What Ecological Principles Required for a Proposed Establishment and Management of National Parks in the Southern Marshes of Iraq

Abstract

Ecological principles are important criteria in the process of establishing protected areas. Regularly, these features of the area are neglected, and conservation measures related to the biodiversity area usually considered. It appears the ecological facets of any landscape are vital to determine the validity of the protected area and its future endurance. The lack of experience of the managers that have no knowledge of ecological science can cause severe damage to the protected areas that are selected without considering the ecological issues. Therefore, several prevailing protected regions around the world facing problems in attaining their upkeep goals endure a vital choice for upholding and improving the conservation of biota diversity and habitat functions.

This chapter discusses briefly the important ecological principles that should be considered in the process of establishing new protected areas in Iraq in general and in the southern marshes region. Failing to consider these factors will lead definitely to the collapse of the protected area/s and malfunctioning in the future. With such bad consequences, biodiversity will certainly be affected. Therefore, the policymakers in Iraq are urged to consider the ecological side when establishing any protected area in Iraq and especially in the southern marshes region.