Management of the gazelle population in Mediterranean grasslands and rural landscapes in Israel

The population of the mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella) in Israel has been on the increase since 1960, as a result of strict enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Law. In several regions, this led to a high density of gazelle (up to 35 km−2) and to management of the population by controlled hunting. A grazing intensity of 70 gazelle days ha−1 year−1 affects species composition and increases species diversity. In order to conserve the full potential of species diversity, encouraging spatial variability in grazing intensities in the different landscape units is recommended. However, even with low grazing density food crops are very attractive mainly in the dry Mediterranean summer, therefore only good fencing is successful in protecting farms from grazing damage. Farm protection will leave a continuous habitat for gazelle, that in addition to its importance for the long-term health of the population will conserve the semi-natural landscape with multiple use for nature conservation, livestock ranching and outdoor recreation. Such management could be implemented by controlled hunting and protection, and successful cooperation with farmers.