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South Iran Nubo–Sindian desert and semi-desert

The South Iran Nubo–Sindian desert and semi-desert ecoregion (WWF ID: PA1328) covers the northern coastal plain of the Persian Gulf and the inland desert hills south of the Zagros Mountains of Iran. The region also has extensions reaching into southeastern Iraq, and eastward into southwestern Pakistan. The region is one of hot sand deserts, shrubland, and open thorn woodlands inland. Mangrove forests and swamps are found along the coast.[2][3][1]

South Iran Nubo–Sindian desert and semi-desert
Landscape in Bushehr Province, Iran
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmPalearctic
BiomeDeserts and xeric shrublands
Borders
List
Geography
Area352,234 km2 (135,998 sq mi)
CountryIran, Iraq, Pakistan
Coordinates27°15′N 60°45′E / 27.25°N 60.75°E / 27.25; 60.75
Conservation
Protected7.48%[1]

Location and description

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The ecoregion stretches for 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) along the northern coast of the Persian Gulf, from the head of the Gulf at Abadan to the estuary of the Hingol River on the southern coast of Pakistan 150 km west of Karachi. For most of its length, the region reaches 120 km inland, but widen considerably east of the Strait of Hormuz. The ecoregion includes the Jaz Murian depression, an endorheic basin in southeastern Iran enclosed by mountains. As it enters Pakistan the ecoregion covers the Makran Coastal Range. Elevations range from sea level to 3,283 metres (10,771 ft), with a mean of 559 metres (1,834 ft).[1]

Climate

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The climate of the ecoregion is Hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification (BWh)). This climate features stable air and high pressure aloft, producing a hot, arid desert. Hot-month temperatures typically average 29–35 °C (84–95 °F).[4][5]

Flora

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Most of the ecoregion is dry shrubland interspersed with sandy desert.[6] 8% is herbaceous cover or converted to agriculture.

Various tropical desert plant communities are found here, including:[7]

At the north end of the Gulf is the Shadegan Ponds on the delta of the Karun River. This internationally important wetland features brackish sedge marshes dominated by Bulrush (Scirpus) in the better drained areas, and Tamarix on the mudflats.[8][9] Farther south along the coast is a representative mangrove community at the deltas of the Rud-e-Gaz and Rud-e-Hara Rivers at Hormuz. This area features tidal creeks, mudflats, and mangrove swamp. At the mouths of the rivers are extensive stands of grey mangrove (Avicennia marina), known locally as the Hara tree.

 
Mangrove forests at Qeshm

The ecoregion corresponds to the South Iranian Floristic Province identified by Armen Takhtajan, and is part of the Omano-Sindian Subregion. Takhtajan thought it the floristically richest province of the subregion. Endemic and near-endemic plants including the species Salvia majdae (syn. Zhumeria majdae) and the species Diceratella canescens, Diceratella floccosa, Grewia tenax subsp. makranica, Zygophyllum acerosum, Zygophyllum subinerme, Moluccella aucheri, Achillea eriophora, Echinops kotschyi, and Iphiona aucheri. Other wider-ranging native plants include Argyrolobium roseum subsp. roseum, Crotalaria persica, Monsonia nivea, Pycnocycla nodiflora, Salvia mirzayanii, and Schweinfurthia papilionacea.[7]

Fauna

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Native mammals include the chinkara (Gazella bennettii), goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), African wildcat (Felis lybica), Indian grey mongoose (Urva edwardsii), jungle cat (Felis chaus), striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), and Persian trident bat (Triaenops persicus). The Iranian shrew (Crocidura susiana) is endemic.[6]

Resident breeding birds include crowned sandgrouse (Pterocles coronatus), bar-tailed lark (Ammomanes cinctura zarudnyi), and pale rock martin (Ptyonoprogne obsoleta). MacQueen's bustard (Chlamydotis macqueenii) winters here.[6]

The region is important for reptiles and amphibians. Common species are the Iranian toad (Bufotes surdus), Persian ground agama (Trapelus persicus), Iranian comb-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus affinis), ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus), rock semaphore gecko (Pristurus rupestris), and false cobra (Rhagerhis moilensis).[1][10]

Endemic species of reptiles and amphibians include Blanford's short-toed gecko (Cyrtopodion brevipes), Jaz murian bent-toed gecko (Mediodactylus sagittifer), Iranian worm snake (Xerotyphlops wilsoni), and Persian krait (Bungarus persicus), a venomous snake of the Elapidae family.[10]

Protected areas

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Over 7% of the ecoregion is officially protected.[1] These protected areas include:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "South Iran Nubo-Sindian desert and semi-desert". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  2. ^ "South Iran Nubo-Sindian desert and semi-desert". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  3. ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  4. ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  5. ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c South Iran Nubo-Sindian Desert and Semi-Desert. One Earth. Accessed 12 February 2023.
  7. ^ a b Takhtajan, A. L. (1986). Floristic Regions of the World. University of California Press, Berkeley. QK 101.T313 1986 ISBN 0-520-04027-9
  8. ^ "Shadegan Marshes & mudflats of Khor-al Amaya & Khor Musa". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Shadegan marshes and tidal mudflats of Khor-al Amaya and Khor Musa". Birdlife International. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  10. ^ a b "The Herpetofauna of Iran: Checklist of Taxonomy, Distribution and Conservation Status". Asian Herpetological Research (December 2015). doi:10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.140062. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
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