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The Yotvata Salt Flat: Man and Environment

2000
The Yotvata Salt Flat, in the Arava desert, is located 30 km north of the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba within the geologic province of the Syrian-African Rift. It is a level, salty, plant-free plain. Surrounding this sterile plain are microenvironments that depend on the nature of the soil and the rocks. A delicate balance exists between the soil, rocks, water, flora and fauna in this area. We are trying to map and analyze these microenvironments surrounding the salt flat and relate the natural landscape to human activity in the region. The web site contains other information including research papers by academics, aerial photographs, maps, and landscape photographs. Also included is a virtual field trip of the region. People interested in desert environments from around the world will find this site useful and informative.