ECOLOGICAL AFFORESTATIONA TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN

THE SEMI-ARID AND MEDITERRANEAN ZONES OF ISRAEL

Presented at:UN World Summit for Sustainable Development 2002

Johannesburg, South AfricaAugust 25 - September 4 2002

W.C. LowdermilkW.C. Lowdermilk “The “The 1111ththCommandment” Commandment” (1939)(1939)““Thou shalt inherit the holy earth as a faithful Thou shalt inherit the holy earth as a faithful

steward conserving its resources and productivity steward conserving its resources and productivity from generation to generation...…If any shall fail in from generation to generation...…If any shall fail in this stewardship of the land, thy fruitful fields shall this stewardship of the land, thy fruitful fields shall become sterile stony ground or wasted gullies…..”become sterile stony ground or wasted gullies…..”

AFFORESTATION TIMELINE

OTTOMANOTTOMAN EMPIREEMPIRE

BRITISH BRITISH MANDATORY MANDATORY

GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

ISRAELI ISRAELI GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT

FOREST FOREST DEPARTMENTDEPARTMENT

GERMAN GERMAN TEMPLARSTEMPLARS

191819001860 19601948

KEREN KEREN KAYEMETH KAYEMETH LEISRAELLEISRAEL

1908PRESENTPRESENT

First Phase First Phase AfforestationAfforestation

1908-1970’s1908-1970’s

First Phase AfforestationCharacterized by:

•forest creation•rapid growth•use of broadscale management techniques with little regard for site-specific needs and details•conifer or eucalypt monocultures

•Pinus halepensis, P. brutia•Cupressus sempervirons•Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. gomphocephala

•high planting densities (2000-4000 trees/hectare)•large-scale bloc plantings (20-50 hectares)•even-aged forests•minimum regard for existing vegetation at time of planting•aggressive broadscale site preparation techniques

First Phase AfforestationForest Creation

Broadscale site preparation and planting holes

First Phase AfforestationEarly conifer monoculture bloc plantings

First Phase AfforestationMature conifer-based forest

AGENDA 21 (1992) Chapter 11 - Combating

Deforestation

C. Promote efficient utilization to recover full valuation by:

•recognizing social, economic & ecological values of forests

Recommended Objectives & ActivitiesA. Sustain the multiple roles and functions of forestsB. Enhance the protection, sustainable management and conservation of forests through:

•forest rehabilitation•afforestation•development of a national master plan for planted forests•promote national ecologically sound afforestation programs

WORLD-WIDE TRENDS IN AFFORESTATION & FOREST

MANAGEMENTEUROPE

•close-to-nature forestry•Mediterranean landscape ecology & managementNORTH AMERICA•ecosystem management

AUSTRALIA•complex afforestation systems

AFRICA & ASIA•social forestry & agroforestry

WORLDWIDE•biodiversity conservation•landscape ecology•environmental restoration

Israel’s Forested Landscape

according toNational Master Plan No. 22:

Forests and Forestry(1995)

% of Forested Area

Total Forest Area Type (ha)

Proposed Forest Area (ha)

Existing Forest Area (ha)

Forest Type

41%65,90013,10052,800Planted37%60,000060,000Natural17%26,60019,1007,500Park 3%4,20004,200Coastal Park 2%3,90003,900Riparian

100%160,60032,200128,400TOTAL (ha)100%20%80%% TOTAL

National Master Plan No. 22

( 1995 )Forests & ForestryGuidelines & Objectives

Social Aspects•infrastructure for intensive and extensive recreation•maintain a green hinterland for the public’s wellbeing•amelioration and scenic plantings

Environmental Aspects•protection of planted and natural forest vegetation resource•soil conservation•urban forestry•environmental amelioration•combat desertification•sequester atmospheric CO2

Economic Aspects•wood production & pasture

Second Phase Second Phase AfforestationAfforestation1970’s - Present1970’s - Present

Second Phase AfforestationCharacterized by:

•diversified renewal plantings•advanced site planning•site-sensitive management techniques•high regard for ecological, recreational and social needs•conifer,eucalypt and broadleaf polycultures

•Pinus, Cupressus, Cedrus, Tetraclinus spp. •Eucalyptus, Acacia spp.•Quercus, Pistacia, Ceratonia, Arbutus, Cercis, Styrax, Amygdalus, Olea, Zizyphus, Pyrus spp.

•reduced planting densities (600-1600 trees/hectare)•small-scale bloc plantings (2-30 hectares)•uneven-aged forests•preservation of existing vegetation at time of planting•minimum-disturbance site preparation techniques

Second Phase AfforestationEcological Site Surveys

•new plantings•renewal plantings•existing forests•natural forest parksThey incorporate:•physical elements•biotic elements•cultural elements•historical elements•recreational elements•endangered species•sensitivity analyses

Second Phase AfforestationSmall-scale, localized site preparation

Second Phase AfforestationMixed conifer/broadleaf planting

Second Phase AfforestationForest renewal based on natural regeneration &

planting

Second Phase AfforestationRecycling of organic waste products

•Mulching of forest road embankments

•Chipping of slash during thinning operations

Second Phase AfforestationMixed forest with recreational aspects

Second Phase AfforestationMixed conifer, eucalypt and native forest

CONCLUSIOCONCLUSIONNMultiple-use Mediterranean forests for sustainable Multiple-use Mediterranean forests for sustainable

developmentdevelopment

Prepared by:

Paul M. Ginsberg M.Sc.

Soil Conservation & Forest Management PlannerKeren Kayemeth Leisrael - Northern Region

P.O. Box 45Kiryat Haim 26103

ISRAEL