Assessing the effectiveness of agro-silvo-pastoral  rehabilitation for enhanced water productivity and resilience in  the Jordan Valley

Boubaker Dhehibi, Mira Haddad, Emily Gotink, Asma Souissi, Masnat El-Hiary, Jihad Zawaidah, Mohammad Alnsour, Stefan Strohmeier, Muhi El-Dine Hilali, Vinay Nangia. (31/10/2023). Assessing the effectiveness of agro-silvo-pastoral rehabilitation for enhanced water productivity and resilience in the Jordan Valley. Beirut, Lebanon: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).

Abstract

This poster shed light on the difficulties faced by local communities in the Jordan Valley due to limited water availability, land degradation, and climate change with special focus on the assessment of their perceptions of rehabilitation-driven ecosystem services. The main objective was to assess the effectiveness of the approach by analysing the potential effects of agro-silvo-pastoral rehabilitation and sustainable watershed management to enhance water productivity and resilience in the area. The methodology combined qualitative and quantitative data analysis from a biophysical and socio-economic perspective. A survey was conducted to evaluate the perception of ecosystem services by the local community. Findings showed that the selected sub-watershed area was approximately 2104 hectares, of which 76 percent was restorable. The average annual runoff was 84.6 mm and the runoff ratio represented 18.9 percent. Findings also revealed that all the survey respondents agreed that rehabilitation activities helped prevent erosion and flooding. They also valued the cultural and wilderness aspects of the area. Moreover, they believed that the activities enhanced biodiversity, habitat quality, and provisioning opportunities. By exploring the community preferences, we can understand how much they support or oppose ecological restoration efforts. Finally, enhancing the awareness of the communities regarding ecosystem services through lectures, trainings and practical activities is crucial.