The Be'eri Badlands (Hebrew: בתרונות בארי, romanizedBitronot Be'eri) Nature Reserve (also the Crater Reserve (Hebrew: שמורת המכתש, Makhtesh Reserve)[1]) is located in the Western Negev area, northwest of kibbutz Be'eri within the Be'eri Forest.[2]

Be'eri Badlands
Map
LocationWestern Negev, Southern District, Israel
Nearest townBe'eri
Area670 ha (1,700 acres)

The badlands area lies in the upper basin of the Sahaf Stream (Nahal Sahaf) and occupies the area of 6,700 dunams.[2] It is a valley of crater-like landform (makhtesh) with sidewalls of height rising 10-15m, eroded in the loess soil by rainwater and tributaries of the Sahaf Stream.

The reserve contains natural flora and fauna, which disappeared from the surrounding plains due to agriculture. There are 175 plant species in the reserve.[2]

In April-May 2018 a considerable area of the reserve was burned due to Palestinian airborne arson attacks. [2] The arson attacks were repeated in May 2021.[3]

References

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31°26′33.9″N 34°29′13.0″E / 31.442750°N 34.486944°E / 31.442750; 34.486944