Shouf Biosphere Reserve - Lebanon

1. Shouf Biosphere Reserve - Lebanon Elsa J. Sattout, PhD Nizar Hani Chef de Projet Scientific Coordinator Appui Aux Reserves Naturelles du LibanShouf Biosphere Reserve AgenceFrancaise de Developpement Lebanon Beirut-Lebanon E-mail:nizar@shoufcedar.org E-mail:esattout@hotmail.com

2. Lebanon

3. Shouf Cedar Reserve: An overview • Largest Nature Reserve in Lebanon (2 % of the Lebanese territory) • Important Bird Area (IBA) • Globally southern limit of Cedruslibaniand 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

4. 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.

7. 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 Management Plan - Five programs • Research and Monitoring Program • Environmental Awareness Program • Capacity Building program • Eco-tourism Program • Rural Development Program

8. Eco-tourism and Rural development Infrastructure – ACS and LMT Conservation through socio-economic activities Trail : 100 km Guesthouses Reserve Entrances Ateliers Picnic Area

10. Climate Change in Lebanon: Predictions Altitudinal 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 grow Species within this range will migrate to the closest vegetation zone

11. Cedar ecosystem: Hints on Conservation Status In the 90s • Cedruslibani A. Rich Taxon at lower risk and near threatened (LR/nt) [IUCN Redlist] • Endangered species, threatened or on the way to extinction [National records]

12. Cedar forest ecosystems amidst climate change impacts • Location: Montane vegetation The distribution of cedar ecosystems falling within 500 to 1300 precipitation range with a mean winter temperatures between 2 & 5°C may become increasingly under stress with the upward shift in bioclimatic zones. SOS: Serious decline & rapid disappearance

13. Migratory aspect of potential species: Assumptions Cedar forest altitude range will migrate to upper altitude ranges . . . Narrow & broad endemic species [1]Abiescilicica [2]Tulipa sp. [3]Ornithogalum sp. [4] Sternbergia sp. [5]Romulea sp. [6]Orchis sp. [7]Rosularia sp. [8]Quercus sp. . . . Etc.

14. Preventing climate change effects in cedar ecosystems !!!!!!!!!! Application of adaptation measures 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

15. First indicator of climate change in Cedar ecosystem: Pest Outbreak • Defoliation by a new insect in the genus Cephalcia • 70%of the Tannourine forest infested • Located in the northern part of the country Major concern arises because of its potential to spread to the nearby Bsharry famous cedars and other cedar forest in Lebanon & the Mediterranean region

16. Framework for a Monitoring Program in Cedar ecosystem Biotic parameters: • Meteorological data • Soils (pH, carbon, nitrogen, and nutrients) Abiotic parameters: I. Portfolio on Cedar ecosystem structure & composition • Species richness (trees, understory, and lichens) • Productivity (growth) • Forest structure (size, distribution, etc.) • Tree crowns (status and change in dieback and foliar transparency) • Insect and disease (defoliation and mortality) • Tree mortality (lost volume/gained volume) • Tree damages (insects, diseases, storms, etc.) • Sequestration of carbon

17. Framework for a Monitoring Program in Cedar ecosystem [Cont’d] Abiotic parameters [Cont’d]: II. Diversity indices III. Insects IV. Mammals wild boars (Adaptive management purposes)

18. . . . . . . & Where R W Now

19. Projetsurl’Appui aux Reserves Naturelles du Liban AgenceFrançaise de Developpment Fond Français pour l’Environnement Mondial Ministry of Environment Consortium of Lebanese Nature Reserves Amiq ArzTannoutine ArzShouf Bentael HorshEhden 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

20. What’s NextRoad Map. . . . . . . . .

21. Sustaining the Diversity of Life in Mosaic Ecosystems: Long-term Conservation Program in Lebanese Protected Areas Developing a long term program for nature reserve

22. Thank YOU!!