Gavkhooni, another dried wetland in the center of Iran

Gavkhooni, registered in the Ramsar International Convention due to its ecological importance, is one of the important wetlands in the country, which is the outlet of Zayanderud basin. This wetland has various environmental functions such as: reducing the consequences of climate change, ecotourism, water and air filtration, ground water recharge, sand dune stabilization, forage production, biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
As a natural ecosystem, Gavkhooni is a fundamental reservoir for plant and animal species. There are 24 vegetation types in Gavkhooni and the largest area belongs to Salsola tomentosa- Artemisia sieberi and Calliganum commusum - Stipagrostis karelinii. This area is also the habitat of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fishes. Changes in quantity and quality of water have caused the dryness of a vast area of Gavkhooni in recent years as well as the loss of many valuable plant and animal species such as eluropuslittoralis, Halocnemumstrobilaceum,PhragmitesaustralisandSalicorniapersica. The conversion of this ecosystem in the central region of the country into the core of wind erosion crisis and dust storms is a threat for the residential and agricultural areas around it.