Primary Productivity of Iraqi lakes: A Review

Abstract

Lentic ecosystems are important for fish production and are a critical habitat for waterfowl and numerous migratory birds. In this study we have gathered data on primary productivity of lakes across Iraq to provide updated information to strategize conservation and management. Tigris and Euphrates rivers are the primary sources of filling up major lakes in Iraq the overall assessment shows that the primary productivity is dependent on the algal composition and environmental factors with coincident role of macrophytes. An average of 37 to 637 mg carbon/m3/day of primary productivity was calculated for most of the lakes comprised of Bacillariophyceae and followed by Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Euglenophyceae, and Pyrrophyceae. It is hoped that this study can be an input to fill knowledge gaps and help to build long term maintainability of water quality and conservation of lake ecosystem across Iraq.