Measures to minimize deforestation and desertification in Jordan: A Background Paper
By: Talia Bin Yussuf
1. Abstract
Desertification has become a global issue of great importance. Especially
in the Mediterranean region where acres of land that used to be lush and full of
trees, now cannot sustain life. Jordan is a great example of such a case, Numerous
verses of the Bible referred to Jordan as the “land of milk and honey,” Forests
used to cover every inch of land but now a mere 1% of Jordan’s land is forested.
This small fraction of greenery could disappear within a few years and this would
affect the life of its residents, human and wildlife. Individuals that depend on that
forest as a source of income or perhaps even shelter. Due to these reasons and
several more great measures should be taken to minimize the deforestation and
desertification in Jordan.
2. Description and Definition of the Issue
Desertification is the land degrading in arid, semi –arid and dry sub-humid
zones of the planet. It means the destruction of the basis of natural resources, and
this is a result of human actions and this has also caused climate change. It affects
the lives of several people as well as flora and fauna. It is mainly caused by the
deforestation of forests by methods such as: illegal logging and random grazing.
This issue is accumulating rapidly and if it is not put to a stop soon Jordan’s 1%
of greenery will gradually diminish until it vanishes. It is a significant global
issue both economically and environmentally
3. Glossary of the Issue
United Nations Convection to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): is a convention,
effective since September 26,1994, to combat desertification and moderate the
effects of drought through national action programs that integrate long-term
strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements.
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDCDD): is a United
Nations observance day each June 17. This day has been observed since 1995. Its
purpose is to highlight ways to prevent desertification and recover from drought.
Each annual celebration has a different theme.
The Royal Society for The Conservation of Nature (RSCN): is an independent
voluntary organization devoted to the conservation of Jordan’s natural resources
established in 1966
4. History of the Issue
1908 -1917. Tree-felling. The Ottoman Turks conducted tree-felling operations
for their Hejaz Railway from Damascus to Medina.
However, the main cause of deforestation is assumed to be the over exploitation
of the land by nomadic tribes, which lead to soil erosion and the irreversible
degradation of land.
5. Current Status
Only 8% of Jordan’s Area is suitable for agriculture, while only 1% (98,000 ha)
of Jordan is forested. The increase in population, however, coupled with a similar
rise in construction, is damaging this land. Jordan’s 1 per cent of green cover is
expected to disappear in the coming few years, unless serious measures are taken.
In terms of deforestation, the forest cover has remained constant since 1990, thus
proving that minimal deforestation has occurred in a time period of nearly 3
decades.
However other wooded land has decreased by 6% from 1990 to 2005.
Agriculturally the change rate is at 0%, which is not an issue as not only is it
constant but agriculture is only worth 3.5% of the GDP. These statistics show that
desertification and deforestation only affect a minority of people but are likely to
affect large populations of flora and fauna.
6. Conclusion
Although the 1% of forest cover is expected to disappear within the next few
years that seems unlikely as the percentage of forest covered land has remained at
a constant (1%) for over 3 decades, but any deforestation or forest damaging
activity could change that rapidly, and measures to minimize the likelihood of this
happening should be taken into action as soon as possible.
7. Work Cited
"Combating
desertification
Desertification."
in
Desertification.
Jordan
N.p..
(Google
Alert
Web.
30
/
MENAFN)|
Dec
2012.
<http://desertification.wordpress.com/2007/06/26/combating-desertification-injordan-google-alert-menafn/>.
"Jordan - Geography and Environment - Environmental Threats and the Jordanian
Response ." The Office of King Hussein I of Jordan. N.p.. Web. 30 Dec 2012.
<http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/geo_env3.html>.
"Jordan Deforestation Rates and Related Forestry Figures." Environmental News
and
Information
-
mongabay.com.
N.p..
Web.
1
<http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/archive/Jordan.htm>.
Jan
2013.