Re-Greening the Israeli Desert 🌀 Steemit Photo Challenge 35 (Entry 1)
One of only 2 countries who planted more trees than it consumed in the last century, Israel's ongoing effort and success at re-greening the desert has been truly incredible. Tens and tens of thousands of hectares have been reclaimed by the slow and steady planting and care of over 240 million trees. It has also led to a huge technological and agricultural boon, developing several farming and irrigation techniques, as well as multiple billion dollar industries.
Various methods are used, but generally, the goal is to boost ecological succession to the point that a given area can self sustain.
Somewhere along this succession timeline, here is what looks like a date farm, planted in the middle of the Judaean Desert. (Named from the Tribe of Yehuda/Judah. Hebrew: Midbar (wilderness) Yehudi מִדְבַּר יְהוּדָה, Arabic: Sahara (desert) Yehudan.) The water brought in, and the shade generated by this farm, cools the area significantly, significantly reducing evaporation. It also attracts and brings in all sorts of additional flora and fauna. Over time, and several stages, entirely new and stable ecosystems become permanent. One day, they will be more natural looking, and all connected... B"H/ב"ה!
I did not alter the colours in the photo because I wanted that you should see how thick the air was with evaporated moisture from the Dead Sea, and the small amount from plants.
Captured with a Galaxy Note 2.
Thank you for considering this photo, for your upvotes, comments and resteems! And thanks to @jamtaylor and everyone who participates and supports the running of Steemit Photo Challenge #35!
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Melech ben Chaya מלך בן חיה, @inphiknit
Nice post. I took this picture at the same place in 2015.
Amazing! It's so neat how the desert is speckled with these farms. There must be dozens and dozens of them just along the main route from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. This one in your photo looks like a big one too. Thanks!
Yes, it was large. They had the hoses that trickled the water. The hoses ran to each tree.
Drip irrigation is extremely effective at preventing water loss, especially if the drips happen within the soil, not just onto it^^
Yes, they had the drip irrigation. It seemed to be working very well.
I upvoted your post with whale power! Thanks to @htooms and #takemyvotes!
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Keep up the great work and keep Steeming!
Woah, I just got splashed by a whale tail!
Thanks a bunch @digicrypt and @htooms!
Splashed again ;)
Normally one doesn't appreciate that kind of thing ;)
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Very interesting!
Thanks! It is definitely the strangest place I've ever been...