The climate

The climate of Palestine - traditionally described as Mediterranean - is characterized by winter rain and summer drought. However, there is a great diversity in this climate.

Palestine’s ecosystem, which has scarcely changed during the last million years, is divided into four longitudinal belts, namely Semi Coast, Central Highlands, Eastern Slopes, and Jordan Valley. These belts represent four phyto-geographical regions and are well marked by differences in geomorphologic features, climate, soil conditions, and plant life.

Palestine is an area with very limited natural resources. The geographic, political, and socioeconomic uniqueness of this area imposes additional pressure on these resources.

Forests in Palestine

Forests in Palestine are considered to be biologically valuable for the global ecosystem. Natural forests in Palestine represent the Mediterranean forests types, which often contain the descendants of species that lived thousands of years ago. In terms of endemism, however, many species are restricted and can only be found in particular areas that include unusually rich plants and animal communities that thrive in warm, dry summers and cold, moist winters.

These kinds of Mediterranean forests provide a wide range of significant benefits and services to the society that go far beyond traditional forest products. Furthermore they represent one of the planet’s important centres of plant diversity. The forests of the Mediterranean region are essential for maintaining water and soil resources. The forests protect watersheds and regulate the local climate by increasing the air humidity, thereby reducing the intensity of drought. In this way, they can be considered a barrier against desertification. The forests also serve as natural barriers to storms and floods, and they have considerable water retention capacity that reduces runoff and landslides during periods of heavy rain.

Forests have always played an important role in the daily life of Mediterranean peoples. People have been harvesting the products of forest animals and plants on a large scale in the region for thousands of years. Many endangered ecosystems and rare, endemic species in the Mediterranean still coexist in close relationship with humans.

Natural forests in Palestine that are found more than 700 metres above sea level are concentrated mainly on the central highlands of Palestine. The natural forests in the central highlands are represented by Aleppo Pine and Evergreen Oak Maquis. Main tree and shrub species include Quercus caliprinos, Ceratonia siliqua, Pistacia palaestina, and Pistacia lentiscus. Species of open garigue and batha are Sarcopoterium spinosum, Cistus villosus, Phlomis viscose, and Thymus capitatus.

Forests as IBAs

The Mediterranean forests in Palestine are considered to be areas of great botanical importance for threatened species, habitats, and plant diversity in general. They are generally discrete sites that support one or more high-priority species, large concentrations of birds, and exceptional habitat.

The biologically significant flora and fauna in the forests of Palestine serve as hosts for endemic and threatened species. The forests can be grouped into five major regions: the region west of the Hebron District; the region north-west of the Bethlehem District; the region north-west of the Ramallah District; the Nablus District; and the Jenin District. In addition, special status is given to the Jericho District and the eastern slopes of the Jerusalem mountains.

These sites have been selected as IBAs due to the refuge they provide for birds that are endangered or threatened or for migratory species or species of special concern.

Imad Atrash is the executive director of the Palestine Wildlife Society. For more information, visit www.wildlife-pal.org.