Transfer of Technology: Sustainable and Unsustainable Experience from Israel

Transfer of Technology presents an eclectic and diverse mix of research strategies for understanding the impact of desertification, as well as applications for coping with arid environments. Emerging from experiences in Israel's Negev Desert, the book should be of interest to any one concerned about the effects of global environmental change. As the subtitle "Sustainable and unsustainable experience from Israel" suggests, some learnings are more transferable than others, a challenge revealed in many chapters that examine transfer beyond Israel to other nations in Africa and Asia. The array of research reported encompasses land degradation, gully incision and desertification, draught analysis using remote sensing, ground water pollution, parasite populations in rodent species, soil and dust analysis. Contributions on social technology address human settlement, draught contingency planning, chemical safety management, and conflict resolution. Agricultural technologies specific to livestock production, fish farming, and reforestation for fodder are presented. Several chapters address solar principles in architectural design and building maintenance, as well as grey-water systems and desert sanitation. A system for water-free cleaning of photovoltaic systems is explored, as are applications of solar energy to laser surgery. Members of The Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, contributed 16 of the 17 chapters. The book furthers the mission of the Institutes to promote research and technology for sustainable use of desert resources throughout the world, 40% of which is drylands.