Mud flat

Qeshm Island includes different coasts due to its geographical location, and various coastal and tidal habitats have been formed in it. The northern shores of Qeshm Island, due to proximity to the mainland and the arrival of seasonal rivers in this region as well as low flow intensity, mostly have mud beds with special biodiversity. The mud beds are highly nutritious areas, and their ecological food chains are really valuable. The northern coast of Qeshm Island, especially at the western extremity, has a wide mud bed that is provided an ideally suitable habitat for a variety of aquatic organisms due to high levels of nutrients and the presence of sea currents. Due to the water circulation and ongoing flow of the Persian Gulf as well as tidal currents, the Upwelling phenomenon has accrued at the western extremity of the island and caused the richness of this region. Another reason is the stream outflows of the mangrove forests between Qeshm Island and the mainland. The vast extent of this mud zone and the high abundance and diversity of marine invertebrates have formed an immensely valuable food chain in the region. For this reason, there is an excellent habitat for a variety of fisheries like fish and shrimp. One of the most important shrimp farms in the Persian Gulf is the coast of this region. White Pomfret (Pampus argenteus) is also found in abundance in this area. This highly nutritious muddy tidal zone has provided an ideally suitable habitat for a variety of birds. The local people call this area as Nakh-Konar. The term ''Nakh" in the local language means a narrow strip of sand stretched for a long distance into the sea. Due to sea currents, a suitable place has been created for fishing activities. Meanwhile, according to the tidal zone in different seasons, the locals engage in traditional fishing called "Moshta" in this region. This mud zone is a winter-quarters place for various sandpipers, herons, cormorants, plovers, snipes, terns, Larus, and raptors especially gray pelican (Dalmatian pelican), greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), and osprey (Pandion haliaetus). In addition to its geological value, this place is important in terms of educational, research, and scientific activities.