Plant Communities in Wadi Al-Qaf Nursery Reserve of Palestine

This paper presents a study of plant communities in the Wadi Al-Qaf (Guf) Nursery Reserve, located in the northwest of Hebron, Palestine. This site is of significant local importance due to its plant species and forests. Wadi Quf Reserve is one of the most important nature reserves in Palestine, owing to its rich plant diversity and notable geographical features. It is situated west of the Jordan River and the city of Hebron, and east of the Palestinian coastal region. The reserve is characterized by mountainous terrain an abundant vegetation and hosts several plant species typical of the Mediterranean region. This study aims to contribute to the identification and characterization of plant communities present in the Wadi Al-Quf Nature Reserve, located northwest of Hebron, Palestine. The plant analysis revealed a total of 377 species, of which 28 (7.42%) are endemic, and seventy plant plots are distributed across the area. The phytosociological approach and analysis are based on the Braun-Blanquet methodology (1979) and utilize the land classification system of Salvador Rivas-Martínez for land analysis. In total, we collected 420 samples of various plant species from the Wadi Al-Quf Nursery Reserve. In the statistical analysis, we identified two groups in the cluster. Group (A) represents Quercus, macchie, and steppe vegetation, with association one being Pistacio lentisci-Quercetum caliprinii or palaestinii. This group falls under the class Querceta ilicis Br.-Bl. and Quercetae calliprini or palaestinii, with the order Quercetalia calliprini and Pistachio lentisci-Rhamnetalia alaterni ex Guinochet & Drouineau 1944. It is part of the alliance Querco-Pistacion lentisci and Oleo sylvestris-Ceratonion siliquae Br.-Bl., while group (B) represents pine forests that are influenced by climatophilous conditions, with association two being Pinus halepensis-Cupressetum sempervirentis. This association is classified under Pinetalia halepensis, within the alliance of Querco-Pistacion lentisci and Pinus halepensis-Cupression sempervirenti. It falls under the class Quercetea ilicis Br.-Bl. ex A. and O. Bolòs 1950, and Quercetae calliprini or palaestini. Effective control of invasive plant species requires an integrated and balanced approach that combines prevention, direct management, ecological restoration, policies, and regulatory measures in order to preserve plants as an authentic plant heritage resource and ensure their sustainability in the Wadi Quf Reserve. Effective control of invasive plant species requires an integrated and balanced approach that combines prevention, direct management, ecological restoration, and policy and regulatory measures to preserve native plants as an authentic botanical heritage and ensure the sustainability of the Wadi Qaf Reserve.