DOCSLIB.ORG

For Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Jordan Rift Valley

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

E1477 Public Disclosure Authorized The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Jordan Rift Valley Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Final ESA and ESMP Report October 2nd, 2006 Public Disclosure Authorized ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT (ESA) AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) FOR INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT IN THE JORDAN RIFT VALLEY PROJECT TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Table of Contents i List of Tables iv List of Figures vi Annexes vii Abbreviations viii 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Project Background 1 1.2 Project and Environmental Assessment Objectives 2 1.3 Public Consultation 3 1.4 Supporting Maps 5 2 PROPOSED PROJECT 7 2.1 Project Location 8 2.2 Project Components 10 2.3 Sector Issues Addressed 20 2.4 Project Zones of Effect 21 2.5 Project Duration and Phases 23 2.6 Project Implementing Organization: Royal Society for Conservation of Nature 23 2.7 Project Benefits and Stakeholders 24 2.8 Project Sustainability 25 3 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK 26 3.1 Introduction 26 3.2 Institutional Framework 27 3.2.1 Overview of Governmental Organizations 27 3.2.2 Universities and Research Institutes 37 3.2.3 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) 39 3.3 National Agenda 41 3.4 Applicable National Environmental Legislations 42 3.4.1 Sources of Environmental Law in Jordan 42 3.4.2 Laws 51 3.4.3 Regulations (By-laws) 58 3.4.4 Strategies 62 3.4.5 Related Environmental International and Regional Conventions and Treaties 68 3.5 Applicable World Bank Policies 73 3.5.1 Environment Assessment (OP/BP4.01) 74 3.5.2 Forestry (OP/BO 4.36) 74 3.5.3 Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP4.12) 75 3.5.4 Indigenous Peoples (OD4.20) 75 3.5.5 Safety of Dams (OP 4.09) 76 3.5.6 Pest Management (OP 4.09) 77 3.5.7 Cultural Property (OPN 11.03-draft OP/BP4.11) 77 3.5.8 Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) 77 3.5.9 Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60) 78 Final ESA & ESMP Report i Consolidated Consultants / IMI ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT (ESA) AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) FOR INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT IN THE JORDAN RIFT VALLEY PROJECT 3.5.10 Projects on international Waterways (OP 7.5) 78 3.6 Legal and Institutional Issues 79 3.7 Recommendations 81 4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE CONDITIONS 83 4.1 Physical Environment 83 4.1.1 Topography and Geomorphology 83 4.1.2 Climate 84 4.1.3 Geological Setting 86 4.1.4 Water Resources 95 4.1.5 Fluid and Solid Wastes Management System 106 4.1.6 Air Quality and Noise Level Status 106 4.1.7 Existing Challenges to the Physical Environment 107 4.2 Biological Environment 111 4.2.1 Biogeography 111 4.2.2 Biological Habitat 113 4.2.3 Naturality 116 4.2.4 Fragility 116 4.2.5 Rarity 116 4.2.6 Species Diversity 116 4.2.7 Hotspots 127 4.2.8 Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in Jordan 152 4.2.9 Challenges Facing Nature Conservation in the Jordan Valley 161 4.2.10 Agro-Ecological Conditions 167 4.3 Socio-Economic Conditions 178 4.3.1 Population 179 4.3.2 Social and Cultural Characteristics of the Local Community 182 4.3.3 Socio-Economic Characteristics 185 4.3.4 Education 190 4.3.5 Public Health 191 4.3.6 Gender Issues and Women Status 193 4.3.7 Development Needs 193 4.3.8 Stakeholders Awareness 195 4.4 Archaeological Baseline Conditions 196 5 ANALYSIS OF PROJECT SPECIFIC ALTERNATIVES 201 5.1 No Action/Without Project 202 5.2 With Project 203 6 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS 204 6.1 Impacts on the Physical Environment 204 6.1.1 Overview of Impacts 204 6.1.2 Expected Environmental Impacts of Establishing Natural Reserves 204 6.1.3 Environmental Impacts of Implementing the Integrated Ecosystem Management (IEM) Concept 209 6.2 Impacts on Biological Conditions 210 6.2.1 Enhancing Ecosystems Balance and Integrity 211 6.2.2 Preserving Biological Habitat 212 6.2.3 Enhancing Biodiversity 214 6.2.4 Strengthening and Enhancing the Protected Areas Network 216 Final ESA & ESMP Report ii Consolidated Consultants / IMI ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT (ESA) AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) FOR INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT IN THE JORDAN RIFT VALLEY PROJECT 6.2.5 Promoting Sustainable Use of Biological Resources (Products and Attributes) 216 6.2.6 Conservation of Threatened Species 219 6.3 Impacts on Socio-Economic Settings 220 6.3.1 Positive Impacts 220 6.3.2 Negative Impacts 224 6.4 Impacts on Archaeological Resources 224 7 EVALUATION OF CUMULATIVE PROJECT SPECIFIC IMPACTS 226 7.1 Cumulative Impacts on the Physical Environment 226 7.1.1 Establishing Natural Reserves 226 7.1.2 Implementation and Adaptation of the IEM Concept 226 7.2 Cumulative Impacts on Biological Conditions 226 7.3 Cumulative Impacts on Socio-Economic Conditions 227 7.4 Cumulative Impacts on Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Resources 227 8 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 228 8.1 Rationale and Justification 229 8.2 Planning and Framework of the ESMP 230 8.3 Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) 232 8.3.1 Environmental Policy and Commitment 232 8.3.2 Policy, Legal and Administrative Requirements 233 8.3.3 Structure and Responsibility 233 8.4 Integrated Ecosystems Management Areas 238 8.4.1 Environmental and Social Objectives 239 8.4.2 Environmental and Social Aspects 240 8.4.3 Sub-Project Screening Checklists and Safeguard Review Procedures 240 8.4.4 Environmental Sub-Project Screening Checklists 244 8.4.5 Sub-Project Safeguard Review Procedures 246 8.5 Management Programs for Mitigation of Impacts 248 8.5.1 Proposed Mitigation Measures for Establishing the Natural Reserves 248 8.5.2 Recommended Mitigations for Implementing Integrated Ecosystem Management (IEM) Concept Activities 253 8.5.3 Environmental Monitoring 256 8.5.4 Preparation Stage 256 8.5.5 Monitoring Plan for Establishing the Nature Reserves 257 8.5.6 Monitoring Plan for Implementing the Integrated Ecosystem Management (IEM) Concept 259 8.6 ESMP Control 260 8.7 Implementation and Operation 260 8.7.1 Training, Awareness and Competence 261 8.7.2 Communication 262 8.7.3 Emergency Preparedness and Response 263 8.8 Checking and Corrective Action 263 8.9 Management Review 263 8.10 ESMP Cost Implications 264 Final ESA & ESMP Report iii Consolidated Consultants / IMI ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT (ESA) AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) FOR INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT IN THE JORDAN RIFT VALLEY PROJECT LIST OF TABLES Table Page Table 1: Significant issues identified in the public consultation session 5 Table 2: List of GIS shapefiles and image maps from RSCN 6 Table 3: Project components, anticipated outputs, and activities 11 Table 4: Overview of proposed PA activities and IEM sub-projects and their respective locations 15 Table 5: Benefits to be obtained from IEM project implementation 24 Table 6: Environmental activities and concerned organization 40 Table 7: Fees (paid to WAJ) 59 Table 8: Selected international environment agreements 68 Table 9: Mean Minimum, Absolute Yearly Maximum and Mean Yearly Temperature for Selected Climatological Stations Along the JRV 85 Table 10: Total Rainfall (mm/year) for Selected Stations Along The Jordan Valley 85 Table 11: Geo-Lithological Succession of Jordan 86 Table 12: Main features of agricultural zones in the Jordan Valley, 1998 95 Table 13: Annual Flow Volumes in MCM/year for Main Basins 100 Table 14: Existing storage Dams Located Within JRV area and/or Supplying the JRV Surface Water System 101 Table 15: Water Consumption Status for the Ground Water Basins located, “and/or” extending Within the Jordan Valley Area-Year 2001 103 Table 16: Water Consumption in the Jordan Valley Area 104 Table 17: Major thermal springs within JRV area 105 Table 18: Major solid waste dumping sites in the Jordan Valley 106 Table 19: Changes in the surface area of the Dead Sea and Evaporation Ponds as observed from Satellite Images 108 Table 20: Different plant communities and their occurrence in different zones of the Valley 117 Table 21: Criteria for selecting IBAs in the Middle East 130 Table 22: Globally threatened species 150 Table 23: Regionally threatened species 150 Table 24: Species restricted wholly or largely to Middle East 150 Table 25: Proposed protected areas 159 Table 26: List of existing parks in Jordan 160 Table 27: List of forest and rangeland reserves 160 Table 28: Classified categories according to annual precipitation 168 Table 29: Water supply and requirements Balance (Mm3/year) 169 Table 30: Areas and percentages allocated for crops planted under irrigated or non-irrigated lands of the Jordan Rift Valley in 2003 170 Table 31: Average crop water requirements and cultivated areas during 1994-1998 for various plant production categories within the sub-areas of RJV 171 Table 32: Rural and Urban Population in Jordan during 1988-2004 179 Table 33: Population densities in the study area 180 Table 34: Population projections for Jordan 2010-2020 (Summary) 181 Table 35: Population projections of all the population settlements in the study area 181 Table 36: Tribes of Ghore 184 Table 37: Main economic indicators 1998-2004 185 Table 38: Distribution of employed labour by type of labour, sex, nationality and age category in Jordan Valley in 2001-2003 186 Table 39: Annual Income Levels in the JRV in 2004(JD) 187 Table 40: Level of income according to the sex of the head of the family in 2004(JD) 188 Final ESA & ESMP Report iv Consolidated Consultants / IMI ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT (ESA) AND ENVIRONMENTAL
Recommended publications
  • An Inventory of Avian Species in Aldesa Valley, Saudi Arabia

    An Inventory of Avian Species in Aldesa Valley, Saudi Arabia

    14 5 LIST OF SPECIES Check List 14 (5): 743–750 https://doi.org/10.15560/14.5.743 An inventory of avian species in Aldesa Valley, Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz S. Alatawi1, Florent Bled1, Jerrold L. Belant2 1 Mississippi State University, Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Carnivore Ecology Laboratory, Box 9690, Mississippi State, MS, USA 39762. 2 State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, USA 13210. Corresponding author: Abdulaziz S. Alatawi, [email protected] Abstract Conducting species inventories is important to provide baseline information essential for management and conserva- tion. Aldesa Valley lies in the Tabuk Province of northwest Saudi Arabia and because of the presence of permanent water, is thought to contain high avian richness. We conducted an inventory of avian species in Aldesa Valley, using timed area-searches during May 10–August 10 in 2014 and 2015 to detect species occurrence. We detected 6860 birds belonging to 19 species. We also noted high human use of this area including agriculture and recreational activities. Maintaining species diversity is important in areas receiving anthropogenic pressures, and we encourage additional surveys to further identify species occurrence in Aldesa Valley. Key words Arabian Peninsula; bird inventory; desert fauna. Academic editor: Mansour Aliabadian | Received 21 April 2016 | Accepted 27 May 2018 | Published 14 September 2018 Citation: Alatawi AS, Bled F, Belant JL (2018) An inventory of avian species in Aldesa Valley, Saudi Arabia. Check List 14 (5): 743–750. https:// doi.org/10.15560/14.5.743 Introduction living therein (Balvanera et al.
  • (Mollusca, Gastropoda) of the Bulgarian Part of the Alibotush Mts

    (Mollusca, Gastropoda) of the Bulgarian Part of the Alibotush Mts

    Malacologica Bohemoslovaca (2008), 7: 17–20 ISSN 1336-6939 Terrestrial gastropods (Mollusca, Gastropoda) of the Bulgarian part of the Alibotush Mts. IVAILO KANEV DEDOV Central Laboratory of General Ecology, 2 Gagarin Str., BG-1113 Sofia, Bulgaria, e-mail: [email protected] DEDOV I.K., 2008: Terrestrial gastropods (Mollusca, Gastropoda) of the Bulgarian part of the Alibotush Mts. – Malacologica Bohemoslovaca, 7: 17–20. Online serial at <http://mollusca.sav.sk> 20-Feb-2008. This work presents results of two years collecting efforts within the project “The role of the alpine karst area in Bulgaria as reservoir of species diversity”. It summarizes distribution data of 44 terrestrial gastropods from the Bulgarian part of Alibotush Mts. Twenty-seven species are newly recorded from the Alibotush Mts., 13 were con- firmed, while 4 species, previously known from the literature, were not found. In the gastropod fauna of Alibotush Mts. predominate species from Mediterranean zoogeographic complex. A large part of them is endemic species, and this demonstrates the high conservation value of large limestone areas in respect of terrestrial gastropods. Key words: terrestrial gastropods, distribution, Alibotush Mts., Bulgaria Introduction Locality 6: vill. Katuntsi, Izvorite hut, near hut, open The Alibotush Mts. (other popular names: Kitka, Gotseva ruderal terrain, under bark, 731 m a.s.l., coll. I. Dedov. Planina, Slavjanka) is one of the most interesting large Locality 7: vill. Katuntsi, tufa-gorge near village, 700 m limestone area in Bulgaria (Fig. 1). It occupies the part a.s.l., coll. I. Dedov, N. Simov. of the border region between Bulgaria and Greece with Locality 8: below Livade area, road between Goleshevo maximum elevation 2212 m (Gotsev peak).
  • Dana Biosphere Reserve Is Home to Hundreds of Species Living Within Dana Jewelry-Making Jordan’S Rift Valley Spectacular Diverse Ecosystems and Habitats

    Dana Biosphere Reserve Is Home to Hundreds of Species Living Within Dana Jewelry-Making Jordan’S Rift Valley Spectacular Diverse Ecosystems and Habitats

    Dana Dana Handicrafts dana from Nature Biosphere Reserve Make sure to visit the four handicraft workshops that are biosphere reserve Spanning three climate zones ranging from the forested located in Dana Guesthouse. Mediterranean to the hottest Sudanian penetration, Dana Biosphere Reserve is home to hundreds of species living within Dana Jewelry-Making Jordan’s Rift Valley Spectacular diverse ecosystems and habitats. Yet animals are not the only Workshop ones to find Dana's natural resources important. For centuries, Local women from Dana foreign empires - especially the Roman and Byzantine - coveted produce fine hand-crafted the region for its expansive copper and other mineral deposits. copper, silver, and bronze jewelry. All the designs have Feynan Candle- Established in 1993, Dana Biosphere Reserve is Jordan’s largest been inspired by the wildlife Making Workshop biosphere reserve, covering 291 km2 of some of the most diverse and landscapes of the area. Whether it’s a flower, a green landscape in Jordan. In 1994, The Royal Society for the vine, or an orange slice, the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) instituted the first protected area design elements come from Reserve and Trails Guide | Map management plan in Jordan here at Dana, creating an Earth and the candles are internationally -recognized model for the integration of produced in a nature-friendly conservation with socio-economic development. manner. Feynan Leather RSCN has made great strides in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, The Royal Society for including the integrated conservation and socio-economic Workshop development program, building rehabilitation, and the creation The Bedouin women of the Conservation of Nature of Jordan’s first heritage village.
  • Recording Some of Breeding Birds in Mehmedan Region of Republic Yemen

    Recording Some of Breeding Birds in Mehmedan Region of Republic Yemen

    Available online a t www.pelagiaresearchlibrary.com Pelagia Research Library European Journal of Experimental Biology, 2014, 4(1):625-632 ISSN: 2248 –9215 CODEN (USA): EJEBAU Recording some of breeding birds in Mehmedan region of Republic Yemen Fadhl Adullah Nasser Balem and Mohamed Saleh Alzokary Biology Department, Aden University, Yaman _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Mehmedan region is always green and there are different trees, shrubs, herbs and a lot of land which cultivated by corn, millet and other monetary plants. The site has been identified by the authors as an important Bird Area and especially for passerines breeding birds. Aim of this paper is to recording of some breeding birds.Many field visits during the year (2012) were conducted and (13) breeding bird species were recoded, these birds relating to (5) Orders, (10) Families, and (11) Genera. Key words: Breeding birds, Mehmedan, Yemen. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION At present time about (432) bird species were recorded in avifauna of Yemen of which (1) is endemic, (2) have been introduced by humans, and (25) are rare or accidental, (14) species are globally threatened.Mehmedan region located in southern Tehama which defined as lying south of (21 0N) along the Saudi Arabian and Yemen Red Sea lowlands and east along the Gulf of Aden to approximately (46 0E).Temperatures and humidity greatly increase southwards and rainfall decreases but the area has many permanent water courses and much subsurface water due to the considerable rub-off of rainwater from the highlands. Consequently there is much more vegetation in the wadis and there is a good deal of traditional, small scale agriculture mostly of millet, sorghum and vegetables[1].
  • Cascading Ecological Effects from Local Extirpation of an Ecosystem Engineer in the Arava Desert

    Cascading Ecological Effects from Local Extirpation of an Ecosystem Engineer in the Arava Desert

    This is a repository copy of Cascading ecological effects from local extirpation of an ecosystem engineer in the Arava desert. White Rose Research Online URL for this paper: http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/132128/ Version: Accepted Version Article: Shanas, U, Gavish, Y orcid.org/0000-0002-6025-5668, Bernheim, M et al. (3 more authors) (2018) Cascading ecological effects from local extirpation of an ecosystem engineer in the Arava desert. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 96 (5). pp. 466-472. ISSN 0008-4301 https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2017-0114 Copyright remains with the author(s) or their institution(s). This is an author produced version of a paper published in the Canadian Journal of Zoology. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. Reuse Items deposited in White Rose Research Online are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved unless indicated otherwise. They may be downloaded and/or printed for private study, or other acts as permitted by national copyright laws. The publisher or other rights holders may allow further reproduction and re-use of the full text version. This is indicated by the licence information on the White Rose Research Online record for the item. Takedown If you consider content in White Rose Research Online to be in breach of UK law, please notify us by emailing [email protected] including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request. [email protected] https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/ Cascading ecological effects from local extirpation of an ecosystem engineer in the Arava desert Uri Shanasa,b, Yoni Gavishc, Mai Bernheimb, Shacham Mittlerb, Yael Olekb, Alon Tald a Department of Biology and Environment, University of Haifa Oranim, Tivon 36006, Israel.
  • Fauna of New Zealand Ko Te Aitanga Pepeke O Aotearoa

    Fauna of New Zealand Ko Te Aitanga Pepeke O Aotearoa

    aua o ew eaa Ko te Aiaga eeke o Aoeaoa IEEAE SYSEMAICS AISOY GOU EESEAIES O ACAE ESEAC ema acae eseac ico Agicuue & Sciece Cee P O o 9 ico ew eaa K Cosy a M-C aiièe acae eseac Mou Ae eseac Cee iae ag 917 Aucka ew eaa EESEAIE O UIESIIES M Emeso eame o Eomoogy & Aima Ecoogy PO o ico Uiesiy ew eaa EESEAIE O MUSEUMS M ama aua Eiome eame Museum o ew eaa e aa ogaewa O o 7 Weigo ew eaa EESEAIE O OESEAS ISIUIOS awece CSIO iisio o Eomoogy GO o 17 Caea Ciy AC 1 Ausaia SEIES EIO AUA O EW EAA M C ua (ecease ue 199 acae eseac Mou Ae eseac Cee iae ag 917 Aucka ew eaa Fauna of New Zealand Ko te Aitanga Pepeke o Aotearoa Number / Nama 38 Naturalised terrestrial Stylommatophora (Mousca Gasooa Gay M ake acae eseac iae ag 317 amio ew eaa 4 Maaaki Whenua Ρ Ε S S ico Caeuy ew eaa 1999 Coyig © acae eseac ew eaa 1999 o a o is wok coee y coyig may e eouce o coie i ay om o y ay meas (gaic eecoic o mecaica icuig oocoyig ecoig aig iomaio eiea sysems o oewise wiou e wie emissio o e uise Caaoguig i uicaio AKE G Μ (Gay Micae 195— auase eesia Syommaooa (Mousca Gasooa / G Μ ake — ico Caeuy Maaaki Weua ess 1999 (aua o ew eaa ISS 111-533 ; o 3 IS -7-93-5 I ie 11 Seies UC 593(931 eae o uIicaio y e seies eio (a comee y eo Cosy usig comue-ase e ocessig ayou scaig a iig a acae eseac M Ae eseac Cee iae ag 917 Aucka ew eaa Māoi summay e y aco uaau Cosuas Weigo uise y Maaaki Weua ess acae eseac O o ico Caeuy Wesie //wwwmwessco/ ie y G i Weigo o coe eoceas eicuaum (ue a eigo oaa (owe (IIusao G M ake oucio o e coou Iaes was ue y e ew eaIa oey oa ue oeies eseac
  • Elena C. Berg

    Elena C. Berg

    ELENA C. BERG Department of Computer Science, Mathematics & Environmental Science The American University of Paris 6, rue du Colonel Combes 75007 Paris France Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.aup.edu/profile/eberg http://www.ioe.ucla.edu/ctr/staff/Berg_Elena.html CURRENT/RECENT POSITIONS Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, Mathematics & Environmental Science, The American University of Paris, France, August 2016 – Present Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, Mathematics & Environmental Science, The American University of Paris, France, January 2014 – July 2016 Senior Research Fellow, Center for Tropical Research, University of California, Los Angeles October 2006 – Present EDUCATION Ph.D., Animal Behavior, University of California, Davis. GPA: 4.0. June 2004. Fully funded through numerous grants, scholarships, and teaching assistantships Dissertation: Parentage, Kinship, and Group Structure in the White-throated Magpie-Jay (Calocitta formosa), a Cooperative Breeder with Female Helpers. Advisor: Dr. John Eadie Master of Philosophy, BiologiCal Anthropology, University of Cambridge, England. September 1996. Recipient of 1995 British Marshall Fellowship Thesis: Patterns of Rank-related Mating Success and Female Choice in Baboons and Macaques. Advisor: Dr. Phyllis Lee BaChelor of Arts, Anthropology anD College SCholar (interdisciplinary independent major), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. GPA 3.9. May 1995. Junior Year Abroad, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. 1993-1994. TEACHING & RESEARCH INTERESTS
  • JORDAN TRAIL THRU-HIKE 2019 an EVER-CHANGING STORY #Thrujt

    JORDAN TRAIL THRU-HIKE 2019 an EVER-CHANGING STORY #Thrujt

    JORDAN TRAIL THRU-HIKE 2019 AN EVER-CHANGING STORY #ThruJT Special Edition South to North Organized by: www.jordantrail.org The Jordan Trail unveils Jordan’s beauty and its varying manifestations along the eastern rim of Jordan’s Rift Valley. A transition between the Fertile Crescent in the north to the edge of the Arabian Desert and the Red Sea in the south makes for an ever-changing experience, showcasing Jordan at its most authentic. Join us on a mesmerizing journey and wander through the country’s hidden treasures, explore the heights and depths of its wonder, and delve into its rich history and heritage. A good hiker is always prepared. If you see these boots, stay calm; they’re there to tell you how difficult a section is. MODERATE DIFFICULT CHALLENGING BOOK NOW! Days: 5 hiking days and 5 nights Length: 77 km Main sites in the region: ▷ Wadi Rum (World Heritage site) ▷ Lawrence’s Spring (Ain Shellaleh) and the Nabataean Temple ▷ Wadi Rum Bedouin village ▷ Dramatic desert scenery – sandstone domes and granite and basalt ▷ Bedouin encampments striated mountains, changing color constantly throughout the day ▷ Village of Titen ▷ Aqaba (Red Sea) DAY 1: RED SEA TO WADI SHREIH DAY 2: WADI SHREIH TO TITEN DAY 3: TITEN TO AL-QIDR Date: Friday, March 1 Date: Saturday, March 2 Date: Sunday, March 3 Distance: 14 km Distance: 17 km Distance: 15 km Overnight: Wild Camp Overnight: Wild Camp Overnight: Wild Camp Difficulty level: Difficulty level: Difficulty level: DAY 4: AL-QIDR TO RUM VILLAGE DAY 5: RUM VILLAGE TO Date: Monday, March 4 SHAKRIYA Distance: 14 km Date: Tuesday, March 5 REGION 8: RED SEA TO WADI RUM Overnight: Wild Camp Distance: 17 km Leaving the warm waters of the Red Sea and the port of Aqaba weaves between the unique and colorful backdrops of Wadi Rum’s Difficulty level: Overnight: Wild Camp 1500 behind, you reach the first pass and the last view of the Red Sea sandstone desert mountains.
  • The Hydrogeochemistry of Shallow Groundwater from Lut Desert, Iran the Hottest Place on Earth

    The Hydrogeochemistry of Shallow Groundwater from Lut Desert, Iran the Hottest Place on Earth

    Journal of Arid Environments 178 (2020) 104143 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Arid Environments journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jaridenv The hydrogeochemistry of shallow groundwater from Lut Desert, Iran: The hottest place on Earth T ∗ W. Berry Lyonsa, Susan A. Welcha, , Christopher B. Gardnera, Arash Sharifib, Amir AghaKouchakc, Marjan Mashkourd,e, Morteza Djamalif, Zeinab Matinzadehb, Sara Palaciog, Hossein Akhanib a School of Earth Sciences, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus OH, 43210, USA b Halophytes and C4 Plants Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Science, School of Biology, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14155-6455, Tehran, Iran c Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Earth System Science, University of California Irvine, USA d Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique, UMR 7209, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique(CNRS), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), CP55, 55 rue Buffon, 75005, Paris, France e University of Tehran, Faculty of Environment, Enghelab avenue Ghosd street, Tehran, Iran f Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie, Aix-MarseilleUniversité, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD - Technopôle del’environnement Arbois, Ave. Louis Philibert Bâtiment Villemin - BP 80, 13545, Aix-en-Provence, France g Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE-CSIC), Avenida Nuestra Señora de la Victoria 16, 22700, Jaca Huesca, Spain ABSTRACT This paper presents the first shallow groundwater geochemical data from the Lut Desert (Dasht-e-Lut), one of the hottest places on the planet. The waters are Na–Cl + 2+ 2+ − 2− brines that have undergone extensive evaporation, but they are unlike seawater derived brines in that the K is low and the Ca >Mg and HCO3 >SO4 .In addition to evapo-concentration, the most saline samples indicate that the dissolution of previously deposited salt also acts as a major control on the geochemistry of these waters.
  • Biotechnological Potentials of Seidlitzia Rosmarinus: a Mini Review

    Biotechnological Potentials of Seidlitzia Rosmarinus: a Mini Review

    African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 8 (11), pp. 2429-2431, 3 June, 2009 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB ISSN 1684–5315 © 2009 Academic Journals Mini Review Biotechnological potentials of Seidlitzia rosmarinus: A mini review M. R. Hadi Department of Biology, Sciences and Research Branch of Fars, Islamic Azad University, Iran. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]. Accepted 30 March, 2009 Seidlitzia rosmarinus is a perennial woody plant grown mostly along the banks of salt marshes and in soils with high saline water tables. This plant being a halophyte is very well adapted to grow in dry and salt affected desert soils. It plays an important role in both soil preservation and maintenance. The leaves, stems and seeds harvested in fall are used as fodder for livestock. Ashes remaining after burning the leaves and stems make a salt which is rich in sodium carbonate and is called "Karia" or "Caria" in Iran. When dissolved in water, Karia produces a soda also called "Ghalyab". The dried leaves powder is used as detergent for washing cloths and dishes. It has also many industrial applications such as dyeing, making soaps, pottery and ceramics among others. Besides being used as fodder in dry and desert regions, its "Ghalyab" can be used in biotechnological studies. Cultivation of S. rosmarinus plants in salt affected and dry farm lands for "Ghalyab" production has economical values. Key words: Seidlitzia romarinus, biotechnology, salt tolerance, soda, forage. INTRODUCTION Seidlitzia rosmarinus is a perennial woody plant well In Iran, the areas affected by mild and moderate salinity adapted to grow along the banks of salt marshes and are about 25.5 million hectares and those severely also in saline soils (Breckle, 1986; Hedge et al., 1997).
  • Land Snails of Leicestershire and Rutland

    Land Snails of Leicestershire and Rutland

    Land Snails of Leicestershire and Rutland Introduction There are 50 known species of land snail found in Leicestershire and Rutland (VC55) which represents about half of the 100 UK species. However molluscs are an under-recorded taxon group so it is possible that more species could be found and equally possible that a few may now be extinct in our two counties. There was a 20 year period of enthusiastic mollusc recording between 1967 and 1986, principally by museum staff, which account for the majority of species. Whilst records have increased again in the last three years thanks to NatureSpot, some species have not been recorded for over 30 years. All our land snails are in the class Gastropoda and the order Pulmonata. Whilst some of these species require damp habitats and are generally found near to aquatic habitats, they are all able to survive out of water. A number of species are largely restricted to calcareous habitats so are only found at a few sites. The sizes stated refer to the largest dimension of the shell typically found in adult specimens. There is much variation in many species and juveniles will of course be smaller. Note that the images are all greater than life size and not all the to the same scale. I have tried to display them at a sufficiently large scale so that the key features are visible. Always refer to the sizes given in the text. Status refers to abundance in Leicestershire and Rutland (VC55). However molluscs are generally under- recorded so our understanding of their distribution could easily change.
  • Fauna of New Zealand Website Copy 2010, Fnz.Landcareresearch.Co.Nz

    Fauna of New Zealand Website Copy 2010, Fnz.Landcareresearch.Co.Nz

    aua o ew eaa Ko te Aiaga eeke o Aoeaoa IEEAE SYSEMAICS AISOY GOU EESEAIES O ACAE ESEAC ema acae eseac ico Agicuue & Sciece Cee P O o 9 ico ew eaa K Cosy a M-C aiièe acae eseac Mou Ae eseac Cee iae ag 917 Aucka ew eaa EESEAIE O UIESIIES M Emeso eame o Eomoogy & Aima Ecoogy PO o ico Uiesiy ew eaa EESEAIE O MUSEUMS M ama aua Eiome eame Museum o ew eaa e aa ogaewa O o 7 Weigo ew eaa EESEAIE O OESEAS ISIUIOS awece CSIO iisio o Eomoogy GO o 17 Caea Ciy AC 1 Ausaia SEIES EIO AUA O EW EAA M C ua (ecease ue 199 acae eseac Mou Ae eseac Cee iae ag 917 Aucka ew eaa Fauna of New Zealand Ko te Aitanga Pepeke o Aotearoa Number / Nama 38 Naturalised terrestrial Stylommatophora (Mousca Gasooa Gay M ake acae eseac iae ag 317 amio ew eaa 4 Maaaki Whenua Ρ Ε S S ico Caeuy ew eaa 1999 Coyig © acae eseac ew eaa 1999 o a o is wok coee y coyig may e eouce o coie i ay om o y ay meas (gaic eecoic o mecaica icuig oocoyig ecoig aig iomaio eiea sysems o oewise wiou e wie emissio o e uise Caaoguig i uicaio AKE G Μ (Gay Micae 195— auase eesia Syommaooa (Mousca Gasooa / G Μ ake — ico Caeuy Maaaki Weua ess 1999 (aua o ew eaa ISS 111-533 ; o 3 IS -7-93-5 I ie 11 Seies UC 593(931 eae o uIicaio y e seies eio (a comee y eo Cosy usig comue-ase e ocessig ayou scaig a iig a acae eseac M Ae eseac Cee iae ag 917 Aucka ew eaa Māoi summay e y aco uaau Cosuas Weigo uise y Maaaki Weua ess acae eseac O o ico Caeuy Wesie //wwwmwessco/ ie y G i Weigo o coe eoceas eicuaum (ue a eigo oaa (owe (IIusao G M ake oucio o e coou Iaes was ue y e ew eaIa oey oa ue oeies eseac