Work

An Ecological Comparison of Two Abandoned Heritage Orchards in Northern Israel

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In this study, we documented two relict traditional Palestinian orchards; one was abandoned following the 1948 war when the farmers were exiled to Lebanon and the second was tended by farmers up until the early 1970s. The orchards examined are located in two different Mediterranean phytogeographic regions, one in the hilly Upper Galilee and the other on the slopes of Mount Carmel in the hinterland of the Mediterranean coast. We found differences in the species composition and spatial layout of trees in each orchard which followed the dictates of the geographic settings, demonstrating the farmer’s knowledge of their environment. We discuss the importance of these orchards as part of the heritage horticultural systems of the region and explore possible measures that can be taken to preserve this unique historical arboricultural landscape and ways to empower local, traditional knowledge in promoting awareness for the conservation and preservation of heritage horticulture.

Source: Heritage

DOI: 10.3390/heritage8020076

Authors: Eli Ashkenazi, Ido Wachtel, Guy Bar-Oz, Roy Marom, Liora Kolska Horwitz

Institutions: Oranim Academic College of Education, University of Haifa, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Van Leer Jerusalem Institute

Language: English

Topic: Urban and spatial planning

Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,930