Iran Press/ Iran news: Wetlands around Lake Urmia include Dorgeh Sangi (Siran Goli), a freshwater to the brackish marsh at the southern end of Lake Urmia, Kani Barazan and Solduz wetlands, located in the south of Lake Urmia and the northern part of Mahabad River basin.
Waterlands around Lake Urmia is one of the most critical habitats for breeding migratory and indigenous birds, including pelicans, egrets, ducks, and flamingoes—Flamingos nest and breed on the islands of Lake Urmia and the mouths of rivers.
Lake Urmia is one of the largest inland lakes located in northwestern Iran. This vast hyper-saline lake is a Ramsar Site, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and a National Park. It is one of the Middle East's most essential and extensive flamingo habitats.
The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) covers internationally designated protected areas, known as biosphere reserves, which are meant to demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature.
Iran is located in a region with unique geographical features, exhibiting diverse climatic conditions and abundant biodiversity. There are 41 wetland types in Iran, almost the entire number of wetland types that exist globally.
The catchment area of Lake Urmia in northwestern Iran includes some significant wetlands in terms of environmental, social, and economic value. The complex of these wetlands consists of the large and highly salty lake of Urmia and about 30 salty-sweet water surrounding wetlands, seven of which are of particular importance. Some of these wetlands are part of the Ramsar Convention and are of international significance, while others are registered as national protected areas.
According to IranPress, the flamingos of Lake Urmia have three migration destinations, including the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and Shadegan Wetland in Iran.
Flamingos of the lake are a large species called Phoenicopterus roseus that migrate to the African habitat in winter after laying eggs and hatching in Urmia Lake. Flamingos is one of Lake Urmia's most prominent bird species, using the lake's islands to breed and feed extensively on Artemia.
The presence of Artemia in Lake Urmia is one of the most important reasons for the existence of flamingos.
Artemia is a genus of aquatic crustaceans, also known as brine shrimp. It is the only genus in the family Artemiidae. It is a type of organism that lives in salt water, and Lake Urmia is one of the richest sources of Artemia in the world.
The presence of flamingos in Lake Urmia has added to the beauty of tourism in West Azerbaijan province in northwest Iran.
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