Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 91, July 2009, pp. 1-31. | Page 17

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region's rich fauna attracts frequent visits of large vertebrates, such as whale sharks
(Rhincodon typus), dugongs (Dugong dugon), and dolphins, and the beach area is a
nesting site for hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricate). The waters above the coral
reef are a popular feeding ground and a vital resting place for some 280 species of birds
that overfly this area in fall and spring, en route to Africa from Europe in the fall and
vice versa in the spring.

Safeguarding Palestine's Flora and Fauna:
Israel ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in August 1995;
and the Palestinian Authority is also committed to the Convention.
Long committed to protecting the flora and fauna, national parks and nature reserves,
Palestine and Israel have formulated specific targets. These include:






developing a comprehensive plan for preserving biodiversity
establishing a network of protected areas for preserving ecosystems and species
rehabilitating damaged ecosystems
advancing public awareness and promoting knowledge and expertise through
formal and informal education
Coordinating national action with international and regional plans.

Classification of Living Species in Palestine:
Taxon

Number
of
Species

Prokaryota
thereof:

Species
assumed
to exist

5,100
Archea
Eubacteria

100
5,000

Protoctista

1,800

900

Algae

2,000

100

Fungi
TOTAL LOWER KINGDOMS
Gazelle – Number 91 – July 2009

800
9,700

1000