ניר בתי גידול של צומח ומערכות אקולוגיות ויערניות

The southern Lower Galilee, extending from the northern border of Yizre'el Valley to Bet Qeshet fault in the north is a unique geosystem, bridging over a range of geological units exposed mainly due to recent tectonic activity. Rock variety leads to different habitats promoting a variety of plant-forms accordingly.

Updoming as part of a regional "Syrian Arc" folding system and Dead Sea fault transcurrent slip is evidenced by older Judea Group (Cenomanian-Turonian) outcrops along the fold axis and younger Avedat (mid-late Eocene) and Mount Scopus Group (Coniacian-Maastrichtian) outcrops on the flanks. Neogene basalt was emplaced via normal fault planes bordering subsiding basins. Marl and chalks (upper Miocene-Pliocene) denote a marine ingression.

Previous geophysical, geological, and ecological datasets and research have been studied. Characterization of the Galilee array was done via ordinations and comparative analysis.

Results point to a rock-plant connection. Quercus ithaburensis woodland develops in calcrete soil pockets found among chalks at Alonim and Bet Qesht, west and east of the dome axis, respectively. Quercus calliprinos maquis grows on soft chalks and karstic voids providing root-space. Ziziphus spina-cristi savana-like sparse wood and Ziziphus lotus garigue grow on basalts. Pistacia atlantica grows on marly chalks. Sarcopoterium spinosum bathas and other low shrubs grow on chalks and herbaceous perennials grows on limestones and shallow basaltic soil.

Our recent study analyses the Galilee rock mosaic considering geo-botanic processes evolvement. The vegetation reflects environmental conditions in which water balance has a big impact. Chalk pore water content within the vadose zone and their slow diffuse movement into the roots play a key role at improved habitats. Larger water volumes in the system lead to higher plant-forms. Potential vertical rooting at certain localities enables maquis development. Soil pockets provide woodland development. Other conditions enable bathas and garigue development while dry habitats grow merely herbaceous.