Thursday, March 22, 2007
Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
Resources can be separated into two categories: renewable resources and nonrenewable resources. Renewable resources can be used again, without running out, providing that they are not used too fast. Nonrenewable resources are one-use resources. Once they are used up, they're gone! Israel has both renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Land Use
Most of Israel’s desert regions have poor soils, but the northern Negev, the coastal plains and the interior valleys have some patches of good soils. Around 21% of Israel’s land is used for crops and orchards. About 60% of Israel is covered in desert.
Israel's Forests
Only 3.7% of Israel is covered by forests, either natural or man-made. The Mediterranean climate is found in about 40% of Israel. About 70% of the man-made forests in the country are found in this climate. There are not many forested areas in Israel, compared to other countries with Mediterranean climate. 
Most of the forests in Israel were planted after a long forestation effort, carried out by the British Mandatory government. When Israel gained its independence in 1949, the government planted more trees. The Israeli government is responsible for planting and maintaining all of the man-made forests. Citizens are also asked to reduce, reuse and recycle their products that are made from trees as part of the conservation effort.
Most of the Mediterranean vegetation in Israel was destroyed by overgrazing and over-cutting. As a result of this, the vegetation couldn’t recover. In 1995, forests covered 826,598 dunams (826 kilometres). By the year 2020, the government plans to double this area.
Forest Fires
There have always been lots of forest fires in Israel. The Mediterranean forests consist of oaks and bushes, and the wild lands, that have no trees, are mainly grasses and small bushes. The fires on these two types of vegetation are very extensive, since they start in remote areas, and they are not detected until a lot of damage is done.
The hot, dry and windy weather is the most dangerous conditions for the risks of forest fires. There are many things that can cause these forest fires. In the past years, mainly the 1950’s and the 1960’s, agricultural burning of stubble has been the most common causes of fires. The secondary cause of fires is people not being careful with burning cigarettes. Arson is also a factor in the starting of forest fires. The arsonists are usually criminals who try to collect insurance money. The arson forest fires usually start at the edge of the Palestine-Israel border (on the Palestine side), and work their way to Israel. The military also is the cause of some fires, since they train with live ammunition, and sometimes start fires.
Most of the forests in Israel were planted after a long forestation effort, carried out by the British Mandatory government. When Israel gained its independence in 1949, the government planted more trees. The Israeli government is responsible for planting and maintaining all of the man-made forests. Citizens are also asked to reduce, reuse and recycle their products that are made from trees as part of the conservation effort.
Most of the Mediterranean vegetation in Israel was destroyed by overgrazing and over-cutting. As a result of this, the vegetation couldn’t recover. In 1995, forests covered 826,598 dunams (826 kilometres). By the year 2020, the government plans to double this area.
Forest Fires
There have always been lots of forest fires in Israel. The Mediterranean forests consist of oaks and bushes, and the wild lands, that have no trees, are mainly grasses and small bushes. The fires on these two types of vegetation are very extensive, since they start in remote areas, and they are not detected until a lot of damage is done.
The hot, dry and windy weather is the most dangerous conditions for the risks of forest fires. There are many things that can cause these forest fires. In the past years, mainly the 1950’s and the 1960’s, agricultural burning of stubble has been the most common causes of fires. The secondary cause of fires is people not being careful with burning cigarettes. Arson is also a factor in the starting of forest fires. The arsonists are usually criminals who try to collect insurance money. The arson forest fires usually start at the edge of the Palestine-Israel border (on the Palestine side), and work their way to Israel. The military also is the cause of some fires, since they train with live ammunition, and sometimes start fires.
Israel Water
Water is considered to be the most important natural resource. It is essential to keep people’s well-being their quality of life. Israel has suffered a long-term water shortage for years. In the past few years, the water situation has become a crisis so severe that people fear that it will be difficult for the country to supply water requirements. The current shortage of water in Israel amounts to about 2 billion cubic meters, the same amount of water consumed every year.
The causes of Israel’s water shortage are both natural and man-made. The country has faced four consecutive years of drought. There has been an increase in the demand for water, caused by the growing population and the rising standard of living. The policy regarding water combined with not enough action to stop this crisis has also affected the shortage. Agriculture has suffered from this because farmers are not able to plant and maintain the crops.
The causes of Israel’s water shortage are both natural and man-made. The country has faced four consecutive years of drought. There has been an increase in the demand for water, caused by the growing population and the rising standard of living. The policy regarding water combined with not enough action to stop this crisis has also affected the shortage. Agriculture has suffered from this because farmers are not able to plant and maintain the crops.
Water Resources
The average potential of renewable water comes to 1,800 million meters cubed every year. 95% of this is already used for domestic consumption and irrigation. Around 80% of the water potential is in the northern parts of the country, and the remaining 20% is in the south.
Israel’s main freshwater resources are: Lake Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee, the Coastal Aquifer, and the Mountain Aquifer. There are also other smaller freshwater resources in the country.
The two most reliable and least expensive ways to extend Israel’s water resources are water conservation and water use efficiency. There are some public water conservation groups that are trying to reduce the consumption of water and to increase the awareness of water scarcity.
Israel’s conservation efforts are aimed at improving water efficiency, managing the water, and to control the water. They are incouraged to reduce their use of water. The citizens of the country are asked to save water, using the slogan “Don’t waste a drop”. Parks are also helping out by planting drought-resistant plants and watering at night
Israel’s main freshwater resources are: Lake Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee, the Coastal Aquifer, and the Mountain Aquifer. There are also other smaller freshwater resources in the country.
The two most reliable and least expensive ways to extend Israel’s water resources are water conservation and water use efficiency. There are some public water conservation groups that are trying to reduce the consumption of water and to increase the awareness of water scarcity.
Israel’s conservation efforts are aimed at improving water efficiency, managing the water, and to control the water. They are incouraged to reduce their use of water. The citizens of the country are asked to save water, using the slogan “Don’t waste a drop”. Parks are also helping out by planting drought-resistant plants and watering at night
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