Control of invasive species

Mesquite shrub (Prosopis juliflora), alian invasive species

Implementing measures to control invasive alien species in Wadi Gharaba Special Conservation Area

وضع اجراءات للحد من الا نواع الغازیة في منطقة وادي غربة الھامة بیئیا

Supported by the GEF Small Grants programme in Jordan

This project was carried out succesfully during 2022-2023 and included field work and a training workshop in cooperation with local groups of interest, and preparing technical reports. The project demonstrated the economic benefits and means of controlling invasive mesquite Prosopis juliflora.

Common myna (Acridotheres tristis), alian invasive species
Common myna (Acridotheres tristis), alian invasive species


The project also included studying the impacts of invasive common myna on farms and on native bird spcies. Further activities included maintenance of the signs around Wadi Gharaba SCA and means of restoring the wetland ecosystem. These are the final activities of the current management plan for protecting the bird habitats along Wadi Gharaba SCA. which was completely implemented by Jordan BirdWatch during the previous five years (2019-2023). The management plan for the next five years is currently being up-dated to continue efforts for saving the remnant marsh-like bird habitat, according to previous acheivements and lessons learned.

Bilboard in Wadi Gharaba, March 2020
Bilboard in Wadi Gharaba, March 2020

Demonstrating means of controlling invasive mesquite Prosopis juliflora

Prosopis juliflora is one of the worst invasive plants worldwide and in the Jordan Valley, it is spreading rapidly due to livestock grazing and is an indicator of intensive disturbances. Once it dominates, it causes further deterioration of ecosystem functions, by competing with native trees and consuming large amounts of ground water. Different approaches were used to control the growth of this invasive plant in Wadi Gharaba. The utilization of
P. juliflora pods as alternative feed is one of these approaches. The other is harvesting the trees for their wood.

Harvested and ground dry pods of Prosopis juliflora
Harvested and ground dry pods of Prosopis juliflora




As conclusion of this project’s activities,

P. juliflora pods are a valuable source of nutrition for ruminants, providing a range of nutrients that can help to improve animal growth and health.
Our studies show that fattening Awassi lambs’ diets containing P. juliflora pods did not adversely affect animal health or nutrient intakes. In addition, boy weight of weaning lambs increased due to partial replacement of barley grain by P. juliflora pods. It is thus rational to consider the ground pods as suitable supplement fodder that enhances production and profitability in arid and semi-arid areas where P. julifora shrubs have become invasive and abundant.

Introducing the use of the mesquite pods as an alternative feed to local communities will
encourage them to adopt this technology and help to control the spread of invasive P. juliflora. It is important to note while introducing this technology to local communities, that
mesquite pods must be ground to make sure the partially digested whole seeds do not spread through animal dropping.

In conclusion, feeding the ground pods as part of a fodder mixture to ruminants can provide a number of benefits:

  • Benefit as nutritious feed for livestock The pods are a good source of protein, fiber, and minerals, which can help to improve animal growth and health.
  • Feeding the pods can help to reduce the cost of feed, particularly in areas where other feed ingredients are scarce or expensive.
  • Using ground pods as supplementary fodder can help to control the spread of the invasive P. juliflora in Jordan Valley and Wadi Gharaba. The environmental benefits would be releasing the grazing pressure on native plants and minimizing spread by decreasing the number of invasive mesquite pods.

Impacts of Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis

The interaction between common myna and hole-nesting birds like bee-eaters, king-fishers and little owls was observed at Wadi Gharaba SCA during the previous years. Although two pairs of myna occur along the edges of the wadi, no interactions such as competition for nesting sites were observed. The mynas used man-made structures for nesting and often crossed the wadi without utilizing the natural habitat there. Its negative impact on native birds in this area is still considered very low or absent.

Farmers stated that physical factors like lack of water, high salinity of water and soil, and weather conditions (like prolonged heat) during the planting seasons were the most important factors affecting agricultural production in the south Shuna area. Pests and adverse weather were considered most important causes for the losses they experienced, followed by other causes like animals, mainly stray dogs, wild boars and birds. Common mynas have no or in some farms only a marginal effect on agriculture in the south Shuna area. Thus, we recommend further studies in different parts of western Jordan where mynas inhabit agricultural areas with different types of crop. We also recommend continuous monitoring as (a) habitat, crops and other environmental conditions may change, thus changing the myna’s diet and feeding behavior, and (b) farmers may become more aware of the possible impacts of mynas, given that over 75% of the interviewed farmers hardly see the myna inside the cultivated lands and/or are unable to disinguish the common myna from other bird species.

Wadi Gharaba Special Conservation Area

Controling invasive species.

Jordan BirdWatch, supported by UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme in Jordan, is implementing measures to control invasive alien species in “Wadi Gharaba A Special Conservation Area“.

Wadi Gharaba bird habitat
Wadi Gharaba bird habitat


Jordan BirdWatch is continuing its attempts to restore the remnant wetland and bird habitat at Wadi Gharaba in the Jordan Valley. The current project focusses on invasive alien species, the spread of which indicates man-made disturbances to ecosystem function and habitat degradation.

Wadi Gharaba Special Conservation Area and invasive species
Wadi Gharaba Special Conservation Area and invasive species

Two widespread invasive species are the mesquite Prosopis juliflora shrubs and the common myna Acridotheres tristis . Activities include Implementing at a small scale control measures of Prosopis juliflora by harvesting dry pods and grinding them to be used as alternative, supplementary animal fodder  and also use the mesquite wood for various purposes.

Harvested and ground dry pods of Prosopis juliflora
Harvested and ground dry pods of Prosopis juliflora

In addition, the impacts of the common myna bird on crops and hole-nesting birds in the Wadi Gharaba SCA and its surroundings is being studied in Jordan for the first time.

Common Myna studies in Wadi Gharaba
Common Myna studies in Wadi Gharaba
Common Myna or Indian Myna in Jordan
Common Myna or Indian Myna in Jordan

JBW is working together with local stakeholders including the livestock owners and forestry department, together we are implementing various activities with the local cooperative “Beit Sweimeh”.

Fort further information see video on our Facebook page:

Or through the link below:

Improvement of Green Infrastructure in Jordan through Labour-intensive Measures

Copyright©2023 Jordan BirdWatch NGO for the protection of birds and their habitat in Jordan, Amman

Website generated by WordPress, designed by BirdtreeBlue.com

Don`t copy text!