Climate and Surface Impact on Plant Cover

Given its close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea climate, Hebron area is characterized by cold and rainy winters and hot and dry summers. However, there is a wide variation in climate conditions among areas and seasons. Bordering the Naqab Desert and the Jordan Valley, parts of Hebron area are affected significantly by the desert climate. Therefore, a plant area has come into being and is dominated by seasonal plants although there are lots of durable plants in addition to some kinds of shrubs for grazing. As a result the natural pasture land in Hebron shows a significant fluctuation in the intensity of its plant cover and in the amount of dry feed produced. Deterioration of Hebron's natural pastures began to surface in the 20th century due to early grazing and overgrazing, and cultivation of marginal and bordering lands. This was in addition to random cutting of trees and feed shrubs for fuel purposes. Due to the nature of the delicate or fragile ecological system in the area, desertification began to creep, thanks to man's fast population growth, on one hand, and the methods of land uses, on the other hand. Aspects of the deterioration in natural pastures in Hebron can be seen in the scarcity or extinction of some important grazing plants, increase in undesired plants by animals, widespread of poisonous and thorny plants. To stop or check on this deterioration and to keep the biodiversity in plants, the researcher suggested the following methods to invest this vital resource: organization of natural pastures investment; increasing and improving sources of feed produced from non-pasture areas; rehabilitation of natural plant cover (natural reserves); introducing orientation and extension services; and creation of a feed reserve and establishment of feed warehouses.