WORKING GROUP 3 
DAN 
191 
Fig. 2. Aerial photograph of the Nari area revealing advanced stages of the disintegration 
process 
The area shown in the accompanying air photos is situated in the semi-arid 
part of Israel. The summers are hot and dry while winters are mild and rainy. 
The annual rainfall is approximately 400 mm. 
The area is hilly and lies at an elevation of up to 400 m, and is dissected by 
numerous valleys. 
The vegetation cover consist of low maquis or chaparral of the Quercus 
calliprinos - Pistacia palaestina association (4). The main shrubs include Quercus 
calliprinos, Pistacia palaestina, Phyllyrea media, Pistacia lentiscus and Styrax offi 
cinalis. The vegetation cover is dense on the northern slopes while on the 
southern slopes it is more sparse. The shrub vegetation is confined to the rocky 
Nari areas, while the highly calcareous chalky soil is occupied by annual and 
perennial grasses and herbs, such as Avena sterilis, Andropogon hirtus and Cartha- 
mus tenuis.