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In the past, the Sdom salt flats area was a resting stop and habitat for migratory birds. Today, due to changes in the land’s use – to agriculture, residential and industrial uses, almost no salt flats remain. These flats have unique characteristics with high salinity in the soil and unique species that have adapted to these extreme conditions. The salt flats in Israel are a rare habitat and have been shrinking over time.
The Sdom Saltmarsh Lake, initially created as a result of ICL Dead Sea’s excavation activities, has become a salt flat substitute. The lake was created from a rise in groundwater in the excavated area. Over the past few years, the lake has had relatively good water quality year round. The Company has also begun to monitor the lake with sensors to continuously measure its water quality. With a stable water environment, vegetation was planted. The lake is now used as a resting spot for migrating birds and as a nesting site for a wide range of species. Many bird species have been spotted in the Sdom Saltmarsh Lake, and they can be viewed in “Ashalim Reservoir” on the eBird birding database.
In a joint initiative between ICL Dead Sea, residents of the Dead Sea Sdom Valley and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, an observation site was built at a safe distance from the lake which allows bird watching without interfering with animals in the vicinity of the lake. An opening ceremony for the observatory was conducted in the beginning of 2020, with the participation of representatives from the Tamar regional council, Israel Nature and Parks Authority and local residents. A new access road and parking spots were developed and the public now visits the site. A few months ago, ICL also developed a new access road that allows for a closer look at the lake. The area is suspected to be mined, so entering the water is prohibited.
In addition to preserving the lake, there are plans to assess the preservation of additional bodies of water, such as the Hemar Site reservoir, as ecological compensation for the diminishing salt flats.
N. Maoz, Ecology and Environment.
Preservation of Biological Diversity at the Ashalim Reservoir known as “Swan Lake”
A variety of abiotic conditions exist along the western coast of the Dead Sea, enabling the development of ecological systems and unique habitats. Alongside typical desert systems of arid habitats, one can find wet habitats with an abundance of rich biological diversity, in accordance with local conditions of water quality, soil types, the abundance of water and its flow in the system. One of the interesting phenomena is the development of wet ecological systems in locations where wadi soil is being excavated. These systems are created in areas of high groundwater and where flood water is accumulated. Their existence over time is a challenge in light of their proximity to operational areas of ICL Dead Sea and the other projects in the region. The Ashalim reservoir, located south of the ICL Dead Sea site, is a good example of such a system, and the manner in which operational needs can be combined with environmental responsibility to preserve a rich and unique ecological system.
The reservoir was created in the 1990s in ICL Dead Sea’s excavation areas, east of Route 90 (Picture 1), on an area of 400 dunams. The southern part of the reservoir, Sdom Saltmarsh Lake (known as “Swan Lake”), is permanently flooded, feeding from ground and flood water, with a water quality rate ranging between 3000 and 4000 milligrams of chloride per liter.
Due to the year-long permanent presence of water, a complex and multi-layered ecological system has developed at the site, including salt flat flora, water vegetation, invertebrates and vertebrate fauna. The flora is typical of a dense belt of phragmites australis Trin and tamarix sp. that grow on the banks of bodies of water. The second belt includes flat salt flora, such as Suaeda monoica, Suaeda fruticose, Seidlitzia rosmarinus and unique plants, such as Salvadora persica.
The site attracts water birds and birds of prey, some nesting and some migratory. The variety includes more than 100 bird species, including some at risk, such as the ferruginous duck, little ringed plover, western yellow wagtail and western marsh harrier. In addition, there are many types of mammals in the area, some at risk, including the striped hyena and microbats. Within the water, there are many taxons of invertebrates that are used as food by water birds, and a large population of Arabian toothcarp, which is endemic to the Dead Sea area. The unique features of the place and the ability to observe a wide variety of birds has transformed it into a tourist attraction and site of interest, attracting birdwatchers from the area and around the world. In environmental and ecological terms, the Sdom Saltmarsh Lake is of utmost importance in preserving nature and serving as a unique bird “Hot Spot”. As such, much must be done to preserve and nurture the site, both for existing organisms and for visitors and hikers in the area.
ICL Dead Sea, whose excavations in the region created the lake, maintains the site and acknowledges the importance of the lake, even taking extra measures to preserve and continue to operate the site.
In addition to preserving Sdom Saltmarsh Lake, there are plans to consider preserving additional bodies of water, such as the Hemar Site reservoir, to compensate ecologically for the flat salt areas that continue to diminish.
