Many factors are aggravating desertification and degradation of forests such as urbanization, droughts, exploitation of natural resources and climate change. The study aims at estimating and assessing the degradation of forests in arid and semi-arid regions. This task however is complicated since the impact of the degradation will be in different forms such as loss of wood, soil erosion and lost recreational areas. Nevertheless the dynamic impact of the degradation is increasing the complexity of analysis since forest once lost is a reduction of value for all subsequent years. This study is considering the value of damages over time and it is using the concept of three environmental valuation methods to estimate the whole impact of the degradation: the habitat equivalency analysis (HEA), the productivity method and the benefit transfer method. The methods were applied to specific values of forests, depending on the best applicability, and the results combined to an overall value loss. The costs are calculated based on the year 2014 with two time horizons: 30 and 100 years. To apply the valuation approach, Jordan as an arid and semi-arid country is chosen. The result shows that the annual costs of environmental degradation of Jordanian forest areas equal about 0.14% of GDP in 2013, proving the enormous value lost to forest degradation or deforestation. The valuation approach can be transferred to other arid or semi-arid areas and stimulate forest conservation activities to prevent further degradation and to save the forest ecosystem services for the future.

People value nature based on their relationship to it and the utility they derive from it. This paper explores the utilization of forest ecosystem services and the factors that influence an individual’s relational values toward two forest-protected areas in northern Jordan: Ajloun and Yarmouk Forest-Protected Area. A random sample of 200 members from local communities was interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Later, we employed chi-square and ordinary logistic regression methods to determine factors associated with a set of relational values. The results revealed that respondents’ most valued cultural services and the provisioning of some ecosystem services. Recreation and collection of wild plants were the most frequently mentioned ecosystem services used in both protected areas. Socio-economic factors such as gender, age, income, and period of residency – influenced respondents’ relational values through monetary benefits, ecological resilience, social cohesion, and physical and health benefits. In conclusion, it is important to raise the local community’s awareness of forest ecosystems, and that institutional actions should recognize forests’ cultural, religious, identity, and existence values to help win continuous support from local communities for forest-protected areas.

In developing countries, like Jordan, climate change and population growth have prompted land-use and land-cover changes that have profoundly affected ESs, especially by poor people living in fragile ecosystems. This study aimed to analyze the attitudes towards ES among households living in Wadi Araba, a study area located in a dry ecosystem with limited natural resources, as well as to determine the value of ES and the main socio-economic and perceptions factors influencing households’ willingness to accept (WTA) compensation according to the families’ priorities. The face-to-face method was used to interview a random sample of 296 residents from the study sites, using a structured questionnaire to capture the accepted level of compensation for conservation by the local community. Additionally, multiple linear regression analysis was applied to determine the main socio-economic factors affecting WTA. More than 91% of the respondents were willing to accept compensation for three different conservation plans that reflect the resident’s priority. For the three priorities, the weighted average of the compensation levels was JOD 436, 339, 261 per household per year, respectively, and the aggregate values were about JOD (1,196,977.8, 930,601.2, and 719,411.8, respectively) (JOD 1 = USD 1.41). The residents’ gender, age, and income were among the most important factors that affect the compensation level. The main policy implications are that the government and non-governmental organizations should strengthen advocacy and education of arid ecological and natural resources protection, besides including the local community in any decisions in establishing differentiated compensation strategies and regulations. Eventually, the conservation and restoration activities will become self-initiated.

Invasions by invasive alien species (IAS) are recognized as one of the largest threats to earth’s ecosystem services and represent rapidly growing economic costs as they damage local ecosystems and force surrounding communities to divert resources towards IAS management and control. The study objectives were to assess the economic impacts of a Prosopis juliflora invasion in Jordan and gauge community preferences for management plans. The study was conducted in Sweimeh, Jordan Valley using a combination of focus groups and randomized interviews with 203 local households. Direct-use values for products derived from P. juliflora and direct costs owing to P. juliflora’s presence have been calculated. A binary logistic regression model was then developed to predict the households’ preferences between two policy responses: P. juliflora management or complete eradication. The results revealed the dualistic role of P. juliflora in household livelihoods: it was widely used for firewood, fodder, and charcoal offering benefits valued at JOD 2165 per household/year (JOD 1 = USD 0.71). At the same time, the invasion reduced household welfare by taking over arable lands and injuring humans and animals. Consequently, the income lost as a result of the invasion was estimated by JOD 1410.5 per household/year. As a result, two-thirds of respondents choose the option of P.juliflora invasion management. Only respondents’ monthly income and perception of P. juliflora’s impact on the prevention of soil erosion were significant predictors of respondents’ preferences for the management plans. In conclusion, more coordinated responses between policy makers, institutions, and local communities are required to mitigate the negative impact of P. juliflora invasion.

The degradation of rangeland protected areas in Jordan due to refugee settlement and climate change directly impacts rangeland well-being and the ecosystem services (ES) it provides. But there is a lack of research and understanding of how human actions and perceptions impact rangeland ecosystems. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how different social-ecological systems (SES) influence human actions and perceptions toward rangeland ecosystems. Using a Multivariate Principal Component Analysis for Mixed data (PCAMIX), we interviewed 100 pastoralists and characterised groups of pastoralists based on their decision-making when grazing inside Al-Sorrah Reserve and their social- economic and environmental attitudes. The results showed a differentiated pattern of SES among the pastoralists. This research paper has identified three pastoralist groups based on their attitudes and perceptions towards utilising SES; based on the PCAMIX eigen values of grazing periods (-0.76), length of grazing inside the reserve (-0.53) and the act of practicing grazing inside the reserve (4.8-6.9). Most pastoralists currently have little incentive to consider the impact of their activities and results suggest that integrating SES into rangeland management and national policy would simplify and enhance knowledge and actions that encourage rangeland management.

Dairy products are important components of food consumption and nutrition, while changes in their prices can have implications for household food access and the performance of food markets. Understanding how dairy demand responds to changes in prices, income, and population is therefore relevant for both market participants and food policy design. This study examines the demand responsiveness of three major dairy products in Jordan fresh milk, yogurt, and white cheese using annual time-series data for (2006–2022) obtained from the Department of Statistics of Jordan. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models are estimated to assess the relationships between product demand, own prices, population, and income, with alternative functional forms considered to identify the most appropriate specification for each product. The results indicate substantial heterogeneity in demand responsiveness across dairy products. Fresh milk exhibits price-elastic demand, with an estimated own-price elasticity of -1.36, while its demand is strongly associated with population growth (1.28) and relatively less responsive to income (0.98). Yogurt demand is price inelastic, with an own-price elasticity of -0.43, and shows relatively weak responses to population (0.35) and income (0.21). White cheese presents a positive estimated price elasticity (0.88), together with a relatively high income elasticity (1.17), indicating a markedly different demand pattern from fresh milk and yogurt. These findings highlight important differences in consumer responsiveness across dairy products and suggest that uniform pricing or market interventions may have uneven effects on consumption. The evidence has implications for food-policy design in Jordan, particularly regarding dairy affordability, consumer access, market adjustment, and the management of food-price pressures. Differentiated pricing and supply policies informed by product-specific demand responses may help policymakers and market actors balance market efficiency with food-access and nutritional ob