Arjan Lake () also referred to as Arzhan or Dashte-Arjan, is a lake and wetland situated in the southern region of the

Zagros Mountains The Zagros Mountains are a mountain range in Iran, northern Iraq, and southeastern Turkey. The mountain range has a total length of . The Zagros range begins in northwestern Iran and roughly follows Iran's western border while covering much of s ...

within Iran's

Fars province Fars Province or Pars Province, also known as Persis or Farsistan (فارسستان), is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Its capital is the city of Shiraz. Pars province has an area of 122,400 km2 and is located in Iran's southwest, i ...

. Spanning an area of 2,000 hectares, it is located 60 kilometers to the west of the city of

Shiraz Shiraz (; ) is the List of largest cities of Iran, fifth-most-populous city of Iran and the capital of Fars province, which has been historically known as Pars (Sasanian province), Pars () and Persis. As of the 2016 national census, the popu ...

Ecology

Lake is positioned within the Arzhan protected area, which is recognized for its ecological significance. The lake's ecosystem provides a niche for raspberry species, contributing to its biodiversity and environmental significance.

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...

has recognized its special environmental features and designated it a

Biosphere Reserve A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, funga, or features of geologic ...

Conservation Status

The lake and its girding area are protected due to their exceptional biodiversity and environmental significance. This protection aims to save the natural ecosystem of the lake.

Tourism

The location of the lake is ideal for observing various flora and fauna. The natural environment and wildlife of the area support ecosystems and attract tourists interested in nature and birdwatching.

Scientific Research

Scientific studies in limnology, hydrobiology, and submarine ecology have investigated the water and ecosystem conditions of the lake environments.

Species

The reserve's different terrain is home to numerous species. Montane, timber, and swamp ecosystems converge, hosting, alongside species from the

Persian Gulf The Persian Gulf, sometimes called the Arabian Gulf, is a Mediterranean seas, mediterranean sea in West Asia. The body of water is an extension of the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.Un ...

seacoast. The reserve is home to 263 documented species, including the Hippolais languida. The area is home to various ranges of species, including the 407

mammal A mammal () is a vertebrate animal of the Class (biology), class Mammalia (). Mammals are characterised by the presence of milk-producing mammary glands for feeding their young, a broad neocortex region of the brain, fur or hair, and three ...

species, 37 creeper species, 3 amphibian species, 10 fish species, and 47 other animal species. In 2023, the Ruddy Shelduck (''Tadorna ferruginea'') was selected as the flagship species of Arjan Lake.

References

External links

Dasht-e-Arjan-Lake
{{WDPA, 68012 Lakes of Iran Lakes in Fars province