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Shouf Biosphere Reserve - Shouf Biosphere Reserve - LebanonLebanon
Elsa J. Sattout, PhD Nizar HaniChef de Projet Scientific CoordinatorAppui Aux Reserves Naturelles du Liban Shouf Biosphere ReserveAgence Francaise de Developpement LebanonBeirut-Lebanon E-mail:[email protected]:[email protected]
Shouf Cedar Reserve: An overview
Largest Nature Reserve in Lebanon (2 % of the Lebanese territory)
Important Bird Area (IBA)
Globally southern limit of Cedrus libani and including 25% of the remaining cedar forests in Lebanon (520 ha)
First Biosphere Reserve in Lebanon which includes in addition to the Shouf Cedar Reserve the most important wetland in Lebanon Ammiq wetland
Shouf Biosphere Reserve: Environmental Highlights
• Some of the highest mountains in the Middle East, providing a full wealth of environmental services including wild genes pool, freshwater storage, climate mitigation, hydro-geologic balance, and aesthetic/leisure value.
• The largest stands of Lebanese Cedars, one of the World’s
great tree icons.
• Rich flora and plenty of medicinal plants with high potential economic value.
• Interesting wildlife with a good potential for restoration through the reintroduction of charismatic species such as Ibex, Gazelle, Vultures, etc.
• A crossroads for bird migration, strategically located on the routes between Europe, Africa, and West Asia.
SBR Management Co-Management between APAC (Appointed Protected Area
Committee) and Al-Shouf Cedar Society (ACS) under the umbrella of MOE
Permanent Staff (13 persons: Manager, Assistant manager, Scientific Coordinator, Awareness Coordinator, Secretary, Guides and Rangers) in addition to three seasonal staff
1. Research and Monitoring Program
2. Environmental Awareness Program
3. Capacity Building program
4. Eco-tourism Program
5. Rural Development Program
Management Plan - Five programs
Guesthouses
Eco-tourism and Rural development Infrastructure –
ACS and LMT
Ateliers
Reserve Entrances
Trail : 100 km
Conservation through socio-economic
activities
Picnic Area
Climate Change in Lebanon: Predictions
Altitudinal shift in bioclimatic zonesAltitudinal shift in bioclimatic zones
Most vulnerable bioclimatic zones:[1] Most humid and cold ones[2] Areas lying under severe drought conditions[3] Areas where a ‘climatic warming’ would occur within
the high altitudinal ranges (>1500m).
Medium vulnerability:Zones with altitude ranging from 500 up to 1500 where cedar forests growSpecies within this range will migrate to the closest vegetation zone
Cedar ecosystem: Hints on Conservation Status
In the In the 90s90s Cedrus libani A. Rich Taxon at lower
risk and near threatened (LR/nt) [IUCN Redlist]
Endangered species, threatened or on the way to extinction [National records]
Cedar forest ecosystems amidst climate change impacts
Location: Montane vegetation
The distribution of cedar ecosystems The distribution of cedar ecosystems falling within 500 to 1300 precipitation falling within 500 to 1300 precipitation range with a mean winter temperatures range with a mean winter temperatures between 2 & 5°C may become between 2 & 5°C may become increasingly increasingly under stress with the under stress with the upward shift in bioclimatic zonesupward shift in bioclimatic zones..
SOS: Serious decline & rapid disappearance
Migratory aspect of potential species: AssumptionsCedar forest altitude range will migrate to upper
altitude ranges. . . Narrow & broad endemic species[1] Abies cilicica[2] Tulipa sp.[3] Ornithogalum sp.[4] Sternbergia sp.[5] Romulea sp.[6] Orchis sp.[7] Rosularia sp.[8] Quercus sp.
. . . Etc.
Preventing climate change effects in cedar ecosystems
!!!!!!!!!! Application of adaptation !!!!!!!!!! Application of adaptation measuresmeasures
Constraints Constraints Lack of national database on
biodiversity Lack of human and financial resources
for the implementation of flora and fauna monitoring program designed since 1998
First indicator of climate change in Cedar ecosystem: Pest Outbreak
Defoliation by a new insect in the genus Cephalcia
70%70% of the Tannourine forest infested Located in the northern part of the
country
Major concern arises because of its Major concern arises because of its potential to spread to the nearby potential to spread to the nearby Bsharry famous cedars and other Bsharry famous cedars and other cedar forest in Lebanon & the cedar forest in Lebanon & the Mediterranean regionMediterranean region
Framework for a Monitoring Program in Cedar ecosystem
Biotic parameters:
a. Meteorological data
b. Soils (pH, carbon, nitrogen, and nutrients)
Abiotic parameters:
I. Portfolio on Cedar ecosystem structure & composition
a. Species richness (trees, understory, and lichens)
b. Productivity (growth)
c. Forest structure (size, distribution, etc.)
d. Tree crowns (status and change in dieback and foliar transparency)
e. Insect and disease (defoliation and mortality)
f. Tree mortality (lost volume/gained volume)
g. Tree damages (insects, diseases, storms, etc.)
h. Sequestration of carbon
Framework for a Monitoring Program in Cedar ecosystem [Cont’d]Abiotic parameters [Cont’d]:II. Diversity indicesIII. InsectsIV. Mammals wild boars (Adaptive
management purposes)
Projet sur l’Appui aux Reserves Naturelles du Liban
Agence Française de Developpment
Fond Français pour l’Environnement Mondial
Ministry of Environment
Consortium of Lebanese Nature Reserves
Amiq
Arz Tannoutine
Arz Shouf
Bentael
Horsh Ehden
Kfarzabad
Tyr
The project is designed to provide support for 4 major components of each reserve:
[1] Site management (Administrative & natural resources)
[2] Biodiversity protection, monitoring & management
[3] Environmental awareness
[4] Biodiversity conservation through local development and eco-tourism activities
[5] Capacity development with provision of international technical support
Sustaining the Diversity of Life in Mosaic Ecosystems:Long-term Conservation Program in Lebanese Protected Areas