Natural history journal launched

AMMAN — The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) on Thursday launched the first edition of its Jordan Journal of Natural History.

Published by the RSCN’s Conservation Monitoring Centre, the journal will serve as an open-access scientific publication that aims at enriching knowledge on regional fauna and flora, according to the RSCN.

During the launch of the journal, RSCN Chairman Khaled Irani said studies, research and knowledge are essential in sound management of nature and the nature reserves.

“The journal is a great start… it will serve as a scientific reference on the biological diversity of Jordan and the region,” Irani added, calling on scientists and experts to contribute to enriching the publication.

The journal will be published every six months to present studies, research and scientific papers by Arab scientists and experts, according to RSCN Director Yehya Khaled.

“There are numerous institutions in Jordan that work in nature protection and carry out relevant research, but there is no mechanism that allows for sharing the information with the scientific community or the public,” Khaled told The Jordan Times on the sidelines of the launch ceremony.

He noted that the scientific papers and research documented in the journal provide an update on the biodiversity status of the region, underscoring that they can be used for projects and awareness initiatives.

“The Jordan Journal of Natural History represents RSCN’s tool designed to enhance proper documentation of biodiversity research and share this information with decision makers and scientific communities,” Khaled wrote in the journal’s foreword.

He added that the journal will serve researchers in biodiversity issues within the Middle East to exchange scientific knowledge.