Abstract

Local knowledge about natural resources is becoming increasingly important in defining strategies and actions for conservation of medicinal plants. This study is trying to display the threatened status of medicinal plants of Ajloun heights region; identify the most important factors affecting the plants in their natural habitats. Previous studies summarized the presence of 46 medicinal plant species grown in the study region are still in use in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases needed much effort in terms of conservation. The non endangered species (N) are consisting of 31 species; the vulnerable ones (VU) are 5; the endangered medicinal plants (EN) are five species; they are: Alchemilla vulgaris L., Crocus hyemalis Boiss. and Blanche, Pistacia palaestina Boiss., Rubia tinctorum L. and Salvia triloba L.f.; while the critically endangered species (CE) are four species, they are: Eryngium creticum Lam., Majorana syriaca (L.) Raf., Mandragora autumnalis Bertol. and Matricaria aurea Sch. Bip.  well-known safe medicinal plants such as Achillea falcata, Matricaria aurea, Majorana syriaca, Allium sativum and Allium cepa. The use of moderately unsafe or toxic plants was noted to be practiced by practitioners and herbalists rather than the locals. Some widely distributed toxic plants include Ecballium elaterium A. Rich., Euphorbia hierosolymitana Boiss., Mandragora autumnalis  Bertol., and Citrullus colocynthis. (L.) Schrad. need further care in treatment. Deforestation, agriculture, mining, industrial plantation, timber extracting and wildfires are the most dangerous factors causing the forest loss in Ajlun. It is highly recommended for enactment of an act for the establishment of the traditional medicinal council, which is tasked with the responsibility for the registration of all traditional medicinal practitioners in the country to organize all the activities, is very essential.

Key words: Forest loss, medicinal plants, conservation, Jordan, Ajloun.