REVIEW PAPER
Climate-induced water variability and aquaculture resilience in Jordan's Dam Reservoir-dependent ecosystems: challenges and adaptive solutions
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1
Water and Soil, National Agricultural Research Center NARC, Jordan
2
Aquaculture, National Agricultural Research Center NARC, Jordan
Submission date: 2026-03-17
Final revision date: 2026-05-25
Acceptance date: 2026-06-24
Online publication date: 2026-07-28
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ABSTRACT
Jordan, one of the world's most water-scarce nations, faces severe challenges from climate change, which exacerbates its already precarious water security. This review paper analyzes the multifaceted impacts of climate-induced variability in water resources on the stability and viability of aquaculture systems that are heavily dependent on the kingdom's network of Dam Reservoirs. As a climate change hotspot, Jordan is experiencing rising temperatures, declining precipitation, and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as droughts and flash floods. These phenomena directly affect Dam Reservoir storage levels, water quality, and the overall reliability of water supply, creating significant challenges for the aquaculture sector—a field identified as a potential contributor to national food security This review synthesizes knowledge on Jordan's water crisis, analyzing climatological, hydrological, and anthropogenic drivers. It scrutinizes vulnerabilities in Dam Reservoir-dependent aquaculture, such as production instability, elevated costs, and disease risks. Drawing on PRISMA guidelines, we screened 42 peer-reviewed publications, with Jordan-specific and arid-region insights from Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and repositories. Current production stands at 3,214 metric tons (2024, +24% from 2022), though regionally modest. King Talal Dam Reservoir illustrates challenges: 2.3 m annual evaporation elevates salinity to 1,800 µS/cm (2024), rendering water unsuitable for aquaculture. The paper proposes adaptive strategies, including climate-resilient Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), species diversification, aquaponics integration, and non-conventional water use, leveraging Jordan's 2,700 MW solar capacity. It concludes with policy recommendations for governance reforms to build a sustainable resilient aquaculture sector, offering framework for Jordan and similar arid regions
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