**2.1 The Mediterranean region**

This area is represented by mountain ranges extending from Irbid in the north near to the south around Ra's Al Naqb. This region is characterized by the presence of several types of forests (The Phoenicean juniper, *Juniperus phoenicea*, Mt. Atlas mastic tree, *Pistacia atlantica*, Aleppo pine, *Pinus halepensis*, Palestine oak, *Quercus calliprinos*, kermes oak, *Quercus coccifera* and Mount Tabor oak, *Quercus ithaburensis*). Non-forested areas are characterized by a dense cover of the Thorny Burnet, *Sarcopoterium spinosum*. Altitude ranges from 700 to 1500 m asl, with 400–600 mm average annual rainfall and snowfall during winter. Several types of soil are found, including calcareous, *terra rosa*, sandy, and sandy-loamy caused by erosion of the Nubian sandstone that is common in the south [20].
