NCI 2024
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    Jordan, officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a country located in the heart of the Middle East. Despite its relatively small size and predominantly arid climate, Jordan boasts a diverse range of landscapes and ecosystems. From the fertile Jordan Valley to the dramatic Wadi Rum desert and the unique ecosystem of the Dead Sea, Jordan offers a variety of habitats that support a rich array of wildlife.

    The country experiences a Mediterranean climate in the north and west, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, while a desert climate with extreme temperatures and minimal rainfall characterizes the eastern and southern regions. This climatic diversity allows for a wide range of flora and fauna to thrive.

    Score Rank Change
    Total Score – NCI 2024 54.24 109 N/A
    Land Management 44 147 N/A
    Protected Areas (Terrestrial) 27 152 N/A
    Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 39 121 N/A
    Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 44 133 N/A
    Protected Areas (Marine) 2 105 N/A
    Pristine Habitat (Converted Land) 100 1 N/A
    Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution) 29 121 N/A
    Sustainable Pesticide Use 70 31 N/A
    Threats to Biodiversity 68 46 N/A
    Threatened Species (Terrestrial) 86 97 N/A
    Threatened Species (Marine) 72 32 N/A
    Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas 80 123 N/A
    Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas 66 127 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial) 43 31 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Marine) 0 10 N/A
    Depleted Fisheries
    Fishery Pressure in the High Seas 100 67 N/A
    Invasive Species Pressure 97 67 N/A
    Capacity and Governance 60 116 N/A
    Total Management Cost 87 131 N/A
    Conservation Culturomics 41 98 N/A
    Conservation Legislation 17 173 N/A
    Ratification of CBD 100 1 N/A
    Ratification of CITES 100 1 N/A
    Political Stability and Absence of Violence 50 63 N/A
    Control of Corruption 50 66 N/A
    Government Effectiveness 54 64 N/A
    Future Trends 45 72 N/A
    Climate Change Mitigation 45 72 N/A

    Four pillars elaborated:

    Land Management

     Jordan’s protected areas, numbering 17, cover a range of ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, deserts, and marine environments, playing a crucial role in preserving the country’s diverse biodiversity and cultural legacy. Notably, Dana Biosphere Reserve and Azraq Wetland Reserve hold UNESCO-MAB Reserve status, underscoring their global importance in biodiversity conservation. These protected areas are classified under different national designations, including Forest Reserves, Marine Reserves, Nature Reserves, Proposed Nature Reserves, Special Conservation Areas, and Wetland Reserves.

    Threats to Biodiversity

     Human activities pose significant threats to biodiversity in Jordan, with intensive agriculture, agrochemical use, over-grazing, hunting, unplanned development, urbanization, and pollution being primary culprits. These activities have resulted in the destruction of natural habitats and ecosystems, particularly impacting large mammal populations and diminishing plant diversity through isolation and genetic loss.

    Historical events like the First and Second World Wars exacerbated these pressures, with infrastructure development and widespread hunting further depleting wildlife populations. Water scarcity exacerbates environmental challenges, with the Gulf of Aqaba witnessing extensive human activities leading to coral reef damage, while the Azraq Oasis, once a vital migratory bird stopover, suffered depletion but is now undergoing conservation efforts to restore its ecological value.

    Capacity and Governance

     Jordan introduced its National Environment Strategy (NES) in 1991, marking a significant step in the Middle East. After joining the Convention on Biological Diversity, Jordan crafted its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in 2003, focusing on five main goals: conserving biodiversity, promoting awareness, protecting natural resources, developing supportive laws, and cooperating with other nations on genetic resources. The NBSAP outlined specific projects and actions across various sectors such as flora and fauna, agriculture, minerals, water, economy, legislation, and awareness.

    Additionally, strategies were designed to address common issues across different conventions, including knowledge sharing, training, institution building, research utilization, funding, and community involvement. In July 2012, Jordan began updating its NBSAP to adapt to changing needs and priorities.

    Future Trends

     Jordan is actively pursuing strategic policies to align with the Convention on Biological Diversity, aiming to raise public awareness and mobilize national efforts for biodiversity conservation. A multidisciplinary approach, including geographic information system (GIS) analysis, involves stakeholders like government bodies, NGOs, local communities, and research institutions.

    Proposed solutions include ecosystem rehabilitation to combat poverty-driven biodiversity degradation, water management strategies to sustain plant and animal life, and coordination among communities, government, and the private sector for sustainable development. Additional measures entail establishing biodiversity conservation areas, addressing farmers’ needs, implementing land use plans, expanding natural reserves, and promoting sustainable farming practices to ensure Jordan’s biodiversity preservation for future generations.


    Biodiversity

    Despite its predominantly arid climate, Jordan supports a wide variety of flora and fauna across its different habitats. The Jordan Rift Valley, including the Jordan River and the Dead Sea, is a significant ecological region. The Jordan River serves as a critical water source and supports a variety of species, including many migratory birds. The wetlands around the river are important stopover points for these birds, particularly in the Azraq Wetland Reserve, which is a haven for birdwatchers. The reserve is home to species such as the Eurasian teal, white stork, and various species of herons and egrets.

    Jordan is home to several iconic species, including the Arabian oryx, the Nubian ibex, and the striped hyena. The country is also an important stopover for migratory birds, with over 400 species recorded, making it a significant area for birdwatching. The Aqaba Bird Observatory and the Dana Biosphere Reserve are notable sites for observing these avian populations.

    In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Jordan only):


    Species
    (World rank)    		 Threatened % Threatened Endemic % Endemic
    Mammals 94 (#118) 13 13.8%
    Birds 332 (#108) 15 4.5%
    Reptiles 120 (#78) 6 5.0% 1 0.8%
    Amphibians 5 (#162)
    Fishes 555 (#108) 41 7.4% 4 0.7%
    Plants 2,500 (#140) 8 0.3% 100 4.0%

    Go To 2024 National Nature Conservation Index Main Page

    Jordan

    A legacy of nature carved through time

    Score:

    54.24 / 100

    Rank:

    109 / 180