V.4. Recreation and of specific niche habitats for animal and plant species and Protection of destroyed habitats.
V.4.1. Establishment of trees for shade and animal shelter
In 1998 a forestation project was carried out in two areas, one close to the south and one to the north of the lake. Trees were planted along the reconstituted former Jordan River bed to improve the habitat.
Environmental conditions at Hula Valley limits tree growth. The water table is only 0.5-1.5 meters below ground level. The soil consists of fen peat, which has been formed under alkaline conditions, containing 20-35% organic matter (Zohary and Orshansky, 1947). The shallowness of the soil, together with the strong winds, is a serious problem, as trees can easily be uprooted. The differences between the summer high temperatures and the frost events during winter are another limiting factors for trees in this area. The only tree species that grew naturally around the swamp were the Salix acomophylla and Tamarix jordanis (Shmida and Darom 1992).
The aim of the project was to create shade sites by establishing different tree species on the peat soil. The project will focus on four species (Ficus carica, Fraxinus syriaca, Salix acmophylla and Platanus orientalis) which grow naturally along on the banks along the northern part of the Jordan River. The trees will serve as hunting perches for the following species: Aquila pomarina (Lesser Spotted Eagle), Aquila clanga (Spotted Eagle), Circus aeruginosus (Marsh Harrier) and Haliaeetus albicilia (White-Tailed Eagle). These species are already present in the area and utilize artificial structures (sprinklers and pipes) as hunting perches. The trees have developed well from the forestry aspect and will serve as nesting sites for other bird species as well as for recreation.
Canal banks and non-arable areas of burnt peat with a high ground water level have been spontaneously rehabilitated by indigenous swamp species (Lythrum salicaria L., Epilobium hirsutum L., Cyperus papyrus L., Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb., Polygonum lapathifolium L., Polygonum salicifolium Willd., Polygonum lanigerum R.Br. and Salix acmophylla Boiss.). These habitats are mostly dominated by Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steud. communities but Tamarix sp. are rapidly encroaching.
V.4.2. Establishment of windbreaks along the riverbanks.
During 1999 trees and shrubs were planted to form fast growing windbreaks along the channels. Cupressus sempervirens trees were planted in along the western channel in an experimental line 300-meter long at 1.5-3.0 distance between the trees. 400 Nerium oleander were planted in an 800 stripe along the channel to form fast growing windbreaks to improve the habitat for nesting. In June 2000 the roots reached the water table level (about 2 meters), so artificial irrigation was stopped. The mortality rate of the trees was about 1%.
V.4.3. Creating habitats for Sterna hirundo (Common Tern) nesting.
Sterna hirundo is an endangered species that is found in the Hula Valley. According to observations conducted in the Hula Nature Reserve to determine the nesting requirements of Sterna hirundo, the birds need exposed soil elevated about 20 cm above the water level. About 40 nesting places were recorded on two artificial islands constructed in the Hula Nature Reserve.
The proposed project involved the formation of these habitats through the construction of small artificial islands and exposing soil surfaces mechanically, forming areas covered by shallow water which will be dry in spring when the water level decreases. Two islands, each of about 300 square meters have been established. Common tern did not nest in the prepared area, though several dozens used this spot for resting through the winter, together with other species, such as pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) and Black-Winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus).
V.4.4. Preparing plowed areas for Glareola pratinclola nesting.
Glareola pratinclola favors nesting in plowed areas. When the nests are constructed in agricultural lands they are destroyed by cultivation.
Collared Pratinclola (Glareola pratinclola) nesting is very rare in Israel. Moreover, during the 1960s and 1970s nesting was severely affected by pesticides, resulting in almost total extinction of breeding populations. In the late 1980s only a few pairs (50-100 breeding pairs) or small colonies were observed. The Collared Pratinclola population in the Hula valley increased after implementation of the restoration program. Successful nesting began to be observed in the wet and bare (devoid of vegetation) areas surrounding the lake. Most of the nesting intents were found in cultivated fields, projected for irrigated summer crops. During the growing summer season such fields are plowed for weed control.
At the beginning of May 1998 a large concentration of about 50 Collared Pratinclola nesting pairs were observed in a field covered with peanuts seedlings. The farmer, presenting an outstanding awareness of bird nesting, informed the National Reserves Authority that the fields were about to be plowed and the nests would be destroyed. After an urgent discussion with the Ministry of Agriculture Weed Service, the field owners decided to replace mechanical weed control with a chemical treatment “Carda” which poses minimal danger to birds.
The high cost of the chemical treatment is the reason that this method is only sporadically used for weed control, mostly during the late phases of the peanut growing season. The recommended herbicide (imazamethapyr) was selected for its very low toxicity level for birds. The farmers agreed to delay plowing for a few days to give time for to find financial support to purchase the pesticide and for spraying.
The Life Project, The Nature Protection and National Parks Authority in equal proportions paid for the treatment. Spraying was conducted on June 10, 1998. No bird mortality was observed after the spraying and nesting activity was not interrupted. Chicks were observed in the fields. This operation is an example of the main purpose of the Life Hula Restoration Project, nature protection in the framework of cooperation between the authorities involved in land utilization. In 1999 and 2000, Collared Pratincola (Glareola pratincola) flocks nested in the fields. Farmers have taken care not to damage the nesting process, adapting the timing of cultivation to the nesting periods, and hence avoiding damage to the nests.
