Biodiversity and Forests

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Figure 5.5 Number of fires and burnt areas per year (2004-2009) Source: MOE based on ISF records 152 5.2.2 Overharvesting of Species Overharvesting of natural resources occurs on many levels. Unsustainable hunting practices and hunting malpractices are killing millions of birds every year. Reckless hunting is seriously impacting selected bird populations (Lebanon is situated on one of the world’s key migratory bird corridors and has turned into a death trap for avian populations); overfishing of several marine species (using dynamites, small mesh size trawling nets, massive collection of molluscs); and liberal harvesting of trees, medicinal and aromatic plants (the estimated market value of medicinal and aromatic plants produced by forests in Lebanon is $29.6 Million per year) (MOE/UNDP, FNR-CBD, 2009). 5.2.3 Exotic Invasive Species Non-native plant species are introduced, propagated and spread independently throughout the country. Seeds of forest and horticultural species are imported and planted in nurseries, and seedlings are then out-planted around the countryside. The same is true for agricultural species and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), such as food products, which find their way into Lebanon without control or monitoring. Introduced species are often in conflict with native and endemic species, endangering habitats and competing for resources needed for their survival. Invasive species are able to reproduce in large numbers and grow rapidly with no natural controls and quickly take over the habitat of native species. For example, with regards to bird species, the introduced Common Mynah replaced the State and Trends of the Lebanese Environment | 2010 Hoopoe and other tree-hole nesting species in Beirut and its suburbs, and the Rose-ringed Parakeet destroyed crops in farms near Beirut (G. Ramadan Jaradi, unpubl.). Although invasive species are a real threat to the diversity of biological resources and forest habitats, this issue remains a lower national priority compared to other biodiversity issues (MOE/UNDP, FNR- CBD, 2009). Exotic fish invasive species is another dilemma for conservationists. The connection established by the Suez Canal in 1869 resulted in the introduction of Indo-Pacific marine organisms (Lessepsians) into the eastern Mediterranean. In Lebanon, at least 67 recorded species (nektons, nectobenthos, benthos fauna and flora) are Lessepsians. 5.2.4 Pollution of Aquatic Ecosystems Major sources of pollution of surface and groundwater resources include untreated municipal wastewater discharge, industrial effluents, improper solid waste disposal and agricultural runoff. Pesticides and herbicides are often applied unmonitored on fruit trees and vegetable crops. Although of much Lebanon’s population is connected to sewer systems, many of those networks are leaking and or discharge into streams and lakes. Potable water networks are frequently polluted by wastewater infiltration. In the Beqaa Valley, the accumulation of pollutants during low flow periods directly impacts the avifauna and mammals that inhabit the few existing wetlands. During the zero rainfall period (April-September), seasonal water courses dry up or are reduced to a trickle, which increases pollutant concentration and threaten aquatic ecosystems. The discharge of these pollutants into the sea threatens the survival of sea grasses, birds, and marine life such as turtles, fish and mammals. See detailed analysis of water and wastewater infrastructure in Chapter 3. 5.2.5 Climate Change In Lebanon, climate change has yet to feature at the forefront of national priorities. The general public is still unaware of the social and environmental repercussions of climate change, and politicians and policy-makers are preoccupied with other, seemingly more pressing, geo-political and economic issues. Lebanon appears to have started to experience the impacts of climate change; mainly in the form of hotter summer spells and reduced and more erratic winter rainfall (see analysis of climate data in Chapter 3). Observations of Lebanese avifauna suggest that few tropical bird
Figure 5.6. Summary of root causes to forest and biodiversity losses species from hot desert climate have started to colonize the vulnerable zone of the semiarid Qaa by competing with native avifaunal species (Ramadan-Jaradi in press). Other species are wintering at higher altitude (much like Lebanon’s ski resorts who are installing new ski-lifts at higher altitudes to capture the receding snowline) and summering at much higher altitude or latitude. In short, direct threats to biodiversity and forest ecosystems have multiple underlying root causes or drivers. These can be broadly categorized as political, institutional, economic, external (or global), and social causes and are affected by the prevailing socio-political context (see Figure 5.6). Source: G. Ramadan Jaradi, unpublished Credit: G. Bitar Floating solid waste in the sea Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Forests 153
Page 1 and 2: Biodiversity and Forests Lead Autho
Page 3 and 4: ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS ABS Access
Page 5 and 6: LIST OF FIGURES Figure 5.1 Distribu
Page 7 and 8: Lebanon’s geographic location, it
Page 9 and 10: 5.1.3 Forests Based on the FAO Fore
Page 11 and 12: 5.1.3.4 Evergreen Cypress Evergreen
Page 13: Since the preparation of the Biodiv
Page 17 and 18: forests harbor several endemic, thr
Page 19 and 20: trend may continue for some years a
Page 21 and 22: (CWR) allows species to adapt to ch
Page 23 and 24: MOA’s Directorate of Rural Develo
Page 25 and 26: Table 5.5 Detailed List of Nature R
Page 27 and 28: Box 5.3 The Higher Council for Hunt
Page 29 and 30: • Following the devastating fires
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Page 33 and 34: and evaluation of plant genetic res
Page 35 and 36: REFERENCES AECID 2009 Environmental
Page 37 and 38: Rodrigues ASL et al. 2004 Rodrigues
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