Biodiversity and Forests

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Credit: G. Jaradi Mature loggerhead returns to the sea after laying her eggs 158 5.3.3 Marine Biodiversity The status of marine species was assessed within the 1996 Biological Diversity of Lebanon country study and then reviewed through several published and unpublished papers. There are 367 fish species in Lebanon. Phytoplankton encompasses 580 species whilst the zooplankton accounts for the largest share of marine faunal diversity with more than 747 species recorded. Micro-zooplanktons are at the base of the marine food pyramid and are hence essential for maintaining the ecological equilibrium. The microzoobenthos are represented with 12 known species whereas the macrozoobenthos are diversified and encompass 662 species (Bitar, 2001). Other families of marine organisms include seven species of cephalopods (octopuses, cuttlefish and squids), at least three species of reptiles (Loggerhead, Green and Leather-back marine turtles) and five species of mammals (dolphins and porpoises and, less common in local waters, whales and seals). The information on the conservation status is mainly available for selected species (Turtles and cetaceans). The Biodiversity Country Study identified submerged rocky, sandy and grassy habitats as well as sciaphile, photophile, endofauna and epifauna communities, including 68 threatened species. State and Trends of the Lebanese Environment | 2010 Trends. Lebanon’s marine biodiversity is part of the Mediterranean biodiversity that is undergoing rapid alteration under the combined pressure of climate change and human impact, but protection measures, either for species or ecosystems, are still scarce. The marine species of Lebanon are moderately impacted by the fishing industry. Average annual capture of marine fish is illustrated in Figure 5.9. Native marine floral and faunal species are competing with the unabated increase in the number and population of invading species originating from the Indo-pacific and Atlantic. Figure 5.9 Average of annual capture of marine fish in Lebanon Source: Earth trends 2003 Phytoplankton which includes all microphytic algae, constitutes the basis of the food chain in the sea, and along with micro and macrophytic benthic algae, is seriously declining because of the high degree of coastal pollution. 5.3.4 Genetic and Agro-Biodiversity More information on the status of genetic and agro-biodiversity in Lebanon is surfacing to understand and manage agro-biodiversity as it should be understood. Although the benefits of agro-biodiversity are increasingly appreciated by agriculturalists and conservationists alike, global market forces continue to adopt more commercial, fast-growing and high-yielding crops, including genetically modified organisms (GMOs), at the expense of the more traditional crop varieties. In response to the potential impacts of GMOs on biodiversity and public health, Lebanon acceded in 2008 to the Protocol of Cartagena (Biosafety Protocol) regulating the transboundary movement, import, export and use of GMOs. Whereas imported and genetically modified crops usually generate higher yields, traditional crops are incontestably hardier: they exhibit higher drought resistance, higher resistance to salt and heat stress, and are less susceptible to pests and diseases. Genetic diversity of traditional and crop wild relatives
(CWR) allows species to adapt to changing climates and other ecological conditions. This natural genetic diversity is critical to the survival of many species in the face of global climate change. Nine authors (Chalak et al., 2011) contributed recently to elucidate the status of Agrobiodiversity in Lebanon. According to MOA statistics from 2007, the most important crops in Lebanon are: Crop Production (tons/year) Varieties Olive 117,330 12+ Cereals 116,200 10+ Barley 33,100 Potato 514,600 5+ Citrus 3,451,000 24+ Grapes 106,000 30+ Apples 125,200 2+ Cherry 30,000 5+ Apricot 32,000 5+ Almond 29,400 2+ Banana Legumes Source: Chalak et al., 2011 89,700 2+ These crops include local / traditional, improved and introduced varieties. LARI and ICARDA have jointly developed several improved varieties of cereals using local landraces. Legacy species and local landraces, especially horticultural crops such as wild almond, pear, plums, pistachio, fig, walnut, pomegranate, carob and apple (Malus spp), are commonly found in Lebanon. These species are naturally adapted to local conditions but lack exploitation and mechanization to constitute a reliable export crop. Their culture is generally neglected and located on marginal lands or scattered around orchards. Newly introduced subtropical crops such as kiwi, avocado and custard-apple are progressively increasing on the littoral, often replacing citrus plantations, and are destined for both local and export markets. Finally, Lebanon also harbours many aromatic and medicinal plants, as well as spices and condiments which are harvested from the wild and used as food. These species are gaining recognition in local development projects, and the food and herbal medicine industry. The country’s high level of endemism is a good indicator that other CWR exist which can provide natural products in response to increasing demand as well as the genetic resources needed to develop crops that are more resilient to diseases, pests and climate change. In a bid to better understand and mainstream agro-biodiversity in the agricultural sector, GEF and ICARDA funded a regional project Conservation and Sustainable Use of Dryland Agro-Biodiversity in the Near East to kickstart applied research studies and farmer-based training in agro-biodiversity (Box 5.2). Project activities in Lebanon were implemented by UNDP and executed by LARI and focused on the conservation and promotion of important wild relatives and landraces of agricultural species. Box 5.2 Regional Agro-biodiversity Project (1999-2005) GEF/UNDP/ICARDA • Raised public awareness on agro-biodiversity, • Increased national capacity building in areas related to the conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity, • Promoted alternative land-use practices, • Developed policy options and draft legislation to support the conservation of agro-biodiversity, • Promoted alternative sources of income, and • Improved our understanding of the major causes of agro-biodiversity degradation of target species. Trends. More research is needed to understand the trends in genetic diversity of domesticated animals, cultivated plants, and fish species of major socioeconomic importance. It is expected however that the following threats, in addition to the long list of other threats facing biodiversity, will over time erode plant genetic resources (Chalak et al., 2011): 1) The replacement of traditional and genetically diversified farming systems with modern and large-scale monoculture farming systems. 2) The tendency of farmers to adopt one or two cultivars which makes the future of crops more vulnerable especially in case of climatic variations or occurrence of new diseases. 3) Market trends that favor the introduction of new and so called improved varieties leading to the disappearance of local varieties that have lesser marketability. 5.4 KEY ACTORS, LAWS AND REGULATIONS The following section describes key laws and regulations related to biodiversity and forests. Each text cited here is also listed chronologically at the end of the chapter. For a more complete analysis of environmental legislation related to biodiversity and forests, please refer to Chapter 12 of SELDAS (EU/UOB/MOE/ELARD, 2005). For a review of environmental jurisprudence cases Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Forests 159
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 and 14: Since the preparation of the Biodiv
Page 15 and 16: Figure 5.6. Summary of root causes
Page 17 and 18: forests harbor several endemic, thr
Page 19: trend may continue for some years a
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
Page 31 and 32: For inland freshwater protection fr
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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