A Survey of Diversity and Density of Birds in Khoramshahr (Naseri) Marsh and their Conservation Status in Relation to IBA Criteria and the Ramsar Convention

The Khoramshahr (Naseri) marsh is a manmade wetland that lies about 17 Km North of Khoramshahr created in 2000 by discharged sugarcane waste water. Results of the direct census conducted (by total count) during 2002–2008 shows the number of species, population size and density of birds in this wetland to have increased. The coot (Fulica atra), with population of 75,000 in 2008, had the highest population size. The highest population size and number of species were 194,464 birds in 2008 and 32 species in 2007, respectively. The Shannon diversity index was the highest in 2008 (H'=2.27). This shows that the distribution of bird populations was more homogeneous in this than in other years. The Khoramshahr Marsh conforms with some of Ramsar Convention criteria and with some criteria of IBA (special second criteria in second category). By the application of 5 criteria (birds, fishes, threats, socio-economic criteria and conservation status) determined that, among 75 important wetlands in Iran, the Khoramshahr Marsh is in the 63rd rank after Khoram wetland.