Download Naur Report 1 - The University of Jordan

Ecology
Dr. Saeed Damhoureyeh
Trip report
Naur Adasseyah Dead Sea
Done by:
Asmaa Wazzan
Hiba Abdel Aal
Natalie Abdo
Laial Faraheed
Amal Trooddi
An Overview of Jordan
Since ancient history, Jordan was a birthplace for
several civilizations, and was inhabited by human
settlements all through the years. It was the pathway
for caravans traversing Arabia and India and
received caravans coming from Yemen and Hijaz.
Although Jordan's size is limited (90,000 km2), the
landscape reveals great diversity within short
distances. As a Middle Eastern country, Jordan is
located between 29° 11' N and 33° 22' E. It is
bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, and
Saudi Arabia on both eastern and southern borders,
and Palestine to the west.
Topography
 Three main physiographic regions are identified;
they tend to show north-south alignment.
1. Jordan Rift valley and Wadi Araba
The rift valley extends from Lake Tiberias in the
north down to the Gulf of Aqaba in the south. In
terms of biogeography, the Rift Valley, which also
comprises Wadi Araba, is of the Sudanian type in
terms of vegetation features. Zoo geographically, the
Rift Valley has a distinctive highlight, since it
comprises the eastern limits of the Levantine land
bridge, which acts as a filter for three main global
biogeography regions, namely: the Pale arctic, the
Ethiopian, and the Oriental. For that reason it acts
as a junction for tremendously important
biodiversity traits. The area is the lowest point on
earth, reaching 396 m below sea level.
Wadi Araba extends from the south end of the Dead
Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba on the red sea. It is
considered a part of the Great Rift Valley with an
outstanding zoogeographical importance because of
its position at the focal point of the biological filter
between Pale arctic, Ethiopian and Oriental regions.
The elevation of Wadi Araba ranges between 300
meters below sea level and 200 meters with a length
of about 190 km. The mean maximum temperature
during summer is 39° C, and the mean minimum
temperature in winter is 11° C. The annual rainfall
ranges from 0-50mm, and rarely more precipitation
occurs. The soils are of sandy nature mainly, with
sands dunes of comparatively rich vegetation, in
addition to Hammada and saline soil.
In southern Jordan, the desert continues from the
northwest of Saudi Arabia. Ecologically it is included
with Wadi Araba since there's high similarity
between them in terms of topography, soil types,
annual rainfall and other environmental factors.
The ground water basins are divided into three areas
as follows:
1. Northern Wadi Araba: Ground Water here found
in fluviatile deposits, talus and alluvial fans
with a total thickness of about 250m. All the
ground water in this Area discharge into the
Dead Sea. The amount of renewable freshwater
resources amount to 8-10 mcm/year.
2. Southern Wadi Araba: The ground water flow is
directed from the north to the Red Sea in the
south with recharge coming from precipitation
falling in the surrounding mountains in the
east. The throughput of aquifer is calculated to
be around 10 mcm/year composed of brackish
water.
3. Disi Basin: This aquifer system originates in the
south of Jordan and extends to Saudi Arabia. It
is characterized by very high quality water
which holds appreciated economic potential, in
spite of the fact that is considered as a nonrenewable water resource. The aquifer is
situated in an Area of low population density
and no industry, which will culminate in
protection of water from pollution in the long
run. This is crucial because this aquifer is the
only strategic water reserve in the country. In
addition to ground water, Wadi Araba exhibits
two important areas in terms of surface water:
the northern wadi catchments which discharge
to the Dead Sea and the southern wadi
catchments which discharge to the Gulf of
Aqaba.
The Jordan Rift Valley is part of the Syro-African
Rift. It is regarded as a passageway between
Eurasia and African fauna, and the gateway for
northward ad southward dispersal.
2. The Highlands
The highlands extend from Um Qais in the north
passing through Ajlun Mountains, the hills of
Ammon and Moab regions, and the Edom
Mountains region.
Many creeks and wadies drain from these Hills
from north to south and lead to the Jordan River,
Dead Sea and Wadi Araba.
The southern Highlands are higher than those in
the north, while the reverse is true concerning the
variety of vegetation and their density.
The highlands harbor the natural forests in the
Kingdom, making up less than 1% of the total
surface area. The mismanagement of this
environmental resource is noticeable year after
year.
3. Badia Region "Eastern Desert"
Badia comprises the Eastern Plateau of Jordan. It is
considered as a flattened area subjected to flash
floods. Badia contains the Azraq depression, the
second after Jafar depression in the southeast of the
country. The Azraq depression formed a permanent
Azraq Oasis, currently named as w wetland reserve.
(JCSBD, P.71-73)
Climate
 Rainfall and Temperature
The major characteristic of the climate is the
contrast between a relatively rainy season from
November to April and very dry weather for the rest
of the year. With hot, dry, uniform summers and
cool, variable winters during which practically all of
the precipitation occurs, the country has a
Mediterranean-style climate. In general, the farther
inland from the Mediterranean Sea a given part of
the country lies, the greater are the seasonal
contrasts in temperature and the less rainfall.
Atmospheric pressures during the summer months
are relatively uniform, whereas the winter months
bring a succession of marked low pressure areas
and accompanying cold fronts. These cyclonic
disturbances generally move eastward from over the
Mediterranean Sea several times a month and result
in sporadic precipitation.
Most of the East Bank receives less than twelve
centimeters of rain a year and may be classified as a
dry desert or steppe region. Where the ground rises
to form the highlands east of the Jordan Valley,
precipitation increases to around thirty centimeters
in the south and fifty or more centimeters in the
north. The Jordan Valley, lying in the lee of high
ground on the West Bank, forms a narrow climatic
zone that annually receives up to thirty centimeters
of rain in the northern reaches; rain dwindles to less
than twelve centimeters at the head of the Dead Sea.
The country's long summer reaches a peak during
August. January is usually the coolest month. The
fairly wide ranges of temperature during a twentyfour-hour period are greatest during the summer
months and have a tendency to increase with higher
elevation and distance from the Mediterranean
seacoast.
Daytime temperatures during the summer months
frequently exceed 36°C and average about 32°C. In
contrast, the winter months--November to April-bring moderately cool and sometimes cold weather,
averaging about 13°C. Except in the rift depression,
frost is fairly common during the winter, and it
occasionally snows in Amman.
For a month or so before and after the summer dry
season, hot, dry air from the desert, drawn by low
pressure, produces strong winds from the south or
southeast that sometimes reach gale force.
Known in the Middle East by various names,
including the khamsin, this dry, sirocco-style wind
is usually accompanied by great dust clouds. Its
onset is heralded by a hazy sky, a falling barometer,
and a drop in relative humidity to about 10 percent.
Within a few hours there may be a 10°C to 15°C rise
in temperature. These windstorms ordinarily last a
day or so, cause much discomfort, and destroy crops
by desiccating them.
The shammal, another wind of some significance,
comes from the north or northwest, generally at
intervals between June and September. Remarkably
steady during daytime hours but becoming a breeze
at night, the shammal may blow for as long as nine
days out of ten and then repeat the process.
It originates as a dry continental mass of polar air
that is warmed as it passes over the Eurasian
landmass. The dryness allows intense heating of the
earth's surface by the sun, resulting in high daytime
temperatures that moderate after sunset.
Soil
There is no doubt about the importance of the
edaphic factors, especially the soil type and the soil
texture in relation to vegetation type and the
association texture on the different soils.
The Mediterranean ecozone is characterized by the
type of soil known as terra Rosa and/or rendzina
soil. These two types are the richest and are used for
cultivation, and the dense and best vegetation found
in Jordan usually grows on such soil types. In the
Irano-Turanian ecozone, the dominant soil type is
comprised of loess and calcareous types. (JCSBD,
p.73)
The soils in Jordan were studied and classified by
several workers. There are differences in methods of
classification of the soil according to the different
schools and methods used in this field; MOORMANN
(1959), ZOHARY (1962), NEDECO-DAR ALHANDASAH (1969), HARRIS (1971) AND BENDER
(1975).
However, the soils in Jordan do not show mature
profile except in some places of the Mediterranean
region and under the forest vegetation, where the
best profile is found. It is made of horizons A&C,
with some litter and organic matter on the floor of
the forest. Other than that the soil is only
represented by C horizon or even just the parental
rock and that is mainly due to poor vegetation and
continuous erosion.
The soils in Jordan often show enormous variation
within a very limited area, which in turn affect the
vegetation accordingly.
The most fertile soil types in Jordan are the Terra
Rossa and the Rendzina Series or what is equal to
the Red and Yellow Mediterranean soil, which are
used for cultivation and support the best natural
vegetation in the country.
These types of soil usually occur under the
maximum amount of rainfall and the least mean
annual minimum and maximum temperatures.
The loess and calcareous are dominant in the IranoTuranian region, while the sandy, the saline, and
the hammada soils are dominant in the desert
region. These soil types are considered to be poor
and well correlated with poor vegetation and with a
low amount of precipitation and high
temperature.(Al-Eisawi, p.24&27)
The desert soil is primarily composed of limestone
with flints scattered all over, or covered by a basalt
pebble and boulder that resulted from volcanic out
crossings centered on Jabal Druze. The soil of the
Southern desert is primarily composed of sand,
granite stones and sand dunes. The soil of Wadi
Araba is mainly alluvial sand and gravel carried by
flash floods in the surrounding highlands. Hence,
wadies ending in Wadi Araba build up wide alluvial
fans. In the southern region of Wadi Araba there are
Qa’a, granite rocks and sand dunes. Qa’a that are
found in the Eastern desert and Wadi Araba, are
formed where a single basin receives water and silt
drained by wadies from the surroundings region.
These Qa’as are deprived from both flora and fauna.
Biogeography of Jordan
Several authors divided Jordan into different
bioclimatic or biogeographical regions (Kasapligil,
1956; Long, 1957; Zohary, 1962; Poore and
Robertson, 1964; Bekok, 1971; Madany, 1978 and
Al-Eisawi, 1985). The whole of Jordan forms a
Mediterranean region and it's characterized by the
Eastern Mediterranean climate, which has a mild
and moderately rainy winter and a hot rainless
summer. However, spring and autumn do not have
specific entity. Al-Eisawi (1985) indicated the
presence of nine bioclimatic subdivisions in Jordan.
 Mediterranean
This region is restricted to the highlands of
Jordan extending from Irbid in the north to
Ras-Naqp in the south. The altitude ranges from
700-1750 m above sea level. The rainfall ranges
from 300-600 mm. The minimal annual
temperature ranges from 5-10° C and the mean
maximal annual temperature from 15-20° C.
Soil Type is (Terra Rosa) and the yellow
Mediterranean soil (Rendzina). This region
comprises the most fertile part of Jordan and
presents the best climate for the Forest
ecosystem.
 Irano-Turanian
It is phytogeographically a narrow strip of
variable width that surrounds Mediterranean
ecozone except at the north. It is characterized
by being a timberless land since it has no forest
cover. The vegetation is mainly of small shrubs
and bushes
i.e.: Anabsis syriaca, Artemisia herba-alba.
The Irano-Turanian region is indistinguishable
zoogeographically from other bioclimatic ecozones.
In Jordan it is a transitional zone between the
Mediterranean ecozone and the surrounding
ecozones. This ecozone does not have its own entity
since it does not posses specific fauna as other
ecozones in Jordan. None of the species is restricted
to this region, and all the species found here
originally came from the surrounding ecozones.
Moreover, the width of this region varies from year to
year in relation to the amount of rain. Saint Girons
(1982) indicated that zoogeographically the IranoTuranian zone in Palestine is of disputed validity.
Altitudes usually range from 500-700 m, and rainfall
ranges from 150-300 mm. The mean minimal
annual temperature ranges from 5-2° C and the
mean maximal annual temperature from 15-25° C.
Soil is mostly calcareous or transported by wind.
Vegetation is mostly dominated by chamaephytes.
 Eastern Desert or “ Badia ”
Some authors refer to it as Saharo-Arabian
ecozone. This ecozone forms most of the territory of
Jordan.
The annual rainfall in the northern part is
around 100 mm. The soil is very poor which results
in poor vegetation, and most of the vegetation cover
is in the wadies (Al-Eisawi, 1985). In the southern
part the annual rainfall is around 50mm, and the
similarity in soil types, climatic conditions and the
fauna with Wadi Araba is well noted. Ecologically
these two regions in addition to the southern Edom
Mountains are grouped together.
Azraq Oasis and Shaumari Wildlife reserve are
part of the Eastern Desert. Both area form a center
for migratory birds and have several Mediterranean
species. Natrix tessellata, Malpolon mospessulanus
and Chamaeleo chameleons. Also, this indicated that
the Irano-Turanian ecozone is passageway between
the Mediterranean ecozone and the surrounding
zones.
Arnd (1987) indicated that the oases in Saudi
Arabia have mesic species which we relict of
populations and were widespread during the pluvial
phases of the Quaternary.
the Arabic term for northeastern desert is “ Badia ”
which is a more appropriate term than desert,
because it is capable of supporting vegetation and
animal life, and that the limiting factor here is
rainfall.
This region comprises the largest part of Jordan
encompassing almost 80% of the total area. It is
characterized as flat, except for few hills or small
mountains, the result of volcanic eruptions.
Altitude ranges between 500-700 m, yet there are
recorded few places on the northeastern borders of
Jordan which reach 1,200 m.
The mean annual rainfall ranges from 50-200 mm,
mean annual minimal temperature ranges from 515° C and the mean annual maximum temperature
ranges from 15-2° C. Soil is mostly poor of either
clay, Hammada, saline, sandy or calcareous.
Vegetation is dominated by small shrubs and small
annuals located in wadi beds.
 Sudanian
Some authors refer to this region as the “subtropical” or “ Afro-tropical ” region. It starts at AlKaramah in the north and continues to the south
the Dead Sea depression and Wadi Araba, which end
at the tip of the Gulf of Aqaba. Moreover, this
ecozone includes the southern Jordan and southern
Edom Mountains. The vegetation is related to
tropical varieties such as Acacia SP. (Al-Eisawi,
1985). The ecological pyramids and climatic
conditions in the northern Jordan Valley “ Ghor” are
different from those of southern Ghor and Wadi
Araba. So, northern Ghor is considered part of the
Mediterranean ecozone.
The most important characteristic of this region is
its altitude, considered the lowest point on earth (396 m below sea level), providing a unique
environment and thus a unique ecosystem.
Rainfall ranges from 50-100 mm, the mean
annual minimal temperature ranges from (10-20° C)
and the mean annual maximal temperature ranges
from (20-35° C).
Soil is mostly alluvial transported by water,
saline soil, sandy and granite. The only inland sand
dunes in Jordan are restricted to this region.
Vegetation is characterized by having tropical sea
element such as Ziziphus spina-christi in addition to
some shrubs and annual herbs.
The borders of the four ecozones aren’t stable
and aren’t well defined because of the integration of
ecological elements between the two adjacent
ecozones. Moreover, the climatic conditions vary
considerably from year to year which affect the
stability of defining borders. (JCSBD, p.74-77)
The visited areas are:
 Naur
 Adasseyah
 Dead Sea
Dead Sea
Deep in the Jordan Valley and 55 km southeast
of Amman, is the Dead Sea, one of the most
spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the
whole world. It is the lowest body of water on earth,
the lowest point on earth, and the world's richest
source of natural salts, hiding wonderful treasures
that accumulated throughout thousands of years.
To reach this unique spot, the visitor enjoys a short
30 minutes drive from Amman, surrounded by a
landscape and arid hills, which could be from
another planet. En route a stone marker indicates
"Sea Level", but the Dead Sea itself is not reached
before descending another 400 meters below this
sign. (Atlas tours)
It belongs to the Sudanian region, and has a
subtropical climate.
Ecological boundaries:
The Dead Sea lies in the heart of the Jordan Rift
Valley. The ecological boundaries of the Basin can
extend to include that totality of the ecosystems in
and around the Jordan Rift Valley including all the
tributaries of the Jordan River and the most
southerly extensions of Wadi Araba.
The ecological boundaries are to include the areas
stretching from the Eastern mountains facing the
Sea to the area of Jericho to the north and
Jerusalem and Hebron mountains to the west to the
middle part of Wadi Araba to the south. Within these
geographic boundaries, the identified area is over
120 Km long and 20 Km wide (in average), making a
total area of about 2400 Km2. (Ghaith H Fariz)
As its name evokes, the Dead Sea is devoid of life
due to an extremely high content of salts and
minerals which gives its waters the renowned
curative powers, therapeutic qualities, and its
buoyancy, recognized since the days of Herod the
Great, more than 2000 years ago.
A unique combination of several factors makes Dead
Sea's total attraction: the chemical composition of its
water, the filtered sunrays and oxygen-rich air, the
mineral-rich black mud along the shoreline, and the
adjacent fresh water and thermal mineral springs.
The Dead Sea Basis (DSB) contains a variety of
unique ecosystems that are not found in any other
part of the world. Located in the lowest point on
earth, the Dead Sea itself is a singular ecosystem
that contains the most saline natural water body on
earth with very unique forms of life.
Stretching out from the seashores in all directions, a
series of unique ecosystems are identified. While
semi-tropical marshland, mudflat and wetlands'
ecosystems are identified on the northern and
southern tips of the Dead Sea;
desert and arid ecosystems are identified in the
west and north-western areas of the DSB. River and
Wadi ecosystems surround the Dead Sea and are
adjacent to rocky -mountainous ecosystems that
contain a variety of globally unique flora and fauna.
In spite of all of this uniqueness and rich diversity,
Dead Sea's ecological and environmental status are
being degraded and seriously threatened. The
alarming rates of drop of the sea level and the
shrinking of the sea itself are among the most visible
forms of this degradation.
Misuse, abuse, and overuse of the natural resources
in the Basin itself, as well as in the surrounding
support systems -with the water system of the
Jordan River Basin on top-, are the major causes of
this catastrophic ecological and environmental
deterioration. Continuous expansions in water and
irrigation projects, increased industrial and mining
activities, and flourishing tourism are among the
most direct threats to the totality of the Dead Sea
ecosystem. The Dead Sea ecology and environment
is in danger! (Atlas tours)
Environmental subdivisions:
Eight environmental Subdivisions are defined
within the Dead Sea Basin as follows:
Dead Sea, Western Shore Piedmont, Western Shore
Walls, Eastern Shore and Walls, Lisan Peninsula,
Dead Sea Chemical Works, The southern Ghors, The
Melehat Sedom.
The Dead Sea is not "DEAD"
As early as 1936, it was proven that the Dead Sea is
not completely abiotic i. e. "dead". (Elazari, Volcani 1936). Since then, a number of halophitic and
halotolerant microorganisms have been isolated
from the Dead Sea. Two communities have been
observed which are Dunaiiella parva, an alga, and;
Sulfur isotope gave evidence (Gavrieli and Bein,
1993) indicating sulfate reduction by bacteria
Soil Types:
According to (JRVIDS, 1996) eight
associations were identified, these are:
major
soil
(1) Valley Bottom Soil Associations, and include the
following three soil associations: Lisan, Safi1 and
Safi 2.
(2) The side valleys and escarpment, and include the
following five soil associations: Dhira, Uhaymir,
Himara, Triban and Suwwana
Negative Environmental Impacts of Declining Dead
Sea Level:
1. Increased inflow of terrestrial groundwater into
the Dead Sea which might cause:
• Loss of valuable fresh water.
• Creation of cavities and collapse phenomena.
• Decline in the regional water table could affect
water supplies in the southern Ghors and southern
Jordan valley.
2. Degradation of the very high landscape values
around the Dead Sea, as the expanses of unsightly
mudflats extend inexorably, as the Dead Sea level
drops.
3. Negative impacts on the tourism industry.
4. Increased production and cost and problems for
the Potash industries.
5. Possibility of witnessing "salt storms" that would
negatively affect the agriculture and tourism
Dead Sea Water as a Soil Improvement Agent
This is concerned with using water from Dead Sea
as a soil stabilization agent. Three materials, a clay
soil, a white fine aggregate, and the base course
material have been studied. Each material has been
mixed with both tap water and Dead Sea water
separately and the resulting soil properties have
been measured for comparison.(Bassam
Z.Mahasneh)
Naur
Is from the Mediterranean region, which is
characterized by having the best rainfall(ranges from
400-600 mm/year), the most fertile soil, the highest
altitude(900-1700m), the least summer temperature(
rarely exceed 30°C), and finally the best
vegetation.(Al-Eisawi, p.42)
Naur can be classified as the semi arid
Mediterranean bioclimatical region. Where the
average minimum temperature (m) during the
coldest month(January) varies approximately
between -1°C and +7°C, it indicates a cool variety (m
between -1 and 3°C) and a warm variety (m between
+3°C and 7°C) of the semi arid Mediterranean
bioclimatic. The average maximum temperature (M)
during the hottest month (August) ranges between
26°C-33°C. the region is slightly warmer than subhumid zone.(Al-Eisawi, p.38)
The atmospheric pressure ranges at winter from
1017-1017.5 millibar) and at summer from 10081008.5 millibar).
Rainfall ranges from 400-500mm/year.(Al Atlas)
We expect to see a soil type of Terra Rossa and non
tree vegetation.
Adasseyah
It is from the Irano-Turanian region, where as
mentioned above is characterized by rainfall ranges
from 150-300mm/year, poor soil, altitude ranges
from 400-700m, the temperature is more than the
previous region, it might go up to 35-40°C during
the hot season.
We expect to see a poor soil with no vegetation.
Visual observation
Dead sea
vegetation
Few vegetation was observed due to the following
factors:
i.
ii.
Climatical factors:
 High temperature
 Low rain fall
Soil




type
very saline
mostly alluvial
sandy
with some granite
and these few vegetation was mainly:
 palm, which is a characteristic of this region,
present only in the small pockets due to the
presence of water coming from the hind
mountains.(Figure no.1)
 Succulent plants which is characterized by a
succulent leaves and presence of salt crystals
on their leaves and this of course because of the
saline soil.
such plants:
1. Calotropis procera (a characteristic plant
of this region). (Figure no.2)
2. Nitraria retusa (has large amount of salty
crystals on its leaves)
All of those are CAM plants.
Soil
Yellow and white sandy soil was observed. And this
matches what we expected.
Naur
vegetation
Non forest vegetation was observed, but remnant of
forests was also observed surrounding the area and
due to the decrease in Pine trees.
The leading species of vegetation in this area is
shrubs and bushes such as:
Sarcopterium spinosum (a characteristic plant of
this area). (Figure no.3)
Soil
Red and yellow soil was observed.
Adasseyah
vegetation
Rare vegetation. With a characterized species
Retama raetam (Figure no.4) and the presence of
medicinal plants like sage and Oregano. (Figure
no.5)
Soil
Calcareous and sandy soil.
Other observation
Some of invertebrates were observed like snails,
scorpions and millipedes.
Materials and methods:
Species were collected and classified in a list.
Line transect method was only used so as to
determine (Figure no.6).
 The abundance frequency & density of species.
 Vegetation cover
 Maximum height species.
We also collected soil sample from each line
transect. Chemical and physical analyses were done
in the laboratory to determine capillarity,
permeability, gaseous volume, granulometry and
organic concentration.(Lab manual)
Results:
Naur's list of species
name
of
species
no of individual in
each quadrate
1
2
3
no of
quadrates
of
occurrence
total no of
quadrates
studied
frequency
abundance
0
0
28
0
9
7
1
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
1
0
0
total no
of
individual
of each
specie
0
0
31
0
73
24
1
0
3
4
0
0
11
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
2
0
21
0
0
5
3
1
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Aa
Ab
0
0
3
0
24
9
0
0
3
4
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
3
1
0
0
0
0
40
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
8
0
0
4
0
0
Ac
0
0
density
0
0
2
0
3
3
1
0
1
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
3
0
0
2
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
0
0
66.6
0
100
100
33.3
0
33.3
0
0
0
100
0
0
0
0
33.3
0
0
33.3
0
100
0
0
66.6
33.3
33.3
0
0
15.5
0
24.3
8
1
0
3
0
0
0
3.66
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
2
0
7
0
0
2.5
3
1
0
0
10.3
0
24.3
8
0.3
0
1
1.3
0
0
3.6
0
0
0
0
1.3
0
0
0.6
0
7
0
0
1.6
1
0.3
6
6
1
3
33.3
6
2
Adasseya's list of species
name of
specie
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
no of individual in each
quadrate
quadrate
1
2
0
16
4
0
5
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
14
1
1
0
0
1
8
0
4
8
0
13
2
0
8
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
3
0
5
8
0
7
0
0
0
3
0
0
2
12
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
total no
of
individual
of each
specie
0
34
14
0
20
0
0
4
5
0
0
2
39
1
3
0
0
1
8
0
9
8
no of
quadrates
of
occurrence
total no of
quadrates
studied
frequency
abundance
0
3
3
0
3
0
0
1
2
0
0
1
3
1
2
0
0
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
0
100
100
0
100
0
0
33.3
66.6
0
0
33.3
100
33.3
66.6
0
0
33.3
33.3
0
66.6
33.3
0
11.3
4.6
0
6.6
0
0
4
2.5
0
0
2
13
1
1.5
0
0
1
8
0
4.5
8
2
1
density
0
11.3
4.6
0
6.6
0
0
1.3
1.6
0
0
0.6
13
0.3
1
0
0
0.3
2.6
0
3
2.6
Results obtained from the laboratory work:
Carbon concentration %
Area
Sample1
Sample2
Sample3
Average
Dead sea
2.1
2.4
3.9
2.8
Naur
3.9
3.6
3.6
3.7
Adassyah
5.4
3
3.6
3.7
Area
Vegetative cover
Max height
1
2
3
avg
1
2
3
avg
Naur
55
%
71
%
57
%
61
%
30
39
35
34.7
Adasseyah
41
%
32
%
44
%
39
%
41
35
31
35.6
property
Naur
adasseyah
1
2
3
avg
Capillarity
min
15:15
18:41
26:3
19:95
Gaseous
volume
40%
40%
37.7%
Permeability
Cm/min.
1.59
.37
.24
1
dead sea
2
3
avg
1
2
3
avg
6:27
9:25
15:10
13:5
1:45
10:12
12:60
8:4
39.2%
55.5%
51.1%
40%
48.9%
20%
33.3%
31.4%
28.4%
.73
.32
.22
.18
.24
.18
.23
.49
.2
Granulometry of Naur:
Size/ Weight
>3.35
3.35- 1.7
1.7- 0.7
0.7- 0.5
0.5- 0.25
0.25- 0.125
<0.125
Sample1
16.4
24.6
33.2
2.25
1.3
3.5
2.2
Sample 2
26.35
24.4
26.4
5.25
6.15
2.7
2.4
Sample 3
16.3
16.95
30.5
7.65
9.4
6.65
4.6
Average
19.68
21.98
30
5.05
5.61
4.28
3.1
percentage
19.68%
21.98%
30%
5.05%
5.61%
4.28%
3.1%
Granulometry of Adasseyah:
Size/ weight
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Average
percentage
>3.35
28.35
19.22
23.15
23.6
26.2%
3.35- 1.7
1.7- 0.7
0.7- 0.5
11.45
12.4
3.9
13.6
13.65
5.9
16.1
23.15
5.6
13.7
16.4
5.1
15.2%
18.2%
5.7%
0.5- 0.25
0.25- 0.125
6.25
7.25
11.58
15.7
12.4
8.45
10.1
10.5
11.2%
11.6%
<0.125
9.2
3.1
7.75
6.7
7.4%
Granulometry of Dead Sea:
Size/
Weight
>3.35
3.35- 1.7
1.7- 0.7
0.7- 0.5
0.5- 0.25
0.25- 0.125
<0.125
Sample1
Sample2
Sample 3
Average
percentage
4.05
11.5
12.2
31.8
3.8
14.8
14.2
14.0
11.0
10.0
35.2
4.0
10.1
1.9
3.1
14.5
11.05
63.65
3.0
2.3
2.4
7.05
12.3
11.1
43.55
3.6
9.1
6.2
7.05%
12.3%
11.1%
43.55%
3.6%
9.1%
6.2%
Conclusion and discussion:
Dead Sea
Little vegetation was observed in the Dead Sea due
to the following:
Climatical factors:
 High temperature
 Low rain fall
Soil type:





very saline
mostly alluvial
sandy
with some granite
low organic matter
The yellow and white sandy soil matched what we
expected and the obtained results from
granulometry.
Naur
Vegetation is non tree vegetation, with two layers:
Bushes and herbaceous. (Figure no.7)
The noticed remnant of forest (Figure no.8), is an
example of the degradation due to climatical factors
and human interference.
Soil type is yellow red soil that is why there was
heavy vegetation because red soil is a fertile soil due
to high percentage of organic matter as shown in the
table of carbon concentration above.
And from granulometry results we can conclude
that soil particles are gravel and fine gravel mostly.
Adasseyah
Very little vegetation and this match the results from
the table of vegetation cover. This is due to
 Low organic matter (as obtained in carbon
concentration table).
 Calcareous and stony soil (as obtained from the
granulometry results).
 Mineralization processes
 Pollution, which also affected the decrease in
number of medicinal plants and the diversity of
invertebrates present there.
In comparison of vegetation in the three visited area,
Naur was with the highest vegetation. (Chart no.1)
Also Naur was with the highest organic matter as
mentioned above. (Chart no.2)
Gaseous volume of Adasseyah was the highest (poor
quality of soil).( chart no.3)
While Permeability and capillarity were highest in
Naur (chart no.4&5).
Figures and charts
80
70
60
50
40
Naur
30
Adasseyah
20
10
0
1
2
3
Vegetation cover
Chart no.1
avg
6
5
4
Dead Sea
3
Naur
2
Adasseyyah
1
0
sample1
sample3
Carbon concentration
Chart no.2
30
25
20
naour
15
addisa
dead sea
10
5
0
1
2
3
avg
Capillarity /min
Chart no.3
60
160
140
50
120
40
100
naur
30
naur
80
adasseya
addasiah
dead sea
20
60
deadsea
40
20
10
0
0
1
1
2
3
2
3
avg
avg
Gaseous volume
%
Permeability cm/min
Chart no.4
Chart no.5
Figure No. 1
Figure No. 2
Figure No. 3
Figure No. 4
Figure No. 5
Figure No. 6
Figure No. 7
Figure No. 8
References
 JCSBD: Jordan Country Study on Biological
Diversity. (Ministry of Environment)
 Al-Eisawi: vegetation of Jordan, prepared by Dr.
Dawud Al-Eisawi.(January 1996)
 Atlas tours:
www.atlastours.net/jordan
 Haiti H. Fariz:
www.ejge.com
 Bassam Z. Mahasneh
Department of Civil Engineering, Mu’tah
University, Jordan.
 Al Atlas: Royal Jordanian Geographical Center.
 Ecology Laboratory Manual.