The Jerusalem Wilderness is a rocky region, extending from the southeast corner of Bethlehem to the regions south of Hebron. Its landscape ranges from mountains with virtually no vegetation, to flat expanses with scattered trees and bushes. Starting about 7 kilometers east of the Mar Saba Monastery, it extends to the Buqeiá region, the extremely arid desert region near the Dead Sea. The entire area is criss-crossed by wadis. Some wadis are dry erosion valleys, often having the form of canyons, while others, identifiable by the thick vegetation growing around them, have natural springs, which are replenished each year. It is the very lack of rain which causes the erosion that exposes rocks of every geological era, each with its distinct color and texture. Wild as it is, this landscape supports a surprisingly rich biodiversity. Many love the wild beauty of this region.