1.2 Coordonnées des personnes-ressources et des institutions impliquées dans l'évaluation et la documentation de la Technologie

Nom du ou des institutions qui ont facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de la Technologie (si pertinent)

University of Haifa (uhaifa)

1.3 Conditions relatives à l'utilisation par WOCAT des données documentées

Le compilateur et la(les) personne(s) ressource(s) acceptent les conditions relatives à l'utilisation par WOCAT des données documentées:

Oui

1.4 Déclaration sur la durabilité de la Technologie décrite

Est-ce que la Technologie décrite ici pose problème par rapport à la dégradation des terres, de telle sorte qu'elle ne peut pas être déclarée comme étant une technologie de gestion durable des terres?

Non

Commentaires:

This intervention is explicitly designed to reverse and restore previously degraded soils (monoculture exhaustion, fertility decline, low biodiversity).

2.1 Courte description de la Technologie

Définition de la Technologie:

Converting conventional monoculture farmland into a food forest-based agroforestry system restores soil health, increases vegetation cover, enhances biodiversity while diversifying production. The intervention improves soil organic matter and ecological resilience through multi-storey planting, reduced soil disturbance, and nature-based land management.

2.2 Description détaillée de la Technologie

Description:

The development of a “food forest” was in response to visible soil degradation caused by years of wheat-based monoculture in Bethlehem of Galilee. The previous land use consisted of annual wheat production, tractor-powered deep ploughing, and routine use of herbicides and pesticides. Over time, these practices depleted soil organic matter, reduced microbial activity, and increased vulnerability to erosion, compaction, and moisture loss. The current food forest, covering approximately 1.5 acres (0.6 hectare), represents a transformative shift from this intensive, extractive system toward a sustainable, perennial, multi-strata agroforestry model.
The primary purpose of this site is research and education. It is not intended to be a commercial enterprise, but to demonstrate principles and practices of sustainable land management. The income generated is not from crops but from research grants, workshops and community activities.
The site has been under continuous restoration for approximately eight years, during which it has gradually developed into a multi-layered food forest. The upper canopy includes species such as ficus, tipa, mulberry, pecan, plane trees, and nitrogen-fixing “ice-cream bean” (Inga edulis), which together generate shade, biomass, and structural diversity. The productive mid-storey contains fruit-bearing species including lemon, plum, pomegranate, avocado, and additional deciduous trees. Beneath these layers, aromatic shrubs such as lavender and rosemary provide perennial cover, habitat complexity, and year-round biomass production. A dedicated lower layer supports seasonal vegetables: carrots, radishes, turnips, lettuces and other greens, interplanted within tree alleys and cultivated using organic methods.
Production follows a diversified model typical of food forests. Tree crops currently yield modest but consistent quantities of lemons, plums, mulberries, pomegranates, and herbs, primarily for consumption by visitors, volunteers, and workers on site rather than large-scale commercial sale. The adjoining vegetable-growing area produces additional crops for small-scale marketing, providing a modest revenue stream while maintaining ecological integrity. As the system is still maturing, productive output is expected to increase over the coming years.
The project is privately managed by a couple in their thirties, who own and oversee all aspects of the site. Labour requirements were most intensive during the establishment phase of planting, mulching, earth-shaping, and infrastructure setup. As the food forest enters a more stable successional stage, labour demands have gradually decreased, with current activities centred on pruning, biomass recycling, vegetable cultivation, and occasional enrichment planting. No chemical inputs are applied at any stage.
Irrigation was originally supported by a drip system installed to establish young trees and early perennial layers. Today, irrigation needs have significantly decreased due to higher soil organic matter, increased shade, and improved microclimate regulation. Drip irrigation is now used only minimally and mainly within the annual vegetable plots, while most perennial components rely primarily on natural rainfall.
Overall, this food forest demonstrates a replicable nature-based solution for Mediterranean environments, showcasing how degraded wheat monoculture fields can be restored into resilient, biodiverse, and ecologically functional agroforestry systems. The long-term transition highlights substantial gains in soil health, water retention, and landscape diversity, while supporting small-scale production and community-oriented engagement.

2.3 Photos de la Technologie

2.5 Pays/ région/ lieux où la Technologie a été appliquée et qui sont couverts par cette évaluation

2.6 Date de mise en œuvre de la Technologie

Indiquez l'année de mise en œuvre:

2017

Si l'année précise est inconnue, indiquez la date approximative: :

• il y a moins de 10 ans (récemment)

2.7 Introduction de la Technologie

Spécifiez comment la Technologie a été introduite: :

• grâce à l'innovation d'exploitants des terres
• au cours d'expérimentations / de recherches
• par le biais de projets/ d'interventions extérieures

Commentaires (type de projet, etc.) :

The landowners developed the site as part of a holistic environmental vision and continue to refine it through ongoing learning, experimentation, and renewal. They actively initiate collaborations with research institutions in Israel and abroad to support long-term monitoring of the site and to advance the food-forest practice within a scientific and evidence-based framework.

3.1 Principal(aux) objectif(s) de la Technologie

• réduire, prévenir, restaurer les terres dégradées
• préserver l'écosystème
• conserver/ améliorer la biodiversité
• s'adapter au changement et aux extrêmes climatiques et à leurs impacts
• créer un impact social positif

3.2 Type(s) actuel(s) d'utilisation des terres, là où la Technologie est appliquée

Les divers types d'utilisation des terres au sein du même unité de terrain: :

Oui

Précisez l'utilisation mixte des terres (cultures/ pâturages/ arbres):

• Agroforesterie

3.3 Est-ce que l’utilisation des terres a changé en raison de la mise en œuvre de la Technologie ?

Est-ce que l’utilisation des terres a changé en raison de la mise en œuvre de la Technologie ?

• Oui (Veuillez remplir les questions ci-après au regard de l’utilisation des terres avant la mise en œuvre de la Technologie)

Les divers types d'utilisation des terres au sein du même unité de terrain: :

Non

3.4 Approvisionnement en eau

Approvisionnement en eau des terres sur lesquelles est appliquée la Technologie:

• mixte: pluvial-irrigué

Commentaires:

Irrigation was originally supported by a drip system installed to establish young trees and early perennial layers. Today, irrigation needs have significantly decreased due to higher soil organic matter, increased shade, and improved microclimate regulation. Drip irrigation is now used only minimally and mainly within the annual vegetable plots, while most perennial components rely primarily on natural rainfall.

3.5 Groupe de GDT auquel appartient la Technologie

• agroforesterie
• Amélioration de la couverture végétale/ du sol
• perturbation minimale du sol

3.6 Mesures de GDT constituant la Technologie

3.7 Principaux types de dégradation des terres traités par la Technologie

Commentaires:

For this pilot, the technology primarily addresses soil degradation (chemical + physical + biological) that resulted from long-term monoculture and herbicide-based management.

3.8 Prévention, réduction de la dégradation ou réhabilitation des terres dégradées

Spécifiez l'objectif de la Technologie au regard de la dégradation des terres:

• réduire la dégradation des terres
• restaurer/ réhabiliter des terres sévèrement dégradées

4.1 Dessin technique de la Technologie

4.2 Informations générales sur le calcul des intrants et des coûts

Spécifiez la manière dont les coûts et les intrants ont été calculés:

• par superficie de la Technologie

Indiquez la monnaie utilisée pour le calcul des coûts:

• dollars américains

4.3 Activités de mise en place/ d'établissement

	Activité	Calendrier des activités (saisonnier)
1.	Initial site assessment and mapping of soil condition and exposure	Late winter / early spring
2.	Discontinuation of tillage and herbicide applications	Immediately prior to establishment
3.	Soil preparation without deep tillage (light loosening, mulching base layer)	Early spring
4.	Planting of trees in primary layout (skeleton layer)	Spring
5.	Planting of shrubs and understory companion species	Late spring / early summer
6.	Installation of organic mulch cover to protect soil and retain moisture	After planting (early summer)
7.	Enrichment planting / filling gaps with additional groundcover species	Late summer / following spring
8.	Protection of young trees/shrubs if needed (guards, shading, temporary watering)	First growing season
9.	Establishment of biomass cycling (chop-and-drop, composting on-site)	After vegetation takes root
10.	Transition into maintenance phase (reduced intervention, natural succession)	Once canopy begins forming

4.4 Coûts et intrants nécessaires à la mise en place

	Spécifiez les intrants	Unité	Quantité	Coûts par unité	Coût total par intrant	% des coût supporté par les exploitants des terres
Main d'œuvre	Manual labour	Person-days	139,0	158,2	21989,8	100,0
Equipements	Tools and maintenance equipment		1,0	5000,0	5000,0	100,0
Equipements	Tractor (for construction)		1,0	7200,0	7200,0	100,0
Matériel végétal	Seedlings, cuttings, and seeds		1,0	14000,0	14000,0	100,0
Engrais et biocides	Compost		1,0	10500,0	10500,0	100,0
Matériaux de construction	Irrigation system		1,0	14500,0	14500,0	100,0
Matériaux de construction	Pruned biomass mulch		1,0	6500,0	6500,0	100,0
Coût total de mise en place de la Technologie					79689,8
Coût total de mise en place de la Technologie en dollars américains (USD)					79689,8

Si le coût n'est pas pris en charge à 100% par l'exploitant des terres, indiquez qui a financé le coût restant:

Land user bore all costs: but note the primary purpose of this site is research and education. It is not intended to be a commercial enterprise, but to demonstrate principles and practices of sustainable land management. The income generated is not from crops but from research grants, workshops and community activities.

Commentaires:

No chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used; fertilization is based solely on compost

4.5 Activités d'entretien/ récurrentes

	Activité	Calendrier/ fréquence
1.	Mulching with organic biomass (leaf litter, pruning residues, woodchips, etc.)	2–3 times per year, mainly after rainy season and mid-summer
2.	Selective pruning of trees and shrubs to maintain structure and light balance	Annually / as needed (late winter or autumn)
3.	Enrichment planting and succession planting of understorey species	Seasonally, as ecosystem matures or gaps appear
4.	Weeding by ecological suppression (groundcover strengthening) rather than removal	Continuous, low-intensity maintenance
5.	Soil moisture conservation (biomass renewal / occasional supportive watering in drought years)	Seasonally during dry periods (as needed)
6.	Monitoring soil condition and vegetation health	Ongoing, at least once per season
7.	Replacement of failed or weak young plants	Annually during early growth seasons
8.	Maintenance of biodiversity guilds / companion planting structure	Continuous, adaptive to natural succession

4.6 Coûts et intrants nécessaires aux activités d'entretien/ récurrentes (par an)

	Spécifiez les intrants	Unité	Quantité	Coûts par unité	Coût total par intrant	% des coût supporté par les exploitants des terres
Main d'œuvre	Manual labour	Person-days	110,0	158,2	17402,0	100,0
Equipements	Equipment renewal and maintenance		1,0	5000,0	5000,0	100,0
Matériel végétal	Cuttings and seeds		1,0	4000,0	4000,0	100,0
Autre	Water bills		1,0	5500,0	5500,0	100,0
Autre	Products selling kits		1,0	2000,0	2000,0	100,0
Coût total d'entretien de la Technologie					33902,0
Coût total d'entretien de la Technologie en dollars américains (USD)					33902,0

Commentaires:

The establishment costs refer to the initial food forest area of approximately 1.5 acres, while the annual maintenance costs refer to the forest in its current state, covering about 3 acres. Land user bore all costs: but note that the primary purpose of this site is research and education. It is not intended to be a commercial enterprise, but to demonstrate principles and practices of sustainable land management. The income generated is not from crops but from research grants, workshops and community activities.

4.7 Facteurs les plus importants affectant les coûts

Décrivez les facteurs les plus importants affectant les coûts :

The most significant cost factor, both during establishment and ongoing maintenance, is labour. All work is carried out manually using hand tools, and apart from the initial establishment phase, no heavy machinery is used

5.1 Climat

5.2 Topographie

Indiquez si la Technologie est spécifiquement appliquée dans des:

• non pertinent

5.3 Sols

5.4 Disponibilité et qualité de l'eau

La salinité de l'eau est-elle un problème? :

Non

La zone est-elle inondée?

Non

5.5 Biodiversité

Commentaires et précisions supplémentaires sur la biodiversité:

Both species diversity and habitat diversity have transformed due to the establishment of the food forest, and are now both high. This is a very agrobiodiverse system.

5.6 Caractéristiques des exploitants des terres appliquant la Technologie

5.7 Superficie moyenne des terres utilisées par les exploitants des terres appliquant la Technologie

5.8 Propriété foncière, droits d’utilisation des terres et de l'eau

Propriété foncière:

• individu, avec titre de propriété

Droits d’utilisation des terres:

• individuel

Droits d’utilisation de l’eau:

• individuel

Est-ce que les droits d'utilisation des terres sont fondés sur un système juridique traditionnel?

Non

5.9 Accès aux services et aux infrastructures

6.1 Impacts sur site que la Technologie a montrés

Impacts socio-économiques

Revenus et coûts

Impacts socioculturels

Impacts écologiques

Cycle de l'eau/ ruissellement

Sols

Biodiversité: végétale, animale

Réduction des risques de catastrophe et des risques climatiques

Précisez l'évaluation des impacts sur site (sous forme de mesures):

The assessment of on-site impacts combines both social-cultural learning processes and quantitative biophysical measurements. On the social, cultural, and economic side, the site hosts workshops, guided learning sessions, and community activities designed to understand the meaning, role, and value of the food forest for local stakeholders. These engagements provide qualitative insights into cultural benefits, community strengthening, and the educational function of the place. For the more tangible biophysical parameters – soil health, vegetation condition, biodiversity, and ecological recovery – the monitoring relies on analytical laboratory tests and systematic long-term sampling. Soil samples collected at different stages of the establishment process were analyzed for organic matter, nutrients, structure, and biological activity, providing a clear picture of soil improvement over time. In addition, the site is monitored through remote-sensing-based indicators developed in collaboration with the University of Haifa, which track temporal changes in vegetation cover, biomass, soil moisture proxies, and overall ecological function. Together, these qualitative and quantitative assessments offer a comprehensive understanding of the site’s development, documenting both the ecological restoration underway and the parallel social and educational impacts generated by the food forest.

6.2 Impacts hors site que la Technologie a montrés

Précisez l'évaluation des impacts extérieurs (sous forme de mesures):

Off-site impacts were assessed through a combination of qualitative and quantitative indicators that capture how the food-forest system influences the surrounding landscape and community beyond the plot boundaries. Hydrological effects were inferred from reduced surface runoff and improved infiltration within the site, which collectively lower downstream sedimentation and erosion risks; these implications were evaluated using rainfall records, soil-moisture trends, and comparison of runoff behavior between the restored area and adjacent conventionally managed fields. Vegetation development and canopy expansion – monitored through Sentinel-2 time-series and UAV imagery – provide additional evidence of landscape-scale improvements such as enhanced microclimatic buffering and habitat connectivity. Social and cultural off-site impacts were evaluated through participation in workshops, educational programs, and community events, which extend ecological knowledge and stewardship beyond the site itself. Together, these measurements and observations offer a coherent picture of how the food forest contributes to broader environmental and community benefits outside its physical boundaries.

6.3 Exposition et sensibilité de la Technologie aux changements progressifs et aux évènements extrêmes/catastrophes liés au climat (telles que perçues par les exploitants des terres)

Changements climatiques progressifs

Changements climatiques progressifs

	Saison	Augmentation ou diminution	Comment la Technologie fait-elle face à cela?
températures annuelles		augmente	modérément
précipitations annuelles		décroît	bien

Extrêmes climatiques (catastrophes)

Catastrophes météorologiques

	Comment la Technologie fait-elle face à cela?
pluie torrentielle locale	modérément

Catastrophes climatiques

	Comment la Technologie fait-elle face à cela?
canicule	bien
sécheresse	bien

6.4 Analyse coûts-bénéfices

Quels sont les bénéfices comparativement aux coûts de mise en place (du point de vue des exploitants des terres)?

Quels sont les bénéfices comparativement aux coûts d'entretien récurrents (du point de vue des exploitants des terres)?

Commentaires:

The slightly negative short-term balance does not reflect external subsidies but rather the intentional design and purpose of the site. The food forest is not a commercial enterprise and was never intended to generate profit from agricultural production. Its primary function is research, education, and community engagement, and therefore its revenues come from workshops, collaborations, and research grants rather than crop sales. The short-term financial deficit simply reflects the fact that the landowners invest in a long-term ecological and educational project whose value is measured in environmental and social outcomes rather than immediate economic returns. It should not be interpreted as dependence on agricultural subsidies or market-based support.

6.5 Adoption de la Technologie

• cas isolés/ expérimentaux

Si disponible, quantifiez (nombre de ménages et/ou superficie couverte):

One household: 1.5 acres

De tous ceux qui ont adopté la Technologie, combien d'entre eux l'ont fait spontanément, à savoir sans recevoir aucune incitation matérielle, ou aucune rémunération? :

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

La Technologie a-t-elle été récemment modifiée pour s'adapter à l'évolution des conditions?

Oui

Si oui, indiquez à quel changement la Technologie s'est adaptée:

• changements/ extrêmes climatiques

Spécifiez l'adaptation de la Technologie (conception, matériaux/ espèces, etc.):

The design and composition of the food forest are continuously adapted as the system matures and as new insights emerge from ongoing learning by the landowners and collaborating researchers. Species selection, spatial arrangement, and management practices have been refined over time in response to observed ecological dynamics - such as canopy development, soil improvement, microclimatic changes, and species performance. Additional trees, shrubs, and groundcovers have been introduced to enhance diversity, strengthen ecological functions, and address emerging needs such as shade regulation, soil enrichment, or habitat creation. This adaptive approach reflects the core principle of the technology: the food forest is a living system that evolves through observation, experimentation, and evidence-based adjustments informed by both practical experience and scientific collaboration.

6.7 Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités de la Technologie

Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités du point de vue de l'exploitant des terres
Restores soil fertility and structure without relying on chemicals and reduces weed pressure naturally through permanent groundcover
Improves moisture retention and reduces drought stress over time and supports biodiversity and creates a healthier farm ecosystem
Transformational: turns degraded land into a productive long-term asset

Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités du point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne ressource clé
Demonstrates a replicable nature-based solution for restoring degraded agricultural soils in Mediterranean climates
Increases soil organic matter and biological activity, improving long-term soil function and carbon sequestration
Serves as a living demonstration site with high educational and upscaling potential for regenerative farming in the region

6.8 Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques de la Technologie et moyens de les surmonter

Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques du point de vue de l’exploitant des terres	Comment peuvent-ils être surmontés?
Slow establishment phase before benefits become visible	Patience + phased planting; choose fast-growing pioneer species to accelerate canopy formation
Requires knowledge and ecological management skills	Ongoing guidance from experts / capacity building / training
Young plants vulnerable to drought during first summers	Supplemental irrigation in the first years and thicker mulching to reduce evaporation

Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques du point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne ressource clé	Comment peuvent-ils être surmontés?
Long ecological recovery timeline before system reaches full functionality	Use succession planning and pioneer/perennial nurse species to accelerate canopy closure and soil regeneration
Success depends on appropriate species selection for local microclimate and soil	Improve site-specific design using adaptive planting trials, monitoring, and locally adapted cultivars
Knowledge-intensive management compared to conventional systems	Provide technical training, extension support, and farmer-to-farmer learning
Restoration outcomes may vary with drought years and extreme heat events	Increase biomass cover, soil shading, and water retention strategies in early establishment years

7.1 Méthodes/ sources d'information

7.2 Références des publications disponibles

Titre, auteur, année, ISBN:

Zbedat, G., & Brook, A. (2025). Land Restoration Effectiveness Assessed by Satellite-Based Remote Sensing Technologies as A New Monitoring Approach. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 48, 149-155.

Disponible à partir d'où? Coût?

Google Scholar

Titre, auteur, année, ISBN:

T. A. Cohen, A. Brook and G. Zbedat, "Long-Term Land Restoration Assessment Using Remote Sensing in Mediterranean Ecosystems," 2024 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Agriculture and Forestry (MetroAgriFor), Padua, Italy, 2024, pp. 179-183, doi: 10.1109/MetroAgriFor63043.2024.10948855.

Disponible à partir d'où? Coût?

Google Scholar

7.3 Liens vers les informations pertinentes en ligne

Titre/ description:

React4Med site

URL:

https://react4med.eu

Titre/ description:

Bethlehem of Galilee Food Forest Collection

URL:

https://haifa.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/collectionDiscovery?vid=972HAI_MAIN:HAU&inst=972HAI_MAIN&collectionId=81263109080002791