In Nahal Lachish, you can find the Red-Eared Slider Turtle,
Scientific name: Trachemys scripta elegans.

The Red-Eared Slider is a species of freshwater turtles, closely related to the native Mediterranean turtles in our country.
This species has a red spot near its ear, hence the name. The Red-Eared Slider is an invasive species in Israel.

What are Invasive Species?

Invasive species are species that are not part of the native ecological system and have arrived there through migration.

Not every new species that enters the ecological system (alien species) becomes invasive. First, it needs to survive, establish, and reproduce in its new environment. If it succeeds in these stages, it becomes invasive.

Invasive species destabilize the ecological system and can cause the extinction of other species and even the collapse of the entire ecological system. This is possible because these species did not co-evolve with the ecological system, have no natural enemies, diseases, or other limiting factors within it, and they can establish and reproduce without disruption and in a way that is detrimental to the ecological system.

Invasive species not only threaten natural ecosystems, but they can also harm humans. We can see this with the Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata), whose stings can send adults to the hospital and pose a significant risk to young children; the Nomad Jellyfish (Rhopilema nomadica), which arrived in the Mediterranean Sea from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal and interferes with our bathing experience in the sea. They can also harm agriculture, such as the Rose-Ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), which damages agricultural crops due to its opportunistic exploitation and large numbers. And there are those that can damage structures and machinery, such as the Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), which fortunately has not reached Israel but causes problems in water transport systems and resources in the United States.

Most invasive species are not to blame for their invasion. They were brought, intentionally or unintentionally, by humans:

There are species like the Indian Myna (Acridotheres tristis) that were brought by humans as pets. Two pairs of escaped Mynas successfully established, reproduced, and spread throughout the country. Others, like the Little Fire Ant, “hitchhiked” on human movement. In this case, the ants arrived as stowaways with a load of wood for construction, or the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus) that entered together with “lucky bamboo” plants. But there are those that were intentionally brought to the country before understanding the consequences of their introduction, such as the River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), which was thought to help dry up swamps, or the Lantana plant (Lantana camara), which was brought to be an ornamental plant in gardens and then “escaped.”

Others, like the Nutria (Myocastor coypus), a species of rodent, were brought for commercial purposes. After realizing that the fur industry could not be sustained in Israel, Nutrias were released into the wild without responsibility to nature.

The fight against invasive species that have invaded and established themselves, and the treatment of the problems they cause, cost the Israeli economy a significant amount of money. Although there has not been a systematic study estimating the economic impact of invasive species, global estimates suggest costs of $1.4 trillion per year (a trillion is a number with thirteen digits).

What Can We Do?

• First, Choose Native Species!
  Do not trade in plants and animals that are not native, meaning they are not originally part of the local ecological system.

• Take Responsibility for the Animals You Raise and Do Not “Release” Them into Nature When You No Longer Want Them. These animals are not part of the ecological system and can harm it.

• Work to Mitigate the Phenomenon!

Encountered an invasive species? Report it to the responsible authority and request action.

By taking action, we can prevent alien species from entering our country and deal with them before they become established as invasive species. This way, we can prevent future invasions and ensure the well-being of our ecological systems, our health, and reduce costs to the country’s economy.

Get to Know the Invasive Species in the Nahal Lachish Area

Red-Eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Rose-Ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

Indian Myna (Acridotheres tristis)

Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes Stegomyia albopictus)

River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)

Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris)

Golden Wattle (Acacia saligna)

Lantana (Lantana camara)

Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)

Nomad Jellyfish (Rhopilema nomadica)

* Nutria (Myocastor coypus) – One observation recorded in 2012

For Further Reading

Invasive Species on the Ministry of Environmental Protection Website

http://www.sviva.gov.il/subjectsEnv/NatureBiodiversity/Invasive_Species/Pages/default.aspx

Invasive Plants on the Ministry of Environmental Protection Website

http://www.sviva.gov.il/InfoServices/ReservoirInfo/ResearchAndPublications/Pages/Publications/P0601-P0700/P0699.aspx

Invasive Species on the Israel Nature and Parks Authority Website

https://www.parks.org.il/tag/%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%9D/

Invasive Species on the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel Website

https://www.teva.org.il/polshim

Haaretz Newspaper: The List of Invasive Species in Israel Includes Parrots, Porcupines, and the Especially Stinging Fire Ant

https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/1.1256008

Task: Go on a short hike along the Nahal stream. Try to spot the Red-Eared Slider Turtle.

If you manage to find the turtle, you earn the title of Outstanding Observers, as this task is quite challenging.

This initiative was established with the assistance of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Association of Cities for Environmental Quality, Ashdod-Yavne District, and the Ashdod Municipality.