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Pak. J. Bot., 44: 95-99, Special Issue May 2012.

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CONSERVATION OF NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS IN JORDAN

DAWUD AL-EISAWI

Abstract: This study reports different types of natural ecosystems in Jordan subjected to human interference. Mediterranean forest and shrub land ecosystems are severely affected by cutting and fragmentation into farm lands or housing areas, leading to a great loss in biodiversity, especially, rare species, and causing soil erosion and desertification. The second type of system is a unique desert oasis, which is undergoing change by pumping ground water for the past 20 years. It is causing dryness of such unique aquatic system and thus sequentially contributing to loss of precious ecosystem. The third ecosystem is a marginal land area, classified as steppe land belonging to the Irano-Turanian biogeographic vegetation region subject to cultivation under a little rain water. It caused destruction of vegetation, soil erosion and weed spreading. The fourth is a fresh water ecosystem also badly altered by mixing of sewage water effluent. It is causing disappearance of many edible and prominent aquatic plant species. Mitigation measures are needed to overcome these negative alterations.

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan

Corresponding author’s e-mail: aleisawi@ju.edu.jo