Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 5-2. Restoration Project Highlight: Historical Approach for Ecological
Restoration Project Design
Location: Neot Kedumim Biblical Landscape Reserve, Israel
In Israel, an especially significant project has been developed, and continues to
evolve, that draws on the biblical and Talmudic literature for the selection of species
of plants and animals as well as descriptions of the landscapes. Located in the Modi'in
region, halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Neot Kedumim is more than a gar-
den and learning center. By accepting the interrelationship between man and nature,
Neot Kedumim accepts the presence of human-altered landscapes as well as the natu-
ral ecosystems that occurred in the past among the agricultural activities. The ancient
Mediterranean landscapes have been influenced by human activities for more than
half a million years and presumably coevolved together with Paleolithic man since
the middle Pleistocene (Naveh and Lieberman 1984).
Covering 550 acres of rocky and denuded hill land, the garden is located on the
site of ancient agricultural and grazing pastures used continuously for thousands of
years. Extensive degradation had occurred on-site, with massive amounts of erosion
to the point where only rock remained. Beginning in the late 1960s, major restoration
work transformed this wasteland into landscapes representing those described in the
literature. Several ecological communities have been restored, such as the Sharon
Forest of the coastal plain and open woodland of tabor oak ( Quercus ithaburensis )
(Naveh 1989).
Restorationists have planted flowering plants occurring in the Song of Songs, which
include Sharon tulip ( Tulipa sharonensis ), the sand lily ( Pancratium maritinum ), the
Madonna lily ( Lilium candidum ), and narcissus ( Narcissus tazetta ). Using this his-
torical approach to restoration will naturally raise the question of authenticity. In this
example especially, there is wide latitude for interpretation. But can anyone decide
what the precise assemblage is? Using the interpretations from the literature sources
and making informed decisions among various experts seem to be the best approach.
Using the historical reconstruction approach poses several challenges, the most significant be-
ing whether an adequate description exists not only for the plant species but also for the physical
conditions of the site. A species list alone says only one thing about a vegetation community—
namely, what was present. It does not indicate which species were more common than others. A
reasonable approach to addressing this situation is simply to make sure that sufficient individuals
of all species are present and in various areas to ensure that they will self-sort and establish them-
selves over time.
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