Flora of H. K. of Jordan
Introduction
In Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel ( known historically as Greater Syria) there are about 3500 wild plant species. Almost 80% of these species occur in each of these countries separately, or shared between them.
Jordan is classified geographically as a Mediterranean since it has the characteristics of a Mediterranean country though it is not bordered directly Mediterranean Sea.
This classification is based on seasons of rainfall and the temperature through the year. In Jordan one can observe clearly the four seasons of the year; winter; spring, summer and autumn. Jordan also is characterized by long rainy, cold winter and long dry, hot summer.
Therefore, the vegetation in Jordan is reflected by the physical aspects prevailing in the country and those are: Topography; Rainfall; Temperature and the Soil.
Based on the physical aspects of Jordan and their effect on wildlife composition and specifically the occurrences and distribution of plant species, four biogeographically regions have been recognized in Jordan. Within these four regions thirteen vegetation types are recognized However , these four regions are : Mediterranean Region ; Irano-Turanean Region; Saharo Arabian Region and Tropical or Sudanian Region.
We are in a time of crisis for the flora of Jordan.. The rapid increase in human population, residential area, industrial areas, streets, over grazing, random academic research and rural development have caused a major threat to biodiversity and wild life in general.
The habitats of some species have been destroyed and thus the distribution of such species had been obstructed and the species themselves have disappeared. Some of rare species of Iris were observed in Ma'daba ( south of Jordan), Few months later these species have disappeared since their natural habitats were substituted by a new housing area. The same story was repeated to other rare species such the orchid species.
Our aim here is to draw attention of the public, government and non government organization (NGOs) to the importance of conservation, human behavior and to work more harder towards education, awareness and formation of a pressure group for the protection of wildlife and environment in general.