Habitat Diversity in the Kurdistan Region

The KRI is nestled within the rugged embrace of the Zagros Mountains with various habitat starting from steppe region in lower elevation around (100 m a.sl) from Garmian plains to forest region (550–1,7500 m.a.s.l), followed by subalpine and alpine regions in higher elevations in Halgurd and Chekha Dar Mountains with elevation between (1,750–3,611 m.a.s.l). Positioned within the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot, the KRI serves as a sanctuary for numerous endemic flora and fauna.

1. Steppe habitats

This includes the dry and moist steppe zones, bordering Iran to the east, Syria to the west, and Central and Southern Iraq to the south. Elevation ranges from 100 to 550 m (dry steppe: 100–300 m; moist steppe: 300–550 m), while annual rainfall ranges from 100 to 650 mm. This area rarely experiences snowfall. The zone comprises a variety of habitats, including foothills, riverine forests, irrigated and non-irrigated agricultural fields, and canal-side vegetation.

Steppe area and Zagros foothills. Garmian area near Maidan District. Photo: Soran H. Ahmed

Riverine habitat, Sirwan or Diyala River. Photo: Soran H. Ahmed

2. Mountain zone

This zone encompasses the mountainous areas along the borders with the Kurdish-inhabited regions of Syria, Türkiye, and Iran. It also includes the higher elevations of Sinjar Mountain. Elevations range from 550 to 3,611 m a.s.l., with annual precipitation ranging from 400 to 1,500 mm. Snowfall increases significantly with elevation. The habitats and vegetation zones within this elevational range include forest (550–1,750 m), timberline (1,750–2,000 m), subalpine (2,000–2,900 m), and alpine zones (2,900–3,611 m).

Forest, timberline, subalpine, and alpine zones in a single photograph. These habitat and vegetation zones are primarily determined by elevation. Sakran Mountain, Choman District. Photo: Soran H. Ahmed.