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Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Israel is located at the junction of three continents and at the crossroads of climatic and botanic regions. Due to this wide range of physical conditions, there exists a rich variety of flora and fauna including some 2,400 plant, 7 amphibian, 100 reptile, 530 bird, over 100 mammal and 32 fish species. According to the Red Book, some 35% of the country’s vertebrates, 20% of the nesting bird species and 83% of amphibians are endangered. More than half of the 34 vertebrates, which are listed as extinct, are wetland dependant species. Current information shows that there are 148 endemic plant species and 405 species are listed as endangered. Biodiversity is endangered largely as a result of accelerated development and population growth. Other problems include: habitat fragmentation, ecosystem degradation, invasive alien species, intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, diversion and drying up of wetlands and environmental pollution.

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

About 20% of Israel’s land area is preserved within declared nature reserves. Most of these are located in the desert area in the south of the country. Only about 3% of the Mediterranean region is currently protected in nature reserves. By 2004, 160 nature reserves and 54 national parks were declared and established out of a total of 380 nature reserves and 115 national parks which are currently in various stages of planning and approval. In all, Israel’s nature reserves (existing and planned) span an area of 6,130 thousand square kilometers and its national parks span an area of 370,000 square kilometers.

Percentage of Forest Cover

The current inventory of natural and planted forest is 160,000ha, which accounts for approximately 7% of Israel’s land area.

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Over the past few years, growing realization of the importance of preserving Israel’s biodiversity has led to several initiatives including: a major struggle on behalf of the preservation of open spaces by both governmental and non-governmental bodies; the introduction of new management practices for nature reserves; the creation of an interdisciplinary committee on alien species; declaration of new parks and reserves; signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on a monitoring and data management program in the Gulf of Aqaba between Israel and Jordan (December 2003); circulation of an amendment to the Water Law (2004) which adds another purpose namely the allocation of water for nature and landscapes assets; enactment of the Law for the Protection of the Coastal Environment (2004) which aims at protecting, preserving and restoring the Mediterranean coastal environment; and several public awareness projects and initiatives. The most important step towards the achievement of the 2010 target however, is the preparation of the National Biodiversity Strategic Plan. To advance the process, a wide variety of activities has been launched including the appointment of expert teams on such subjects as education and public awareness, monitoring and research, threats and conservation measures, legislative and institutional frameworks and international aspects of biodiversity. The aim of the plan is to define objectives and targets, tools and procedures for implementation in the short, medium and long terms.

Initiatives in Protected Areas

The Nature and Parks Authority developed a policy for ecological connectivity between protected or natural areas. These ecological corridors provide conduits for the passage of animals and plants in fragmented landscapes allowing for the exchange of genetic material. The Nature and Parks Authority and the Ministry of the Environment published a policy document on animal passages in roads, with recommendations on animal crossings as a means of mitigating the effects of habitat fragmentation by roads. The Government of Israel has also begun development of several management programs and conducted needs assessments for protected areas. One of the main recommendations of the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan is the mapping of all of Israel’s remaining natural habitats, protect them, and if necessary restore them. In addition, Israel has a statutory National Master Plan for Nature Reserves and National Parks (Plan #8) and a statutory National Master Plan for Forests and Forestry (Plan #22). Israel’s open space areas were classified and characterized according to sensitivity and value criteria. Landscape surveys, aerial photographs and observations are undertaken in different ecosystems throughout the country, including the arid area (Negev) and the coastal sand. The forest area is monitored on an annual basis through aerial photography with GIS. A policy and planning principles document on river restoration was prepared.