Projects
Control of Prosopis juliflora in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya January 2026
In cooperation with the Kenya Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI), I am applying a new control protocol I developed in Israel against Prosopis juliflora (mathenge) in Tsavo East National Park. In the pilot project, carried out in January 2026, 92 individuals - ranging from saplings to large mature trees - were treated in a single application. Four and a half months later, 87% of the specimens were completely defoliated and 72% had lost vitality. The technique used hack-and-squirt - controls large numbers of standing trees without felling them, unlike the time and labour consuming cut-stump method, which often triggers vigorous resprouting. A second phase is now in preparation, targeting a larger infested area along the Voi River.
IAP control program and implementation along the Tzipori Stream
As part of the National Project for the Rehabilitation of the Tzipori River, led by the Kishon Drainage and Rivers Authority, I developed and implemented an IAP control program along the 32 km of the Tzipori Stream corridor. The program was based on accurate mapping of IAP foci and on a prioritization scheme for control actions. The control activities, carried out between 2023 and 2026, reduced IAP foci by more than 90%.
Acacia saligna control project, Palmachim Nature Reserve
Palmachim is a coastal sand-dune reserve south of Tel Aviv, heavily infested with Acacia saligna. Following an accurate, up-to-date mapping of the Acacia saligna foci, I developed a control prioritization scheme in which the smallest and most isolated foci are eradicated first. The first phase began in spring 2026 with the control of the first 20 foci out of 72. Monitoring will continue through 2028, and a first report will be issued in early 2027. The project is being implemented using the control protocol I developed in 2019 for Acacia saligna, based on direct application of Milestone® (aminopyralid) with the hack-and-squirt technique. It is carried out for the Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Israel Nature & Parks Authority.
IAP control protocols under development
I am conducting various experimental trials to develop new control protocols for the following species:
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Acacia victoriae - elegant wattle
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Eclipta prostrata - false daisy
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Eucalyptus camaldulensis - river red gum
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Dodonaea viscosa - sticky hopbush
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Nicotiana glauca - tree tobacco
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Parkinsonia aculeata - Jerusalem thorn, Mexican palo verde
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Prosopis juliflora - mesquite, mathenge, vilayati kikar
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Solanum elaeagnifolium - silverleaf nightshade
All control protocols are based on specific techniques suitable for application in natural areas.
The Israel Least-Wanted Alien Ornamental Plant Species List - New Edition
The second edition of this list is currently in preparation. It covers alien ornamental plants that could threaten natural ecosystems if introduced to Israel or used in landscaping. The first edition, published in February 2013 in Hebrew, English and Arabic, will be expanded with 60 new taxa, bringing the total to 197. Most are not yet present in Israel; some are casual or naturalized. Prepared in cooperation with Dr Ori Fragman-Sapir, scientific director of the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the new edition is in its final stages and will be published by the end of 2026.
