Similar initiatives to revive these ancient land management practices and the traditional/cultural knowledge that comes with them are also underway in other countries of the Arab region, including Jordan (Box 5.1). Many watersheds are increasingly affected by deforestation, land use change, intensive agriculture, mining, population growth and climate change. Watershed degradation negatively impacts water supply, particularly for the urban population, reducing water availability at least in certain seasons, aggravating urban flooding in others, impairing water quality, and hence increasing the costs of urban water supply and treatment.