Rangeland Restoration: A Case Study at the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan

Transcription

1 Rangeland Restoration: A Case Study at the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan By: Dr. Mustafa Al- Shudiefat Eng. Khalid Al Khalidi Restoring Degraded Ecosystems: Regional and International Perspectives Royal Botanic Garden Monday,March 30, 2015 Amman, Jordan

2 Jordan Profile Jordan in it relatively small size of 89,342 sq km territory. The climate of Jordan is mostly arid desert with a relatively short rainy season between November and April.

3 The topography of the country is highly contrasting; from more than m to 1,854 m. Reflecting the diversity of the live in terms of cultural and natural heritage.

4 Biogeographical zones

5 Drought is the main natural threat facing ecosystem.

6 Challenges facing the Environment limited freshwater. urbanization. deforestation. overgrazing. soil erosion. desertification. pollution.

7 Establishment of the CBRR local herders cutting the fence. animals inside the site to graze illegally. Very low vegetation. soil erosion Managed grazing was inexistent. Herd productivity was very low.

8 CBRR Targeted Beneficiaries Ultimate beneficiary: the local community in Tell Ar-Rumman Researchers and research institutions working on conservation and biodiversity Policy makers in many Ministries A new generation is being targeted through CBRR community outreach.

9 Governance Approach and Community Development Rangeland restoration and Management Flock Management and Health CBRR Activities Capacity Building Research and Studies Publications and Reporting

10 Governance Approach and Community Development Community participation in CBRR Discussion of Flock Management Biomass Production and Site Grazing Generating Income

11 Rangeland Restoration Management Grazing behaviour study Biomass production study Stocking rate and grazing capacity study

12 Grazing Behaviour Study

13 Seasonal Variation

14 Outputs 1. Sheep decreased the time spent grazing during the 2.5 hour observation period in all seasons. 2. Sheep spent most of their time grazing herbaceous species. 3. Grazing is favorable for plant biodiversity. 4. Fall grazing is the best season.

15 Biomass Production Study

16 Biomass Production (in Tons) Biomass Production in Tons Biomass Production in Tons

17 Carrying Capacity and Site Grazing 1. Forage and carrying capacity were estimated stocking rate: Allow 1026 head of sheep to graze for 30 days stocking rate: Allow 1026 head of sheep to graze for 40 days stocking rate: Allow 1026 head of sheep to graze for 45 days stocking rate: Allow 1026 head of sheep to graze for 50 days Results: Herders get 50% of their feed invoice as a free cost. The site s biomass increased by over 30% in a 3-year period, according to biomass surveys, then 10% per year.

18 Flock Management and Health Assessment of status of herds Vaccination programme Training of 3 people chosen by local herders to be Animal Health Assistants Training local herders in common disease recognition

19 Flock Management Techniques - Isolation of rams from flocks in order to synchronize parturition and achieve high percentage of pregnancies. This simplifies herd management and management of newborns. - Pregnancy rate in 2008: 40% to 60% - Pregnancy rate in 2009 (after isolating rams): 80% to 97% - Pregnancy rate in 2010 (after isolating rams): 85% to 97% - Pregnancy rate in 2011 (after isolating rams): 85% to 97%

20 Generating Income Projects Honey production Jameed Production Native mushroom production Women s handicrafts workshop

21 CBRR Output After 3 years of management training and capacity building activities: The socioeconomic status of our community has improved. Achieved MDG 1, 2,5,7. 42 families (around 420 people) now benefit from the CBRR programme.

22 Net Profit per Herd and per Head from 2009 to 2011 in Jordanian dinars Herders Herd size 2009 per head per head per head 2011 F-S , , , Je-S 58 10, , , Je-G 129 2, , , S-S , , S-G 125 1, , , Ja-G 35 2, , , O-G 52 3, , , Total 39, , , *The revenue in this table represents net revenue, including labor and before depreciation, to compare 2009 with 2010 and 2011.

23 التنوع النباتي Native plant species growing wild on the site increased from 436 in 2006 to 580 in Some of these had not been recorded in the area since the 1800s.

24 Governance Model & Approach

25 Modified Legislation Update National Rangeland Strategy. NBSAP. New Environmental Protection Law. Jordan s Fifth National Report on Biodiversity

26 Knowledge Transfer

27 Publications Livestock, medicinal plants and rangeland viability in Jordan's Badia: through the lens of traditional and local knowledge Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants commonly used by local Bedouins in the Badia region of Jordan Economic performance of small ruminant production in a protected area: a case study from Tell Ar-Rumman, a Mediterranean ecosystem in Jordan Preferences of sheep, when supplemented, for forages in a Mediterranean rangeland management system

28 Chemical composition analysis and antimicrobial screening of the essential oil of a rare plant from Jordan: Ducrosia flabellifolia Community-Based Rangeland Rehabilitation: Addressing Food Security and Biodiversity rehabilitation at the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan Economic Development and Biodiversity Gain with Local Community Cooperation

29 KATERVA Awards Nominated for a KATERVA Award in 2012, as one of the best ideas on the planet.

30 Land for Life Award One of 16 semi-finalists for the Land for Life Award in 2012, out of a field of 250 projects.

31 Snakes, scorpion, camel spiders and centipedes: species, toxicity, prevention and control

32 Recommendations A governance approach is one of the key elements of any ecosystem restoration effort. Consideration should be given to the social and economic effects of any decision related to the ecosystem restoration. Governments should give urgent and immediate attention to Forestry and Rangeland Management and Policies.

33 Thanks for listening!