Ajloun Reserve Ajloun Forest Reserve is in north Jordan, near
Jerash and
Ajloun, and close to the
Ajloun Castle. The reserve consists of rolling hills in a Mediterranean-like environment, covered in
evergreen oaks, as well as strawberry and pistachio trees, among others.
Stone martens,
jackals,
red foxes,
striped hyenas,
Persian squirrels,
porcupines, and
wolves inhabit this area. Privately owned lands surrounding the reserve pose threats, including illegitimate access to the reserve, resulting in illegal hunting, woodcutting, and grazing. Cooperation with local inhabitants has resulted in increased awareness in the community regarding the preservation of the forest.
Azraq Wetland Reserve The Azraq Wetlands, located in Jordan's eastern desert near the town of
Azraq, is RSCN's only wetlands reserve. The reserve, once a popular stopover for millions of migratory birds going from
Africa to
Eurasia, is now severely depleted due to over-pumping to support Jordan's growing population. In 1978, the reserve was established as an effort to conserve the oasis. Between 1981 and 1993, water levels decreased sharply, concluding with the drying up of the springs in 1992. Azraq today only makes up 0.04% of its former size. Water levels are maintained by RSCN in order to save indigenous fish species such as the Azraq Killfish and to keep the site a tourist destination. Efforts have been partially successful; some birds have returned and killfish have increased in numbers, but attempts to increase the water mass by 10% of the original size have been unsuccessful. Water pumping and lack of manpower and wetland experience keep water levels at a low.
Burqu Nature Reserve Burqu Nature Reserve was designated in 2018. It covers an area of 906.44 km2 in the northeastern portion of the country, centred on
Qasr Burqu'.
Dana Biosphere Reserve Dana
Biosphere Reserve, often simply called Dana Nature Reserve, is located in and around the town of
Dana in the mountains east of
Wadi Araba. The geography of the reserve is characterized by steep cliffs in rocky wadis covered by small trees and shrubs. The varied geology switches from
limestone to
sandstone to
granite. Some illegal activities such as grazing and woodcutting continue. Illegal hunting threatens
ibex and
chukar populations.
Dibeen Forest Reserve Dibeen Forest, close to the ancient Roman city of
Jerash, was established in 2004. The forest is a pine-oak habitat, housing the
Aleppo pine and marking the geographical limit of this type of forest. Animal inhabitants such as the
Persian squirrel were main reasons for the establishment of the reserve and were considered top priority. Strawberry, pistachio, and wild olive trees also grow in the reserve. Trash, notably
plastic, presents a major problem in the reserve, often the result of careless visitors.
Wadi Mujib Mujib Nature Reserve, commonly known as Wadi Mujib, is a long canyon feeding the
Dead Sea running through the ancient region of
Moab and the lowest nature reserve in the world. Directly east of the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib is made up by a network of freshwater streams, making an otherwise arid area more fertile. The lush riverbeds provide support for aquatic plants. As well as containing 300 species of plants, Wadi Mujib contains at least 10 species of carnivores and other animals, including the hyrax, badger, and the Nubian ibex which was reintroduced into the wild by RSCN. Illegal hunting continues to impede efforts to reach a sustainable number of wild ibexes.
Shaumari Reserve Shaumari Wildlife Reserve is located in the eastern Jordanian desert, close to
Azraq Wetland Reserve. The geology comprises desert wadis making up 65% of the area and Hammada areas covered in black flint forming 35% of the reserve. Founded in 1975, Shaumari was founded for the wildlife in the desert area. One of the main goals of the reserve has been to bring back locally extinct species, notably the
Arabian oryx, into the wild. In 1978, 4 Arabian oryxs were brought to the reserve for a breeding program. Starting in 1983, 31 oryxs were released into the wild, successfully returning the oryx into its native environment. Other species, such as
Somali ostriches,
Persian onagers and
gazelles reside in the reserve. Before the establishment of the reserve, hunting nearly annihilated local animal populations, a problem which RSCN has been successful in dealing with. ==Future==