Home > About Us

About Us :

This site is designed to introduce activities and statistics of Natural History Museum of Iran's Department of Environment (DOE) and also BiodiversityDB

(program which is designed as an Information Management System for Iran's Biodiversity)

IRAN Biodiversity

Iran (Islamic Republic of), is a vast country, measuring 1,648,195 sq. km (636,296 sq mi) with a population of more than 60,000,000 (1999 est.). The variety in the climatic conditions is striking. It features enormous deserts, several mountain ranges, a huge plateau, large forests and on a daily basis, temperature variations of 40 degrees are recorded within its borders.
The richness of Iran's natural and cultural heritage is a subject that first appears with the development of writing in ancient Sumeria in 3500 B.C. (present day Iraq). It is a history and heritage of global significance, as the country is situated on the crossroads between two of the four ancient river valley civilizations of the Indus and Euphrates/Tigris.
The country supports more than 7,000 plant species of which 20% are endemic, 500 species of birds and 148 species of mammals. Iran has been in the forefront of biodeiversity conservation. The international convention for wetlands protection was formulated at Ramsar in Iran and is accordingly named the Ramsar Convention.
The numerous wetlands are particularly important, as they are the resting grounds for several important migratory birds. These include the Siberian crane, flamingoes and pelicans; all listed as global heritage.
The country also borders the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Caspian Sea. The Persian Gulf is already the transit way for 60% of the world's petroleum needs. Once the Caspian Sea energy resources are exploited, it is estimated that 75% of the world's hydrocarbon energy needs will pass through the littoral waters of Iran.
This energy configuration places Iran in the midst of an enormous international environmental protection zone. These waters are already facing pollution related to industry, retrograde agricultural practices, petroleum exploitation and shipping. Considered together with global warming associated with the burning of fossil fuels, this combination puts the country squarely in the middle of the global challenge of creating an economically and environmentally sustainable earthly habitat.
Iran located in south west Asia, bordered on the north by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and the Caspian Sea; on the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan; on the south by the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz, and on the west by Iraq and Turkey.
 

Protected Areas

The Department of the Environment (DOE) is responsible for 10 National Parks with a total area of 1,274,585 hectares, 5 National Natural Heritages covering 1,798 sq. hectares, 25 wildlife reserves measuring 1,957,265 sq. hectares, 47 protected areas spread over 5,200,265 sq. hectares and including 18 International Wetlands (Ramsar Sites).

The sum total of these areas equals 84,374,372 sq. hectares or 5% of the entire land area.

The richness of Iran's natural and cultural heritage is a subject that first appears with the development of writing in ancient Sumeria in 3500 B.C. (present day Iraq). It is a history and heritage of global significance, as the country is situated on the crossroads between two of the four ancient river valley civilizations of the Indus and Euphrates/Tigris.

Iran's biological diversity and natural heritage is also richly endowed, as it sits at the junction of four major geo-ecological regions, namely the Iranian-Turanian, Euro-Siberian, Saharo-Arabian and Sudanian. Accordingly, Iran is in possession of the most diversified biological region amongst the southwestern Asian countries.

The country supports 7,000- 10,000 plant species of which 20% are endemic, 500 species of birds and 148 species of mammals. Iran has been in the forefront of biodeiversity conservation. The international convention on wetlands, protection was formulated at Ramsar city in Iran and is accordingly named the Ramsar Convention.

The numerous wetlands are particularly important, as they are the resting grounds for several important migratory birds. These include the Siberian Crane, Flamingoes and Pelicans; all listed as global heritage.e

The country also borders the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Omman and the Caspian Sea. The Persian Gulf is already the transitway for 60% of the world's petroleum needs. Once the Caspian Sea energy resources are exploited, it is estimated that 75% of the world's hydrocarbon energy needs will pass through the littoral waters of Iran.

This energy configuration places Iran in the midst of an enormous international environmental protection zone. These waters are already facing pollution related to industry, retrograde agricultural practices, petroleum exploitation and shipping. Considered together with global warming associated with the burning of fossil fuels, this combination puts the country squarely in the middle of the global challenge of creating an economically and environmentally sustainable earthly habitat.e

What Biodiversity Means
The term biodiversity describes the variety of life on Earth, from micro-organisms to mighty whales, along with the habitats they depend upon. Discover why the world’s biodiversity is under threat and what will happen to us as biodiversity decreases. Also, find out about the problems that come with trying to measure it, and how the Museum’s work is helping in the study and conservation of biodiversity.
	More Information >

Designers Team :

Team Manager : Iraj Nazarian Azad azad@usa.com

Team :

Hassan Jafari

Banafsheh Anvari

Iraj Nazarian Azad

Sirous Nazarian Azad