 |
SECTION (2):EVALUATIONS
OF FEATURES
|
2.1: Size
Wadi
Rum, at 720 square kilometers (720,000 dunums), is the largest protected area in
Jordan. It has a perimeter length of over 98 km.
The
relatively large size of Wadi Rum enables it to fully represent the Sudanian
Biogeographical Region in Jordan, as exemplified in three distinct vegetation
types: Hammada, Acacia-Rocky Sudanian and Sand Dunes. It also contains within
its boundaries sizeable examples of all the major physical components of the
Eastern Desert (Hisma) Land Type (mountains, wadis, sand dunes, springs),
enabling the protected area to function as a single ecological system.
The
Wadi Rum Protected Area appears to be sufficiently large to allow viable
populations of key animal species to survive.
Most important are the larger predators, since they are at the top of the
ecological food pyramid and require extensive hunting territories, especially in
desert ecosystems. Currently, Wadi Rum is known to hold small populations of the
Grey Wolf, Caracal, Striped Hyena and Wild Cat and these have maintained their
foothold over long periods of persecution. With adequate protective measures,
these species should increase in numbers and maintain viable populations with
the available resources in the Protected Area.
The
fact that Wadi Rum is also large enough to contain several complete mountain
massifs (over 46%0 of the total surface area) is important for the conservation
of many species, as these massifs are protected from high levels of human
disturbance by their inaccessibility. The distribution of the Nubian Ibex (Capra
ibex nubiana) for example is limited to the large and complex mountains,
where these ungulates can find safe shelter and bedding areas.
Large
numbers of migrating birds, including many birds-of-prey, pass through Wadi Rum
each year on their way between their wintering grounds in Africa and their
breeding sites in Europe. In a sample survey conducted in 2000, 3,381
birds-of-prey of 19 species were recorded in less than one month.
For birds like these, places where they can safely stop, rest and
“re-fuel” are vital to their survival. The size, topography and varied
habitats of Wadi Rum give it strategic importance as a sanctuary on this
globally significant migration route.
2.2: Diversity
From
survey records to date (2002), the Wadi Rum Protected Area is know to support
439 species of plants, birds, reptiles and invertebrates.
This level of species diversity is not exceptional for habitats within
the Sudanian Biogeographical Region of Jordan, except in terms of bird species.
The bird fauna of Wadi Rum is supplemented by many passage migrants and winter
visitors, owing to its location on the Africa-Europe migratory flyway. Species diversity at high altitudes may also be exceptional
for Jordan, as the protected area has some of highest mountains in the Kingdom,
but this has yet to be confirmed.
The
diversity of some animal groups in the protected area is undoubtedly lower than
would be expected, and especially of large mammals. Surveys undertaken so far,
for example, have failed to verify the presence of typical large mammals such as
striped hyena, and desert gazelles. This reflects continuous persecution by
hunters combined with extensive habitat degradation. These impacts will be
minimized under the management of the protected area, allowing such animals to
re-colonize.
At
the habitat level, diversity in the protected area is relatively high, compared
to other known areas in Jordan with Sudanian vegetation types. As well as the
more ubiquitous gravel and silt wadis, it has large areas of sand dunes and high
mountains and many deep, shaded canyons.
Species
diversity correlates highly with habitat diversity, since varied habitats
provide more available ecological niches. The most species-rich areas within
Wadi Rum for plants and each of the major animal divisions are shown on
Maps 7 and
8.
2.3: Naturalness
There is
ample archaeological evidence to show that Wadi Rum has been inhabited and
utilized by humans since prehistoric times and few areas (at the lower
altitudes) have escaped human interference. The type of use has varied
throughout the past, from transient pastorlism to elaborate settlements
supported by trading, and mixtures of both. It is probable, however, that the
extreme aridity of the area has limited occupation and development to the
locality of springs and other water supplies, leaving large parts of what is now
the protected area relatively free of long-term settlement. Hunting has been
practiced by the local communities for centuries and it is clear from the
ancient rock drawings that many large animals were much more widespread than
they are today and that some, such as the Arabian Oryx, were hunted to
extinction.
The major
human influences on the natural environment of Wadi Rum in modern times have
been goat grazing and tourism. Tourism itself has had a major damaging impact on
the vegetation, soils and landscape quality of the protected area and a survey
undertaken by RSCN in 1999 revealed that every part of the protected area shows
signs of disturbance by visitors.
Of all the
habitat types in the Protected Area, the least disturbed by humans and therefore
the most “natural”, are the mountaintops and cliff faces with their numerous
cracks and crevices. Being generally inaccessible, they support
relatively pristine ecological communities and they may, after further survey
work, reveal new species for Jordan.
At the
lower altitudes, the most pristine area of natural vegetation in the protected
area lies within the recent extension, which links the old southern boundary to
the Saudi Arabian border. This has relatively low levels of grazing and tourism
use, allowing a greater coverage and density of characteristic desert plants to
flourish.
2.4: Rarity
At
the landscape level, the dramatic, wind eroded mountains of Wadi Rum are unique
in Jordan and are generally acknowledged to be among the world’s finest
examples of desert landscapes.
The
high, difficult-to-access mountains, with their crevices and special vegetation
cover, create a special habitat and refuge for different species of birds and
mammals, many of which are absent or found in smaller numbers in surrounding
desert ecosystems. They also enable elements of Mediterranean vegetation, such
as Juniper trees, to exist in the Sudanian Biogeographical Zone, where normally
they would be absent.
Eight
of the plant species recorded in the Protected Area are considered rare and
these include the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and Caralluma
aaronis and two others, Iphiona maris-mortui and Satureja
thymbrifolia, both of which are thought to be
endemic to Jordan and Israel.
The
Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) and the Conrcrake (Crex crex) are
two of the important bird species recorded in the protected area, since both are
on the list of globally vulnerable species. Another species is the Verreaux’s
Eagle (Aquila verreauxii), which is the largest eagle in the Western
Palearctic and rare at the regional level. Other birds rare at the regional
level include the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) and Sinai Rosefinch (Carpodacus
synoicus) that are regionally threatened, while Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus
xanthoprymna) and Hooded Wheatear (Oenanthe monacha) are restricted
to the Middle East.
Of
the mammals in the protected area, the Grey Wolf (Canis lupus)
is globally threatened and the Nubian Ibex (Capra ibex nubiana)
and Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) are nationally scarce.
The rare and declining Sand Cat (Felis margarita) is also thought to be
living in Wadi Rum, although there have been no sightings since the 1970s.
Blanford’s Fox (Vulpes cana) was recorded for the first time in 1999,
making Wadi Rum the most southerly extent of its known distribution in Jordan..
Few
of the reptiles are considered rare, except for the Broad-headed Agama Lizard (Phrynocephalus
arabicus), which reaches the western limit of its range in Wadi Rum.
