Jordan - Overview

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Due to Jordan’s varied terrain, it is host to diverse ecosystems. From its four major ecosystems— desert, scarp and highland, sub-tropical, and freshwater—can be classified several sub-ecosystems, many of which are unique to Jordan, like that of the Dead Sea Basin (which is the lowest point on Earth) or the Harrat and Hammada deserts... More »

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Threats to biodiversity in Jordan are largely induced by anthropogenic activities. These include intensive agricultural practices, use of agrochemicals, over-grazing, excessive hunting, unplanned development, urbanization, and pollution... More »

Implementation of the NBSAP

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Jordan first published its National Environment Strategy (NES) in 1991, the first of its kind in the Middle East. Following that, after the ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Jordan’s NBSAP (2003) focused on five strategic goals: 1) conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and productivity of ecosystems through in situ conservation 2) promoting understanding of ecosystems and need for conservation 3) conservation of basic natural resources like soil, water, plant cover and climate 4) development of supporting incentives and legislation for conservation and sustainable use, and 5) cooperation and benefit-sharing of genetic resources with other countries... More »

Actions taken to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

A network of 18 protected areas was identified and proposed, targeting a 15% cover of Jordan’s total area by 2017; 8 are now operating and 4 are under establishment... More »

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building, coordination, mainstreaming, etc.)

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Jordan’s Ministry of Environment recently underwent comprehensive reform, and can now be considered as representing best practice in Jordan in terms of strengthening public administration... More »

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

To facilitate monitoring and coordinate activities among the police department, the RSCN and the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, the “environmental police” system was established in 2006... More »