Gilat (GLT), LTSER Northen Negev - Israel

A Loess plain is devoted to agro – ecosystem and climate change research. The site is subdivided into permanent plots which are exposed to various manipulations. The manipulations include introducing of various crops and various grazing regime. The manipulation provides data on the effect of management and rainfall regime on agricultural productivity. In addition, the area includes ecological plots to study a natural succession, penology and productivity under various rainfall regimes. The site is also used to study climate change in relation to rainfall and runoff patterns. An important study is the dynamic of geophytes that are important as cultural ecosystem service in the area. A new research direction is to study ecosystem development under various rainfall and runoff patterns.