derived from the psammophilic species known from these deserts. Therefore, in this
chapter I refer to the different dune types (mobile, semi-stabilized, and stabilized)
based on ecosystem features (plant and animal assemblages, psammophilic species,
vegetation coverage, sand mobility, etc.) (Kutiel et al. 1980; Kutiel 1998; Ramot 2007;
Perry 2008).
The object of this chapter is to contend with two main questions:
(1) Why restore and prevent the stabilization process if it is the natural trend?
(2) What does restoration intend to achieve, and is it feasible?
In order to answer these two questions, I will describe:
(1) The ecological and conservational importance of the coastal sand dunes in
Israel, with an emphasis on the uniqueness of the mobile sand dune habitats.
(2) The evolution of these dunes and the role of human interference within this
evolution.
(3) The initiative to restore the dunes and the trends observed 4 years later.
11.2 The Ecological Uniqueness of the Coastal Sand Dunes
The coastal sand dunes are located within the Mediterranean geographical region.
However, because of the arid condition of the sand compared with adjacent
Mediterranean clayish soil types and the fact that the dunes had been spatially
geographically connected to the Sinai, the Arab, and the Sahara deserts, they have
been practically isolated from their surroundings. The majority of the plant and
animal species in the coastal sand dunes originated in the desert. The more remote
they are from the source populations, the higher the probability of the evolution of
sub- and new species (endemic to the region). Therefore, the Israeli coastal strip is
considered to be a center of speciation for sand-dwelling small mammals, reptiles,
and arthropods. However, the phylogenetic derivations of the coastal dune species
have not been researched thoroughly, and knowledge about them is sparse.
Forty-two endemic plant species (most of them annuals) can be found in the
sandy habitats of the coastal plain, including sand dunes. This constitutes 20 % of
all endemic plant species in Israel and comprises the highest rate of endemism in
any given habitat (Shmida 1982).
The only mammal species endemic to Israel, the Buxton’s jird (Meriones
sacramenti), and an endemic subspecies of Anderson’s gerbil (Gerbillus andersoni
allenbyi, previously referred to as G. allenbyi) are found in this region (Zahavi and
Wahrman 1957; Yom-Tov and Mendelssohn 1988; Wasserberg 1997; Shalmon
2004). The sand-dwelling lizard, Acanthodactylus shreiberi, which is considered
to be critically endangered according to IUCN definitions (Bouskila 2004), still
exists in the sands of the coastal plain, but its habitat is fast disappearing.
The sand-dwelling agamid, Trapelus savignii, whose status in Israel is defined as
vulnerable, existed in the coastal dunes a few decades ago, but today it is
11 Restoration of Coastal Sand Dunes for Conservation of Biodiversity
175
chapter I refer to the different dune types (mobile, semi-stabilized, and stabilized)
based on ecosystem features (plant and animal assemblages, psammophilic species,
vegetation coverage, sand mobility, etc.) (Kutiel et al. 1980; Kutiel 1998; Ramot 2007;
Perry 2008).
The object of this chapter is to contend with two main questions:
(1) Why restore and prevent the stabilization process if it is the natural trend?
(2) What does restoration intend to achieve, and is it feasible?
In order to answer these two questions, I will describe:
(1) The ecological and conservational importance of the coastal sand dunes in
Israel, with an emphasis on the uniqueness of the mobile sand dune habitats.
(2) The evolution of these dunes and the role of human interference within this
evolution.
(3) The initiative to restore the dunes and the trends observed 4 years later.
11.2 The Ecological Uniqueness of the Coastal Sand Dunes
The coastal sand dunes are located within the Mediterranean geographical region.
However, because of the arid condition of the sand compared with adjacent
Mediterranean clayish soil types and the fact that the dunes had been spatially
geographically connected to the Sinai, the Arab, and the Sahara deserts, they have
been practically isolated from their surroundings. The majority of the plant and
animal species in the coastal sand dunes originated in the desert. The more remote
they are from the source populations, the higher the probability of the evolution of
sub- and new species (endemic to the region). Therefore, the Israeli coastal strip is
considered to be a center of speciation for sand-dwelling small mammals, reptiles,
and arthropods. However, the phylogenetic derivations of the coastal dune species
have not been researched thoroughly, and knowledge about them is sparse.
Forty-two endemic plant species (most of them annuals) can be found in the
sandy habitats of the coastal plain, including sand dunes. This constitutes 20 % of
all endemic plant species in Israel and comprises the highest rate of endemism in
any given habitat (Shmida 1982).
The only mammal species endemic to Israel, the Buxton’s jird (Meriones
sacramenti), and an endemic subspecies of Anderson’s gerbil (Gerbillus andersoni
allenbyi, previously referred to as G. allenbyi) are found in this region (Zahavi and
Wahrman 1957; Yom-Tov and Mendelssohn 1988; Wasserberg 1997; Shalmon
2004). The sand-dwelling lizard, Acanthodactylus shreiberi, which is considered
to be critically endangered according to IUCN definitions (Bouskila 2004), still
exists in the sands of the coastal plain, but its habitat is fast disappearing.
The sand-dwelling agamid, Trapelus savignii, whose status in Israel is defined as
vulnerable, existed in the coastal dunes a few decades ago, but today it is
11 Restoration of Coastal Sand Dunes for Conservation of Biodiversity
175