NCI 2024
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    Despite the country’s small size, Israel’s natural environment is diverse and unique. Its location between three continents and varied topography, geography, and climate contribute to this richness, which impacts global biodiversity. This land hosts an array of reptiles and mammals, each uniquely adapted to the region’s distinct habitats. Every year, around 500 million birds pass through Israel on their migration route, with some species relying on Israel as a critical bottleneck for safe passage, such as the Great White Pelican, whose entire global population migrates over Israel.

    Israel’s landscape showcases a variety of terrains, each with its own ecological importance. Notable geographical features include the Ramon Crater, a striking naturally formed basin, and the Hula Valley, renowned for its rich wetlands. These areas highlight Israel’s diverse ecosystems, from rugged desert landscapes to fertile valleys, supporting a wide range of wildlife and plant species. This mix of environments contributes to the unique ecological profile of the country.

    Score Rank Change
    Total Score – NCI 2024 50.70 145 N/A
    Land Management 37 166 N/A
    Protected Areas (Terrestrial) 72 73 N/A
    Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 39 121 N/A
    Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 34 149 N/A
    Protected Areas (Marine) 2 103 N/A
    Pristine Habitat (Converted Land) 82 147 N/A
    Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution) 23 136 N/A
    Sustainable Pesticide Use 10 136 N/A
    Threats to Biodiversity 61 100 N/A
    Threatened Species (Terrestrial) 79 131 N/A
    Threatened Species (Marine) 67 48 N/A
    Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas
    Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas 84 98 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial) 34 61 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Marine) 0 10 N/A
    Depleted Fisheries
    Fishery Pressure in the High Seas 100 63 N/A
    Invasive Species Pressure 73 151 N/A
    Capacity and Governance 61 109 N/A
    Total Management Cost 98 67 N/A
    Conservation Culturomics 48 67 N/A
    Conservation Legislation 18 172 N/A
    Ratification of CBD 100 1 N/A
    Ratification of CITES 100 1 N/A
    Political Stability and Absence of Violence 30 124 N/A
    Control of Corruption 66 31 N/A
    Government Effectiveness 74 24 N/A
    Future Trends 43 85 N/A
    Climate Change Mitigation 43 85 N/A

    Four pillars elaborated:

    Land Management

     Israel has a smaller land size compared to many other countries, covering around 22,145 km² (8,550 mi²) . This area extends from the Mediterranean coast in the west to the Negev Desert in the south. The country features diverse landscapes, including deserts, mountains, and fertile plains. Most of its population, which totals about 10 million, resides in the coastal region. To conserve its natural resources and diverse species, Israel has established several protected areas and national parks. The Hai-Bar Carmel Nature Reserve is one example dedicated to breeding and reintroducing native wildlife species that have become extinct or endangered in the region. Other notable conservation areas include the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve in the southern desert, which focuses on desert species, and the Ramon Nature Reserve, which preserves unique geological formations and supports a variety of desert flora and fauna.

    Threats to Biodiversity

     Israel’s biodiversity is under severe threat, leading to a decrease in its plant and animal species. Rapid development and population growth are turning natural habitats into agricultural and urban areas, harming ecosystems. Additionally, habitat destruction and invasive species are major challenges to environmental conservation. These factors reduce the space for native species and disrupt ecological functions, threatening the survival of various species. Non-native species compete with local wildlife, disrupting the food chain and ecosystem balance. Furthermore, illegal hunting and pollution worsen these problems, while climate change alters habitats and increases species vulnerability.

    Capacity and Governance

     Since its establishment in 1953, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) has been pivotal in raising awareness and driving conservation efforts in Israel. As the largest environmental NGO in the country, the SPNI has launched numerous campaigns to safeguard Israel’s unique natural environments and landscapes from the adverse effects of unchecked development. It supports this mission through a robust educational network that includes 26 field study centers, 40 branches, hundreds of youth clubs, and extensive teacher training programs. This outreach engages nearly 20% of the country’s population in various conservation activities.

    Additionally, Israel has implemented significant legislation to protect its natural and landscape resources, creating 155 nature reserves. These reserves, along with efforts to declare hundreds more, encompass the full spectrum of Israel’s natural heritage and are essential in preserving biodiversity in a rapidly urbanizing country. Moreover, various national agencies and initiatives, including the reintroduction of native species and the preservation of genetic resources in agriculture, further underscore Israel’s commitment to environmental conservation and biodiversity.

    Future Trends

     Despite Israel’s efforts to establish a system of nature reserves and national parks, its small size and intense land use pressures have left insufficient land for conservation, failing to preserve the country’s diverse ecosystems and unique landscapes fully. Recognizing this, recent initiatives have focused on mapping and assessing the environmental sensitivity of Israel’s remaining natural spaces to guide development without harming ecosystems. One significant step is the designation of Mount Meron as a biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Program, which aims to protect a variety of ecosystems.

    Additionally, the Nature Reserves Authority and the Jewish National Fund are addressing habitat fragmentation by developing a management plan for open landscapes, prioritizing conservation based on criteria like endangered species presence, biodiversity potential, and connectivity to other areas. This shift reflects a growing realization that Israel’s development approach must transition from exploiting to conserving open spaces, emphasizing the protection of natural heritage and the ecological benefits it provides to both tourism and resident well-being.


    Biodiversity

    Despite its small size, Israel is notable for its rich biodiversity and diverse ecosystems, ranging from Mediterranean forests and coastal plains to desert regions and mountainous areas. The country’s varied topography and climate contribute to a wide array of habitats that support a wide variety of flora and fauna. The Mediterranean coastal region, characterized by its forests and shrublands, is home to caracal and wild boar species and numerous bird species, including the griffon vulture and Bonelli’s eagle. This region is also known for its diverse plant life, including oak and pine forests, as well as various species of wildflowers.

    The Negev Desert in the south is a unique ecosystem that supports species adapted to arid conditions. Notable wildlife in this desert region includes the Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, and desert fox. The Negev is also rich in reptile species and hosts various hardy plant species that thrive in the harsh desert environment. The Jordan Rift Valley, including the Dead Sea area, is another key ecological region, providing important habitats for migratory birds and supporting a variety of plant and animal species.

    Israel’s mountainous regions, such as the Carmel and Galilee mountain ranges, further enhance the country’s biodiversity. These areas feature a mix of temperate and Mediterranean climates, supporting forests and grasslands home to species like the striped hyena, Persian fallow deer, and many endemic plant species. The Sea of Galilee and the surrounding wetlands are crucial for aquatic biodiversity, providing habitats for fish, amphibians, and waterfowl.

    In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Israel only):


    Species
    (World rank)    		 Threatened % Threatened Endemic % Endemic
    Mammals 116 (#97) 15 12.9%
    Birds 385 (#89) 18 4.7%
    Reptiles 95 (#93) 11 11.6% 1 1%
    Amphibians 8 (#144) 1 12.5% 1 12.5%
    Fishes 723 (#81) 77 10.7% 16 2.2%
    Plants 2,288 (#142) 413 18.1% 56 2.4%

    Go To 2024 National Nature Conservation Index Main Page

    Israel

    A mosaic of landscapes and life, where ancient history and nature's stories unfold

    Score:

    50.70 / 100

    Rank:

    145 / 180