The Impact of Global Warming on Vegetation Cover and Water Resources Management in Anbar Governorate – An Analytical Study of Future Effects and Challenges

Global warming is considered one of the most serious environmental problems due to its long-term effects on global climate change. Iraq appears to be among the most affected countries by climate changes due to its location within the arid and semi-arid zones. Climate data analysis from the Rutba station revealed a clear correlation between the accumulation of greenhouse gases and rising temperatures, reflecting their cumulative effect in exacerbating global warming locally. This places the region at the heart of climate change impact. The data indicates a significant decrease in rainfall amounts since the 1920s, accompanied by an increase in the frequency and intensity of droughts. This is attributed to changes in atmospheric pressure patterns and wind, as well as increased evaporation rates resulting from rising temperatures. The issue is further exacerbated by Iraq’s heavy reliance on rainfall and shared rivers as primary water sources. These changes pose an existential threat to the Iraqi environment, contributing to desertification, degradation of agricultural land and vegetation cover, and a decline in biodiversity. Additionally, they negatively affect vital economic sectors. The western region of Iraq was selected for this study as it is the most affected, being one of the driest areas with highly variable rainfall between seasons. It receives less than 160 mm of rain annually, while temperatures sometimes exceed 45°C. Since Al-Anbar Governorate lies within a dry climate characterized by large thermal variation, high solar radiation, and low and erratic rainfall mostly concentrated in winter, two key climatic elements were adopted in the study. The study covered a full climatic cycle spanning thirty years, from 1993 to 2023, and six meteorological stations distributed across the study area were selected.