Rangeland Condition at Southern West Bank

Abstract

This study was part of a large project that was implemented by the Ministry of Environmental Affairs to combat desertification in the West Bank area. The study was conducted at two sites (Al-Dahria and Al- Samoo’) located at the southern parts of the eastern slopes of the West Bank. More than 40 plant species were identified in each of the study sites. At both sites the dominant plant species were Poa bulbosa, Bromus syriacus, and Sarcopoterium spinosum. The total plant cover percentage was low in both sites (54.34 and 57%), while rock cover was relatively high (21.33 and 18.8%) in Al-Dahria and Al-Samoo’, respectively. The vegetation biomass was low (711 and 929 kg dry matter/ha in Al-Dahria and Al- Samoo’, respectively). The soil survey revealed that at both Sites, the soil texture was clay to clay loam, with low fertility. Range condition was poor and soil was eroded. The first priority should be improving the vegetative cover, applying the suitable management programs, and using the suitable and practical conservation techniques.