A State-of-the-Art Vegetation Map for Jordan: A New Tool for Conservation in a Biodiverse Country

Taifour, Hatem; Dexter, Kyle G.; Al-Bakri, Jawad; Miller, Anthony G.; Neale, Sophie

doi:10.3390/conservation2010012

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…This area is part of the Saharo-Sindian-Nubo-Sindian phytogeographical region and specifically within the gravel hammada vegetation type, which is characterized by the growth of desert annuals mainly from Asteraceae and Chenopodiaceae families. Additional species found include Vachellia gerrardii, Artemisia judaica, and Ziziphus nummularia (Taifour et al 2022).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of 18S rRNA for identification of the first record of Tadpole Shrimp Lepidurus apus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Jordan

ABUSHATTAL,

ALNASARAT,

ALNAIMAT

et al. 2024

Biodiversitas

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Abstract. Abushattal S, Alnasarat H, Alnaimat SM, Eid E. 2024. The use of 18S rRNA for identification of the first record of Tadpole Shrimp Lepidurus apus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Jordan. Biodiversitas 25: 1223-1229. The tadpole shrimps are living fossils that survive in temporary water pools and are considered benthic organisms that swim and feed on tiny organisms. Two genera of tadpole shrimps exist worldwide: Triops and Lepidurus, which share similar ecological niches and habitats but never coincide. The occurrence of the tadpole shrimp Lepidurus apus in Jordan was confirmed for the first time using the 18S rRNA Gene-Based PCR Assay. The experimental approach encompassed the amplification of biological specimens utilizing a universal amplicon measuring approximately 1,500 base pairs (bp), specifically targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. Subsequently, the acquired sequences underwent scrutiny through BlastN search against the GenBank database for validation and comparative analysis. Genetic analysis was needed to define the species accurately, especially with tadpole shrimp's generally high morphological variability. This species was recorded in a temporary freshwater pool in the desert of Al-Jafr in Ma’an governorate in southern Jordan. The DNA analysis showed a 100% identical sequence of the 18S rRNA gene with Lepidurus apus sequences. This record is important due to the ecological role of the tadpole shrimps as filter feeders, consuming algae, bacteria, and other small particles of organic matter, and as a food source for various fish, birds, and other aquatic animals. In addition, it will pave the way for future research to identify its economic importance, such as its role in mosquito control and its potential role in aquaculture. Finally, tadpole shrimp are sensitive to environmental changes and could be used to indicate climatic changes and habitat degradation. This is mainly due to their sensitivity to changes in water quality, including temperature, pH, and chemical composition, and their niche requirements for survival and reproduction. In addition, monitoring tadpole shrimp distribution and comparing it with historical records can reveal patterns of climate-induced range shifts.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of 18S rRNA for identification of the first record of Tadpole Shrimp Lepidurus apus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Jordan

ABUSHATTAL,

ALNASARAT,

ALNAIMAT

et al. 2024

Biodiversitas

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“…Furthermore, Jordanian forestlands are limited, diverse and fragmented [7]. Jordan total forest's area is less than 1% (dense forests 398 km 2 , spares forest, 394 km 2 ) [13]. More than 60% of these forests are found in the northern regions (Jerash, Ajloun, and Irbid).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest Health Assessment in Four Jordanian Reserves Located in Semi-Arid Environments

Alananbeh

Othman

Tahat

et al. 2023

Forests

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Healthy forests are essential to human life because they provide food, energy, and other benefits including carbon sequestration. The objective of this study was to assess the forests health status in Mediterranean ecosystems, specifically, arid to semi-arid. Four forest reserves directed by Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Jordan were evaluated. Plant health indicators [(gas exchange (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration), chlorophyll, middy stem water potential (Ψsmd), relative water content], regeneration, lichens, plant disease, as well as soil variables (respiration CO2-C, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, microorganisms’ abundance) were measured. The Ψsmd values in those semi-arid/arid ecosystems were within the normal ranges (−0.3 to −1.3 MPa) in spring but was under extreme water stress (−1.6 to −5.3 MPa) in summer in three reserves. Similarly, gas exchange variables reduced by 25%–90% in summer (compared to spring) across the studied forests. Although the regeneration (seedling per 1000 m2) was higher than 100 in two forest (Ajloun and Dibbeen), the number of seedlings in hiking sites was extremely low in both forests. Soil health indicators reveled that soil respiration CO2-C were higher than 25 mg kg−1 in two forests [Ajloun, Dibbeen, (except hiking zone)]. The mean soil saprophytes (number g−1) ranged from 86 to 377 across the forests reserves. In addition, the mean arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (spores 100g−1 soil) was between 350 and 877. Soil EC was consistently optimal (less than 0.5 dS m−1) and pH was slightly basic (7.5–8.3) across the reserves. The results revealed that the fluctuation of rainfall and anthropogenic pressures (grazing, hiking) led to partial forest degradation. When forests (Dana Biosphere Reserve) received 81 mm annual precipitation, Ψsmd values in Juniperus phoenicea at summer ranged from −4.4 to −5.3 MPa, regeneration and lichens were less than 20 per 1000 m2, and several trees were dead after infected with soil and air borne pathogens including wilt diseases and die back. Intensive hiking activities (Dibbeen forests, tourism area) and heavy grazing (Yarmouk frosts) reduced regeneration, lichens and soil respiration. Interestingly, the native species had better water relations (RWC, Ψsmd) and gas exchange performance than the introduced species. Overall, it is better to grow native species, and exclude anthropogenic pressure on the territory of introduced species. The conservation programs must persist to sustain several native historical forest trees including Juniperus phoenicea (>600 year old), Quercus ithaburensis (>500 year old), and Pinus halepensis (>100 year old) at Mediterranean semi-arid forests.

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“…Jordan is Mediterranean country, has long hot summers, and relatively short cold winters. The total forest area in Jordan is about 1%; dense forests 398 km 2 , spares forest, 394 km 2 [27]. The most popular genera are Quercus and Pinus (specifically, Pinus halepensis Mill.).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Small-Extent Forest Fires in Semi-Arid Environment in Jordan Using Sentinel-2 and Landsat Sensors Data

Qarallah

Othman

Al-Ajlouni

et al. 2022

Forests

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the separability potential of Sentinel-2A (MultiSpectral Instrument, MSI) and Landsat (Operational Land Imager, OLI and Thermal Infrared Sensor, TIRS) derived indices for detecting small-extent (<25 ha) forest fires areas and severity degrees. Three remote sensing indices [differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR), differenced Normalized Different Vegetation Index (dNDVI), and differenced surface temperature (dTST)] were used at three forest fires sites located in Northern Jordan; Ajloun (total burned area 23 ha), Dibbeen (burned area 10.5), and Sakeb (burned area 15 ha). Compared to ground reference data, Sentinel-2 MSI was able to delimit the fire perimeter more precisely than Landsat-8. The accuracy of detecting burned area (area of coincidence) in Sentinel-2 was 7%–26% higher that Landsat-8 OLI across sites. In addition, Sentinel-2 reduced the omission area by 28%–43% and the commission area by 6%–38% compared to Landsat-8 sensors. Higher accuracy in Sentinel-2 was attributed to higher spatial resolution and lower mixed pixel problem across the perimeter of burned area (mixed pixels within the fire perimeter for Sentinel-2, 8.5%–13.5% vs. 31%–52% for Landsat OLI). In addition, dNBR had higher accuracy (higher coincidence values and less omission and commission) than dNDVI and dTST. In terms of fire severity degrees, dNBR (the best fire index candidate) derived from both satellites sensors were only capable of detecting the severe spots “severely-burned” with producer accuracy >70%. In fact, the dNBR-Sentinel-2/Landsat-8 overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient for classifying fire severity degree were less than 70% across the studied sites, except for Sentinel-dNBR in Dibbeen (72.5%). In conclusion, Sentinel-dNBR and Landsat promise to delimitate forest fire perimeters of small-scale (<25 ha) areas, but further remotely-sensed techniques are require (e.g., Landsat-Sentinel data fusion) to improve the fire severity-separability potential.

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A State-of-the-Art Vegetation Map for Jordan: A New Tool for Conservation in a Biodiverse Country

Cited by 4 publications

References 31 publications

The use of 18S rRNA for identification of the first record of Tadpole Shrimp Lepidurus apus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Jordan

The use of 18S rRNA for identification of the first record of Tadpole Shrimp Lepidurus apus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Jordan

Forest Health Assessment in Four Jordanian Reserves Located in Semi-Arid Environments

Assessment of Small-Extent Forest Fires in Semi-Arid Environment in Jordan Using Sentinel-2 and Landsat Sensors Data

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