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BackgroundEthnobotanical research studies in Jordan mostly targeted the medicinal uses of plants ignoring the other important uses. Comprehensive documentation of traditional knowledge of using native plants in the delicate desert ecosystem is very crucial for prioritizing biodiversity conservation and socio-economic improvement programs. This study therefore documents and analyzes the traditional knowledge of native plants used for grazing, firewood, food, and medicine by local inhabitants of the southern part of Wadi Araba desert in southwest Jordan. MethodsThe information was obtained using a structured survey targeting 296 informants inhabiting the southern part of Wadi Araba. The documented data was quantitively analyzed by calculating the frequency of citation for the uses categories and species used. ResultsThe results showed that the most important species used as a source of feed for the grazing animals and for firewood is Haloxylon persicum, which also indicates that the species is under overexploitation stress. About 91% of the informants mentioned that they collect plants for medicinal uses compared to 7% who collect them for food, and 6.4% of the informants mentioned that they get the plants from their families and they rarely cultivate them. The informants attributed the reduction in vegetation cover to the lack of water and overgrazing. Whereas, firewood scarcity and long distance to the grazing and wood cutting sites are the most obstacles that face firewood collection. ConclusionOur study concluded that the local people of the study area are still interested in the utilization of the native plants in their surroundings as their ancestors did. Yet, there is some pressure on certain plant species and certain geographic areas that conservation and development programs should take into consideration. This information obtained in this study is interesting for economic improvement and biodiversity conservation programs in adopting small businesses that cultivate the most collected plants to reduce pressure on the ecosystem and to generate income for local families.