Jordanian wildflowers threatened by drought and extinction due to climate change

Arab Weather - Jordan and the Levant have been experiencing a state of drought and lack of rain since the beginning of the current rainy season 2024 AD until now. This is an unprecedented climate condition in 100 years, which has led to an increased risk of drought or extinction for a large number of Jordanian wildflowers, especially with the successive dry seasons and fluctuations in rainfall from previous years.

(63) species were recorded as being “threatened” in one way or another by drought, especially those that reproduce by seeds, bulbs and rhizomes.

During a field tour of a number of wildflower sites in Irbid Governorate - northern Jordan, namely the districts of Koura, Taybeh, Al-Wusta, Bani Kinanah and Al-Mazar Al-Shamali, it was noted that there is a stunted growth of a number of them, especially the white and yellow daffodils, wild lupines, frankincense (Zam'atut; Rajf; Gazelle's Horn) in its white and pink types, orchids in its types, black and blue iris flowers, gladius, mountain tulips, yellow and white chrysanthemums. In addition to the rotting of some of them, the "flowering" process is very weak as they suffer from severe thirst and drought, especially in deep lands, while those that grow between rocks seem to be in a slightly better situation.

The impact of climate change on plants

Climate change is "disrupting" the pollination process of flowers, which are now blooming before the end of the hibernation period of the pollinating bees, which leads to a decrease in the number of bees and other accessories, which is a dangerous indicator, in addition to a huge decrease in the number of other insect pollinators in wildlife, especially during dry seasons. In addition, climate change has caused a disruption in the mismatch between the blooming season and the end of hibernation, which is the "most important" reason for what is happening to wild plants, especially the "flowering" process, as it has been observed that some plant species have begun to adapt to the current situation.

The impact of climate change on wildlife is clearly visible, as they have begun to change their behaviour in an effort to adapt to the worrying changes taking place around them.

Climate change has become a threat to the lives of about (150) species of plants and animals, and it directly affects (33%) of the species threatened with extinction, which threatens the disappearance of the base of biological diversity at a tremendous speed, which is an existential threat to all elements of the natural environment.

We propose working to revive, propagate, care for and protect their local strains of global importance within a single geographical area that provides the ideal natural conditions for germination, protection of biodiversity and sustainable use that faces increasing human and climatic pressures, in addition to keeping pace with developmental developments and the sustainability of our cultural heritage of wild plants; as they are an important tool for restoring balance and protecting natural resources. Based on this, we must work to establish a seed and gene bank, an agricultural herbarium and programs for studies and research, accompanied by a media awareness campaign.

In addition to creating a model reserve to become an educational, cultural and tourist center within the framework of developing ecotourism in rural areas and producing a comprehensive digital map to document plant habitats, using the geographic information system and artificial intelligence, especially since (65%) of Jordan's wild flowering plants are not found in the European continent and Jordan is unique in having (111) species that are not found in any other country.

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