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Post-War Conservation
War diverted Jordan from conservation for more than a decade.
During the 1970s, however, Jordan's biological resources were
again surveyed, this time by John Clarke working under the
auspices of the International Union for the Conservation of
Nature/World Conservation Organization (IUCN/WCO).
His 1979 report identified both potential
areas for protection as well as a general outline of
priorities for action, and it constitutes official policy to
this day (Clarke, 1979, Table 1
 ,
Map 1
).
Clark’s priorities were determined by perceived risk to each
area and the potential for maximum conservation at minimum
effort and costs. The descending order of priority was Azraq
Wetland, Shaumari, Zubia, Mujib, Burqu, Rajil, Dana, Jabel
Masadi, Rum, Abu Rukbah, Bayir and Jarba.
The RSCN has stayed close to these
priorities but not slavishly. The Azraq Wetland has remained a
high priority, while Shaumari, Zubia and Mujib are under RSCN
management. Burqu and Rajil are both so far removed
geographically from development threat and tourist interest
that they have not merited action. Burqu is, however, is a
proposed Biosphere Reserve and Rajil is a likely site for wild
release of Arabian oryx presently being bred at Shaumari. Dana
and Rum took priority by virtue of opportunity, proximity to
the tourist market and social issues well beyond ecological
considerations. Several areas are no longer
realistic candidates for protected area status. Most notable
among these is Abu Rukbah just east and north of our excavation
site, Mudaybic’, where there are significant deposits of oil
shale.
Test drilling, there has been completed and
production has begun. Also affecting the excavation site and
development on the Karak Plauteau, wadi Mujib will be dammed
at its mouth, creating a modest reservoir in its lower
elevations. This, combined with a similar project at Wadi el-Hesa
on the south side of the Karak Plateau, will effectively
convert the Karak Plateau into an isolated island. Island
biogeographical theory predicts that this will accelerate
rates of extinction for Mediterranean species or make their
re-introduction more difficult on the Karak Plateau.
 Clarke’s
list reflects an emphasis on big game and Jordan has
accomplished much in this arena. It has established a herd of
more than 200 Arabian oryx at Shaumari, traded animals with
Syria, and plans to release oryx at Wadi Rajil, an area almost
inaccessible by motor vehicle. From Rajil straying animals
would likely drift into Saudi Arabia, which has effective game
protection programs. At Shaumari, experiments with breeding
and re-introduction of ostrich are underway, while a herd of
Nubian ibex has been established at Wadi Mujib and release
experiments are underway. [Photo
1
&
Photo 2
]
Clarke’s list, however, needs to be reconsidered with the
objective of protecting Jordan’s biological diversity, most
notably its vegetation and smaller creatures. Realizing this,
the RSCN has initiated, under the auspices of the IUCN, a new
inventory of Jordan’s biological resources.
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