{{Short description|Wetland in Iran}} {{use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Miqan Wetland | image = Arak and Miqan Lake.jpg | alt_lake = | caption_lake = | image_bathymetry = | alt_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | pushpin_map = Iran | pushpin_map_caption = Location of the Miqan Wetlands in Iran | location = [[Markazi province]]، Iran | coords = {{Coord|34|12|N|49|51|E|region:IR_type:waterbody_dim:20000|display =inline,title}} | type = Desert Wetland | inflow = Qara Kahriz, Farahan, Shahrab rivers | outflow = Evaporation | catchment = Miqan catchment | basin_countries = Iran | date-built = [[Paleocene]] Era | date-flooded = | length = | width = | area = {{convert|25000|ha|sqmi}} | depth = [[Marsh|Very shallow]] | max-depth = {{convert|1.40|m|ft}} | volume = | residence_time = | shore = | elevation = {{convert|1700|m|ft}} | frozen = | islands = 3 | cities = [[Arak, Iran]] [[Davudabad]] | reference = }} '''Miqan Wetland''' is a wetland located in [[Markazi province]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miqan Wetland |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/tag/Miqan+Wetland |access-date=2022-02-12 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref> Iran. In years with good rainfall, the wetland has significant water level and in the years with less rain, the surface of the wetland generally dries and becomes a desert. The height of the wetland is {{convert|1700| meters}} above sea level and the water inside of it varies in different seasons. Miqan is supplied from different water sources such as rainfall, water of three rivers known as Qarah Kahriz (Koohrood) River, Farahan River, Shahrab River, and [[Arak, Iran|Arak's]] [[wastewater treatment]] sewage. The area of the wetland is about {{convert|25,000|ha|sqmi}},<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-23 |title=Miqan wetland fire extinguished after 16 hours |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/419606/Miqan-wetland-fire-extinguished-after-16-hours |access-date=2022-02-12 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref> which includes a lake with three islands in the middle and the surrounding plains. [[Archaeologically]], the wetland's formation dates back to the [[Paleocene]], which was due to the movement of the surrounding [[tectonic plates]] of the earth.<ref name="Mapsus">{{Cite web |title=Meighan Desert, Markazi (+98 86 1504), Iran |url=https://mapsus.net/IR/meighan-desert-6095 |access-date=2022-02-12 |website=mapsus.net |language=en-US}}</ref>
The Miqan Wetland has special ecological features, including the fact that it hosts a large number of migratory birds each year, among which some rare and protected species can be seen. This wetland has become one of the most important environments in the country due to the high population of [[Gruidae|Gruidaes]] (Grus). The vegetation of the region is more of saline plants or [[halophyte]]s, which makes the wetland an important resource of halophytes in the country. In addition to birds, mammal species, [[artemia]] (brine shrimps), and saltwater algae are other living things in the wetland and its surroundings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miqan wetland |url=https://persiantrips.net/fa/attractions/markazi-province/158-miqan-wetland |access-date=2022-02-12 |website=persiantrips.net}}</ref>
== Name root == The word Miqan literally means believing.{{citation needed|reason=Wikipedia is not a source.|date=June 2024}} In the past, the wetland was named as "Namakzar Farahan." This wetland is also called "Miqan Desert" due to its high evaporation of water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-10 |title=شهرداری اراک > جذابیت های گردشگری > تالاب میقان اراک |url=http://www.arak.ir/%D8%AC%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%B1%DB%8C/%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9.aspx |access-date=2022-03-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710093606/http://www.arak.ir/%D8%AC%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%B1%DB%8C/%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9.aspx |archive-date=10 July 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the name “desert” does not mean “desert” in Farsi, it is a word used instead of “playa."{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
== Location == [[File:Meyghan wetland from arak.JPG|thumb|left|View of the wetland from the city of Arak]] Miqan Wetland with an area of {{convert|25,000|ha|sqmi}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-23 |title=Miqan wetland fire extinguished after 16 hours |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/419606/Miqan-wetland-fire-extinguished-after-16-hours |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref> The area of Miqan wetland has reached {{convert|61.18|km2}} in May 2019 and more than {{convert|19|km2}} in August 2019.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hajarian |first1=Mohammad Hossein |last2=Atarchi |first2=Sara |last3=Hamzeh |first3=Saeid |date=2021-11-22 |title=Monitoring seasonal changes of Meighan wetland using SAR, thermal and optical remote sensing data |url=https://jphgr.ut.ac.ir/article_83304.html |journal=Physical Geography Research Quarterly |volume=53 |issue=3 |pages=365–380 |doi=10.22059/jphgr.2021.322649.1007610 |issn=2008-630X}}</ref> is located {{convert|15|km}} northeast of Arak city and in the south of Davoodabad city. It is next to [[Rahzan]], [[Deh-e Namak, Markazi|Deh Namak]], and Miqan villages. The catchment area of the wetland varies between {{convert|10,000|-|12,000|ha|mi2}} depending on the amount of the absorbed water. Its average altitude is {{convert|1700|m}} above sea level and its annual rainfall is {{convert|258|mm}}. The water level of the wetland (in different seasons of the year) reaches to {{convert|140|cm}}.<ref name="Mapsus"/>
Miqan Wetland consists of a seasonal lake, desert, and alluvial plains. The nearest mountain to the wetland is located {{convert|10|km}} southeast of it, which is called "Kooh Takht Zard" with the height of {{convert|2269|meters}}. There are three islands in the middle of the wetland, the largest of which is {{convert|500|m2}}. Miqan Wetland is located at the flattest section of Farahan plain and the region of Arak.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-01 |title=Miqan Wetland; Beautiful and spectacular view of bird habitat |url=https://iranviva.com/iran-news/miqan-wetland-beautiful-and-spectacular-view-of-bird-habitat/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Iran Tours & Travel - Iranviva |language=en-US}}</ref>
== History == Miqan Wetland is one of the last ecological plains in Arak. All of the region's water pours into it.
In terms of tectonics, the wetland has two large mountainous sides and a sedimentary plain in the middle. The wetland looks like a valley that has sunk along two faults.
According to experts, the wetland is estimated to be 2000 years old. The history of the formation of the region dates back to the Paleocene.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meighan Wetland, a desert wetland in Iran - Hipersia |url=https://hipersia.com/en/news.cfm?id=1132 |access-date=2022-02-12 |website=hipersia.com}}</ref>
== Water supply == Most of the water entering the wetland is due to rainfall, the surrounding springs, and the seasonal rivers of the region such as Farahan, Shahrab, and Qara Kahriz rivers. In the recent years, the entry of sewage effluent in the city of Arak at the rate of {{convert|700|L/s}} has been another source of water supply in the wetland, which has affected the region's ecosystem. The level of groundwater aquifers of the wetland has decreased by {{convert|13|m}}, which doubles the risk of groundwater salinization and secondary environmental damage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miqan wetland |url=https://persiantrips.net/de/attractions/markazi-province/158-miqan-wetland |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=persiantrips.net}}</ref>
== Climate == The climate of the wetland is hot, dry, and Mediterranean. Its annual rainfall is {{convert|354|mm}}, and its annual evaporation is four times more than the rainfall. The wetland has a high annual temperature difference and sometimes reaches to {{convert|69|C}}. Indiscriminate human intervention in the last 27 years has caused the temperature of the wetland to rise by one degree.<ref>{{Cite web |work=YJC |date=October 19, 2013 |title=تالاب میقان باید هرچه سریعتر به کنوانسیون رامسر بپیوندد |url=https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/4597392/%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%87%D8%B1%DA%86%D9%87-%D8%B3%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DA%A9%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%BE%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%AF |access-date=2022-04-09 |language=fa}}</ref>
Due to the location of the city near the wetland, water vapor rising from the surface of the wetland softens the air, increases steam and fog, and has a positive effect on reducing the transfer of fine dust. Therefore, in the winter all flights from the airport which is located near the city are cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miqan wetland |url=https://persiantrips.net/de/attractions/markazi-province/158-miqan-wetland |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=persiantrips.net}}</ref>
== Natural features == Miqan Wetland is a vulnerable environment because of its size, ecological features, and the extent of its impact on the climate of the region and the city of Arak. In 2008 it became a no-hunting area due to the fragile ecosystem. However, since it has valuable and unique environmental features, Miqan Wetland has the necessary characteristics to join to the [[Ramsar Convention]] as an international wetlands as well as the protected area of [[migratory birds]] and to be registered as national natural areas.
=== Ecological features === This wetland has special ecological features, such as the fact that a large number of migratory birds migrate to this wetland every year during the bird migration season. Among these migratory birds, some rare and protected species such as gray terns can be seen. The gray tern is one of the special and important species under international protection, and every year with the beginning of the cold season, Miqan wetland hosts the temporary migration of this valuable migratory bird species.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-08 |title=تالاب میقان اراك اكوسیستمی طبیعی با ظرفیت های اقتصادی |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/83026014/%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%83-%D8%A7%D9%83%D9%88%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B7%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B8%D8%B1%D9%81%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=IRNA |language=fa}}</ref>
=== Flora === [[File:Mighanmordab.jpg|thumb|Vegetation resulting from the entry of sewage effluent]] Vegetation on the edge of the lagoon is weak. Only in the northwest and middle islands where the underground water table is high, [[Atriplex]] plant species and ''[[Nitraria]]'' can be seen. Due to the evaporation and transpiration of these plants, their stability decreases in the summer season and the species go down to obtain water for their roots and cover the hill in the form of an umbrella. At the same time as these plants grow, they prevent the movement of sand particles and cause the formation of [[Nabkha]]. The height of these trees reaches {{convert|1.5|to|2.5|m|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-12-07 |title=پايگاه ملي داده هاي علوم زمين: اطلاعات علوم زمين |url=http://www.ngdir.ir/GeoportalInfo/PSubjectInfoDetail.asp?PID=1144&index=41 |access-date=2024-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207180232/http://www.ngdir.ir/GeoportalInfo/PSubjectInfoDetail.asp?PID=1144&index=41 |archive-date=2013-12-07 }}</ref> [[File:Kavire meyghan1.JPG|thumb|A young bush of Qara Dagh in the sand dunes]]
=== Fauna === Miqan wetland is one of the habitats of Siberian migratory birds and one of the important habitats of migratory birds in the center of the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-18 |title=آرتمیا؛ گوشواره استان مرکزی/ اکو سیستم کم نظیر تالاب میقان |url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/1629285/%D8%A2%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%A7-%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%88-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%85-%DA%A9%D9%85-%D9%86%D8%B8%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86 |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=خبرگزاری مهر {{!}} اخبار ایران و جهان {{!}} Mehr News Agency |language=fa}}</ref> Every year, 25 to 30 thousand migratory birds of various species, including gray terns, travel to Miqan Wetland to spend the winter.<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-11-13 |title=جمعیت پرندگان مهاجر در تالاب میقان اراک چهار برابر شد |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/84104886/%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9-%DA%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%AF |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=ایرنا |language=fa}}</ref> Miqan is home to more than 60% of Central Province's birds and 16% of the country's birds, of which 27 vulnerable or rare species are protected in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=تالاب میقان(تحقیق اکولوژی) |url=https://azadzist.blogfa.com/post/19 |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=××× میکروبیولوژی××× |language=fa }}</ref> Among the species of birds, the [[Eurasian teal]], [[Northern shoveler]], [[flamingo]], [[gray goose]], hubara, tencha, heron, and green duck are among the guests of this habitat.The [[Common crane]] is one of the special and important species under [[International Protection|international protection]], and Miqan wetland hosts the temporary migration of this valuable species of migratory birds every year at the beginning of the cold season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kanoon.ir/Article/232346 |access-date=2024-06-23 |website=www.kanoon.ir |title=تالاب میقان اراک مامن پرندگان مهاجر و سرمایه ارزشمند طبیعی }}</ref> [[File:Artemia salina 4.jpg|thumb|Artemia (Brine shrimp), one of the food sources of birds]] Among the reasons for the increase in animal species, especially birds, is the presence of [[Brine shrimp]] which is one of the most resistant species to [[salinity]]. During the reproductive period, Brine shrimp releases up to 40 eggs in the water due to the conditions of increasing the concentration of water solutes, changing the temperature and changing the amount of oxygen due to shock.<ref>{{Cite web |title=تور تالاب میقان {{!}} پاییز 1403 {{!}} قیمت تور تالاب میقان از تهران |url=https://www.mahbantour.com/destination/meighan-wetland%20of-birdwatching |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=آژانس مسافرتی ماهبان تور { رزرو تورهای داخلی و خارجی} |language=en}}</ref> In this case, the eggs grow to the gastrula stage. Brine shrimp is the best food for birds and it lives for about 20 days.<ref>{{Cite web |title=تالاب میقان |url=https://www.iranianbirdingclub.com/content/?id=25434 |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=www.iranianbirdingclub.com |language=fa}}</ref>
In addition to the mentioned species, some wild animals such as [[Wolf|wolves]], [[fox]]es, snakes and all kinds of [[lizard]]s also live in the areas around the wetland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=تالاب میقان - IVisitIran.com |url=https://www.ivisitiran.com/fa/tourist-attraction/about/1314/%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86 |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=www.ivisitiran.com}}</ref>
== Challenges == According to experts, excessive mining of wetlands will destroy it. This issue will cause the soil of the lagoon to loosen, which in the long process can endanger the lives of the residents of Arak city. The most important problems that threaten the wetland environment include the following:
* Building a road inside the wetland and separating its north and south from each other * Construction of a dam upstream of the catchment basin and reducing the water entering the wetland * Entering the wastewater treatment plant of Arak city, the wastewater of Khair Abad and Ibak Abad industrial towns, and agricultural effluents into this wetland * Increasing the extraction of sodium sulfate by auctioning the wetland<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-08 |title=تالاب میقان اراک؛ زیستبومی در معرض نابودی |url=https://www.radiozamaneh.com/711119/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=www.radiozamaneh.com |language=fa-IR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-11-06 |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/markazi-10076/- |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=ایسنا |language=fa}}</ref> * Using land for livestock grazing beyond the capacity of the area * Illegal hunting of birds and live capture of birds by village people * The existence of the Arak airport project, sewage treatment plant and factory Iran's mineral salts on the edge of the wetland without environmental assessment * Helping to increase the [[air pollution]] of Arak due to its proximity to the industrial towns of Khairabad and [[Eybakabad]] * An increase in the amount of fine dust in the air of Arak due to high evaporation in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-11-28 |title=مرکزی دیلی {{!}} Markazi Daily News - افزایش 30درصدی ذخیره آبی دریاچه تالاب میقان اراک طی بارندگی های اخیر |url=http://markazidaily.ir/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B2%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B4-30%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%B0%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A2%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A7%DA%86%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%85%DB%8C/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128095550/http://markazidaily.ir/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B2%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B4-30%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%B0%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A2%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A7%DA%86%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%85%DB%8C/ |archive-date=28 November 2013 }}</ref> * In April and May 1402, nearly 400 hectares of Miqan wetland burned in a fire.<ref>{{Cite news |last=فردا |first=رادیو |title=پوشش گیاهی ۴۰۰ هکتار از تالاب میقان اراک در آتش سوخت |url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/32375770.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |work=رادیو فردا |language=fa}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
[[Category:Wetlands of Iran]]