TRANSFORMATION OF SEMI-DESERT LANDSCAPE OF SOUTHEASTERN PART OF ISRAEL UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALEPPO PINE (<i>PINUS HALEPENSIS</i>) AFFORESTATION
The manuscript deals with anthropogenically decertified landscapes of the southeastern part of Israel (rocky hills of the southern part of Hebron Hills) changed by intensive afforestation by the Aleppo pine in the middle of the 20th century. The interrelationships between soil and pines are considered showing an effect that afforestation has on changing the purely developed lithosoils into more structured rendzinas. Such a change leads to a significant humidification of the landscape especially in close vicinity to the trees and a consequent reduction in soil erosion and stabilization of slopes. A forecast of the landscape future while maintaining coniferous forests in normal condition and in case of their destruction is proposed.