Language: English
Alien Invasive Plants in Israel was first written and edited in Hebrew as it was initially intended for the Israeli public. Yet, since invasive plants essentially ignore regional and political borders, the author decided to publish an English edition so the information displayed in Alien Invasive Plants in Israel can be shared with a larger public, first and foremost from neighboring countries. Many of the alien taxa invading natural and seminatural habitats in the various regions of Israel may pose a threat for natural areas in the surrounding countries in the eastern Mediterranean and in the Near East as well. Moreover, this English edition may also be of some interest for ecologists and environmentalists who seek information about invasive plants in Mediterranean-type, semiarid and arid regions.
Since the issue of alien invasive plants in Israel is very dynamic the information displayed for several species was updated, particularly regarding the extent of their proliferation in Israel. Similarly, the scientific literature cited in the English edition was also updated and includes several recent publications that came out between late 2010 and early 2012.
Jean-Marc Dufour-Dror is an Israeli ecologist focusing mainly on issues related to applied ecology. He specializes in alien invasive p/ants in Israel. His recent studies focused on control nnetnods and management strategies of invasive species in natural areas, as well as along transportation networks. Jean-Marc Dufour-Dror developed a targeted chemical control method against invasive trees such as Acacia saligna and A/lanthus altissima for the Israel Nature & Parks Authority, which is now implemented in Israel and in Cyprus. He successfully tested a control method for Ambrosia confertiflora based on the restoration of native vegetation along riverbanks in Israel. His recent works focus on management strategies designed to prevent further proliferation of invasive plant species and to reduce the extent of infested sites in natural areas. He is the editor of the least wanted alien plant species in Israel (list published in 2012).
J-M. Dufour-Dror has been a consultant and advisor for ecology Issues at the Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection since 2006 and is the main consultant for invasive plants at the Nature & Parks Authority.
In the past years J.M. Dufour-Dror gave lectures in biogeography, ecology and biodiversity at the Tel-Aviv University, at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, at the Seminar Hakibutzim College of education in Tel-Aviv and at the Lifshitz College of Education in Jerusalem.
J.M. Dufour-Dror also conducts ecological surveys for Environmental Impact Assessments.