The Society for Protection of Nature in Israel released its annual environmental threats report on Tuesday, noting a disconcerting projection of a 22% rise in threats to open spaces across Israel in 2012. The report, released for the fifth consecutive year, lists 110 projects that stand to constitute such threats. The Society for Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) also noted that six environmental battles were hailed as a success in 2011 and that seven others are gaining momentum. Related stories: Gov't falters on environment – again Opinion: The powers that be are selling us out According to the report, southern Israel suffered the greatest number of environmental threats (28), followed by northern Israel (19), the greater Haifa area (10), the Sharon region (15), the greater Jerusalem area (13) and Eilat (8). The sand dunes of Rishon Lezion (Photos: Society for Protection of Nature) SPNI noted that real estate projects continue to pose the greatest threat to open spaces, noting that the great sand dunes of Rishon Lezion, in central Israel, are in particular danger. "The dunes have thrived and have a rich eco-system of greenery and wildlife," the report said. "Urban development at the expense of these unique dunes will mean a disaster for an eco-system which is unparalleled in central Israel." Another development plan, this time in Dimona, is threatening several creeks on the area. "The plan is unnecessarily invasive… and must be altered in order to minimize its environmental impact," the report demands. Birds migration site near Eilat The report noted that a new Transportation Ministry plan to expand the Ayalon Highway to the north will, in its current design, "reduce the number of open spaces in the designated area and threaten their continuity." SPNI also said that plans to form a new windmill far in Arad will threaten the eagle population in the area, and a similar plan near Eilat is threatening the migration paths of several species of birds. The Society for Protection of Nature in Israel also complained about an Israel Nature and National Parks Service plan to begin charging the public an admission fee to Ein Mavo Reseve, east of the Judean desert. "One would expect that the social protest of last summer would bolster the principles of conservation among those in charge of district and national planning, but this is not the case," SONI VP Nir Papay said in the report's introduction. The brief further lists what it calls "governmental threats," including the planned reform in the Land Administration and Zoning Law, the national housing committees' bill and "the disregard of public opinion is such matters." Still, while Papay warns against the rising number of threats, the report's author Itamar Ben-David allows for some cautious optimism: "The awakening of civil society in Israel and worldwide, as we have seen it over the past few months, is very encouraging and it constitutes an opportunity to act vis-à-vis the business sector, which is part of the threat, when it comes to preserving open spaces as a public asset." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter