Kalanit – June 2015

Kalanit
Israel Plant Magazine
June 2015


Kalanit study tour to Mt. Hermon

Avi Shmida,  Department of Ecology and Evolution and the Center for the Study of Rationality, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. avi.shmida@gmail.com

Keywords:  Alpine vegetation, Karstic doline, Traganthic, mountainous forest, Israeli plants

In early June this year, the flora is still green in the northern Golan Heights and the foot of Mt. Hermon, thanks to the perennial grasses. In the mountainous forest belt of Mt. Hermon the flowering is coming to an end, but at an altitude of over 1,900 m the flowering was at its peak when our study tour took place. This year there have been unusual quantities of rain, and the good distribution of rains in most parts of the country, as well as the plentiful rain that fell between 11 and 16 April, resulted in the peak of the spring flowering lasting until the end of April. In the higher altitude habitats the rainfall continued into May. In contrast, the color of the flora in the lower Mediterranean region and transition belt is already turning yellow, due to the Annuals, which this year reached a height of 40-80 cm – almost 1.5 times taller compared to a normal year.

Full Hebrew version


New discoveries in the Galilean coast – unique plants, and the dangers to their survival.

Siko, Naharia  siambe17@gmail.com

Keywords: conservation,  endangered species, Paronychia palaestina, Polygonum maritimum, Bustan Hagalil, Vicia bithynica, gravel, Cuscuta rausii, Scrophularia hierochuntina, Enaarthrocarpus arcuatus, , Silene sedoides, Shavei Zion

The Galilean coastal plain from Acre to Rosh Hanikra is mostly settled, and there remain only two narrow strips where natural flora still exists in this area – the Achziv-Rosh Hanikra strip, and to its south – the Bustan Hagalil strip (Nahal Yassaf ) – Shavei Zion (Nahal Beit Ha’emek).  The review focuses on botanical findings along the rocky beach in the southern strip. This section is only partially accessible, and it contains niches with unique plants, many of which are endangered. Field observations carried out along the Galilean coast on the second gravel hill between Bustan Hagalil and Shavei Zion located new sites, which produced updated distribution data for several endangered plant species. In addition, new plant species that were previously unrecorded were also discovered.

Full Hebrew version


Kalanit study tour to wetlands in the Golan Heights and the Hula Valley

Yair Ur, study tour instructor, yairur@013.net
Hagar Leshner, the National Herbarium – the Hebrew University Jerusalem hagarv@savion.huji.ac.il
Mimi Ron, Deshe  Institute, and organizer of the Kalanit study tours, mimiron47@gmail.com
Avi Shmida,  Department of Ecology and Evolution and the Center for the Study of Rationality, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. avi.shmida@gmail.com
Gadi Pollak, Kalanit editorial, gadpollak@gmail.com

Keywords: Hula Park, swamps, pools, Bental Reservoir, shallow water canals, springs, streams, Einot Fahem Reserve, aquatic plants, immersed plants, ponds, Tel Dan

The wetlands – the springs, pools, streams, and swamps – are prominent at the beginning of summer, with the green colors that encircle them against the background of the largely yellowing herbaceous Mediterranean flora. In this season the aquatic plants enter an enhanced stage of growth and flowering. A large concentration of sites that support wetland plants in Israel is to be found in the Golan Heights and the Hula Valley.  Five types of wetlands were observed during the study tour: shallow water canals, drying winter ponds, permanent and seasonal water pools, and the thicket on the banks of springs and brooks.

Full Hebrew version

 

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