Hydrology and cranes (Grus grus) attraction partnership in the management of the hula valley—lake kinneret landscape

Abstract

The Hula Valley in northern Israel was partly covered by swamps and a shallow lake. The entire valley was drained and converted for agricultural cultivation. Later, an additional soil reclamation operation was implemented, including eco-tourism. From the early 1990s, winter migratory cranes have attracted visitors, thus supporting the hydrological management of the entire valley that protects the downstream Lake Kinneret. It was documented that these birds have a minor impact on phosphorus pollution, but severely damaged agricultural crops are protected by mild deportation and daily, short, periodical corn seed feeding.