Case Study desertification: Badia, Jordon

Question 1

what is a Badia

Answer 1

• a vast stony desert region in Eastern Jordan which is sparsely population
• most people there are farmers with herd animals such as sheep. goats, and camels
• rainfall is less that 150mm
• temperature can be over 40 degrees in the summer and below freezing in the winter

Question 2

what has caused desertification in the Badia?

Answer 2

• sparsely vegetated with trees, shrubs, and grasses
• able to be grazed sustainably for 100 years
• following the Guld War in 1991 large numbers of sheep were bought cheaply from Iraq
• the hundreds of sheep grazed on the Rangelands
• overgrazing caused the land to become decertified and unproductive
• grazing pastures was abandoned and the farmers migrated to the capital, Amman

Question 3

what has been done to address the problem of desertification?

Answer 3

• Tal Rimah Rangeland Rehabilitation Project
  > with support from USAID charity and US Forestry Service
• stone walls were constructed to control and retain water
  > water harvesting
• water is diverted along the contours into shallow ditches where drought tolerant shrubs like Atriplex have been planted

Question 4

how are the plants suited for the hostile conditions of Jordan?

Answer 4

• grow quicky into shrubs to provide grazing for the animals
• provide fuel for firewood
• roots help hold the soil together
  > prevent nutrient leaching
• encourage greater species diversity by offering a number of different habitats for birds, insects and small animals

Question 5

how successful has the project of decreasing desertification been?

Answer 5

• between 2004-2008 the number of plant and animal species have increased from 21 to 54
• the flowered plants have attracted butterflies and other insects
• birds are nesting at base of shrubs
• animals and reptiles are returning to the area
• farmers are once again able to make a living from the land
• local economy benefits and rural depopulation slows down