Abstract
Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) has been introduced into Jordan through the MEDSCAPES project. The purpose of this project was to streamline landscape studies and integrate them into the land use planning practices in Jordan. Two areas within the Mediterranean and arid climatic zones of the country were chosen as test areas for the methodology. These were the Yarmouk River drainage basin in the northwest of the country and the Mujib River area in the west of Jordan within the Dead Sea basin. Landscape Character Mapping resulted in 22 and 64 Land Description Units (LDUs) for the Yarmouk and Mujib areas, respectively, which were then classified into 14 landscape types. The factors which control the spatial distributions of these units are geology, land cover, landform, and settlements. However, the study suggests that the underlying geology, which influences topography, impacts indirectly on soil types, climate zones, and human activities, and hence has a predominant influence on the character of these units. Specifically, the transition between the Dead Sea Rift Valley and the adjacent highlands create variations in the topographical relief, climate, water availability, and human settlements. Implementation of LCA in Jordan has done much to highlight geological hazards, such as sinkholes, as constraints to development in certain areas. Here, we described how the LCA process could be implemented in Jordan and how this can help in improving land use management practices in the country.
Highlights
Over the last 100 years, population growth and urbanization in Jordan has tremendously changed the land cover of central and north-west Jordan, where there are water resources
Landscape types demonstrate the strong influence of the topography, which is generated mainly by the underlying geological structures
This control is reflected in the spatial distributions of landforms, climatic zones, water resources, and plant cover
Summary
Over the last 100 years, population growth and urbanization in Jordan has tremendously changed the land cover of central and north-west Jordan, where there are water resources. Poor planning practices during rapid growth periods, which were often triggered by migrations from wars in surrounding countries, have led to a myriad of social and environmental problems [1,2]. These include the common problems of urban sprawl and the loss of agricultural land [3]. This basin is situated in the northwestern corner of the country and covers an area of about. The headwaters of the basin fall in the Ajloun highlands south of Irbid, but the Yarmouk River itself begins permanent flow at Wadi Shallaleh near the Syrian border. The topographic relief in the area is high, ranging from 1200 m above sea level (masl) in the Ajloun Highlands to about
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