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6.   Background

6.1      Objectives of the Survey

6.2      Protected Areas in Jordan

6.3      Establishment of the Wadi Rum Protected Area  

6.4      Reasons for Establishment

6.5      Problems Facing the Protected Area

he flora survey is the second baseline survey to take place in the Wadi Rum Protected Area. All the baseline surveys ae intended to support the aims of the Wadi Rum Project. These aims are defined in the Project Document as follows: The Wadi Rum project will support and encourage tourism development that maximizes economic returns to local communities whilst protecting and conserving its natural and cultural resources. The specific objectives of the project are:

                                   1.    To increase tourism revenue generated at the site.

                                   2.    To maximize economic returns to the local community.

                                   3.    To enable local Bedouin women to gain direct benefits from the protected area.

                                   4.    To conserve the ecological and archaeological resources of the site.

 6.1      Objectives of the Survey  

The Objectives of the survey were:

•     Identification of the vegetation types and their distribution within the protected area.

•      Identification of as many species of plants as possible within the protected area in order to compile the first vascular plants checklist.

•      Identification of the key species and key areas and thus allow prioritization of management actions.

•      Preparation of a vegetation map for the protected area.

•      Creation of the first collection of plants from the protected area, to be kept at the herbarium in the Wadi Rum Visitor Complex.

•      An overview of ecological relationships, threats and trends.

•     Analysis of factors influencing the distribution and status of species and communities to provide conservation management guidelines.

6.2       Protected Areas in Jordan

In 1978, an IUCN/WWF study took place in Jordan. By 1979, this study recommended the establishment of twelve protected areas to cover the different habitats in the country. Five out of these twelve protected areas were established and are managed by the RSCN (Table 1). Wadi Rum Protected Area is the sixth protected area to be officially established in Jordan (see map 1).

6.3      Establishment of the Wadi Rum Protected Area:

The establishment of a protected area at Wadi Rum was first proposed by IUCN/WWF following a 1978 ecological mission to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The study recommended "to protect and preserve a representative area of the Eastern Desert (Hisma) land type, together with its indigenous flora and fauna; and to preserve a large section of the scenic mountains of Rum" (Clarke, 1979).

  In 1991, the National Environmental strategy for Jordan described the establishment of a Wadi Rum Protected Area as warranting 'top priority'. The Rum Protected Area area was subsequently selected as one of the four sites in the Kingdom to receive financial and technical assistance in the form of the World Bank Second Tourism Development Project.

Under this project, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature was selected as the most appropriate agency to manage the site.

According to the terms of the agreement signed between the RSCN and the Aqaba Regional Authority in June 1998, the RSCN is responsible for formulating and implementing a long-term management strategy for the protected area.

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6.4      Reasons for Establishment

•             Biodiversity:

The protected area supports a range of ecologically sensitive habitats and species, many of which are rare and endangered. Protecting this area is very vital for many of the special ecosystems and species present in it. Many of the plants recorded in the area are endemic to this ecosystem. Some of these plants are rare, others have different benefits (medicinal, ornamental, food source, wood source and others).

Several carnivores species were recorded in the protected area (Carnivores Baseline Survey, 1999), included the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) (globally threatened) and Blanford's Fox (Vulpes cana). Other special species are supposed to be present but were not recorded lately, such as the Sand Cat (Felis margarita) and the Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena).

A good population of the Ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) is still thought to be roaming in the protected area's mountains and other neighboring locations. The Hyrax (Procavia capensis) was also observed several times during this year.

During the Birds Baseline Survey (in press), more than 110 bird species were recorded. Many of the species recorded have special significance such as the Verreaux's Eagle (Aquila verreauxii), Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), Chukar (Alectoris chukar), Sand Partridge (Ammoperdix heyi), ýEagle Owl (Bubo bubo), and Red-Tailed Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprymna).

•           Landscape:

The impressive landscape of the area is undeniable. It is one of the main attractions for visitors. The fascinating sandstone mountains and large sand dunes with their brilliant mixtures of colors, give the area a very special beauty.

•          Culture and History

Several archeological surveys and studies have taken place in the area and these have revealed evidence of occupation from the Neolithic age. The most notable features discovered so far are the Nabatean temple near the village of Rum and the huge number or rock inscriptions found throughout the site.expeditions took place in the area and some of them are still working until now. There are evidents that human colonization was present in the area as early as the Neolithic age.

6.5   Problems Facing the Protected Area

•       Overgrazing:

            Overgrazing is a serious problem that can be observed all over the protected area. This is leading to changes in the vegetation cover in terms of species diversity, density and abundance as well as biomass. It is also changing the structure of the habitats itself in its composition of all its biota.

Extensive grazing is also a possible threat to the wild herbivores like the Ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) because goats and sheep are competing for their natural food source. The ibex is losing its natural habitats and food for the indigenous herbivores that are present in the protected area.

•           Tourism:

            Tourism is the main income generating activity for the people of Rum, and is also one of the main factors causing degradation of the different habitats. Habitat degradation is especially noticeable in the big wadis of Wadi Rum, Wadi Um 'Ishrin and Khor 'Ajram due to the uncontrolled movements of 4WD vehicles. This uncontrolled driving is severely damaging the different plant communities. Mountain climbing is also a potential threat to some animals, especially to nesting birds like raptors and also to the scattered colonies of the Hyrax (Procavia capensis).

•            Hunting Trapping and Poisoning:

Hunting for skin and meat has lead to the extinction of a number of wild animals such as the Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus), and the Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx). Uncontrolled hunting has also lead to a decrease in the populations of several species such as the Ibex (Capra ibex nubiana), the Hare (Lepus capensis) and the Hyrax (Procavia capensis.

Poisoning and trapping are also becoming major threats to wild animals such as the Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) and the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus). These animals are persecuted by the local people because they occasionally attack their livestock.

•              Woodcutting and Collecting:

            Local Bedouins still depend on wood as a source of fuel, especially those people from outside Rum and Disi villages. Vast areas are heavily cut and sometimes the whole plant is taken. The Haloxylon (Haloxylon persicum) is the most commonly cut species.