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66-460: The lake and its marshes served as an important habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals, many of which are endemic to the area. During the British Mandate period and up until the 1950s, fishing and agricultural activities took place around the lake, and the impact of human settlement caused significant changes to the lake's ecosystem. In the 1950s, the lake was drained as part of

132-564: A Jewish settlement from the Roman period have been found. However, apart from this, there were likely not many settlements near the lake, except in the northern part of the Hula Valley. This situation persisted for centuries. Around 725, Saint Willibald arrived in the Land of Israel and found water buffalo roaming near Lake Hula. In the 19th century, the areas of the swamps and floodplains were settled by

198-486: A brief adaptation period, their reintroduction proved successful, and their grazing activities contributed to controlling the spread of the common reed, thereby facilitating the growth of a diverse array of other plant species in the area. Apart from the water buffalo, the Hula Valley is home to only two other large mammals: the Mountain gazelle and the wild boar . Large and mid-sized predators are either scarce or absent in

264-581: A different set of organisms. Saltwater marshes are found around the world in mid to high latitudes , wherever there are sections of protected coastline. They are located close enough to the shoreline that the motion of the tides affects them, and, sporadically, they are covered with water. They flourish where the rate of sediment buildup is greater than the rate at which the land level is sinking. Salt marshes are dominated by specially adapted rooted vegetation, primarily salt-tolerant grasses. Salt marshes are most commonly found in lagoons , estuaries , and on

330-522: A freshwater marsh, the ocean tides affect this form of marsh. However, without the stresses of salinity at work in its saltwater counterpart, the diversity of the plants and animals that live in and use freshwater tidal marshes is much higher than in salt marshes. The most severe threats to this form of marsh are the increasing size and pollution of the cities surrounding them. Ranging greatly in size and geographic location, freshwater marshes make up North America's most common form of wetland. They are also

396-576: A habitat for many species of plants, animals, and insects that have adapted to living in flooded conditions or other environments. The plants must be able to survive in wet mud with low oxygen levels. Many of these plants, therefore, have aerenchyma , channels within the stem that allow air to move from the leaves into the rooting zone. Marsh plants also tend to have rhizomes for underground storage and reproduction. Common examples include cattails , sedges , papyrus and sawgrass . Aquatic animals, from fish to salamanders , are generally able to live with

462-505: A habitat free from fish, which eat the eggs and young of amphibians. An example is the endangered gopher frog . Similar temporary ponds occur in other world ecosystems, where they may have local names. However, vernal pool can be applied to all such temporary pool ecosystems. Playa lakes are a form of shallow freshwater marsh in the southern high plains of the United States. Like vernal pools, they are only present at certain times of

528-457: A low amount of oxygen in the water. Some can obtain oxygen from the air instead, while others can live indefinitely in conditions of low oxygen. The pH in marshes tends to be neutral to alkaline , as opposed to bogs , where peat accumulates under more acid conditions. Marshes provide habitats for many kinds of invertebrates, fish , amphibians, waterfowl and aquatic mammals. Marshes have extremely high levels of biological production, some of

594-450: A marsh, with parts of it drying in the summer and flooding in the winter. About 3,000 years ago, the lake's level stabilized at 67-69 meters above sea level, and its depth decreased to just a few meters, as it remained until it was drained in the twentieth century. In the Bible, there is no explicit mention of Lake Hula. There are Jewish and Christian traditions that identify it with Mei Merom ,

660-519: A narrow opening began to form in the barrier, near today's Bnot Ya'akov Bridge , creating the Jordan River channel through which the lake's waters drained towards the Sea of Galilee. Over the years, the lake shrank due to the deepening of the Jordan River's outlet to the south, a decrease in rainfall during certain periods, and infilling with river sediment. The flat area north of the lake gradually turned into

726-508: A national project aimed at expanding agricultural land and reducing the incidence of malaria in the region. This move sparked significant public debate due to its environmental and ecological impacts. In recent years, efforts have been made to partially restore the lake and to revive some of the biological diversity that once characterized the area. Today, the Hula region serves as an important natural and tourist site, attracting visitors from all over

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792-512: A reference to Lake Hula. In the writings of Josephus, the lake is called Semachonites, translated to "Semechon Lake," and also Ulatha. In the Talmud, the lake is referred to as "Yama Shel Sibbchi" and in other versions as Yam Sovecho, Yam Somchi, or Yam Somcho, and in the Jerusalem Talmud, it is mentioned as Yam Shel Somcho and in other versions Yam Sibbcho or Yam Sovechi. Commentators suggest that

858-473: A region in the East of England , the embanked marshes are also known as Fens . Some areas have already lost 90% of their wetlands, including marshes. They have been drained to create agricultural land or filled to accommodate urban sprawl . Restoration is returning marshes to the landscape to replace those lost in the past. Restoration can be done on a large scale, such as by allowing rivers to flood naturally in

924-423: A routine patrol of the Hula nature reserve, with hundreds of additional specimens identified since then. Mauremys turtles are also prevalent to the Hula lake, and are frequently observed basking above the water surface during the spring and summer months. The Hula lake was home to sixteen fish species of varied origins. These included African species such as tilapia and catfish ; tropical Asian species such as

990-474: A small part of the lake was preserved and became the Hula Nature Reserve, Israel's first nature reserve . However, the reserve was not sufficient to protect the entire biodiversity of the lake and swamp environment. Due to the drying, Tristramella simonis disappeared from the landscape of Israel. Additionally, endemic species were greatly affected, the Hula painted frog became critically endangered, and

1056-556: Is believed that the name originates from the word "Chilat," likely the name of a type of reed, rush, or bulrush. The Arabic name "Bahirat al-Hula" likely derives from this name and is first mentioned in the writings of medieval Arab geographers. Other names for the lake used by Muslims in the Middle Ages include "Bahirat Qadesh" (Lake Qadesh) after the ancient city of Qadesh nearby to the west, as well as "Yamat Banias" and "Bahirat al-Kheit". The Crusaders called it "Lake Melaha". The lake and

1122-658: Is the Nutria , which was introduced from South America in the 1950s for the fur industry and has since undergone significant population growth. Other native animals in the region, such as European wildcats , Jungle cats , and otters , are infrequently observed due to their nocturnal and elusive behavior. These species maintain small but stable populations. Although the European water vole has never been observed alive in Israel, its skeletal remains have been discovered in owl pellets from

1188-514: Is to distinguish between this kibbutz and the Galilean town of Hatzor HaGlilit , although the kibbutz is best known as simply " Hatzor ". The gar'in of the kibbutz was founded by a group of Hashomer Hatzair graduates from Mandatory Palestine who gathered at Mishmar HaEmek in 1936. It was named as Kibbutz Eretz Israeli Gimel (Gimel is the third letter of the Hebrew Alphabet). In 1937,

1254-530: The 1947–1948 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine transportation was limited and was only carried out with armored vehicles and field work was done under guards. Following the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 14 May 1948, the army of Egypt invaded the former territory of Mandatory Palestine and advanced along the coast line until it reached Ad Halom bridge. From the end of May till October 1948,

1320-598: The Land Development Company and one of the leaseholders to sell the concession to the Land Development Company. In September 1934, the transfer was approved by the High Commissioner , and the land was transferred to the Land Development Company at the end of November 1934. In 1936, Kibbutz Hulata was founded south of Yesod HaMa'ala , named after the lake, with its economy based on fishing until

1386-531: The Sea of Galilee , resulting in pollution and harm to the fish and water quality. Consequently, in the early 1990s, controlled flooding of part of the former swamp areas began, creating the Hula Lake, a process that contributes to the return of some migratory birds to the area. Marsh In ecology , a marsh is a wetland that is dominated by herbaceous plants rather than by woody plants . More in general,

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1452-793: The White-tailed eagle . Among nesting species, the majority, such as Savi's warbler , the great reed warbler , the moustached warbler , Cetti's warbler and the little bittern , prefer to nest in dense thickets and are thus rarely observed. In contrast, species like the black-winged stilt and the spur winged lapwing , which returned following restoration of the lake, nest on the ground and are more conspicuous. Hula lake also hosts significant nesting colonies. The common tern nests on designated artificial islands . As of 1978, heron colonies included nests of approximately 1000 night herons , 1000 little egrets , 700 cattle egrets , 30 purple herons , 20 squacco herons and 3 to 4 ibises . Following

1518-514: The barbus , the Galilean stone loach , the red garra and the gara nana ; the Orontes minnow which likely migrated from northern regions during the ice age , and the Levantine scraper and Hula bream which also originated from the north and the iridescent toothcarp which came from the ocean . Two species, the carp and the mosquitofish were introduced by humans. Following the lake's drainage,

1584-549: The Egyptians withdrew and the kibbutz returned to routine life. The surrounding Arab villages were depopulated and their residents became refugees in the Gaza Strip . Their land was confiscated by the state of Israel and part of it was leased to the kibbutz. In the 1950s, another group of Hashomer Hatzair members from France and Switzerland also joined the kibbutz. Like other kibbutzim founded by Hashomer Hatzair members, Hatzor

1650-523: The Ghawarna tribe, who lived by herding goats and buffaloes, growing rice and wheat, and weaving reed mats. At that time, Moses Reisher described the lake as follows: "A long river journey of three hours and a wide journey of one hour. On its banks, there are many forests and many wild animals. In the summer, it dries up mostly where the Jordan flows through it. And in the month of Nisan , it is filled with water from

1716-504: The Hula Lake area, with the unchecked proliferation of the common reed overshadowing other plant species. Attempts to reintroduce water buffalo to the Hula were initially unsuccessful. It was not until after the Six-Day War that a population of 200 water buffalo was discovered in the Bethsaida valley . Sixty of these individuals were subsequently relocated to the Hula Lake region. Following

1782-434: The Hula bream Mirogrex hulensis became completely extinct. A significant portion of species vanished from the area, and the populations of others were greatly reduced. In the years following the drying, it became clear that a large portion of the dried lands was not suitable for cultivation. Additionally, the drying process prevented the deposition of many organic materials in the swamp, causing these materials to flow into

1848-466: The Sea of Galilee, with its peak at about 270 meters above the level of the Sea of Galilee. The basalt on the Korazim Plateau predates its uplift and the blocking of the valley. As a result, the depression began to fill with water again, forming a large lake that at its peak likely extended to the 200-meter contour above sea level, with a depth of about 150 meters. At some point, due to fault activity,

1914-563: The aim of expanding the agricultural lands of the Upper Galilee settlements. The drying process took place between 1951 and 1958, and upon its completion, the lake and swamp area was transformed into a wide plain, drained by a network of canals. The drying project sparked a widespread public struggle, which led to the establishment of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. As a result,

1980-517: The area of Lake Hula was granted a concession by the Ottoman government to Hamad Omar Beitum and Michael Sursock, merchants from Beirut , with the goal of draining the lake. In March 1918, the Turkish administration approved the concession and transferred it to a company formed for this purpose called "The Syrian-Ottoman Agricultural Company". Meanwhile, part of the concession area came under British control and

2046-425: The area prior to the drying initiatives. The Hula Lake region is a central stopover for migrating waterfowl traveling between Europe and Africa , and serves as a key wintering habitat for tens of thousands of birds across dozens of species. Over 100 bird species have been documented in the area, with over 30 species using it as a nesting site. Notably, the Hula Lake was the exclusive nesting ground in Israel and

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2112-527: The area since the limited restoration of the lake. Salamanders are distributed across the Carmel , the Upper Galilee and Mount Hermon ; however, the largest population is found in the Hula lake area. The Hula painted frog , an endemic species to the Hula lake, represents the sole surviving member of the genus Latonia . Believed to be extinct since the drying project, the species was rediscovered in 2011 during

2178-494: The drainage of the Hula, several bird species, including the grey heron , the great crested grebe , the pygmy cormorant and Baillon's crake , were unable to adapt to the altered habitat and subsequently vanished from the region. Other species, such as the ferruginous duck, the marbled duck and the western yellow wagtail , initially abandoned the Hula habitat for alternative environments such as fish ponds and cesspools . However, some of these species have partially reoccupied

2244-474: The drainage project. The water buffalo is the largest mammal to inhabit the Hula Lake region, historically populating marshlands throughout Israel. Before their disappearance, the Hula Lake area was home to approximately 5,000 water buffalo out of a country-wide population of 6,000. However, during the British Mandate most of these animals were lost, and the remaining population was culled during Israel's Austerity period . This led to an ecological imbalance in

2310-525: The extensive swamps to its north: "...The breadth of this river is thirty ris and its length sixty, and its lakes stretch as far as Daphne, where there is a land of water springs, from which flows the river called the Little Jordan". The settlement of Tella, mentioned as the border of Upper Galilee by Josephus, is identified with the Arab village of Tellil, located near present-day Yesod HaMa'ala , where remains of

2376-627: The fringes of large rivers. The different types are produced by factors such as water level, nutrients, ice scour , and waves. Large tracts of tidal marsh have been embanked and artificially drained. They are usually known by the Dutch name of polders . In Northern Germany and Scandinavia they are called Marschland , Marsch or marsk ; in France marais maritime . In the Netherlands and Belgium, they are designated as marine clay districts. In East Anglia ,

2442-559: The gari'n absorbed a group of pioneers from Bulgaria , graduates of Hashomer Hatzair and in the years 1945 and 1946 two groups from the United States and Canada , graduates of the movement as well. In 13 May 1943, a group of the gar'in members founded Gvulot , one of the three lookouts , the first Jewish settlements in the Negev . The members settled in Gvulot for three years where they worked

2508-447: The highest in the world, and therefore are important in supporting fisheries. Marshes also improve water quality by acting as a sink to filter pollutants and sediment from the water that flows through them. Marshes partake in water purification by providing nutrient and pollution consumption. Marshes (and other wetlands) are able to absorb water during periods of heavy rainfall and slowly release it into waterways and therefore reduce

2574-465: The kibbutz was a naked hill, with four Arab villages surrounding it and a British airbase. Initially, the residents lived in tents and built two sheds that were used as a dining room and a barrack. In January 1947 the residents began building permanent buildings and the rest of the members of the gar'in gradually arrived at the kibbutz from Rishon LeZion until all of them arrived in November 1947. During

2640-620: The kibbutz was near the front lines of the Egyptian Army and was repeatedly shelled by artillery fire. Many of members of the kibbutz were recruited to the Israeli Defense Forces and participated in the Battles of Negba . The children, as well as livestock, were evacuated to Holon , while the members who stayed in the kibbutz hid in trenches and shelters. Following Operation Yoav in October

2706-532: The lake was drained. Near Derdera (Ashmura) on the eastern shore of the lake, Kibbutz Ayelet was founded in 1947. Access to the kibbutz was by boat across the lake from Hulata. After suffering severe attacks from the Syrian army during the War of Independence, the founders left the area in 1949 and resettled near Kfar Saba . The area of the valley is 175 square kilometers, of which 30-60 square kilometers are swamps. The depth of

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2772-526: The lake's water level dropped, and a marsh developed. The unique landscape of the Hula Valley as we know it today was largely shaped by the tectonic uplift of the Korazim Plateau on one hand, and the sinking of the Hula Valley Graben on the other. The uplift of the Korazim Plateau, which lies to the south of the Hula Valley and is covered at the top with basalt , created a barrier between it and

2838-522: The land around the lake is fertile and rich." This interest led the Abbo family from Safed to purchase land on the southwestern shore of the lake. However, due to the prevalence of malaria and blackwater fever near the lake, the people of Rosh Pina cultivated the lands but avoided settling there. Only after several years, in 1883, was the colony of Yesod HaMa'ala founded, which suffered severely from diseases and harsh conditions in its early years. In 1914,

2904-495: The lands of the Jewish National Fund and asked to remain there as a permanent settlement. In 1946, Jewish establishments decided to give the land to members of kibbutz Nirim and in return the members of Kibbutz Eretz Israeli Gimel were given lands near Yasur . On 17 June 1946, some of the members arrived at the point and established the kibbutz, which is when they renamed themselves as "Hatzor". The location chosen for

2970-455: The leaseholders rebuilt the Bnot Ya'akov Bridge , and in 1934, they built a dam on the Jordan River north of the bridge and began deepening and widening the river channel. The concession area covered about 56.5 square kilometers, including approximately 21.5 square kilometers of swamps, 17 square kilometers of Lake Hula, and 18.5 square kilometers of land. In May 1933, an agreement was reached between

3036-469: The magnitude of flooding. Marshes also provide the services of tourism, recreation, education, and research. Marshes differ depending mainly on their location and salinity . These factors greatly influence the range and scope of animal and plant life that can survive and reproduce in these environments. The three main types of marsh are salt marshes , freshwater tidal marshes , and freshwater marshes . These three can be found worldwide, and each contains

3102-814: The marsh is sometimes called a carr . This form of vegetation is what differentiates marshes from other types of wetland such as swamps , which are dominated by trees , and mires , which are wetlands that have accumulated deposits of acidic peat . Marshes provide habitats for many kinds of invertebrates , fish , amphibians , waterfowl and aquatic mammals . This biological productivity means that marshes contain 0.1% of global sequestered terrestrial carbon . Moreover, they have an outsized influence on climate resilience of coastal areas and waterways, absorbing high tides and other water changes due to extreme weather . Though some marshes are expected to migrate upland, most natural marshlands will be threatened by sea level rise and associated erosion . Marshes provide

3168-419: The melting snow of Lebanon, its waters being very murky." Despite the difficult terrain, Jews from Safed and Rosh Pina began to recognize the economic potential of the lake and the surrounding lands. David Shuv, one of the founders of Rosh Pina, noted that "the waters of the lake are sufficient to irrigate all the land around. Fish are abundant in the lake - go down to the water and catch as much as you wish...

3234-534: The members left Mishmar HaEmek and moved to Rishon LeZion and settled in a camp used by another gar'in that left to establish the kibbutz of Sha'ar HaGolan . At Rishon LeZion the members were occupied in manual work at orchards, factories, road paving (for the Solel Boneh company) and established a carpentry shop and a Laundrette . In 1938, some of the members were sent for agricultural training in Beit Gan. In 1941,

3300-479: The most diverse of the three types of marsh. Some examples of freshwater marsh types in North America are: Wet meadows occur in shallow lake basins, low-lying depressions, and the land between shallow marshes and upland areas. They also happen on the edges of large lakes and rivers. Wet meadows often have very high plant diversity and high densities of buried seeds. They are regularly flooded but are often dry in

3366-523: The names derive from the dense vegetation of the marsh or the abundance of fish in the lake (the word "samak" in Arabic means "fish"). The name "Yama Dechulata" is mentioned once in the Jerusalem Talmud, and in the Babylonian Talmud, there is also the version "Yama Shel Chilat" and "Yama Shel Chilata". Additionally, the "Chulata" region is noted as one of the territories given by Augustus Caesar to Herod. It

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3432-471: The number of fish species significantly declined. however, the catfish population proliferated, causing issues as they preyed on sternas , herons and ducklings . The carp population also flourished, both in number and in specimen size, with some individuals reaching up to 1 meter in length and weighing 20 kilograms. The decision to dry up the lake and swamps was made by the authorities of the State of Israel, with

3498-560: The peat layer is 35 meters. The lake is located between the Golan heights and the Galilee, tributaries that emanate from the mountains bring water to the lake. According to the JNF, 390 species of birds cross through the region as part of their migrations between Africa and Europe; 500 milion birds go through the Hula valley in which the lake is located. A rare overlapping of African and European habitats in

3564-408: The region, with the exception of stray dogs . However, the populations of both gazelles and wild boars are regulated by other ecological factors , preventing issues of overpopulation. In the Hula Lake region, small mammals are more prevalent than large ones. Among these, the mongoose experienced a population decline in the 1960s due to poisoning but has since recovered. Another notable small mammal

3630-521: The rest came under French control. In 1919, the concession holders approached the Mandate Government , demanding recognition of their concession. The Colonial Office agreed to recognize their concession, but negotiations continued for ten years. Finally, the leaseholders received a renewed concession from the British Mandate government, and the land was transferred to them in early 1929. In 1933,

3696-463: The sheltered side of a shingle or sandspit . The currents there carry the fine particles around to the quiet side of the spit, and sediment begins to build up. These locations allow the marshes to absorb the excess nutrients from the water running through them before they reach the oceans and estuaries. These marshes are slowly declining. Coastal development and urban sprawl have caused significant loss of these essential habitats. Although considered

3762-736: The site of the battle between Joshua Bin Nun and the coalition of Canaanite kings. However, archaeologist John Garstang disagreed with this identification and, after a thorough analysis of the area compared to the biblical description, concluded that Mei Merom should be identified with the Maroun al-Ras area in Lebanon . This identification has been accepted by many researchers of the Land of Israel and biblical commentators, including Joseph Braslavi, Yehezkel Kaufmann , and others. Nevertheless, some still use this name today as

3828-490: The southernmost nesting site worldwide for several species, including the Western marsh harrier , the black tern , and the ferruginous duck . The lake is frequented by various migratory waterfowl during the winter months, including pelicans , ducks , seagulls , coots , herons , Charadriiformes , cranes , storks , starlings , and lapwings . Among these, pelicans are the most prominent, arriving daily in flocks numbering in

3894-514: The spring, or on a small scale by returning wetlands to urban landscapes. Hatzor Hatzor ( Hebrew : חָצוֹר ), officially Hatzor Ashdod , is a kibbutz in southern Israel . Located near Ashdod , it falls under the jurisdiction of Be'er Tuvia Regional Council . In 2022 it had a population of 690. The kibbutz is named after a biblical city in the territory of the Tribe of Judah called Hatzor (Joshua 15:23). The extended name Hatzor Ashdod

3960-492: The summer. Vernal pools are a type of marsh found only seasonally in shallow depressions in the land. They can be covered in shallow water, but in the summer and fall, they can be completely dry. In western North America, vernal pools tend to form in open grasslands, whereas in the east, they often occur in forested landscapes. Further south, vernal pools form in pine savannas and flatwoods . Many amphibian species depend upon vernal pools for spring breeding; these ponds provide

4026-404: The surrounding swamps have historically posed obstacles to development, both due to the terrain and the diseases prevalent in the area. For these reasons, there were only a few small settlements near the lake, and larger cities were established at a distance and at higher elevations, such as Hatzor and Banias . Josephus describes the lake with dimensions similar to those in the 20th century, and

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4092-427: The swamps of the Hula Valley caused the region to become particularly rich in species of both flora and fauna. For many of them it was the only habitat of its kind in the Land of Israel. The unique flora of the Hula valley and its marshlands was only partially preserved and restored in the reflooding of the Hula Lake, while some seven uncommon species, all of which grew mostly along the swamp margins, went extinct due to

4158-594: The thousands. Barn swallows are also commonly seen, with thousands hunting insects over the water, and over ten thousand ducks of various species are observed in and around the lake. However, some migratory species have largely vanished from the area due to the drying project, including the African darter , the Swamphen , Baillon's crake , the Pygmy cormorant , the Goliath heron , and

4224-500: The word can be used for any low-lying and seasonally waterlogged terrain. In Europe and in agricultural literature low-lying meadows that require draining and embanked polderlands are also referred to as marshes or marshland. Marshes can often be found at the edges of lakes and streams, where they form a transition between the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems . They are often dominated by grasses , rushes or reeds. If woody plants are present they tend to be low-growing shrubs, and

4290-603: The world. Visitor centers provide information and guidance on the lake's history and ecology. Lake Hula was formed in a depression that is part of the Syrian-African Rift . At the end of the Pliocene and the beginning of the Pleistocene , there was a lake in this location that was connected at times to other lakes to the south, in the area of the modern-day Sea of Galilee . During a relatively dry period about 450,000 years ago,

4356-654: The year and generally have a circular shape. As the playa dries during the summer, conspicuous plant zonation develops along the shoreline. Prairie potholes are found in northern North America, such as the Prairie Pothole Region . Glaciers once covered these landscapes, and as a result, shallow depressions were formed in great numbers. These depressions fill with water in the spring. They provide important breeding habitats for many species of waterfowl. Some pools only occur seasonally, while others retain enough water to be present all year. Many kinds of marsh occur along

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