Iran’s disappearing wetlands

The Miqan wetland, covering an area of over 25,000 hectares, is located some 10 kilometres from Arak, the provincial capital of Iran's Markazi province. Arak is one of the most industrialised cities in Iran, with high levels of air pollution and large amounts of industrial wastewater.
The Miqan wetland, covering an area of over 25,000 hectares, is located some 10 kilometres from Arak, the provincial capital of Iran's Markazi province. Arak is one of the most industrialised cities in Iran, with high levels of air pollution and large amounts of industrial wastewater.

Over the past 20 years, global warming and climate change have been blamed for the deteriorating condition of Iran's wetlands, seasonal lakes and lagoons. Evidence from the Miqan wetland indicates, however, that mismanagement has been the primary cause of Iran's marshes drying out. More...