We are left with the impression that the pine monoculture did no great harm to the JNF’s afforestation efforts, although a generation (in pine forest terms) may have been lost due to the fixation on pines. Is this not in itself a problem, i.e. would these areas not be a great deal closer to their managed climax vegetation had a more diversified planting regimen been followed?

Is the emergence of this next generation of forest cover therefore a matter of planning or luck? Did nature correct the JNF’s mistakes (basically pull their chestnuts out of the fire), or did this happen in terms of a far-sighted plan?

According to the JNF (US) website, “The Bible tells us that God originally filled the land with olive, pine, cypress, tamarisk, acacia, and carob trees. These are the species that we plant today to renew and nurture the land.” Is this an admission that a nurse crop was not really a necessary phase in the rehabilitation of these areas, or that the pine nurse crop may not have been the best choice?

Perhaps what we now need are clear statements from the KKL/JNF Israel’s forestry division regarding the following:

· Are nurse crops still needed, or can future plantings more closely reflect the desired climax species mix?

· If nurse crops are still required, what will the makeup be, or will the pine monoculture remain?

· Is there a plan to help migrate existing forests to a more mixed/indigenous composition, or will nature be left to take its course?

I have taken the liberty of cross-posting to my blog here:

Altneuland: The JNF’s pine forests: Pine deserts or nurse crops?
http://blog.altneuland.info/2008/02/jnfs-pine-forests-pine-deserts-or-nurse.html