Ecosystems provide humans with services that include benefits from food, fresh water, climate regulation, and socio-economic assets. The Mesopotamian marshlands are among the largest wetlands in the Middle East and they provide various benefits. However, ecosystem services of the Marshlands are consistently undervalued in national economic analysis and decision making. This study focusses on the Central Marshes, the first National Park in Iraq, and is the first attempt at valuing a series of ecosystem services from a valuable natural ecosystem in Iraq. We adopted the Toolkit for Ecosystem Services Site-Based Assessment (TESSA) for the determination of biophysical and economic values of services at the site level. Data on key ecosystem services (as determined by 30 interviews with residents of the Marshes) included the trading of fish, harvested plants, water buffalo milk, and fodder were collected across six months in 2014. We valued the ecosystem services within the CM (40,000 ha) over a 6-month period to have a total value of 860,078.23 USD. This estimated total value was the sum of 86,637.25 USD from harvested plants, 551,334.80 USD from trading fish, 167, 303.70 USD from trading water buffalo milk, and 54,804.00 USD from trading fodder. The average income per individual in Iraq in 2014 was 6720 USD (World Bank data - https://data.worldbank.org/country/iraq): thus, the CM provided an average salary for 256 people. Our results provided greater understanding of the ecosystem services contributed by the Central Marshes and has highlighted the crucial role of nature in supporting sustainable well-being for humans living in the area. In addition, the results can be used to enhance local policy, to aid management plans of the National park, and to estimate lost and damage that could result from impact of climate change on the area.
The cement industry is considered one of the strategic industries, because it is directly related to construction work and cement is used as a hydraulic binder. However, it is a simple industry compared to major industries and depends on the availability of the necessary raw materials. This study focuses on optimizing and coordinating the location of raw materials needed for the cement manufacturing in Wasit Governorate in Iraq. Field works include detailed reconnaissance, topographic work, and description and sampling of 24 lithological sections that represent the carbonate deposits, which crop out in the area. The investigated area has the following specifications: The weighted aver
This study investigates the stomach morphology and histochemistry of Clarias gariepinus. Grossly, the stomach is a J-shaped organ with three distinct regions: cardiac, fundic, and pyloric. Histologically, its wall comprises four layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa. The mucosa exhibits broad longitudinal folds lined by high columnar cells with basal oval nuclei. These cells contain apical mucosubstances that react positively with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain and negatively with Alcian Blue (AB). Gastric pits result from mucosal invaginations. Glands are present in the fundic and cardiac regions but absent in the pyloric. Oxynticopeptic cells exclusively line the fundic glands. Enteroendocrine cells are distr
... Show MoreThis study investigates the stomach morphology and histochemistry of Clarias gariepinus. Grossly, the stomach is a J-shaped organ with three distinct regions: cardiac, fundic, and pyloric. Histologically, its wall comprises four layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa. The mucosa exhibits broad longitudinal folds lined by high columnar cells with basal oval nuclei. These cells contain apical mucosubstances that react positively with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain and negatively with Alcian Blue (AB). Gastric pits result from mucosal invaginations. Glands are present in the fundic and cardiac regions but absent in the pyloric. Oxynticopeptic cells exclusively line the fundic glands. Enteroendocrine cells are distr
... Show MoreBackground: The Titanium and its alloys are suitable for dental implant and medical applications. Biocompatibility of the materials is a major factor in determining the success of the implant and has a great impact on their rate of osseointegration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of Ti2AlC in comparison to CPTi & Ti6Al7Nb in rabbits. Materials and Methods: 10 male New Zealand White rabbits, weighing (2-2.5 kg), aged (10-12 months) were used in this study. Cylindrical implants were prepared from the study materials (CPTi, Ti6Al7Nb and Ti2AlC) with (8mm) height and (3mm) diameter for the evaluation of tissue response and disc specimens were prepared with (6 mm) diameter and (2 mm) thickness for ev
... Show MoreObjective(s): The present study describes the quality of life (QOL) among adolescents with age of (12-22) year old and identifies factors that may be associated with it. Methodology: A cross-sectional design is carried throughout to evaluate adolescents' quality of life in Hilla City for the period of September 2nd 2016 to November 6th 2016. The present study is conducted in different settings that include schools and colleges in Hilla City. A non-probability "purposive" sample of (144) participant is selected and comprised of (50%) males and (50%) females. An instrument is constructed for the intent of the st
The research explain the analysis of finance investments through analyze the finance tables for commercial banks, by using the pointers to indicate the limits of economical benefit for these investments, and fix the negative deviations and as well positive, for the purpose of diagnostic the negative (disadvantage) and develop the advantage deviation, For the importance of finance investments in the development operation and economical growth, further to that the finance investments is represent one of the most activities in the commercial banks in which aim the adequate incomes as a result of the commercial banks act to receipt the banks deposits and then make it growth and develop through commercial advantage o
... Show MoreFive sites were chosen to the north of Babil Governorate in order to identify the limnological features and the impact of the Hindiya Dam during 2019. Site2 was located near the dam to reflect the ecological features of this site, whereas other sites, S1 was located at the upstream of the dam as a control site. Moreover, the two other sites S3 and S4 were located down the dam. The results of the study showed a close correlation between air and water temperature at all sites. Also there were significant differences in average of thirteen out of eighteen water parameters.Water temperature, total alkalinity, bicarbonate, DO, POS, TH and Mg+2 ions decreased from 22.76˚C, 203.33 mg/L,
... Show MoreThe nation-building process in fragile states is complex, often involving multifaceted challenges and opportunities. A pertinent example is Iraq post-2003, which serves as a model to study the intricacies of rebuilding a nation in the aftermath of conflict. During this period, we witnessed a significant international intervention aimed at establishing democratic governance, fostering economic development, and restoring social stability. Iraq’s nation-building journey showcases both successes and shortcomings. Establishing a representative government marked a step towards inclusivity and political participation, yet sectarian tensions persisted, hindering cohesive national identity. Economic initiatives aimed to harness Iraq's oil resou
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Abstract
Natural gas is characterized by features that made from it a fuel and a raw material for many industries. Deepening its position as a favorite fossil supplier between other types of fossil fuel is the efficiency, diversity of its uses, low costs and compatibility with the environment which leads to increasing of its uses then increased global demand. So, the natural gas must take its place as an important resource in Iraq and participate the oil in the economic development process of building and financing of the general budget.
Iraq is planning to continue of increasing the export capacity of raw oil to meet ambitious production targets emanating from the mai
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