Papers by Roubina Ghattas
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Palestine is part of the Fertile Crescent and known to be rich in faunal and floral biodiversity ... more Palestine is part of the Fertile Crescent and known to be rich in faunal and floral biodiversity relative to its latitude. The South Jerusalem hills with their ancient villages (collectively called the Al-Arqoub cluster) provide ideal areas for conservation within the Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot. The area was listed on an emergency basis as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. This study assessed the biodiversity and threats, and the data was used to designate it a protected area by the Environment Quality Authority (EQA). We documented 417 plant species, 15 fungi, 105 birds, 3 amphibians, 12 reptiles and 31 mammals. Threats to this rich biodiversity included harmful agricultural practices, overexploitation, construction of Israeli settlements, urbanisation, habitat loss, land fragmentation and limited enforcement of laws. Management plans were established and began to be implemented for the site with the aim of biocultural conservation. Four marginalised communities around the valley system (Al-Walaja, Battir, Husan and Beit Jala) benefited through: a) environmentally friendly agricultural production for 81 farmers, b) developing and empowering women in eco-friendly production and marketing, c) enhancing ecotourism, d) implementing an ecosystem restoration model and e) education and capacity building leading to behaviour change. Based on IUCN criteria, we consider 'Al-Arqoub' as a vulnerable ecosystem worthy of enhanced protective status and, based on our studies, the EQA designated it as a protected area category VI (protected with sustainable use of natural resources). Protected area management in Palestine follows the new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030) in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This grassroots, cross-disciplinary endeavour to protect this area serves as a model for other protections in a region with economic and political instability.
Clinical Nutrition, 1996
Conclusions: Whereas the antioxidant agents were triggered by the short hyperbaric oxygen exposur... more Conclusions: Whereas the antioxidant agents were triggered by the short hyperbaric oxygen exposure, the lipid peroxidation seemed unaffected. As antioxidant vitamins remained stable, the hyperbaric oxygen exposure was likely to induce an increased antioxidant stimulation by an enhanced enzyme activity as previously described [1].
In recent years, Area C has emerged as a key priority for both the Palestinian National Authority... more In recent years, Area C has emerged as a key priority for both the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and for the international actors in the development sectors. The Palestinian development of Area C is critical to empower existing Palestinian communities to preserve their assets, way of life, and most importantly their continued presence on the land. Furthermore, Area C connects the patchwork of the isolated and densely populated urban and rural communities located in Areas A and B. A contiguous and socioeconomically viable Palestinian State can thus only be achieved by opening Area C for Palestinian development and for the critical realization of a contiguous Palestinian State. To advocate for Palestinian control in Area C and to stress the priority actions and development plans in Area C, this report: (1) Analyses Palestinian and Israeli Settlers population distributions in Area C; (2) analyses the status or urban planning of the Palestinian communities in Area C; (3) assesses the economic potential of developing the natural resources in Area C; (4) assess socioeconomic conditions in Area C; (5) identify challenges the communities face in Area C; (6) identify most vulnerable communities; and (7) recommend development actions that respond to communities' needs. It was found that the Palestinian population densities in Area C built up area or within the proposed outline (master) plans exceeds the equivalent average population densities in Areas A and B. Furthermore, the Palestinian population density within the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) proposed master plans in Area C is almost 600% higher than the population density of Israeli's in the settlements master plan. Only 3 communities out of 291 communities in Area C have approved master plans. Any development outside the area of the approved master plans (with a total area of 5.7 ha) is at risk of demolition by the Israelis (unless the Israeli authorities grant special permits for development). In 2015 alone, Israel demolished 482 homes and structures in area C, uprooted some 13,000 trees, and attached Palestinians and their properties on 898 separate occasions. The geographic distribution of these attacks, demolitions, and tree uprooting suggest an Israeli purpose behind these actions that is perhaps imposing pressures on the Palestinian population to drive outmigration from certain areas (esp. corridors connecting Israeli settlement blocks within Area C). Due to restrictions on development, the limited space to develop urban structures and services and inaccessibility of arable land, the Palestinian communities in Area C have high unemployment and food insecurity rates. This report prioritizes development actions and emergency assistance necessary to support and empower the Bedouin populations in Area C, the rural communities in the Jordan valley region, and the suburban communities in East Jerusalem.
The question of ecology is a very important and relevant matter when one considers the environmen... more The question of ecology is a very important and relevant matter when one considers the environmental changes that have taken place in our country. The starting point for me is a consciousness that as Palestinians we are also guilty vis-à-
The Palestinian ecosystems defined here as West Bank and Gaza Strip, including East Jerusalem, ar... more The Palestinian ecosystems defined here as West Bank and Gaza Strip, including East Jerusalem, are home to an estimated 23,159 hectares of forested areas. These forest environments provide a habitat for a great diversity of flora and fauna. This makes them an important key in protecting the biological resources of Palestine. Most of natural forest can provide a base for preserving very different ecosystems ranging from closed maquis forest to open grassland and batha. The Palestinian plant formations possess 60 species of natural trees and 90 of bush distributed all over Palestine. Natural, planted, and bare forests are the types of forests distinguished in Palestine. The natural forests are the main forest types inhabiting Palestine (79.1%), wherein Pinus spp., Ceratonia spp., Pistacia spp., Quercus spp., and Ziziphus spp. are the most representative tree species. Forests in the Palestinian Territories crucially contribute to the Palestinian economy through their non-timber forest ...
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Papers by Roubina Ghattas