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Helping Nature * Research for Conservation

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature established its Research and Survey Section (RSS) in 1994 to carry out ecological field research, in conjunction with the establishment of Dana Nature Reserve. At this time, there was need for a team capable of performing the necessary baseline surveys and providing the raw data needed to build up a management plan based on a scientific foundation.

Initially, the team was made up of a group of Italian researchers working in Dana Reserve while training a small number of Jordanian researchers. RSCN focused on building the capacity of its researchers through continuous training, to avoid remaining dependent on foreign expertise in planning and other fields.

RSCN now possesses a core of well-trained researchers capable of performing all of the necessary stages of a Baseline, starting by planning for a survey, performing, analyzing, report writing, and becoming part of a Management Plan preparation team.

The duties and responsibilities of the section are to collect, review, and analyze the scientific and technical information needed to plan conservation management strategies and actions. Two of its main objectives are:

  • To maintain viable populations of known endangered species in their native habitats. 
  • Continue studies on the status and distribution of Jordan biodiversity as the basis for conservation strategies development and management
Outputs

Through the field research carried out by the RSS, the following outputs are produced:

  • Baseline Surveys. Results of the baseline surveys on flora and fauna are provided in the form of reports. The reports contain descriptions of the study area, objectives of the study, methods, results (including all the field findings), discussion, and recommendations for conservation and management. 
  • Monitoring Surveys. For reserves which are already well-established, ongoing monitoring of certain components of the ecosystem takes place. Reports are produced on these monitoring surveys that include the same types of information as the baseline surveys. Bird ringing (Link to Bird Ringing Page) is one such monitoring program that is implemented in Azraq Wetland Reserve.
  • Maps. Specialized maps are compiled to accompany field research reports. These maps can show numerous details about the reserves, such as the vegetation communities or the locations of sampling sites.
  • Checklists. These are produced to cover the fauna and flora of Jordan.
  • Provision of Information Part for Reserves Management Plans. Each reserve has a management plan based on the ecology of the particular reserve and the needs for effective wildlife conservation. These are updated periodically based on the results of ongoing field surveys.

The RSCN is the main beneficiary of these outputs. The information is used to improve the conservation of Jordan’s wildlife, especially in the reserves. A copy of each report is also submitted to the National Library of Jordan, which enables them to be copyrighted. Some of the information is used by non-governmental organizations, as well as university students and researchers.


Baseline Surveys

The objectives for a comprehensive baseline assessment in any new reserve are:

  1. Identify vegetation structure and distribution of species. 
  2. Assess the ecological and conservation status of mammalian, reptilian, amphibian, and bird species inhabiting the area. 
  3. Produce distribution maps for the faunal and floral species existing in the study area. 
  4. Identify rare and endangered species. 
  5. Identify key habitats and species. 
  6. Identify indicator species of fauna and flora. 
  7. Identify threats on the wildlife of the area and recommend appropriate conservation measures. 
  8. Produce a conservation-oriented land use plan. 
  9. Develop a zoning scheme of the site and type of activities within each zone. 
  10. Identify existing social networks and potential services, programs and socio-economic projects to the local community. 
  11. Develop an integrated forest management plan (if a forest exists).
  12. Provide training for the research staff and the site ecologist and manager.

Biodiversity in Jordan Database

The Research and Survey Section has established and compiled a national database entitled Biodiversity in Jordan. This database includes around 425 bird species, 96 reptilian and amphibian species and nearly 80 mammal species, in addition to 2380 plant species recorded in the country, with detailed descriptions of each species, such as its taxonomy, habitat, as well as the date and location where it was recorded.

The main objective of this project is to collect existing information on the national status of the species in Jordan and have it easily accessible in one place. It is also continuously updated, with geographic coordinates and dates where individuals of rare species were observed by members of RSCN’s field research team. The National Waterbird Census (Link to NWC page) is the main source for updating information on waterbirds in Jordan.

Most of the data for each species is collected through desktop research. Books, reports, and national and international publications are used to establish the base data. The CITES checklists and the IUCN Red Data Book are used to identify the global status of each species. A special data sheet is filled in to enable quick data entry into the database. For fauna, all of Jordan’s mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians are included, while for flora the database covers the flowering plants. Invertebrates and marine wildlife may be added in the future.

The database basically consists of a page for each species that is composed of a number of “index cards” covering a range of information. The index cards differ slightly between flora and fauna, but much of the information is the same. The following list describes the content of each of the index cards that is completed for each species:

Identification. The taxonomic description of a species to the sub species level, as well as its common name both in English and Arabic. 

Description. The main characteristics of the species, including the general shape, color, and the body measurements. 

Scientific Synonyms. This is only included on a separate index card for flora, because it is included elsewhere for fauna.

Life History Traits. For fauna, this includes the breeding season, number of offspring, and gestation or incubation period. For flora, this lists the details on flowering time, fruit formation, pollination, and whether it is annual, biennial, or perennial.

Trophic Relations. For fauna only. Categorizes the trophic level and lists the food sources and predators of the species.

Behavior. For flora only. Describes the behavioral traits of the species, including whether it is solitary or lives in groups, its feeding behavior, its mating behavior, and so on.

Habit/Uses/Origin. For flora only. The species is identified as a tree, shrub, grass, etc; its uses are listed, such as medicinal, fuel, ornamental, etc; it is identified as either indigenous or introduced.

Habitat. Description of the habitat that the species lives in and the bioclimatic sub-region where it is found in Jordan.

Vegetation types. The vegetation types where the species is found in Jordan.

Findings. For flora only. The global range and zoogeographical range of the species are listed.

Zoogeographic Origin. For fauna only. Species are identified as originating in the Palaearctic.

Geographical Distribution. For fauna only. The distribution of the species is described for both the Jordan and the global range.

CITES. The status of a species according to the lists of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Similar species and the scientific synonyms are also identified here to prevent confusion between species.

IUCN Red Data Book. The species according to the classification of the IUCN Red Data Book.

Hunting Information. For fauna only. If hunting of the species is permitted in Jordan, it indicates the dates, locations, and catches permitted.

International Treaties/ Conventions. It lists international agreements to which Jordan is a signatory which protect the species.

National Conventions. It lists the national conventions in Jordan which protect the species.

References. It lists the references used to provide the data.

Species Killed. For fauna only. It lists the dates, locations, and number of individuals that have been reported or observed killed.

Species Observed. For fauna only. It lists the dates, locations, and number of individuals that have been observed by the RSS.

Picture. A diagram, photograph, or range map of the species can be inserted here.