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:nizar@shoufcedar.orgE-mail:esattout@hotmail.com

Lebanon

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

Thank YOU!!Thank YOU!!