From an environmental perspective, this wetland is of high importance and value as an aquatic ecosystem. Zarivar Lake is the only natural lake in the heart of the Zagros Mountains, surrounded by
forests and mountains to the west, east, and north.
Biodiversity The dominant vegetation of the region is semi-dense forests, the dominant species being oak, which together with
Pyrus syriaca,
Crataegus meyri and
Amygdalus lycioides forms tree and shrub elements. Dense
vegetation of herbaceous plants covers large areas of the lake. So far, 271 species belonging to 53 families and 183 genera have been identified and introduced around the lake. Some species, such as
Tetrataenium nephrophyllum, are native to Zarivar Lake, and others, such as
Carex pseudocyperus, are reported for the first time from western Iran. The
presence of endemic and rare plant species in Zarivar Lake doubles the importance of the vegetation and the protection of these valuable plant genetic reserves. ==Gallery ==