How have humans impacted the Tigris-Euphrates river system over time?

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Human impact on the Tigris-Euphrates river system over time has been significant. Extensive irrigation practices, crucial for agriculture in the region, have caused soil salinization, leading to decreased agricultural yields and abandonment of fields. The introduction of modern water-control technologies has mitigated the flood-and-drought cycles but has led to the desiccation of marshlands and reduced soil nutrient replenishment. Additionally, upstream damming has diminished the marshes in southern Iraq, affecting local populations like the Marsh Arabs. These interventions have altered the natural flow and ecology of the river system.