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Paper

The Impact of Water Diplomacy Treaties on the Yarmouk River Basin: Water Variability and Climate Change

Authors
  • Deema A Al-Shboul
  • Anne Gharaibeh (Jordan University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

The Yarmouk Basin, shared by Syria and Jordan, has been subject to multiple treaties since 1953, aiming to regulate water usage between the two countries. However, Syria has violated these agreements, exceeding the limit set by the 1987 treaty, which allowed 25 dams but saw Syria build 42, significantly reducing water flow to Jordan (Zoubi, 2014). Further aggravating the situation, Syria's use of water pumps has severely diminished the river's flow (Zawahri, 2010). Jordan, one of the most water-scarce nations globally, faces declining water availability, with consumption falling to 61 litres per person per day by 2021, and projected to drop to 35 litres by 2040 (MWI, 2023). These violations not only affect Jordan's water supply but also threaten regional cooperation, particularly Jordan's ability to meet its water-sharing obligations to Israel under the 1994 treaty.

This study examines how ambiguous terms in the 1953 Bilateral Agreement have contributed to diminished water flow, leading to significant environmental changes in the Yarmouk Basin. It analyses land cover changes before and after the signing of treaties to assess their impact on the basin’s environmental integrity, water variability, and biodiversity. Additionally, the research explores treaty frameworks and cooperative water management amidst shifting environmental conditions, proposing strategies to restore ecosystem functionality and biodiversity. The study documents land cover changes and addresses water resource vulnerabilities caused by the unequal construction of dams, aiming to mitigate climate change impacts.

Using remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS), the study tracks land cover changes in the Yarmouk Basin over 50 years. A supervised classification technique categorizes remote sensing images, comparing land cover before and after the treaties. This analysis reveals substantial habitat loss due to reduced water levels, urban expansion, and climate change. Key ecological corridors have been fragmented, impacting wildlife movement and biodiversity. Human-induced activities such as dam construction and urbanization are identified as the primary drivers of these changes.

The study concludes with a policy framework developed through stakeholder workshops, addressing the complex environmental and socio-political dynamics of the Yarmouk Basin. This framework emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary approaches to resilience building, ecosystem restoration, and environmental rehabilitation, providing a strategic tool for advancing long-term sustainability.

Keywords: Climate Change, Community Engagement, Blue Green Corridors, Water Diplomacy

How to Cite:

Al-Shboul, D. A. & Gharaibeh, A., (2025) “The Impact of Water Diplomacy Treaties on the Yarmouk River Basin: Water Variability and Climate Change”, Fábos Conference on Landscape and Greenway Planning 8(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.7275/fabos.2465

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Published on
2025-04-11

Peer Reviewed