Oaks (Quercus calliprinos) woodlands growing in marginal water limited habitats of Israel are under serious threat of oak decline induced by climate change. Livestock grazing is one of the few tools available for effective, large-scale vegetation management in drylands, but our understanding of the impact of grazing on the water relations, growth and survival of trees under drought is very limited.

The overarching objective of this project is to assess the impact of grazing on water relations and performance of oak trees as keystone species in the climate-vulnerable transition zone of Israel. This project also aims to assess oak populations growing in marginal, water-limited habitats to develop a set of environmental and biological indicators of their vulnerability to drought. In this project an eco-hydrological model which describes woodland structure, and oak performance and survival along aridity and grazing gradients will be developed.

Collaboration:

Yagil Osem, Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel

Co-workers: 

Omri Hasson (PhD student)