DIVERSITY STUDY OF CEREAL PLANT SPECIES AT AJLOUN ECOSYSTEM IN JORDAN

摘要

Jordan comprises a sizable part of the Near East area. The global importance of Jordan's biodiversity lies within its geographical location, climatological and geological formations. Jordan is located at the crossroads of three continents, it has been the bridge for extensive exchange of cultural and natural resources. Nestled, so to speak, between Europe, Asia and Africa, Jordan has a biogeography comprised of four distinct biogeographic zones: Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Afro-subtropical and Saharo-Arabian. Many of globally important species are under threat in Jordan due to extensive utilization and urbanization. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the level and reasons behind degradation in these species. To complete this study, three sites had been selected in each ecosystem (Ajloun & Muwaqqar). This paper only presented the results of Ajloun ecosystem. In April 2000, a representative field samples were taken from each site by using transects and quadrates method. Six transects 50 m long each were made randomly to cover the target site without any crossing between them. A quadrate (0.25 m~2) was taken each 10 m alternatively on the right and left sides of each transect. Data were recorded, pooled to compute using M.S. excel computer software. Diversity Indexes, species importance value was calculated. The results showed that 50% of the area is covered by 3 species only which means that this area is highly degraded especially Baoun site. Therefore, substantial national, regional, and international efforts have to be directed towards conserving and sustainably utilizing this ecosystem especially that many globally important agricultural plant species are under threat in these two systems such as wheat, barley, food and forage legumes. In addition to that, Jordan is representing the biodiversity of drylands and any successful developmental program can be easily adopted in any country of the world which has the same environmental conditions and ecosystems.