An Ecological Survey and Assessment of Median Trees and Shrubs as an Urban Biodiversity Component in Gaza City, Palestine

Abstract

Abstract Median trees and shrubs are a significant component of a country’s streets. They provide a range of psychological, social, aesthetic and economic values. No previous studies dealing with the identification and assessment of median trees and shrubs were carried out in Gaza Strip. Hence, the current study is the first of its kind in Gaza Strip; The management and conservation of processese median trees and shrubs in Gaza City are weak and the ecological awareness of local people towards median trees and shrubs seems to be weak. It aims to identify the median trees and shrubs in selected streets in Gaza city through local ecological survey. The public awareness was investigated as well through questionnaire application on 180 people living proximate to the targeted streets. All data were statistically analyzed using Excel and SPSS computer programs. The results showed that a total number of 4060 trees and shrubs belonging to 45 species, 25 families and 15 orders were identified and recorded in Al Jalaa, Jamal Abdel Naser, Awn Shawa (Street 8), Al Shuhada and Al Aqsa Street in Gaza City of the current study. The Rosales was the biggest order and comprised 16% of the surveyed trees and shrubs. Moraceae was the biggest family and comprised 13% of the recorded species. Angiosperms represented 95.56% of the recoded trees and shrubs. The majority of species (80.43%) are exotic, while the rest (17.39%) are native. Fruit trees and shrubs represented 15.56% in the sense that they can provide food for humans. The Oleander (Nerium oleander) was the most common species in the targeted streets and constituted 38.23% of the occurrence of the recorded species. It was followed by the River Redgum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera), Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera), Hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa) and Weeping Fig (Ficus nitida). The results concerning questionnaire application showed that 96.7% of the interviewed population believed on the importance of median trees and shrubs for humans and environment. 86.7% of them ensured the role of median trees and shrubs in attracting animal biodiversity, especially birds. About two-thirds (68.9%) believed on the threat facing median trees and shrubs. Destruction by locals, overgrazing by livestock, solid waste disposal, and poor management were obvious examples. Finally, the conduction of environmental awareness campaigns to local people is recommended to ensure the sustainability of these urban biodiversity elements in Gaza city.