The reef at Bat Galim is not only a place for recreation, but also a unique habitat based on macroalgae, such as those in sushi. With the help of vacationers and surfers, it may become a marine nature reserve
Bat Galim Beach in Haifa stretches just below the first line of houses in the Bat Galim neighborhood. Whether you feel like lounging on the beach, doing water sports or snorkeling, there are countless ways to spend time there. Nevertheless, how many beaches in Israel have you gotten to know that are almost not sandy, and do not face the sunset? At Bat Galim beach there are unique conditions: the coastline looks north and is made of a limestone plate that descends to the water line from Mount Carmel overlooking from above. The combination of a hard rocky surface, the quiet wave regime and shallow water - through which the sun's rays penetrate - created a suitable habitat for algae mats and many species of animals that find their food there.
Want to dive with colorful fish, brown and green sea turtles that are found Endangered, octopuses, crabs and batas (seals), while seagulls and seagulls feast above your head? According to Dr. Sarah Ohion, a marine ecologist who leads an ecological survey at the Bat Galim reef on behalf of the Sea and Lakes Research Institute, this is possible but comes with responsibility; "In order to enjoy nature today and in future generations, we need to preserve it. The best way is to declare a nature reserve - on land and at sea," she says.
Even for those who don't like sushi
Drone photo of Bat Galim reef. Photo: Walter Netzer
The lagoon at Bat Galim beach is full of "underwater forests", as Ohion simply calls them. It is a type of brown algae that grow on a rocky substrate and are called macroalgae that form a canopy. "Macroalgae are the algae that you can see with the eye, and that you put in sushi," Ohion explains. According to her, the underwater forest is formed by perennial algae, with a growth cycle that begins in the fall and peaks in the spring. Just like in the continental forests, where the tops of the trees form a forest canopy that shelters and serves as a habitat for a variety of forest animals, so these macroalgae also grow, and their branches form a canopy that serves as a habitat for marine creatures. "Every year they grow new branches about 30-50 cm long, and are connected to the rocky substrate by means of a 'foot' whose base is a disk made of chalk. At the beginning of the summer, only the 'leg' remains, from which the branches will develop in the next growing season," she says.
One species of algae that stands out in the underwater forest of Bat Galim is Sargassum vulgare, and it is found in abundance around the world. On the other hand, another species of algae, called Gongularia Rice, is considered very special. "This is a species endemic to the region that, as of today, is only known to us from Israel and Lebanon," says Ohion. As with various species of canopy-forming brown algae, Gongularia Rice is also a species that is adapted to its unique habitat. "This is a type of specialization for the specific habitat - for the depth, the type of rock, the strength of the currents and other environmental conditions to which the species is adapted."
Within the canopy created by the algae in Bat Galim, many species find food and shelter. "The seaweed mats dampen the power of the waves and help protect the beaches," explains Ohion. The environmental contribution of the 3D habitat created by the algae does not end there. Ohion adds that the algae produce oxygen and fix carbon - a process in which carbon dioxide from the atmosphere that penetrates the sea is collected and stored and thus reduces the concentration of the greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Also, the lagoon is a "nursery area" for young fish. "They can practice finding food and living in a group, before going to the open sea," she says.
A reserve that requires protection
Ohion is leading with a number of partners the move to recognize the marine area in front of Bat Galim beach as a marine nature reserve, with the aim of protecting the biological diversity and uniqueness of the bay. "All over the Mediterranean, underwater forests are in decline; it's a habitat that is disappearing," Ohion explains. despite A long-term effort, Bat Galim reef is not yet recognized as a reserve. For this reason, motorized water sports and overfishing continue to exist there, for example. In addition to this, the beach is adjacent to various infrastructures that expose the beach to various hazards: near the beach are military infrastructures such as a military base, civilian infrastructures such as the Rambam Hospital and urban infrastructures such as the Bat Galim neighborhood. "The sea does not ask a person where to place what is unique about it ". Bureaucratic obstacles stopped the move and the area was not included in the territory The neighboring marine reserves of Shekmona and Rosh Carmel.
Since 2015, a community has been operating at Bat Galim Beachthe sea guards" whose goal is to protect the lagoon on the coast. "This is a grassroots movement for the preservation of the marine environment with roots in our local community in the Bat Galim neighborhood," says Ohion. Within the community, a citizen science project was conducted - scientific research done with the participation of the public. It is carried out by bathers who snorkel and report about their observations on the platform iNaturalist. In this way Ohion and her partners collected over 1,200 observations. For example, 9 species of bats were observed in Bat Galim. "One of the most impressive sightings was a breeding grouping of about 40 gray bats (a species of batai), including pregnant males and females, and individuals nearly 2 meters in size." The citizen science infrastructure enables public collection of information regarding the state of species richness in the area. According to Ohion, going to the beach, to the open area and watching the animals give value to the public and give a reason to preserve nature.
The recognition of the reef as a nature reserve "can reduce some of the human pressures such as overfishing, sewage discharges or physical destruction by fishing gear or mooring", Ohion explains. According to her, these pressures lead to the decline of the macroalgae forests and damage to the animals on the reef. "Just recently we had a well-known sea turtle named Berta die who drowned due to entanglement in a fishing net that was spread right in front of the boardwalk." Also, a reduction in pressures will allow the habitat to better deal with climate change, such as warming sea water and increasing storms.
The way to declare a marine nature reserve is to carry out an ecological survey that began in recent months. The survey was conducted by Prof. Gil Rilov's laboratory team with the support of the Foundation for the Preservation of Open Areas. "The algae develop in areas where there are conditions of a sort of lagoon," Ohion shares some of the initial findings. That is, the algae prefer rocky and lit areas protected from strong currents. "We are investigating the preferences of the algae and their relationship to other environmental factors," she explains. The presentation of the findings that will reveal to the public the uniqueness of Bat Galim has an important role in protecting the reef, Ohion says. "When the public gets to know nature, it appreciates it more and is ready to act to protect it. Good nature conservation needs the public."
According to Ohion, declaring a marine nature reserve in Bat Galim will make it possible to realize the great potential of the place and will give an opportunity to use the beach for recreation, education, community and sports purposes. "They come to surf here from all over the country. On good days, hundreds of people come," says Ohion about wind and wave surfing as an example of a non-motorized water sport that can also be enjoyed in a marine reserve. According to her, the nature reserve should not deny people access to the beach, but only prevent the uses that harm the unique reef. The reef at Bat Galim can continue to exist and allow a person extensive leisure activities, alongside nature - if only we know how to protect it.
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