Biodiversity conservation of a new protected area ‘Al-Arqoub’, South Jerusalem Hills, Palestine

Palestine is part of the Fertile Crescent and known to be rich in faunal and floral biodiversity relative to its latitude. The South Jerusalem hills with their ancient villages (collectively called the Al-Arqoub cluster) provide ideal areas for conservation within the Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot. The area was listed on an emergency basis as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. This study assessed the biodiversity and threats, and the data was used to designate it a protected area by the Environment Quality Authority (EQA). We documented 417 plant species, 15 fungi, 105 birds, 3 amphibians, 12 reptiles and 31 mammals. Threats to this rich biodiversity included harmful agricultural practices, overexploitation, construction of Israeli settlements, urbanisation, habitat loss, land fragmentation and limited enforcement of laws. Management plans were established and began to be implemented for the site with the aim of biocultural conservation. Four marginalised communities around the valley system (Al-Walaja, Battir, Husan and Beit Jala) benefited through: a) environmentally friendly agricultural production for 81 farmers, b) developing and empowering women in eco-friendly production and marketing, c) enhancing ecotourism, d) implementing an ecosystem restoration model and e) education and capacity building leading to behaviour change. Based on IUCN criteria, we consider ‘Al-Arqoub’ as a vulnerable ecosystem worthy of enhanced protective status and, based on our studies, the EQA designated it as a protected area category VI (protected with sustainable use of natural resources). Protected area management in Palestine follows the new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2023–2030) in line with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This grassroots, cross-disciplinary endeavour to protect this area serves as a model for other protections in a region with economic and political instability.