Sharif Digital Repository

Lake Urmia is the largest inland lake of Iran and one of the most important water ecosystems in Iran and the world. The ecosystem of this lake is a typical example of a closed drainage basin into which all the runoff flows in the rivers of the basin are discharged. Because of its unique natural and ecological features, Urmia Lake has been declared as a national park since 1346, along with Kabudan and Qion Daghi islands, among the protected areas. Among the most important invertebrates in the lake, we can mention Artemia, which is a species of saltwater shrimp and one of the native species of Lake Urmia. This species is the most important source of food for many water birds such as flamingos....