Identification of important landscape areas in Palestine: the case of Battir area

Abstract

Cultural and natural landscape areas represent a chronologically combined effect of nature-man interaction. To identify such interactions, a study aimed at exploring important natural and physical environmental settings (geology, topography, geomorphology, land uses, climate, etc.). The study focused on Battir landscape area in Bethlehem District. The study also aimed at identifying the landscape changes and its driving forces. Field trips and observation, maps and map analysis by Geographic Information system (GIS), and questionnaires were utilized to explore different cultural and natural landscape elements and its properties, aiming at studying potential of the study area and possibility to qualify it as an important landscape. Amongst important landscape elements that were taken into consideration are topography, biodiversity, geology, water resources, land uses, and aesthetic factors of the area. According to the analysis of the study area, results showed that the western and northern parts have highest total positive ranking in terms of landscape attractors. Generally speaking, both parts (western and northern) have acquires high importance because of the diversity of existing natural habitat, the presence of historical, and cultural symbols aesthetic values, the presence of traditional and historical land use characteristics, the prevailing water structures, water distribution, terraces and water delivery systems that constitute important part of the history and tradition that was means that these parts are the most valuable parts of the landscape that should be included in any future conservation and protection efforts