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Mitigation of common myna abundance in protected areas

Eli Finarov, Assaf Shwartz, Uri Roll, Shay Meiri

The common myna )Acridotheres tristis( is a highly successful invader in many countries globally. It is known as one of the worst invasive species in the world, with various evidences showing its’ adverse impacts on native species. Since the myna invaded Israel in 1997, it is growing in numbers and in distribution, with a recent penetration into natural and protected areas that poses a threat to native species.

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The main aim of the research was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a promising control method that could mitigate the presence of mynas in protected areas, by examining the effect of trapping on myna abundance inside these areas. Additionally, the researchers examined how trapping affects mynas’ behavior inside protected areas by measuring flight initiation distances (FID), and whether mynas show preference for a certain habitat inside a protected area, using Ramat Hanadiv nature park as a case study. During two breeding seasons (2021-2022), myna presence and FIDs were recorded in three protected areas in Israel, before and after trapping experiments lasting approximately 45 days in each site. Trapping efforts used high trap density (10.16 traps/km2), achieved high specificity (95.3%) and resulted in 368 captured mynas across the three sites.

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Findings showed that trapping dramatically reduced myna abundance inside two protected areas (92.7% and 85.4% reduction in Ramat Hanadiv and Yarkon Sources National Park, respectively), with numbers staying significantly low even several months after trapping. An insignificant reduction found in the third site (Tel Afek National Park) may indicate that time-limited treatment may not be very effective for protected areas that are surrounded by urban environments with established myna populations. FIDs significantly increased after trapping in all sites, indicating trapping actions caused heightened vigilance that may lead to negative effects on individual fitness. In addition, significant differences in mynas’ habitat preference were found: mynas were more active in the buffer zone of Ramat Hanadiv than in the urban area adjacent to it and the highly modified recreation areas. This flags the problematicalness in management actions of a natural habitats to reduce the potential damage of fires to an adjacent settlement (i.e., grazing and mowing of dense vegetation that create open spaces), as these actions may encourage the penetration of invasive species into the natural area.

The empirical evidence found in current research imply that a relatively simple intervention in the form of cage trapping can dramatically reduce myna abundance for longer time than expected and can be used to manage myna populations in protected. In other words, it is possible to develop a management strategy to remove mynas from protected areas and thus mitigate their negative impacts. Further research is needed to understand the impact of myna mitigation on native communities to ensure the effectiveness of this method.

Of further interest...

Accessibility

Tour Options for People with Special Needs

Accompanied by one of our guides, you will be able to have a custom-made visit tailored to your group

For further information >>

Sustainability

Horticultural Therapy at Ramat Hanadiv

Many studies have demonstrated the link between a green environment, nature or flowering gardens and feelings of calmness and serenity, enjoyment and vitality

For further information >>

Dining Here

Dining

To complete your Ramat Hanadiv experience, you are cordially invited to enjoy the culinary pleasures of Mata’im, the cafe-restaurant on our premises.

For further information >>
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Horticultural Therapy at Ramat Hanadiv

הגינה הטיפולית ברמת הנדיב

Many studies have demonstrated the link between a green environment, nature or flowering gardens and feelings of calmness and serenity, enjoyment and vitality. Lovers of gardening attest to the advantages of gardening and the benefits they derive from it, as an activity that is calming and enjoyable, arouses the senses, works the muscles and allows artistic expression that bears fruit, literally and figuratively. Gardening is universal: it crosses borders, cultures and sectors.
At Ramat Hanadiv Gardens, which are designed for the enjoyment of the entire population, a horticultural therapy program has been working since 2000 to expose people with special needs to gardening, and no less importantly – connect them with the community. The underlying principle of this program follows the approach that attaches great importance to integrating people with special needs, such as intellectual and developmental disabilities or mental health issues, and at-risk youth, who are generally ostracized from society, in a normative setting that enables contact with the garden’s employees and exposure to visitors and tourists.

גינון טיפולי

A number of programs are run at Ramat Hanadiv within the framework of horticultural therapy:

1. Circle of growth

This is a group that meets regularly throughout the year. The group, comprising adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, meets up weekly for three hours of horticultural therapy. The activity takes place in the memorial gardens and the therapeutic garden – an enabling garden, located in a designated site within the operations area of Ramat Hanadiv. In the enabling garden the group has its own garden, and each participant has their own gardening bed. This garden combines materials from the rich natural environment of Ramat Hanadiv with original ideas to create a charming corner that is pleasant to visit. The members of the group work, according to their abilities, in a range of gardening jobs: weeding, raking leaves, pruning, turning the soil, transferring seedlings to pots, sowing, planting, preparing cuttings, transferring seedlings, watering and so on

 In the enabling garden the participants experience first-hand the process of growing a plant, from the sowing stage to the withering stage, and the change of seasons. They learn to look after the plants and enjoy their fruits. At the end of the day, a wrap-up discussion is held, in which each participant is given the opportunity to share their experiences. From time to time, to break the routine, the group has an activity outside of the garden: a walking tour in Ramat Hanadiv’s nature park, or a picnic in nature and preparation of herbal tea at the nearby spring.

In these activities, the group is joined by volunteers and interns, some of them horticultural therapy students, and others with an affinity for gardening who are interested in becoming familiar with this field and experiencing it personally.

פעילות במסגרת תכנית תורמים בגינה
2. Giving to the Garden
The project, “Giving to the Garden” provides an opportunity for diverse sectors of the population with special needs to give and to benefit, via gardening and an interpersonal interaction with other volunteers and the horticultural gardening staff. The program operates on a fixed day of the week. Its main aim is working in the garden in a supportive environment, and it is suitable for a wide range of ages. The work conditions are adapted to a range of needs: raised garden beds that enable working in comfort without bending over, working next to a table, and more.

3. One-off group visitsWith a view to offering more people direct, active, healing and nurturing contact with the garden and with the natural and human environment, different groups are hosted in the therapeutic garden from time to time for practical workshops, during which the visitors are exposed to the therapeutic, enabling, accepting and rewarding aspects of gardening. Similarly, professional study tours, workshops and training courses take place in partnership with different organizations, for horticultural therapists and professionals.

Contact us by telephone: 04-6298109 or email

Of further interest...

Accessibility

Tour Options for People with Special Needs

Accompanied by one of our guides, you will be able to have a custom-made visit tailored to your group

For further information >>

Sustainability

Establishment of the Partnership for Regional Sustainability

In 2015, Ramat Hanadiv established the Partnership for Regional Sustainability, aiming to combine forces for the quality of life in the region.

For further information >>

Dining Here

Dining-The Picnic Site

The picnic area is located near the secondary parking lot. You are welcome to spend time there before or after your tour of the Gardens.

For further information >>
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Mata'im Restaurant
Kiosk
The Picnic Site

“Green” Picnic Area

We offer you a shaded picnic area next to the secondary carpark of the gardens. You’re welcome to spend time there before or after your visit.

This area is located in a pine grove, giving you the opportunity to rest and have a picnic. For the convenience of visitors to the grove, there are picnic tables, water fountains, a dish-washing station and toilets.

We put a lot of effort into making your visit pleasant and ensuring you can have a quiet, relaxing time – without music, fire or smoke. Do not light bonfires or barbecues in this area.

You are welcome to bring a cool box with food, and enjoy the clean air and a pleasant, quiet stay in nature.

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We ask you to eat your picnic using reusable utensils that are beneficial to humans and the environment.

Are you interested in a nice set of reusable utensils for the entire family? You’re welcome to buy one in our InfoShop in the Visitors Pavilion.

The area is accessible to people with disabilities:

  • An accessible carpark adjacent to the picnic area
  • A standard access path with a slope below 8% leads from the accessible carpark to the picnic area
  • Accessible tables in the shade are located on a paved surface and standard manoeuvring area
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We maintain this area for your convenience and enjoyment!

Please be considerate of the other visitors and follow these rules:

  • The area is designed for visitors; do not hold functions, catered events or meetings
  • Please bring food that is ready to eat and do not light a barbecue or fire
  • This area is quiet and tranquil; do not play music or use megaphones, amplifiers etc.
  • The picnic area is part of the Nature Park, which is home to a diversity of plants and animals. Please look after the surrounding nature.

Thank you for your cooperation!

We wish you a safe, quiet, enjoyable stay.

Of further interest...

Accessibility

Physically Disabled in the Gardens

Many trails traverse the Memorial Gardens. We recommend this route, but you
can choose to walk another route.

For further information >>

Sustainability

Sustainable Gardening

Sustainable gardening is defined as gardening that considers the needs of the current generation without harming the needs of future generations. It includes garden design that considers the existing elements on site – the landscape, soil, environment and vegetation suitable for the region

For further information >>

Dining Here

Dining-The Picnic Site

The picnic area is located near the secondary parking lot. You are welcome to spend time there before or after your tour of the Gardens.

For further information >>