School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph N1G 2W1, Canada.
Spatial Science Laboratory, Ecosystem Science and Management Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77801, USA.
Sci Total Environ. 2017 Feb 15;580:832-845. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.12.029. Epub 2016 Dec 21.
The Hawizeh marsh, a unique wetland which is part of the Mesopotamian marshes, is recognized as a wetland of international importance. The marsh has been shrinking and there has been little research into its degradation. This study aims to reconstruct historical water regimes in the contributing basins (Tigris and Karkheh river Basins, TKRB) to investigate factors that have affected the wellbeing of the marsh. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used for this study. The model was calibrated and validated using nine river gauging stations. Results indicated that inflows to the marsh decreased by 65% and 80% in the '90s and 2000s, respectively, compared to the '80s. The reductions in streamflow were caused by decrease in precipitation and water abstraction. The annual precipitation decreased by 14% and 38% in the '90s and 2000s, respectively, compared to the '80s. Highest water abstraction was seen in Karkheh dam which caused a reduction of 45% in the annual streamflows. Average annual evaporative losses from Tharthar lake (2700km) were very high (2260hm [cubic hectometer]). Although the Hawizeh marsh has been shrinking for the last three decades, recent satellite images (2013) have shown that the marsh has been reviving, mainly due to increased precipitation from 2011 to 2013. The revival of the marsh is promising; however, if the planned dams on TKRB are implemented, the future of the marsh remains uncertain. The sustainability of the Hawizeh marsh will require integrated water resources management among the riparian countries to rehabilitate and maintain this unique wetland.
豪威兹沼泽是美索不达米亚沼泽的一部分，是一个独特的湿地，被公认为具有国际重要意义的湿地。该沼泽一直在缩小，但对其退化的研究很少。本研究旨在重建其集水区（底格里斯河和卡伦河集水区，TKRB）的历史水情，以研究影响湿地健康的因素。本研究采用了土壤和水评估工具（SWAT）。该模型使用 9 个河流测量站进行了校准和验证。结果表明，与 80 年代相比，90 年代和 2000 年代流入沼泽的水量分别减少了 65%和 80%。径流量减少是由于降水量和水资源抽取减少造成的。与 80 年代相比，90 年代和 2000 年代的年降水量分别减少了 14%和 38%。Karkheh 大坝的年取水量最高，导致年径流量减少了 45%。Tharthar 湖（2700km）的年蒸发损失平均非常高（2260hm [立方公顷]）。尽管豪威兹沼泽在过去三十年一直在缩小，但最近的卫星图像（2013 年）显示，沼泽正在复苏，主要是由于 2011 年至 2013 年降水增加。沼泽的复苏前景乐观；然而，如果 TKRB 上计划的水坝得以实施，沼泽的未来仍不确定。豪威兹沼泽的可持续性需要流域各国进行综合水资源管理，以恢复和维护这片独特的湿地。
