The more complete (less damaged) the natural systems are, the more stable they are and the more resistant they are to changes. Therefore, the most important tool for preserving biodiversity under climate change conditions is the management of policies designed to reduce the sources of harm that are not related to climate change.
In the aspect of biological diversity (biodiversity), which in its broadest sense is related to the diversity of the fauna and flora in its various components, extensive consequences of climate change in our region are expected, which will also affect the services of the ecosystems.
In the terrestrial systems, a high frequency of droughts results in extensive drying and death of mature plants in various places in the country. A reduction in the amount of precipitation will increase this trend. The death of stunted plants may have far-reaching consequences for the functioning of the system, including the water regime, soil erosion, the cycle of elements and populations of plants, animals and microorganisms.
In addition, it is possible to shift the distribution areas of animals and "move" the borders of the transition zones between the desert and the Mediterranean Sea, while changing the structure of the ecosystems in many places in the country. Also, an increase in the number and length of periods with a high risk of fires is expected in Mediterranean areas. Increasing the frequency of fires may exceed the forest's natural recovery capacity, and thus can significantly change the structure of the plant community and the ecosystem.
Fresh water systems have been damaged over the years by contamination, overuse of water and development pressures. Climate change that will result in an increase in temperature (increased evaporation) and a reduction in the amount of precipitation will increase the intensity of water pumping and worsen the deterioration in the state of these systems. Specific species or those that are sensitive to salinity, temperatures, and/or oxygen concentration, may disappear from society and their place will be taken by more resistant species - local or invasive. Reducing the amount of precipitation and the increase in evaporation will shorten the length of time that seasonal pools will exist and may not even allow their existence. Swamps and streams may be damaged in an almost irreversible way due to a transition from the presence of water throughout the year to the presence of seasonal water, since animals that require water regularly to live will disappear from them.
With regard to the marine systems, it is expected that in the Mediterranean the spread of species from the Red Sea (entering through the Suez Canal) to the north and west will continue. The establishment of invasive tropical species may cause Mediterranean societies to lose their unique character and become similar to tropical societies. Increasing the acidity of the sea water (due to the increase in carbon dioxide concentrations) may cause accelerated weathering of the coastal rocks and the collapse of the reef tables unique to the coasts of the country.
In addition, the cushion and shallow sub-cushion area will also be greatly affected by the rise in sea level that is expected as a result of the increase in temperature and the melting of the glaciers. The rise in water level may cause damage to the variety of species along the coast. In the Gulf of Eilat, the phenomenon of "coral bleaching" may increase, which is related to the sensitivity of the symbiotic algae in the coral tissues to high temperatures, and leads to the death of corals. Although until today the corals in the Bay of Eilat have not been significantly affected by this phenomenon, the increase in water temperature may increase the phenomenon.
In terms of system services in Israel, a deterioration in the ability of the natural systems to provide the following services is expected: drinking water, genetic resources, stopping soil erosion, regulating invasive species, pests and pathogens, cultural and recreational services. The composition of the fishing on the middle day will change and will contain more red water species.
Since the consequences of climate change on biodiversity are complex and the existing knowledge is scarce, it is important to learn to manage the natural systems while taking into account the uncertainty. Actions that have a positive impact must be taken at any scale, rate or trend of climate change. The more complete (less damaged) the natural systems are, the more stable they are and the more resistant they are to changes. Therefore, the most important tool for preserving biodiversity under climate change conditions is the management of policies designed to reduce the sources of harm that are not related to climate change. The main points are the reduction of pressure on fresh water systems and the realization of the policy document the right of nature to water, as well as the preservation of the open areas and the connectivity between them. The map of the protected areas in Israel must be updated and ecological corridors must be ensured between them. Also, construction and development must be maintained in accordance with the national outline plans, to enforce offenses of illegal construction and to prevent the "retrospective kosher" of such offenses.
In the area of legislation, enforcement of laws that limit damage to open areas and natural values at sea and on land should be increased and public awareness of them should be increased. In addition, the existing legislation must be updated, dedicated legislation for the preservation of biodiversity must be promoted and the coordination between the legal instruments for the preservation of biodiversity must be increased.
In addition, invasive species must be dealt with through a dedicated professional committee that will establish standards for the introduction of foreign species into Israel and recommend priority orders and the selection of measures to deal with invasive species that have managed to penetrate and become established. Entities dealing with the law and enforcement will be responsible for implementing the recommendations of the professional committee and for action in the field to locate and eliminate invasive species. In this context, the health aspects and the invasion of disease-causing vectors must also be examined.
In general, the recommendation is to invest conservation efforts in complete systems (protection of habitats) and not in individual species. For species whose main stressor is climate change, an off-site conservation effort can indeed be valuable from an educational or scientific point of view, but its contribution to the existence of natural systems is low.
In order to improve the ability to prepare for future changes, it is necessary to strengthen the existing scientific knowledge. Mainly long-term monitoring is needed, research to assess threshold values of the various climate variables that may destabilize different habitats, and dedicated research to understand interface ways to improve the resistance of habitats or societies to a more arid climate, and to develop tools for restoring damaged ecosystems.
Also, there is a need to strengthen the multi-factor ecological system (MRE) as a national body that will work to strengthen the connection between science and the interface, and apply the acquired research knowledge to the natural systems interface.
