Desertification in Jordan comes mostly from the mismanagement of land. The main causes are illegal logging, irrational plowing, and the cultivating of land. To a lesser extent some of the causes include high rainfall, forest cutting, inappropriate land use, random urbanization, land fragmentation, and the over-pumping of groundwater. There has also been an increase in population with a similar rise in construction which also impacts the land. All of these causes with the exception of high rainfall are the fault of humans.
Naturally, 92% of the country’s area is desert leaving only 8% suitable for agriculture. It has been said that unless some serious measures are taken 1% of the suitable land is expected to disappear within the next few years.
Some actions have been taken to improve the current situation of desertification in Jordan. The Ministry of Environment developed a strategy in 2006 in which seventeen different projects were to be carried out to help. Unfortunately, the projects to improve the ecological situation is being impeded by a lack of funding.
Works Citied
Namrouqa, Hana. "Kingdom's Green Covers Still Threatened by Desertification." Jordan Times. Gale Group , 18 June 2008. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=8693.
"Causes of Desertification in Jordan ." Arab Enviromental Watch. N.p., 24 July 2006. Web. 21 Oct. 2010.
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