ABOUT US

Unveiling Our Story

Legislation

Lebanon signed the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNICED), the so called “Earth Summit”, in Rio de Janeiro, on June 5, 1992. The CBD was ratified in 1994 through the Law No. 360.

Lebanon has taken many activities towards the implementation of the CBD and produced in 1996 a biodiversity country study through a project executed by the Ministry of Agriculture, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNEP) (MoA, 1996).

National Policy and designation

The public domain of Horsh Ehden was declared a Nature Reserve by virtue of Law No. 121 on 9 March 1992. Several national projects, legislations and ministerial decisions related to nature conservation in Lebanon are directly or indirectly influencing on the management of Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve (HENR).

International designations and legislations

Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve (HENR) has been designated, in 1994, as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, with IBA criteria of A1, A2 ad B2 (Appendix 2).

Site selection

Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve is an important site for protection and conservation due to several facts:

  • HENR is recognized by most national and international experts as being one of the richest spots in terms of biodiversity in Lebanon: The amount of plant species recognized till now accounts for nearly 40% of plant species in Lebanon
  • HENR is the most diverse example of Cedrus libani forest in Lebanon of national cultural heritage value with diversity of species and age classes
  • HENR is the only protected area in Lebanon containing the last remaining forest community of the endemic wild apple, Malus trilobata, of Lebanon (Mouterde, 1966)
  • HENR marks the southernmost limit of the repartition of the tree species Abies cilicica in the Northern Hemisphere
  • Important Bird Area
  • High scenic landscape value with a distinctive geographic pattern making from HENR an integral part of a wilderness zone which extends north to include the Qornet Al-Sawda, Lebanon’s highest mountain. This greater area of natural landscape adjacent to the reserve is very important to the ecological viability of Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve and may itself have outstanding natural heritage conservation value
  • Habitat of national and local endemic species of plants: Horsh Ehden is the last refuge of 62 endemic species of flowering plants, several of which exist nowhere else in the world (Mouterde, 1970)
  • Important site for wildlife
  • Three of the nine bio-geographic zones recognized in Lebanon are represented in Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve, thus contributing to its nationally important biodiversity. The HENR exceptional biodiversity is illustrated by 1058 species of plants of which 39 species are trees (Semaan and Haber, 1998), 30 species of mammals (UOB, 2009) of which 6 are nationally rare and threatened, 168 species of birds (Ramadan-Jaradi and Ramadan-Jaradi, 1996a, 1996b, 1997, 1999, 2002) of which 4 are globally threatened, 9 regionally threatened and 5 wholly or partially restricted species to the Middle East (MoE/LU/UNDP, 2004) and 28 species of Herpetofauna distributed over 13 families (Hraoui-Bloquet in Tohme et al., 1999)
  • Outstanding ecological condition (minimum degradation, pollution and introduced species, etc.)
  • Outstanding example of Lebanese and Mediterranean natural ecosystem
  • Important ecological educational value

Site location and boundaries

Site location

Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve is situated on the upper north western slopes of Mount Lebanon, (34˚ 19’ N latitude and 36˚00 E longitude) ranging in altitude from 1200m to 2000m. HENRS is 3 Km far from Ehden, 28 Km far from Zgharta, 33 Km far from Tripoli and 113 Km far from Beirut (Figure 1). Horsh Ehden covers 1000 ha of public land, whereas the forested core of the protected reserve covers little more than 450 ha.

Horsh Ehden has a very distinctive geographic context, being a relatively small forested hillslope area on the upper western flanks of a much larger tract of wilderness zone which includes the main plateau and summit of Lebanon’s highest mountain, Qornet Al-Sawda (3000m). The wilderness zone adjacent to HENR bestows upon the natural landscape aestheticism and enchantment and is regarded as very important natural prop for the ecological viability of HENR, thus it may itself have outstanding value for natural heritage conservation.

Site boundaries

By virtue of Law No. 121 dated 9 March 1992 related to the establishment of HENR, specifically article 1, the domain of Ehden’s woodland has its boundaries as follows (Appendix 1):

  • North: The Valley of Resurrection that separates both districts of “Zgharta and Danniyeh”
  • East: “Nawaheer” area
  • North East: “Btelaya” area
  • South East: “St. Sarkis” mountain
  • South: “St. Sarkis” evergreen cypress
  • West: “Jouit Fountain “lands
  • South West: “El Bououl” area

Legal status and rights

Ownership

The area of Horsh Ehden is about 1600 ha of public land owned by the municipality of Zgharta/Ehden. The forested core of the protected reserve covers approximately 450 ha.  The buffer zone of HENR extends for 500 m around HENR and is constituted, in some areas, of private lands (e.g. Nabeh Jouiit borders with Bhayri and Afka). In these private lands, the municipality is having less control on human activities.

By virtue of law (667/1997) which established the MoE, the area declared under protection falls under the jurisdiction of MoE which delegated authority of the site to Appointed Protected Areas Committee (APAC) comprised of volunteers and representatives of the municipality of Ehden.

Vision

To promote HENR as a national unique natural heritage while strictly managing ecotourism activities in consistence with priorities in conservation of spaces and species.

Long term management objectives

  • Long Term Objective 1: To conserve the landscape features and ecological integrity of HENR with a special focus on biodiversity and noteworthy species.
  • Long Term Objective 2: To strictly manage ecotourism activities in designated zones within HENR and to link it with ecotourism in adjacent villages.
  • Long Term Objective 3: To promote HENR at local, National and International levels as a biodiversity hotspot and a research hub.

 

 

Zoning

Zoning is required for a better implementation of the management strategies. It describes a suggested vocational use for the different units identified within the HENR based on ecological and other relevant managerial criteria.

Management units

Based on the management vision which valorizes the importance of coexistence of conservational and scientific inputs along with managed ecotourism, HENR is divided into 3 management units:

Unit 1- the nature reserve:

  • Conservation/ scientific research zone
  • Interactive zone
  • Ecotourism zone

Unit 2- the buffer zone:

Extending over a 500m belt around the Nature Reserve, this unit is managed sensitively along HENR boundaries since it falls mainly on private lands but is still under supervision of MoE especially for construction and activities permits. However, all types of activities taking place in this zone (hunting, grazing, reforestation, etc.) are also kept under the supervision and control of the MT and APAC to ensure their sustainability. 

 

Physical Diversity

Climate

Known for its unique Mediterranean climate, Lebanon is the refuge of wealth biological diversity. Extending over four valleys, HENR comprises 3 of the 9 bio-geographic zones recognized in Lebanon, ranging in altitude from 1200m to 2000m, and occupying a small forested hillslope area on the upper western flanks of a large wilderness area on Jabal Al Makmel on the Western Mountain Range.

The annual rainfall average in HENR is 1060 mm, and the mean annual temperature is 9.3° C. The mean daily maximum temperature is 22.8º C in August whereas the mean minimum temperature in January is -3.4º C. The absolute temperature ranges from -14.6° C in January to 29.8° in August. The mean relative humidity lies around 60% (Service Meteo/ Ministry of Public Work and Transport).

 Geology

The exposed rock in Horsh Ehden is a calcareous rock comprising mainly limestone from the “Cenomanien-Turonien” age with a thickness of 800-1000m (MoE/ LU/UNDP, 2004).

Geomorphology

Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve extends over four valleys with slope inclination ranging from 10% to 80%. It is distinguished by a cliff formation of a height of 250m approximately and a length of 1500m. Numerous areas of karst enclose several caves. However, it is possible that unexplored caves occur in the reserve due to the extent of karst that exists within the reserve and the size and number of aquifer discharges in and adjacent to the reserve (MoE/ LU/UNDP, 2004).

Caves

One of Ehden’s distinguished features is the richness with numerous caves spread between Ehden, its surrounding villages and its high barren mountains. The large quantities of snow that falls each year and the plentiful springs bursting from the ground contributed to form these caves and, provided their unique aesthetic characteristics and sizable extent.

Ehden and its surrounding regions hold the records in the number of discovered caves. The cave of Nabeh El-Moutran is considered by speleologists to be absolutely one of the most beautiful caves in Lebanon. It extends 1250m inside the mountain and it is divided into three layers. Most likely new galleries could be discovered in the future. As a policy for protection, the entrance to the cave is forbidden, except with private authorization given by specialists concerned. The cave of Jbab is pretty exciting and difficult with 70 m of crawling in cold water and a roof of 40 cm. Hawqa gulf is considered to be the cave owning the biggest curtains with curtain wall sides of 70m in vertical depth. The grotto of Kolaynassieh in Kfarsghab (60 m in depth) is characterized by the presence of insects and butterflies and it is subject to studies and researches. The grotto of Jawlaman in Bhayra is 100 meters in depth approximately. Other caves also exist in Ehden and its surrounding villages like the grotto of Bent El Malek, the grotto of Mar Abda, the grotto of Afqa-Ehden, the gulf of Rachiine, the gulf of Yahmoura and the gulf of El-Hamra.

Some pits are also found with different vertical depths: 63 m for the pit of the Wood of Ehden in El-Jafia, 73m for the pit of Saliba in Mechmichiyeh-Kozhaya, 90 m for the pit of Sebhel and 18 m in vertical depth for the pit of Jour El Diab.

Some caves are marked by historical imprints; multiple historical pottery remains from Medieval Period were discovered in the grotto of Beit Balis while historical Christian Arabic graphics, dating back to 1193 AD, are found on the walls of the grotto of Assi Hawka. In addition, some caves are named after regional heroes like the grotto of Youssef Beck Karam in Kozhaya. Other caves were inhabited by Christian monks while others were named after saints, for example, the grotto of Saint Sarkis in Ehden. Currently, the grotto of the Lady of Hawka is inhabited by a Maronite devotee of the Colombian cult of God. In the past, the grotto of the Convent of Saint Antonios Kozhaya was previously used for the treatment of mental diseases.

Soils

Up-to-date, no detailed exhaustive soil study has been done in HENR.

However, a preliminary study of the soils of Horsh Ehden has shown some sites comprise undisturbed soil, a Mediterranean red soil, with a natural profile which is rare in the Mediterranean region. The soil of the forested areas is rich in organic materials while the open areas are almost rocky and dry. The substratum and the rocks of the reserve are almost made of limestone, however, in few areas, especially at the pine groves of the lower slopes; the soil is of sandy calcareous nature. (MoE/ LU/UNDP, 2004).

Hydrology

The steep western slopes of the Mount Lebanon range, which includes HENR, ensures that much of the precipitation is gathered by fast flowing surface streams running directly to the Mediterranean. However, the Mount Lebanon range comprises porous and cavernous limestone, thus a large proportion of the net precipitation penetrates into the substratum and contributes to the formation of springs that eventually discharge on the lower slopes. These spring discharges are especially important on the western side of North Mount Lebanon where there are few permanent surface streams, including Nabeh Rachiine, the greatest stream discharge in Lebanon. About 10 such emergent streams occur within HENR and contribute to local humidity and soil moisture (MoE/ LU/UNDP, 2004).

Numerous springs are found in HENR and which are Ain Naassa, Ain Al Bayada, Ain AL Bayad, Ain Yahmoura, Ain Al khoury, Ain Al Kareh and Ain Al Nawehir.

In Ehden, outside the nature reserve area, some water sources also occur, like Nabeh Jouiit, Nabeh Mar Sarkis, Ain AL Bak and Ain Al Wahesh.

Other water sources, like Nabeh Afka, Ain Al Saqieh, Ain Haoua, Ain Al Chouk and Ain AL Kama, are found in the surrounding areas to Ehden village. 

Ecological diversity

Ecosystem, habitats and ecological processes

HENR is a nationally outstanding example of a remnant forest ecosystem exhibiting a wealth biological diversity, where 3 of the nine bio-geographic zones are represented, and comprising 40% of Lebanon’s plant species. It constitutes the most diverse example of cedar forest in Lebanon.

Besides, HENR marks the southernmost limit of the repartition of Abies cilicica populations in the Northern Hemisphere and enfolds the last remaining population of wild apple (Malus trilobata) of Lebanon. HENR is the habitat of national and local endemic species of plants and globally and nationally rare and threatened species of animals.

According to Corine Classification (1999), the reserve belongs to three Mediterranean levels:

  • The “Supra-Mediterranean Level” of vegetation which extends over the lower parts of the slopes up to 1500 meters of altitude
  • The “Montane Mediterranean Level” that covers slopes between 1500 and 1900 meters
  • The “Oro-Mediterranean level” of vegetation which extends above 1900 meters.
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