FOR DESERT STUDIES AND DESERTIFICATION CONTROL

The UNESCO Chair for Desert Studies and Desertification Control was established with its goal being to developing understandings of deserts and the arid and semi-arid regions that surround them. It is its primary goal to support projects directed toward developing knowledge of desert formation and history, of desert ecosystems, and of current and future trends in desert formation or demise. Finally, it supports research directed toward the mitigation of current human practices that cause desertification, and into the application of scientific and technological research toward reversal of desertification.

Established in 1995 and situated in the Faculty of Science at Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan, the UNESCO Chair has developed links to individuals, institutions and national and international governmental agencies with interests in desert studies. The deserts of eastern Jordan and the Middle East literally lie just beyond the edge of the city and so provide both a constant reminder of their dynamic presence and provide convenient opportunity for study. The Jordanian landscape provides constant reminders of the dynamic nature of the desert. Ancient farming settlements now lie abandoned within the desert evidencing its encroachment. Now dry lakes surrounded by the debris of prehistoric human cultures attest to more favorable climates.

Among the goals of the UNESCO Chair for Desert Studies is to encourage, support, and participate in projects directed toward understanding:

1) The natural cycles of climate that create and destroy deserts

2) The role of people in creating deserts through their cultural activities

3) The current status and direction of desertification in the Middle East and North Africa and other arid regions of the world

4) The technologies that may mitigate some of the human cultural practices causing desert formation, and assisting in their application and in the training of people in adapting these less destructive practices

5) The technologies that seem most promising in actually reversing desertification processes and seeking support for their application


Its current director, Dr. Ibrahim Dwairi, foresees a greater role for the Chair during the coming years in mitigating the effects of global climate change as the rate of desertification in the Middle East accelerates. He sees a much more vital role for the chair as both a focal point, coordinator and conduit for significant pure and applied research within the Middle East directed toward desertification issues. In effect, the Chair should serve as a "clearing house" for identifying the most important research needs in the challenge of desertification, the individuals that should be involved in this research, and the potential sources of funding for the conduct of this research. He sees the Chair as a highly visible and mobile "player" in establishing links between research, scientists, funding, and local, national and international agencies (ministries) concerned with desertification issues. In addition, he believes that the Chair is potentially a focus for a Middle Eastern "brain-trust" for desert studies.

The Chair is developing a role in technology transfer and public education. This will be reflected in its growing involvement in training programs, conservation projects, study plots, and in the assemble of visitor centers, and similar activities.

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