The Importance of Urban Eco-gardens for Biodiversity and Human Sustainability: A Case Study from Palestine

The situation in Palestine is of concern where global threats of climate change, overexploitation, habitat destruction, invasive species, and pollution are compounded by occupation and conflict. Thus, almost 1/3rd of vascular plant species are rare and over 50 are listed as endangered or rare based on their abundance and presence in grids studied earlier. Here, we describe the development of a conservation botanic garden that works via research, education, and direct in situ and ex situ conservation of plant species. The garden now boasts 381 species of vascular plants (63 are rare). The team scientifically and selectively introduced some rare and endemic species, developed educational modules, and engaged the community in all aspects of planning and growth of this garden. It has acted as a model for threatened and protected areas in the state of Palestine, as well as becoming a national oasis for both wildlife and humans. The lessons learned from this experience include: 1) principles of minimal intervention in eco-friendly ways producing zones of permaculture and gardening towards conservation (ex situ and in situ conservation), while allowing botanic garden functionality, 2) involvement of staff, volunteers, experts, and community in education and conservation efforts, 3) value of research in plants and animals for integrated ecosystem management. The outcome of this work is a maximally utilitarian garden for areas like education, direct conservation, research, and human satisfaction whilst ensuring long-term sustainability in a nascent state in the midst of a difficult political situation

Chilocorus bipustulatus

Chilocorus bipustulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Fig. 8A, Fig. 9) Material: Ein Samiya (PMNH # E12283, 4, 4 March 2018). Bayt Jala 1 (PMNH # E12284, 4, 22 March 2018). Nahalin 3 (PMNH # E12285, 6, 20 March 2018). Irtas 1 (PMNH # E12286, 2, 25 March 2018). Dayr Kremzan 2 (PMNH # E12287, 1, 31 March 2018). Halhul 1 (PMNH # E12288, 2, 4 April 2018). Bethlehem 2 (PMNH # E12289, 3, 2 April 2018). Kharas 2 (PMNH # E12290, 1, 4 April 2018). Deir Razih 2 (PMNH # E12291, 2, 15 April 2018). Al Baqa’a 1 (PMNH # E12292, 1, 9 April 2018). Al Baqa’a 2 (PMNH # E12293, 2, 9 April 2018). Dura 2 (PMNH # E12294, 1, 21 April 2018). Dura 3 (PMNH # E12295, 1, 21 April 2018). Remarks: This species was found in a few localities in the West Bank, all of which were within the Mediterranean zone. Most samples of Chilocorus bipustulatus were collected from oak and cypress trees. Kaplan et al. (2016) observed this species feeding on the olive psyllid in Turkey. A similar predation habit for this species was observed in Kharas 2.Published as part of Najajrah, Mohammad H., Swaileh, Khalid M. & Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., 2019, Systematic list, geographic distribution and ecological significance of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the West Bank (Central Palestine), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4664 (1) on page 17, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4664.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/338345

Scymnus (Scymnus) pallipediformis

<i>Scymnus (Scymnus) pallipediformis</i> (Gunther, 1958) <p>(Fig. 11N, Fig. 13)</p> <p> <b>Material:</b> Nahalin 1 (PMNH # E12722, 1, 20 August 2017). Irtas 1 (PMNH # E12723, 2, 25 March 2018). Al Carmel 2 (PMNH # E12724, 2, 12 April 2018). Ein Al Fawwar (PMNH # E12725, 2, 16 April 2018). Ein Fasa’ll (PMNH # E12726, 1, 16.4.2018). Tel Alsamrat (PMNH # E12727, 1, 23 April 2018). Kufr Al-Dik (PMNH # E12728, 1, 16 August 2017).</p> <p> <b>Remarks:</b> <i>Scymnus pallipediformis</i> was recorded as one of the important natural enemies of <i>Monosteira sp</i>. in almond orchards of Turkey (Bolu 2007) and of <i>Ceroplastes floridensis</i> on grapefruits and citrus (Eserkaya & Karaca 2016). It was reported earlier from our region (Halperin <i>et al</i>. 1995). In the present study, it is recorded near springs and ditch water areas.</p>Published as part of <i>Najajrah, Mohammad H., Swaileh, Khalid M. & Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., 2019, Systematic list, geographic distribution and ecological significance of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the West Bank (Central Palestine), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4664 (1)</i> on page 26, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4664.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3383454">http://zenodo.org/record/3383454</a&gt

Scymnus (Pullus) suturalis

Scymnus (Pullus) suturalis (Thunberg, 1795) (Fig. 11P, Fig. 15) Material: Ein Samiya (PMNH # E12737, 2, 4 March 2018). Ein Samiya (PMNH # E12738, 1, 4 March 2018). Ein Al ‘ Auja (PMNH # E12743, 1, 16 April 2018). Bayt Jala 1 (PMNH # E12739, 3, 22 March 2018). Bayt Sahur 1 (PMNH # E12740, 4, 1 April 2018). Ad-Dhahiriya 2 (PMNH # E12741, 1, 5 April 2018). Dura 1 (PMNH # E12746, 1, 15 April 2018). Irtas 1 (PMNH # E12745, 4, 25 March 2018). Wadi Kelt (PMNH # E12742, 1, 16 April 2018). Bethlehem 1 (PMNH # E12744, 1, 31 May 2018). Remarks: Scymnus (Pullus) suturalis is a Palaearctic aphidophagous species that occurs on conifers (Lyon & Montgomery 1995). It was collected from Cupressus trees of different localities visited during the current study and noted feeding on scale insects of these trees. This is the first documentation of such a feeding habit for this species and this is the first record of this species in our region.Published as part of Najajrah, Mohammad H., Swaileh, Khalid M. & Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., 2019, Systematic list, geographic distribution and ecological significance of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the West Bank (Central Palestine), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4664 (1) on page 26, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4664.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/338345

Exochomus nigromaculatus

<i>Exochomus nigromaculatus</i> (Goeze, 1777) <p>(Fig. 8B)</p> <p> <b>Material:</b> Bethlehem 1 (PMNH # E12438, 1, 28 July 2017). Bethlehem 1 (PMNH # E12440, 3, 21 July 2017). Dura 3 (PMNH # E12437, 1, 21 April 2018).</p> <p> <b>Remarks:</b> In 1948, Halperin <i>et al</i>. (1995) recorded <i>Exochomus nigromaculatus</i> in many localities in Palestine. However, in the present study it was observed only in two localities, <i>Cupressus</i> woods near Dura in the Hebron Mountains and <i>Cupressus</i> woods near the Bethlehem region. <i>Exochomus nigromaculatus</i> is considered endangered (at least in the Eastern Mediterranean) according to the IUCN red list. This species was reported from areas in Belgium and Netherlands (Adriaens <i>et al.</i> 2015).</p>Published as part of <i>Najajrah, Mohammad H., Swaileh, Khalid M. & Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., 2019, Systematic list, geographic distribution and ecological significance of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the West Bank (Central Palestine), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4664 (1)</i> on page 19, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4664.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3383454">http://zenodo.org/record/3383454</a&gt

Nephus (Bipunctatus) bipunctatus bipunctatus (Kugelann 1794

<i>Nephus (Bipunctatus) bipunctatus</i> (Kugelann, 1794) <p>(Fig. 11D)</p> <p> <b>Material:</b> Kisan (PMNH # E12513, 1, 27 March 2018).</p> <p> <b>Remarks:</b> <i>Nephus bipunctatus</i> has been found on cypress plants from one site in the study area. <i>Nephus bipunctatus</i> is characterized as one of 13 predators that are effective natural enemies of mealybugs on cypress trees (Lotfalizade & Ahmadi 2000). This species was introduced to the region in 1986 but did not manage to get established (Halperin <i>et al.</i> 1995). In the present study, it is recorded only from one locality (Kisan) in the West Bank.</p>Published as part of <i>Najajrah, Mohammad H., Swaileh, Khalid M. & Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., 2019, Systematic list, geographic distribution and ecological significance of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the West Bank (Central Palestine), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4664 (1)</i> on page 21, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4664.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3383454">http://zenodo.org/record/3383454</a&gt

Diomus anemicus

Diomus anemicus (Fursch, 1960) (Fig. 11R) Material: Asakra (PMNH # E12435, 1, 27 March 2018). Bethlehem 1 (PMNH # E12436, 1, 1 April 2018). Remarks: Diomus anemicus is known only from Egypt, Palestine and Yemen (Raimundo & van Harten 2000). It feeds on mealybugs and scale insects (Gerson et al. 1975; Canovai et al. 2014). The very limited distribution in our study (two localities near Bethlehem) is an interesting finding. It was reported earlier from our region (Halperin et al. 1995).Published as part of Najajrah, Mohammad H., Swaileh, Khalid M. & Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., 2019, Systematic list, geographic distribution and ecological significance of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the West Bank (Central Palestine), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4664 (1) on page 32, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4664.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/338345

Nephus (Sidis) hiekei

<i>Nephus (Sidis) hiekei</i> (Fursch, 1965) <p>(Fig. 11F)</p> <p> <b>Material:</b> Dura 1 (PMNH # E12517, 1, 15 April 2018).</p> <p> <b>Remarks:</b> <i>Nephus (Sidis) hiekei</i> is a common species in the Mediterranean area in our region (Halperin <i>et al.</i> 1995). In the present study, it was noted in one locality in the south of the West Bank. This species preys on mealybugs and whiteflies (Raimundo & van Harten 2000). The species is parasitized by the hymenopteran <i>Homalotylus turkmenicus</i> (Fallahzadeh <i>et al.</i> 2016).</p>Published as part of <i>Najajrah, Mohammad H., Swaileh, Khalid M. & Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., 2019, Systematic list, geographic distribution and ecological significance of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the West Bank (Central Palestine), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4664 (1)</i> on page 23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4664.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3383454">http://zenodo.org/record/3383454</a&gt

Exochomus quadripustulatus

<i>Exochomus quadripustulatus</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) <p>(Fig. 8C, Fig. 10)</p> <p> <b>Material:</b> Husan (PMNH # E12446, 1, 21 March 2018). Umm Salmuna (PMNH # E12447, 2, 27 March 2018). Abu Nujaym 2 (PMNH # E12449, 4, 27 March 2018). Irtas 2 (PMNH # E12450, 2, 25 March 2018). Dayr Kremzan 1 (PMNH # E12451, 1, 31 March 2018). Khirbat Safa 2 (PMNH # E12452, 1, 3 April 2018). Bayt Fajar 2 (PMNH # E12453, 1, 2 April 2018). Bethlehem 2 (PMNH # E12454, 3, 2 April 2018). Bayt Ummar (PMNH # E12455, 1, 3 April 2018). Bayt Amra (PMNH # E12456, 1, 12 April 2018). AlShuyukh (PMNH # E12457, 1, 9 April 2018). Al Baqa’a 1 (PMNH # E12458, 1, 9 April 2018). Tapuah (PMNH # E12459, 1, 21 April 2018). Dura 2 (PMNH # E12460, 1, 21 April 2018). Ein Hasaka (PMNH # E12461, 3, 21 April 2018). Wadi Al Joz (PMNH # E12462, 1, 21 April 2018).</p> <p> <b>Remarks:</b> <i>Exochomus quadripustulatus</i> was observed on oak trees (characteristic of the Mediterranean region) infested with scale insects in Turkey (Ulgenturk & Toros 2016). In the present study, it was collected from oak trees in all sites. In one site (Bayt Amra), it was found on olive trees infested with psyllids.</p>Published as part of <i>Najajrah, Mohammad H., Swaileh, Khalid M. & Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., 2019, Systematic list, geographic distribution and ecological significance of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the West Bank (Central Palestine), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4664 (1)</i> on page 19, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4664.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3383454">http://zenodo.org/record/3383454</a&gt

Scymnus (Neopullus) limbatus

<i>Scymnus (Neopullus) limbatus</i> (Stephens, 1831) <p>(Fig. 11L)</p> <p> <b>Material:</b> Nahalin 1 (PMNH # E12718, 1, 20 March 2018). Al-Ramadin (PMNH # E12719, 1, 5 April 2018).</p> <p> <b>Remarks:</b> <i>Scymnus limbatus</i> was found on <i>Cupressus</i> trees in the study area only in two localities. This is the first record of this species in our region.</p>Published as part of <i>Najajrah, Mohammad H., Swaileh, Khalid M. & Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., 2019, Systematic list, geographic distribution and ecological significance of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the West Bank (Central Palestine), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4664 (1)</i> on page 25, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4664.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3383454">http://zenodo.org/record/3383454</a&gt