City of Jerusalem
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CITY OF JERUSALEM JERUSALEM BIODIVERSITY REPORT | 2013 ENHANCING URBAN NATURE THROUGH A GLOBAL NETWORK OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS The Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) Project is a 3 year project which was initiated by the City of Cape Town, supported by the eThekwini Municipality (Durban), and developed in conjunction with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and partners. ICLEI is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organisations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. LAB is a project within ICLEI’s biodiversity programme, which aims to assist local governments in their efforts to conserve and sustainably manage biodiversity. Local Action for Biodiversity involves a select number of cities worldwide and focuses on exploring the best ways for local governments to engage in urban biodiversity conservation, enhancement, utilisation and management. The Project aims to facilitate understanding, communication and support among decision-makers, citizens and other stakeholders regarding urban biodiversity issues and the need for local action. It emphasises integration of biodiversity considerations into planning and decision-making processes. Some of the specific goals of the Project include demonstrating best practice urban biodiversity management; provision of documentation and development of biodiversity management and implementation tools; sourcing funding from national and international agencies for biodiversity-related development projects; and increasing global awareness of the importance of biodiversity at the local level. The Local Action for Biodiversity Project is hosted within the ICLEI Africa Secretariat at the City of Cape Town, South Africa and partners with ICLEI, IUCN, Countdown 2010, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), and RomaNatura. For more information, please visit www.iclei.org/lab Ephedra, Bombus terrestris on Echinops, Lupinus aridorum, Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) | Amir Balaban, Hilary Herzberger FORWARD Dear Readers, has enabled us to begin engaging political, academ- ic and NGO stakeholders throughout our bioregion. And, we are in the process of establishing a regional The City of Jerusalem is proud to present The Bio- center for biodiversity and ecosystem management. diversity Report, prepared and coordinated by Ms. Helene Roumani, the Jerusalem LAB Program The City of Jerusalem is a meeting place not only of Manager, in collaboration with the Society for the world faiths and cultures, but also of micro-climates, Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) and the LAB- ZLWKUROOLQJJUHHQKLOOVRQWKH:HVWDQGDPDJQL¿- ICLEI Secretariat in Cape Town, South Africa. cent desert landscape on the East. Encompassing both Mediterranean and semi-arid areas attributes When the Jerusalem Municipality entered into the City with a uniquely rich variety of natural spe- the three-year LAB process, a comprehensive ur- cies. Jerusalem is also a global station on one of the EDQ QDWXUH GDWDEDVH ZDV LQ WKH ¿QDO VWDJHV RI most important international bird migration routes. completion. This valuable work laid the founda- WLRQ IRU WKH DVVHVVPHQW RI VLJQL¿FDQW XUEDQ As we move into the urban century, we look for- nature sites and biodiversity hot spots in the City. ward to being part of a world in which cities are taking center stage. We appreciate the platform Since then additional research has been undertaken. that ICLEI-LAB provides for us to navigate A survey of Jerusalem's most veteran native trees, these new global challenges in dialogue with our which documented more than 4,500 ancient trees, peers, the many and diverse cities that have real- and a biodiversity analysis of the Kidron Basin, ized the pivotal role of nature in the urban arena. conducted in close cooperation with neighborhood communities of the area, will provide essential data for the restoration process of the entire region. As our work proceeds and expands, we achieve a greater appreciation of the contribution of urban na- ture to the quality of life in Jerusalem, while aspiring to a better understanding of the role urban ecosys- tems play in the wider national and global frame- ZRUNV2XULQYROYHPHQWZLWK/$%KDVLQÀXHQFHG the successful incorporation of urban nature as one of the themes in the City’s annual report, based on a wide range of urban sustainability indicators. The work that led to the publication of this report has inspired many exciting initiatives, both within Jerusalem and in engagement with diverse national and global partners. Our LBSAP (Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan), well underway, lays the ground for statutory recognition of nature in our city Naomi Tsur | Deputy Mayor, City of Jerusalem as an important infrastructure layer, to be integrated on all municipal planning levels. Our work with partners in the URBIS (Urban Biospheres) initiative BIODIVERSITY REPORT | NAMEJERUSALEM OF CITY | 2013 | 2007 1 CONTENTS FORWARD 1 1.11 Threats to Biodiversity 52 CONTENTS 2 1.11.1 Lack of Information about EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 Natural Systems in the Planning Process 52 1.11.2 Management of Open Spaces 52 1. ECOLOGY 7 1.11.3 Pollution of Water Sources 52 1.1 Introduction: About Jerusalem 7 1.11.4 Hunting 52 1.1.1 Location and Size 7 1.11.5 Roadway Accidents 52 1.1.2 The People 7 1.11.6 Feral Animals 52 1.1.3 The Economy 7 1.11.7 Alien and Invasive Species 52 1.1.4 Education 8 1.11.8 Management of the City’s 1.1.5 The Local Authority 8 Natural Infrastructure 54 1.2 Biodiversity in Israel 9 1.11.9 Addressing Threats to Biodiversity 54 1.2.1 Urban Ecosystems in Israel 11 1.2.2 Israel’s National Biodiversity Plan 12 2. BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 55 1.3 Definition of Biodiversity in Jerusalem 12 2.1 National Biodiversity Profile 55 1.4 Introduction to Jerusalem’s Natural 2.1.1 Threats to Biodiversity in Israel 55 Environment and Biodiversity 13 2.1.2 National Biodiversity Goals and Legislation 55 1.5 Regional Setting and Conditions 14 2.1.3 The National Biodiversity Plan 57 1.5.1 Topography and Drainage 14 2.2 Biodiversity in Jerusalem City Planning 57 1.5.2 Climate 16 2.2.1 Integrating National Biodiversity Goals 59 1.5.3 Rock Types and Landscape Configurations 17 2.2.2 Proposed Open Spaces Administration 60 1.6 Classification and Mapping of Jerusalem’s Natural Areas 18 2.2.3 Local Policy Guidelines for Biodiversity Protection 61 1.6.1 Natural Open Ensemble Sites 18 2.2.4 Urban Nature Master Plan (LBSAP) 61 1.6.2 Additional Sites 20 2.3 Local and International Partnerships 62 1.7 Description of Biodiversity in Jerusalem 23 2.3.1 Local Commitments 62 1.7.1 Natural Vegetation 23 2.3.2 Global Partnerships 63 1.7.2 Cultivated Plants and Gardening 29 2.3.3 The LAB (Local Action for Biodiversity) Program 64 1.7.3 Animal Life 30 2.4 Leveraging Biodiversity for Social And Economic Development 65 1.8 Affects of Urbanization on Biodiversity in Jerusalem 39 2.5 City Biodiversity Hotspots and Projects 68 1.9 Special Features and Characteristics of 2.5.1 The Jerusalem Bird Observatory (JBO) 68 Biodiversity in Jerusalem 41 2.5.2 The Gazelle Valley Conservation Program: 1.9.1 Endangered and Rare Species in Jerusalem 41 Jerusalem LAB’s Legacy Project 68 1.9.2 Urban Nature in Jerusalem’s Old City 46 2.5.3 The Wildflower Sanctuary 69 1.9.3 The Seven Biblical Species in Jerusalem 48 2.5.4 The Railway Park 70 1.10. The Value of Biodiversity 50 2.6 Awards and Other Recognitions 70 2 BIODIVERSITY REPORT | JERUSALEM | 2013 3. BIODIVERSITY IN CITY MANAGEMENT 71 4 PUBLIC AWARENESS AND COMMUNICATION 84 3.1 Open Spaces Overview 71 4.1 Public Participation 84 3.2 Challenges and Constraints 73 4.1.1 Community Gardens 84 3.3 Current Biodiversity Management Structure 75 4.1.2 Environmental Education 85 3.3.1 Interaction with Other Agencies 77 4.1.3 Open Access to City Planning Committees 86 3.4 Mainstreaming Biodiversity into City Governance 81 5. OTHER BIODIVERSITY PROJECTS AND 3.4.1 Strategic Planning 81 PARTNERSHIPS 87 3.4.2 Biodiversity Protection Criteria for Site Development 81 5.1 The Jerusalem Green Map 87 3.4.3 Promoting Green Roofs and 5.2 Survey of Mature and Unique Trees 87 Green Retrofitting Guidelines 82 5.3 The Jerusalem Biodiversity Information Center 88 3.4.4 Integrating Urban Nature Infrastructure Data Within the City GIS System 82 END NOTES 90 3.4.5 Establishing an Urban Nature Infrastructure Master Plan 83 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 93 PRIMARY AUTHOR & EDITOR Helene Roumani, Jerusalem LAB CO-AUTHORS CHAPTER 1 ECOLOGY Pearl Kaplan, Amir Balaban, Ayala Geldman, Ido Wachtel, Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) TRANSLATION Pearl Kaplan, SPNI BIODIVERSITY REPORT | JERUSALEM | 2013 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY examples of this transformation can be found throughout the historic areas of the city. The Temple Mount is Jerusalem is a pioneer in the field of urban nature an ancient living roof, the Western Wall is home to protection in Israel, specifically with regard to local the swifts, the Old City walls sports cliff vegetation biodiversity planning and management. In recent and the Beit HaKerem neighborhood is known for its years, awareness about the significance of urban porcupine dens. nature and biodiversity in preserving global ecosystem continuity has become more and more prevalent, The data that laid the basis for this report was an and the role of local governments in addressing this in-depth survey of 150 sites throughout the city. It is challenge is now clearly confirmed. While Jerusalem important to note that since then additional research faces unique challenges and opportunities, including has been undertaken; a survey of Jerusalem's ancient urban revitalization, accelerated growth, and economic trees, carried out by SPNI (the Society for the Protection development, conservation of its natural and built of Nature in Israel), and a biodiversity analysis of the heritage is a solemn commitment.