. This training course covered survey design, field skills, data management and plant collecting.

In June 2010, CMEP participated in a detailed botanical survey of Piramagroon. Project partners will use this data in the KBA selection and prioritisation process for Iraq.

Project Details

Partners:

Nature Iraq

Location:

Iraq

Project Start Date:

2009

Related Project Services:

Capacity Development, Specialist Service, Surveying

Flora of Arabia

Describing the plants of the Arabian Peninsula & Socotra

The Flora of Arabia will contain definitive descriptions of the 3500 – 4000 plant species in the Arabian Peninsula countries of Saudi Arabia, Yemen (including Socotra), Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.

CMEP staff edit and produce technical descriptions for the Flora of Arabia. Gathering data for the Flora program requires regular expeditions to the Arabian Peninsula. Since 1996, CMEP over 50 CMEP surveys have collected the necessary data to describe the complex plants, habitats and environments of the Arabian Peninsula. This data can be used for environmental impact assessments, habitat monitoring, climate change studies and restoration projects.

Two volumes of the Flora are currently published. Volume I was published in 1996 and covered pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperm families from Casuarinaceae to Neuradaceae. Volume V part I contains all 470 grass species (Poaceae), and was published in September 2007.

Project Details

Partners:

Location:

Yemen, Socotra, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait

Project Start Date:

1996

Related Project Services:

Surveying

Oman Botanic Garden

Developing a world class botanic garden

The Oman Botanic Garden (OBG) is a new world-class development celebrating the unique plants & environments of Oman. Since 2005 CMEP has provided planning & design, landscaping, surveying and capacity building services to this groundbreaking project.

CMEP has contributed a wide range of services to the OBG project, including:

  • detailed habitat design & implementation advice
  • habitat surveys
  • OBG site surveys
  • nursery design & management
  • arid lands horticulture
  • horticultural & botanical training

Currently under construction, the 420 ha project will be the largest botanic garden in the Arabian Peninsula. It will showcase Oman’s 1200 plant species in a series of habitats from the dry central deserts to the rich monsoon woodlands of Dhofar.

The Oman Botanic Garden aims to promote and demonstrate best practice in sustainability, through the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification process. This iconic sustainable garden will become a unique destination for local and international visitors.

Project Details

Partners:

OBGBGCI

Location:

Oman

Project Start Date:

2005

Related Project Services:

Capacity Development, Landscaping, Planning, Surveying

Afghanistan

Improving Afghan capacity for environmental protection

Afghanistan is home to between 3500-5000 plant species, 15-20% of which are endemic. Protecting this rich plant biodiversity is vital to safeguarding ecosystem services and the economy of this largely rural country. Since 2009, CMEP have been assisting national and international efforts towards biodiversity research and conservation. To date, CMEP work in Afghanistan has involved strategic planning and capacity building.

Afghanistan faces numerous environmental challenges as it emerges from decades of conflict. As a recent signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Afghanistan is committed to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. This includes commitments to in-situ conservation, ex-situ conservation, scientific research and monitoring. Helping to strengthen the national capabilities of developing countries like Afghanistan is an obligation of all Contracting Parties to CBD.

CMEP is working with a range of partners in Afghanistan to assist the implementation of biodiversity conservation, through:

  • Developing an ex situ conservation strategy for the Kabul University Botanical Garden
  • Providing training and support for IUCN Red Listing
  • Implementing a training programme in biodiversity research skills at Kabul University

Project Details

Partners:

PEACE ProjectKabul University ECODITWildlife Conservation Society

Location:

Afghanistan

Project Start Date:

2009

Related Project Services:

Capacity Development, Conservation, Planning
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