The rangeland ecosystem in Jordan is of profound significance both locally and globally, making substantial contributions to biodiversity, agricultural production, and cultural heritage. Serving as a primary source of food and water for livestock, it concurrently supports a diverse array of fauna and flora species. Nevertheless, the sustainability of Rangeland Ecosystem Services (ESS) confronts a substantial threat due to ongoing degradation in Jordanian rangelands, propelled by a confluence of man-made and natural stressors such as urbanization, overgrazing, and climate change. This situation emphasizes the need for a comprehensive preemptive framework for rangeland management, with a focal point on examining the intricate connections between ecological and socio-economic systems.
The overarching objective of this research is to formulate a comprehensive economy-wide model enriched with multiple rangeland-related ESS. This model seeks to delineate the interlinkages between diverse land tenure and management systems and the biophysical capacity of rangelands. Specific research objectives encompass upscaling, quantifying, and appraising economic effects stemming from alterations in ESS provision, transitioning from a site level to a national level. Additionally, the research aims to furnish an economy-wide analysis of repercussions resulting from modifications in policy, management, perceptions toward rangeland ESS, or other external changes (e.g., climate change) leading to rangeland degradation
The project adopts a general equilibrium model framework to scrutinize simultaneous interactions and interrelations within the Jordanian economy. To accomplish this, various database and model extensions are implemented, including the incorporation of the value of natural pasture as a production factor. The methods employed involve assessing the economy-wide impact of natural pasture improvement using a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model, assigning exchange values for ESS through methodologies such as replacement cost and travel costs, introducing ESS as final goods and services within consumption and production functions in the economy, and utilizing the model to simulate the impacts of diverse policies and environmental shocks.