An Ecological Survey of Algal Species in the Sawyer River, Al-Muthanna Governorate, Iraq

Authors

• Rasha.H. R. Al-Miawi, AL-Muthanna University, College of Medicine, Anatomy Department, IraqFollow
• Hiafaa A.J. Al-Barakat, Department of Ecology, College of, Basic Education, Al-Muthanna University
• Alaa Jabar Mahmoud, Department of Environmental Health College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Muthanna University, Al-Rumaytha, Iraq

Article Type

Article

Abstract

Given the global changes in climate, especially the drought conditions Iraq has recently experienced, along with the severe water shortage, this study sought to develop both quantitative and qualitative methods and strategies for phytoplankton (excluding diatoms) as key indicators to protect ecosystems, boost their resilience, and promote sustainability. sites were chosen for the most prominent cities A number of samples were selected from three sites (Al-Dahara region, Al Jarukhi Bridge, Al-Ghanim area), located on the Al-Sawyer River, which is the most important branch of the Euphrates River in the Al-Muthanna Governorate in southern Iraq in 2024 the species that was recognized. This study found phytoplankton species in the Alsawyer River. 11 Chlorophyta, 4 Cyanophyta, and 16 Bacillariophyta, was identified in the areas of the research. This study is regarded as the initial documentation of algae in the Al-Sawyer River for Iraq. Thus, the aim of this research is to contribute additional data regarding phytoplankton biodiversity of Al-Sawyer River in Iraq. The results of showed that the waters of the Al-Sawyer River have low to moderate biological diversity, The predominant groups of species during the study period were Lyngbya aeruginosa, Phormidium tenue, Oedogonium gracilius, Navicula radiosa, Nitizschia romana, Cycllotella ocellata, Nitieschia gracille, MeloSira ambigua, Navicula cuptocyphala, Fragilaria Capucina, Gomphomema angustatum, Cocconies placentula, Syndra ulna, Cymbella affinis, Navicula cincta, Nitizschin dissipata, Nitizschia palea, Amphora venta.

Keywords

Algae, Physicochemical characteristics, The Sawyer River

Recommended Citation

Al-Miawi, Rasha.H. R.; Al-Barakat, Hiafaa A.J.; and Mahmoud, Alaa Jabar (2026) "An Ecological Survey of Algal Species in the Sawyer River, Al-Muthanna Governorate, Iraq," Muthanna Medical Journal: Vol. 13: Iss. 2, Article 9.
Available at: https://muthmj.mu.edu.iq/journal/vol13/iss2/9

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.