Flora and Conservation Issues in Two Protected Areas in Palestine: Wadi Al-Zarqa Al-Ulwi and Wadi Qana

The Palestinian environment suffered from abuse and neglect for decades. As a nascent state, Palestine aspired to protect restore its environment, in line with international standards conventions. Yet, many challenges remain, including lack of data, the science–policy–practice gaps, sovereignty. management protected areas (PAs) is particularly challenging under these circumstance. Two key northern West Bank (Wadi Qana Wadi Al-Zarqa Al-Ulwi) were surveyed, focus on plant communities dealing threats. two had similar Mediterranean flora differences, rare plants. Both have important but different wetlands their buffer zones. data show that protection because differences noted, both are valued as IUCN category IV (habitat/species area) protection. Such possible by working local bridging gaps.