Nature, Landscape, Heritage

The Nature Park covers the largest segment of Ramat Hanadiv, spreading over approximately 1,125 acres of typical natural Mediterranean vegetation combined with planted pine and cypress groves, had planted by The Jewish National Fund in the 1970s,

The Mediterranean region in Israel has been subject to a long period of human activity and impact, including grazing and tree felling.

The Southern Carmel ridge is composed mainly of hard layered limestone and dolomite. It was created initially by folding movements and later on by faults and tectonic activity. The Carmel Mountain as well as its surrounding area was then raised and exposed to erosion. Erosion is still taking place today.

Ramat Hanadiv is located at the southern end of Mount Carmel, south of Zikhron Ya’acov, at an elevation of about 120 metres above sea level. The edge of the Southern Carmel, which is mainly composed of hard, stratified rock, is positioned above the coastal plane, in contrast to the mild topography of its surroundings.

The soil survey of Ramat Hanadiv aims to provide detailed information on the characteristics of the various soil units found in the area, to map the spatial distribution of each soil type and to propose recommendations for future land-use and development policy.

Global climate change predictions for the Mediterranean regions forecast a rise in temperatures (4°-5° in summer, 2°-3° in winter), a decrease in the quantity of rainfall (up to 20%) and a serious increase in drought frequency (IPCC 2007, 2080). As access to water becomes scarce, a deceleration in tree growth is expected as well as the death of tre...