DIBEEN FOREST
JORDAN
Located south east from the old Roman City of Jerash in Jordan, the Dibben Forest Reserve covers 8.6km2 in size, yet the full extent of the forest itself covers about 60km2 with varying altitude due to the rising and falling mountains as well as the wadis that iconically define the geography. The reserve is located in the core center of the forest. According to sources the small reserve only accounts for roughly about 1% of Jordan’s land area, but despite its size, it is still a thriving ecosystem with stunning biodiversity!
Established in 2004 and managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN); it is home to the distinct native Aleppo Pines as well as a myriad of other species of fauna such as local rare orchids. This habitat for the pine oak is considered to be one of the driest places on earth for their survival.
The forest had not always been considered a priority for nature conservationist. In 1979 the location was overlooked by the Protected Area Review, but then acknowledged 19 years later in 1998. According to the RSCN, studied have shown that the Dibeen forest is a strong standing example of the original pine oak trees historically residing in that area.
According to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, the Dibeen Forest is home to around 17 threatened species of flora and fauna. One of the many surprises to both locals and tourists alike is the existence of a deer population that can be found deep within the forest. Few of the pine oak trees also are said to be some of the oldest as well as largest in the region.
The Pinus halepensis-Quercus calliprinos is one of the main species of pine tree that spontaneously grows in the Region of Palestine, Syria, and Jordan. These towering trees are symbolic of the landscape covering the rolling hillsides.
The Dibeen Forest Reserve can be reached by car, and there is much of the terrain available for hiking, but of course as all hikers and expeditionary adventurers alike should make their whereabouts known to local authorities before traversing deep into the winding forests alone.
Many locals spend leisure time there when possible, some youth and families go, and it is not uncommon to see scorched earth where there once stood a makeshift fire for either warmth or even for cooking food.
While the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature does have a firm grasp on the environment, the location is not without its unfortunate issues. Many locals and tourists alike have found themselves entering the nature reserve and leaving behind traces of their presence such as plastics and other assortments of waste.
The photographs have not been edited to remove the litter from the composition, as this is something that needs to be focused on and these photographs are not created to be aesthetic, but rather document the current situation that these locations are in.