Lebanon's forests: facing new threats

Changing land use has an impact on forests

The main threats to Lebanon's forests today are as follows:

Going up in smoke
As in the rest of the Mediterranean, forest fires are a major problem in Lebabon. In 2002 alone, there were over 15,000 fires that become out of control in this small country. The yearly fires are a huge threat to Lebanon's already vulnerable forests. 

Most forest fires in Lebanon start when a fire set by a farmer to clear his orchards and fields of grasses and stubble gets out of control. The problem has become worse over the last decade because of changing land use.

In the past, villagers used scrubby bushes from the forests as fuel for cooking, which kept the dry undergrowth thin. Now there's electricity, so the undergrowth stays thick - perfect fuel for fires.

In addition, more and more land is being abandoned. Many people left the country during the 1975-1990 war, and these days traditional farming has become less economically viable. With fewer hands to work the fields, the remaining farmers increasingly use fire to clear their land.

The increased number and severity of fires caused by these two factors is leading to biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and soil erosion. There are also negative economic effects as well. Most fires are in the pine forests, but if they ever reached the last-remaining cedar forests at higher altitudes, the consequences would be even more devastating.

Eaten by sheep and goats
Shepherds in Lebanon traditionally graze their sheep and goats in and around forests during the summer, and move to the coast as the winter sets in. The animals perform an important role in keeping dry plants under control by grazing, which can reduce the risk of fire.

However, overgrazing poses problems for the forests. For example, sheep and goats will eat young tree seedlings, thus hampering the natural regeneration of forests. This is especially a problem for pine, cedar, and other slow-growing trees and plants.

More and more buildings
The last decade has seen rapid urban and industrial development as Lebanon recovers from the devastating civil war, which ended in 1990. Although there are national regulations for such developments, they are not always enforced, resulting in forests illegally being cleared or buildings being illegally built within forests.

Trampled on by tourists
Tourism is less developed in Lebanon than in the northern Mediterranean countries. However, the last decade has seen an increase in tourism, with some 1.6 million people visiting Lebanon each year.

While this brings much-needed money to local communities living around forests, it can also threaten forest areas. For example, without proper regulation tourists can damage fragile areas by walking on them, thus hampering forest regeneration. Tourist developments such as large hotels and new ski resorts can also threaten forests.

Overuse of natural resources
Although it is illegal, many villagers cut down forest trees for timber. However, hunting is by far a bigger threat to forest biodiversity in Lebanon. Hunting is a nation-wide sport, with rifles traditionally given to young men when they are teenagers.

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