Biodiverstiy is defined as the variablitlty among living organisms and ecological complexes in which they occur as well as the number of different items and their relative frequency. These items are organized at many levels, ranging from complete ecosystems to the chemical structures that are the molecular basis of heredity. This term “Biodiversity” encompasses different ecosystems, species, genes and their relative abundance (OTA, 1987).
Biodiversity issues are becoming of global interest, this is due to the accelerating rate of development particularly in developing countries. This global interest is growing to meet the needs for novel natural resources that could be utilized for human well– fare.
Our knowledge of the biodiversity of Jordan is still fragmentary and requires in-depth studies to reveal all its components. The present report is an attempt to define some of the elements that are known so far, and to address the gaps and further studies that are required.
The biodiversity of Jordan is rather interesting; where three different faunal elements, meets namely: the Etheiopian, Oriental and Palearctic. The biodiversity is a mixture of these elements in addition to the occurrence of endemic forms. Also, Jordan underwent many ecological regions.
The area known as the Levant (including Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Turkey) has been influenced by different faunal and floral elements soon after the retraction of the Tethyus Sea. Animals of different origins passed through the natural corridors and spread all through the area. This is exemplified by several terrestrial animals and plants that makeup the major biodiversity assemblage in our area. Also, the retraction of the post glacial effect created what is known as “relict species”.
The Middle East in general, and Jordan in particular, went through extensive man-made changes during the past two centuries. Massive increase in the population (natural and mass emigration) followed by land encroachment for agricultural and urban utilization was reflected on natural resources, particularly species biodiversity.
The Jordan Country Study on Biological Diversity consists of 14 chapters.
- The first chapter discusses the methodology and the role of the different national and inter-national agencies that supported the study.
- The second chapter is an overview of Jordan, where all the physical factors such as topography, climate, soil, and the biography are covered. Also, the chapter covers the global importance of the Jordanian biodiversity in terms of its species composition, unique habitats and ecosystems. As the global conservation community becomes increasingly concerned with dry land biodiversity and the benefit of its conservation and management, Jordan, situated at the center of this unique biota, represents the biodiversity of dry lands, which in their terms are transitional areas between many areas rich with biological resources.
- The second chapter elaborates on the social and economic structure of Jordanian relation to biodiversity; encompassing the social aspects (sectarian development, expenditure and the outputs of various sectors) indicators.
- Chapter three deals with various issues related to land tenure and land use planning, identifying the institutions involved in land use planning, policies and legal institutional issues and addressing the priorities that should be considered.
The main Jordanian ecosystems are identified in chapter four, giving detailed descriptions for the terrestrial, marine and wet land ecosystems.
- Chapter five constitutes the major bulk of the Study. It covers all the biodiversity elements in Jordan from the microorganisms (bacteria and viruses), fungi, to the flora and the terrestrial and marine fauna. For each taxonomic group, flagship species that characterize the biodiversity, as well as compleate lists for all the known and reported species are given.
- Chapter six discusses the current threats to the environment and biodiverstity in Jordan. It covers the different type of treats to both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Extinct, endangered treated, rare and endemic plant and animals are given. Species that are listed in the IUCN Red Data Book, important bird areas and threatened birds, major threats to microbial diversity, invasive and introduced species, role of CITES in conservation of Jordanian bidiversity and species listed in CITEs appendices and the major constrains in implementing CITES in Jordan are discussed.
The effect of agrochemical on Jordanian biodiversity is given in details.
- Chapter seven entails the value of bidiversity, including the economic value for the different bidiversity components such as the utilization of microorganisms in pharmaceutical and food products, medicinal and edible plants, scenic marine life, and ecotourism. This chapter elaborates on the costs for sustaining biodiversity through local intonational agencies.
Agriculture and livestock are treated in the eighth chapter. Details on the contribution of agriculture to the national economy and constraints affecting agriculture in Jordan are given. The status of domestic animals is critically reviewed.
Jordan is rich in crop genetic resources,. since agriculture and cereals evolved in this part of the world.
- Chapter nine is based on extensive studies on crop genetic resources carried out by the National Center for Agriculture and Technology Transfer.
The food legumes, cereals, rang plants, fruit trees, medicinal and ornamental plants occurring naturally in Jordan are listed.
Although forests constitute less than 5% of the total area of Jordan, but they represent the most important and rich ecosystems in terms of biological diversity, chapter ten deals with forest’s ownership, classification and utilization. The economic impotence of non-timber forest products is given. A draft forest policy is presented, covering all aspects of legal and other issues.
Despite the fact that fisheries is not a major source in the economy of Jordan, chapter 11 sheds some light on the current practices of fisheries in Jordan. This chapter includes description for the different types of the narrow and confined freshwater aquaculture.
The present status of biotechnology based on microorganisms and plant tissue culture is given in chapter 12. The prospect of utilizing plant tissue culture, plant molecular biology, animal biotechnology, biotechnology in microorganisms (Industrial application, energy production), marine biotechnology, environmental biotechnology is discussed.
- Chapter 13 reviews the current measures and programs for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Details on captive-breeding programs covering all reintroduced species are given. Also, wildlife reserves; their objectives and man-agement are highlighted. Expenditure on wildlife reserves research and management from the various sectors (national and international) is presented. To increase the awareness on biodiversity issues, environmental education provides a full comprehensive prospect that should be adopted to conserve our ecosystems and biodiversity. Although much is needed to legalize the biodiversity, the legal and legislative issues pertaining to biodiversity are given, with an appendix including the newly approved environmental law of 1995.
To sum up all the recommendations that came out from the study reports, chapter 14 puts to feather all these recommendations in systematic format. These recommendations over: research and monitoring, capacities build up on all aspects of biodiversity, management and conservation, promotion and awareness, policies, strategies and legislation.
The Jordan Country Study on Biodiversity Study emerges as part of Jordan’s international commitment to conserve its natural resources and biological diversity and to ensure the sustainable use of its resources.
To give the Country Biodiversity Study its specific dimension and appropriate depth, the Government of the Hashemate Kingdom of Jordan drew upon its human resources in the public, private and academic sectors. The cumulative effect of 51 Jordanians in various fields of conservation and management of resources and is culminated in this solid work derived from their experience and knowledge. In 1994, the General Corporation for Environment Protection signed an agreement with the United Nations Environment Program to prepare the Jordan Country Biodiversity Study. The long-term objective of the country study is to ensure the protection and conservation of the broadest possible range of global biodiversity and its rational use.
The short-term objectives of the study are: to enhance the capacity of the General Corporation for the Environment Protection, of biological diversity in Jordan, to review the status of biodiversity in Jordan, to identify, on the country level, in light of social, economic, environmental and other objectives, the basic needs for effective conservation and rational use of national biodiversity at a desired level. In addition the Country Study helps to identify the needed supportive measures and costs to meet those needs and to investigate the benefits associated with the implementation of these measures. The objectives are financial needs of global biological diversity and rational use, and to lay the foundation for the preparation and implementation of a national biodiversity strategy and action plan.
The approach that Jordan have adopted to carry out the specific objectives of the Country Study corresponded with the integrated multiple disciplinary approach that is required such cases of national importance. The scientists and contributors of the Country Study enjoyed transparency and high level communication, where three national workshops were held to discuss the various steps needed to conduct this Study. The national work shops were attended by various stockholders, including national institutions, academic community, NGOs and the private sector. This approach enriched the discussions and had its positive impact on the current implementation of the Study.
This effort that Jordan is placing in the hands of the international community, examines the present status and level of the existing species and their distribution in relation to the existing diversified habitats and ecosystems, reports on the wealth of genetic resources, investigates, investigates the economic considerations as well as social and economic impacts, reviews related legislation and identifies the effect of various threats on biodiversity indicators and proposes mitigation measures to safeguard the fragile ecosystems in the country.
The study aims to achieve multiple goals. At the National Level: the most pressing issue is to raise public awareness on natures related to the conservation of biodiversity, and to deepen the national concern in all sectors for the conservation and management of the wonders and wealth of Jordan’s natural assets in a sustainable way. It is important to mention that Jordan has ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992 which highlights three objectives: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, sustainable use of its components, and equitable sharing of benefits, arising from the use of genetic resources. In this context, Jordan realizes that the implementation of the Country Study on Biological Diversity is an impotent foundation for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
At the Government level: Jordan declared its National Environment Strategy (NES). Prepared in 1992 with IUCN and USAID support, the NES was an important first step for Jordan in confronting environmental problems. Formulated by some 180 Jordanian specialists, the NES catalogues all environmental resources and problems and contains more that 400 specific recommendations and suggested actions in the field of environmental protection and conservation.
The National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) was finalized in 1995 supported by USAID and the General Corporation for Environment Protection (GCEP). Forty environmental issues were defined as priority cases for Jordan. The issues varied from urban expansion, liquid and solid waste management, land degradation and policy, atmospheric pollution and Green-house gas emissions to national biodiversity database and strategy.
In addition, policy makes are yet another target of the study. Decision makers in Jordan should be more aware of the threats that facing biological diversity and the degree of deterioration that could be regarded as an impoundment to development and thus refer back to this effort as the Natural Charter on sustainable use of Jordan’s resources.
At the International level, it is hoped that the study will act as the foundation for more profound strategic policies and actions to meet the requirements of the Conventioon Biological diversity. It is also hoped that the Jordan country Biodiversity Study will be the basis for cooperation and exchange of experiences aimed at cross-cultural and scientific integration between Jordan and the world.
Fore More Information Please Contact the General Corporation for the Environment Protection (GCEP).