than 51 % of the species in the invaded dunes are psammophytes. Moreover, the
composition of the psammophyte species at the invaded sites differed from that on the
mobile dunes. Instead of psammophytes, such as the native Echinops philistaeus
(endemic to the region), Polygonum palaestinum, and Silene villosa (a frequent
annual), that are characteristic to mobile sand dunes, there were psammophyte plants
such as Rumex pictus, Hormuzakia aggregate, and Daucus glaber (all annuals) that
are typical of stabilized dunes. Most of the herbaceous species found in the invaded
sites are opportunist and generalist species. These two categories of species generally favor disturbed habitats rich with available nutrients and upper (0–30 cm) soil
moisture. The overall impact of Acacia on the native richness and composition of
plants is expressed in the EVI (ecological value index: an index that is the sum for the
entire species s in a certain habitat of the product of the conservation importance
value of species i, ranked from 5 to -3, and its abundance) of the various habitat
types, which significantly decreases compared with that of similar un-invaded
habitats (Cohen and Bar (Kutiel) 2005). Similar trends were found for small mammals, such as field mice (Apodemus mystacinus) and rats (Ratus rates), which replace
the psammophyle gerbil species characteristic to the Israeli coastal dunes (Manor
et al. 2007). There is little doubt that the invasion of A. saligna has unfavorable
consequences for native ecosystems and, thus, human intervention and management
control are necessary.
17.2.3 Nizzanim LTER Coastal Sand Dune Nature Reserve
and its Ecological Value
The Nizzanim long-term ecosystem research (LTER) Coastal Sand Dune Nature
Reserve is located in the southern part of Israel’s Mediterranean coast. It covers
2,000 ha and is the only large, open, and minimally disturbed area along the coast.
The reserve consists of various types of dunes with characteristic assemblages of
plants and animals. The most unique feature of this area is the fact that it is an arid
ecosystem inhabited by plants and animals originating from the Sahara and the Arab
deserts, and is located within the Mediterranean region of Israel. The nature reserve is
currently covered by thinly dispersed flora and fauna thriving on sand dunes;
however, this is slowly being replaced by a dense cover of the invasive species, A.
saligna.
Owing to the rapid increase in Israel’s population since its establishment in 1948,
and the resultant acceleration of building and development along Israel’s coastal
plain, the sand dune areas have been reduced to a third of their original size
(Bar (Kutiel) et al. 2004). Israel’s coastal dunes are significant habitats to a variety of
endemic species, including species that are specifically adapted to shifting sand
dunes such as the Meriones sacramenti, and the largest lizard in Israel, Varanus
grizeum. Many of these species are listed as vulnerable or endangered (Kutiel 2001).
17 The Value of Coastal Sand Dunes
275
composition of the psammophyte species at the invaded sites differed from that on the
mobile dunes. Instead of psammophytes, such as the native Echinops philistaeus
(endemic to the region), Polygonum palaestinum, and Silene villosa (a frequent
annual), that are characteristic to mobile sand dunes, there were psammophyte plants
such as Rumex pictus, Hormuzakia aggregate, and Daucus glaber (all annuals) that
are typical of stabilized dunes. Most of the herbaceous species found in the invaded
sites are opportunist and generalist species. These two categories of species generally favor disturbed habitats rich with available nutrients and upper (0–30 cm) soil
moisture. The overall impact of Acacia on the native richness and composition of
plants is expressed in the EVI (ecological value index: an index that is the sum for the
entire species s in a certain habitat of the product of the conservation importance
value of species i, ranked from 5 to -3, and its abundance) of the various habitat
types, which significantly decreases compared with that of similar un-invaded
habitats (Cohen and Bar (Kutiel) 2005). Similar trends were found for small mammals, such as field mice (Apodemus mystacinus) and rats (Ratus rates), which replace
the psammophyle gerbil species characteristic to the Israeli coastal dunes (Manor
et al. 2007). There is little doubt that the invasion of A. saligna has unfavorable
consequences for native ecosystems and, thus, human intervention and management
control are necessary.
17.2.3 Nizzanim LTER Coastal Sand Dune Nature Reserve
and its Ecological Value
The Nizzanim long-term ecosystem research (LTER) Coastal Sand Dune Nature
Reserve is located in the southern part of Israel’s Mediterranean coast. It covers
2,000 ha and is the only large, open, and minimally disturbed area along the coast.
The reserve consists of various types of dunes with characteristic assemblages of
plants and animals. The most unique feature of this area is the fact that it is an arid
ecosystem inhabited by plants and animals originating from the Sahara and the Arab
deserts, and is located within the Mediterranean region of Israel. The nature reserve is
currently covered by thinly dispersed flora and fauna thriving on sand dunes;
however, this is slowly being replaced by a dense cover of the invasive species, A.
saligna.
Owing to the rapid increase in Israel’s population since its establishment in 1948,
and the resultant acceleration of building and development along Israel’s coastal
plain, the sand dune areas have been reduced to a third of their original size
(Bar (Kutiel) et al. 2004). Israel’s coastal dunes are significant habitats to a variety of
endemic species, including species that are specifically adapted to shifting sand
dunes such as the Meriones sacramenti, and the largest lizard in Israel, Varanus
grizeum. Many of these species are listed as vulnerable or endangered (Kutiel 2001).
17 The Value of Coastal Sand Dunes
275