Photo: Iraq Marshes Mending, But Full Recovery Uncertain, Stud

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A Marsh Arab, or Ma'adan, woman punts in the marshes south of the Iraq city of Al 'Amarah on February 8, 2005.

Iraq's southern marshes were almost completely destroyed by Saddam Hussein in a retaliation against rebellious Marsh Arabs. New data shows remarkable improvement to the marsh ecosystem since Hussein's fall from power thanks to international restoration efforts, but pollution and water depletion are still concerns.

Photograph by Ghaith Abdul-Ahad/Getty Images

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