protected areas ofLebanon

Kaunas university of technology

LAND MANAGEMENT

Name : Maher al ayoubi 2013-2014

Lebanon CountryLebanon, is a country bordering the East Mediterranean Sea.

Capital: BeirutContinent: ASIA Official languages : Arabic language with French

Lebanon today offers 13 nature reserves, 18 protected forests, and 17 protected sites many of which have also acquired international designations including Ramsar Sites, Special Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance, Important Bird Areas and World Heritage

Beirut old town

Baalbak

Ehden reserve

Jeita grotto

Byblos protected city

Saidon castle

Shouf cedar reserve

Kadisha valley reserve Yamoune natural reserve

Horsh Ehden

is a Nature Reserve located in North Lebanon, it contains a particularly diverse and beautiful remnant forest of the Cedar of Lebanon, making the reserve a very important part of the country’s cultural and natural heritage. Located on the northwestern slopes of Mount Lebanon and pampered by mist and relatively high precipitation, a multitude of rare and endemic plants that flourish in it. Stands of cedars are bordered by a mixed forest of juniper, fir, and the country's last protected community of wild apple trees. On a peaceful hike through the forest, the lucky visitor might spot an endangered Eastern imperial eagle or Bonelli's eagle, a Gray wolf, or a wildcat. The reserve's beautiful valleys and gorges, with their wild orchids, brightly colored salamanders, mushrooms, and other flora and fauna .

The main forest plant communities of highest conservation importance are:

Ciliciam Fir (Abies cilicica)

Lebanon cedar

Lebanese wild apple

Greek juniper

More than 27 mammals have been sighted in the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve, representing a third of the mammals in Lebanon. There are mainly six big families of mammals in this reserve: Insectivores, Carnivores, Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Chiroptera, Artiodactyls.

The reserve may have also been home to many extinct species in Lebanon such as: Roe deer , Persian fallow deer , Anatolian leopard , Syrian Brown Bear , and the Aurochs

Caucasian squirrel Striped hyena

Roe deer Eurasian badger

Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve is rich in bird life, since it provides a number of different habitats which allows different species to live in it. Among the species recorded 4 species are considered threatened at global level, 5 species are considered vulnerable at regional scale, 18 species are facing unfavourable conditions in Europe, and 57 species are rare in Lebanon.

Song thrush Egyptian vulture Eurasian Blue tit

Common wood-pigeon

Birds

Amphibians and ReptilesThere are 23 species recorded in Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve, 4 Amphibians and 19 reptiles

Green whip snake Bridled mabuya Desert black snakeCommon toad

Tyre Coast Nature Reserve is not only a Nature reserve but also a Ramsar site.Located in Southern Lebanon expanding over 380 ha, Tyre Coast Nature Reserve remains the largest sandy beach in Lebanon. Besides its importance for visitors’ entertainment, Tyre Coast Nature Reserve harbors many species of plants, animals and insects.It is a nesting site for the endangered Loggerhead and green sea Turtle and the shelter of the Arabian spiny mouse and many other important creatures. Tyre Coast Nature Reserve is of a particular importance for the following purpose:- Fresh water estuaries and springs that outflow to the- sea thus creating fresh/marine water interface.- Habitat for sea turtles- Last and largest remaining sandy beach in Lebanon- Divided into three main zones: 1- A beach zone 2- A high conservation zone that includes the Phoenician springs of Ras El Ain. 3- A large area for agriculture

Access to the Ras al-Ain beach part is limited since it disturbs wildlife. This section provides a freshwater habitat and the off-flow creates small areas rich in frogs and other amphibians. The inflow of fresh water creates brackish water rich in aquatic species.

LEBANON'S NATURE RESERVES PALM ISLANDS

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICSThe Palm Islands Nature Reserve comprises three uninhabited Mediterranean islands and 500m of surrounding sea located approximately 5.5km northwest of Tripoli. The three islands, Sanani, Ramkine (Fanar) and Palm (Nakhl) Island, are Lebanon’s only true islands. This marine ecosystem is of global significance, because it is one of the few remaining breeding grounds for the endangered Loggerhead Turtle. The islands are also a resting place for 156 species of migratory birds (including many rare and endangered species). The islands are rich in beach flora and medicinal plants, and their coastal waters have an abundance of fish, sea sponges and other sea life. Parts of the reserve are open for swimming and snorkeling during the summer months, while the rest of the year the islands remain a quiet haven for wildlife.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

The remains of a Crusader Church, as well as bathing and washing pools

from the 13th century can be seen on Palm Island. There is also the

remains of a freshwater well that was excavated during Crusader times

and renovated in the early 20th century. An old, but destroyed, traditional

salt flat lies in the rocky corner of the island.

Ramkine Island boasts an old lighthouse (which is operational again and

using clean, solar energy). Visitors can also see underground galleries and

cannon emplacements, which date back to the French Mandate period.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj60blfyXK8

http://www.moe.gov.lb/Sectors/Biodiversity-Forests/Sub-Sector/Sub-Sector/Protected-Areas-in-Lebanon.aspx?lang=en-us

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