Title of article :
Decline in Vertebrate Biodiversity in Bethlehem, Palestine
Author/Authors :
Qumsiyeh, Mazin B. Bethlehem University - Faculty of Science, Palestine , Zavala, Sibylle S. Bethlehem University - Faculty of Science, Palestine , Amr, Zuhair S. Jordan University of Science Technology (JUST) - Department of Biology, Jordan
Abstract :
Our data showed that in the 1960s/1970s some 31 species of mammals and 78 species of birds were present in the area of the Bethlehem governorate, between Bethlehem and Deir Mar Saba. Comparison with observations done in 2008-2013 showed significant declines in vertebrate biodiversity in this area, which has increasingly become urbanized, with an increase in temperature and a decrease in annual rainfall over the past four decades.
Keywords :
Biodiversity , Palestine , Mammals , Birds , Reptiles.
Journal title :
Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences
Journal title :
Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences
