Gandoman wetland: One of the most beautiful bird watching wetlands in Iran

There are different types of wetland in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province, because of mountainous habitats and abundance of water resources such as rivers, streams and springs. These habitats are important in terms of biodiversity and aesthetic with vital role in the livelihoods of the people. Gandoman wetland is one of the most important wetlands in terms of biodiversity and tourism in this province. This wetland is one of the top 10 bird watching wetlands in Iran. The result of previous study showed that, 129 plant species, belonging to 32 families and 87 genera, are present in this wetland. Parnassia palustris has been reported for the first time from this wetland in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province. Considering the limited area of Gandoman wetland, the presence of significant diversity of plant species, birds, fishes, amphibians, and phytoplanktons have increased the importance of this natural habitat. In this paper, the unique characteristics of Gandoman wetland are introduced.