Jordan
Location Middle East. It is bound by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south as well as Israel to the west.
National websites Ministries of Jordan
General Intelligence Directorate
National Information System
Department of Statistics
Natural Resources Authority
Embassy / Chancery in U.S. 3504 International Drive, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 966 2664
Fax: (202) 966 3110
Agencies responsible for biological inventory and conservation Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature
P.O. Box 6354, Amman, Jordan
Telex 21456
Fax 628258

Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Environment
P.O. Box 1799, Amman, Jordan
Fax: 464 0404
Telephone: 464 1393

Major Natural Resources Phosphate, Potash, Shale oil
Jordan has very limited Natural Resources. The Dead Sea contains the main source of Phosphate and potash. These are Jordan's primary export. There is some wood export however not much. 
Major Environmental and Conservation Issues Water Shortage
Jordan has one of the highest popullation growth rates in the world. But the water supply is not sufficient. Many Programs are underway to help deal with the water problem, treated wastewater for irrigation, fee-based operation of water and wastewater facilities and other conserving programs. 
Statistics Information Sources
Land area 89,213 sq. km
Area of forest 922 sq. km CIA World Factbook
Area of wetlands Verry Little, Restoration Projects are underway
Area of territorial waters 329 sq. km
Population 4,561,000 U.S. Census Bureau
Population Density 37 people per sq. km A Calculator
Area protected (ha) (only areas >1000ha) at all IUCN levels 290,300 ha World Conservation Monitoring Centre
Fraction of land area protected (%) 3.02 % World Conservation Monitoring Centre
Major Protected Areas
National Park 
Dibbeen -- V -- 1968
Petra -- V -- 1968
Wadi Rum -- V -- 1965 
Reserve 
Azraq Desert -- IV -- 1987 
Wetland Reserve 
Azraq -- Ia -- 1977 
Wildlife Reserve 
Dana -- IV -- 1989
Mujib -- IV -- 1985
Shaumari -- IV -- 1975
Zoubia -- IV -- 1988 
World Conservation Monitoring Centre - Protected Areaa
Endemic Species
Mammals 0
Birds 0
Reptiles 0
Amphibians 0
Fish 0
Invertebrates 0
Plants 0
Endangered, Threatened and Vulnerable Species
Mammals 7
Birds 4
Reptiles 1
Amphibians 0
Fish 0
Invertebrates 3
Plants 9
World Conservation Monitoring Centre - Animal

World Conservation Monitoring Centre - Plants

Extinct Species
Mammals 5
Birds 2
Reptiles 0
Amphibians 0
Fish 0
Invertebrates 0
Plants 0
World Conservation Monitoring Centre - Animal

World Conservation Monitoring Centre - Plants

Species listed on CITES Appendix I 16
Species listed on CITES Appendix II 59
Legislation
Laws protecting endangered or threatened species
Laws protecting endangered ecosystems The Law of Protection of the Environment No. (12), 1995 gives a special care for the issue of conserving and protecting wetlands in Jordan.
Signatory to CITES 14 / 12 / 78 (December 14, 1978)
Signatory to Ramsar Wetlands Convention 10 / 05 / 77 (May 10, 1977)
Signatory to Convention on Biological Diversity 12 / 11 / 93 (November 12, 1993)
Signatory to Migratory Bird Treaty Never Signed
Member of International Whaling Commission Never Signed
Signatory to other international treaties designed to protect or manage biological resources Statutes of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

International Plant Protection Convention

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil ,1954, as amended in 1962 and 1969

Agreement for the Establishment of a Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Near East 

Agreement for the Establishment for Arab Centre for the Studies of Dry and Barren Land 

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat 

Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships ( MARPOL )

Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and of the Gulf of Aden Environment

Protocol concerning Regional Co-operation in Combating Pollution by Oil and other Harmful Substance in Cases of Emergency

Protocol to amend the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat

Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds
 

Natural Resource Use Information Sources
Fisheries 60,000 metric tons, Freashwater
2 tonnes, Seawater 
World Resources Institute
Forestry 12,000 cubic meters Roundwood production  World Resources Institute
Ecotourism Jordan has joined with Israel to market regional itineraries through the American Society of Tour and Travel Agents
Trade in wildlife products Almost none
Hunting Very little
Other uses of natural resources
Human Impacts on Natural Resources Information Sources
Air pollution Industrial
Water pollution Oil Spills
Industrial wastewater
untreated human waste
USAID Congressional Presentation

WATER SCARCITY IN THE JORDAN RIVER BASIN

Development activities A master plan for wastewater services through the year 2025 for the greater Amman metropolitan area is under development
Introduced species
Legislation addressing these issues The Law of Protection of the Environment No. (12), 1995 

ISRAEL-JORDAN PEACE TREATY - ANNEX IV

International Environmental Agreements

National Report of Jordan for COP7, 1999
Restoration and Reintroduction Information Sources
Programs for restoration of damaged habitat Azraq Oasis Conservation project during the period 1994-1997
Programs for ex situ conservation (captive breeding and reintroduction) of endangered species Succesful programs for Arabian Oryx, Gazelle, and Ibex
Return to Endangered Species Protection around the World

Page compiled by Will Kitto as part of a class project in h90 "The Science of Biodiversity and Conservation" (Peter J. Bryant, Instructor), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA