SPNL Strengthens Biodiversity Conservation Efforts in Hima Kherbet Qanafar and Hima Ain Zebdeh Under the Bioconnect Project

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), through the Bioconnect Project funded by the European Union, has been making significant strides in conserving biodiversity in Hima Kherbet Qanafar and Hima Ain Zebdeh. These regions host a range of critical species, including the Chukar Partridge, Look Oak, Grey Wolf, and the Striped Hyena.

SPNL’s efforts, in collaboration with local communities, municipal councils, and conservation organizations, are focused on addressing threats such as habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change while promoting sustainable practices and community involvement.

Chukar Partridge: Safeguarding a Ground-Dwelling Bird

The Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) is a least concern species globally, but locally it is threatened by hunting, poaching, and the illegal bird and egg trade. Habitat fragmentation due to urbanization and agricultural expansion has further endangered this species.

Threats:

• Overhunting and poaching.
• Bird and egg trading for commercial purposes.
• Habitat loss due to urbanization and logging.
• Impacts of climate change on food and water availability.

SPNL’s Conservation Actions:

1. Promoting Responsible Hunting: SPNL is working with local stakeholders to draft and enforce municipal decisions regulating hunting practices.
2. Raising Awareness: Awareness campaigns have been launched to educate local communities about the ecological role of the Chukar Partridge.
3. Monitoring Populations: SPNL recorded three breeding observations, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring to support population stability.

Look Oak: Conserving Lebanon’s Endemic Oak

The Look Oak (Quercus look), an endangered species endemic to Lebanon and Syria, is crucial to the region’s ecosystem but faces severe threats from habitat fragmentation, logging, and overgrazing. Only 8 to 20 trees per 300 m² have been identified in Ain Zebdeh and Kherbet Qanafar, highlighting its precarious status.

Threats:

• Urban and agricultural development.
• Unsustainable logging and overgrazing.
• Forest fires and lack of sustainable land-use planning.

SPNL’s Conservation Actions:

1. Habitat Restoration: SPNL is implementing habitat conservation and restoration efforts to protect existing oak populations and restore degraded areas.
2. Sustainable Land-Use Practices: By promoting reduced logging, sustainable grazing, and responsible agriculture, SPNL is working to minimize human impacts on the Look Oak.
3. Community Awareness: Educational programs under SNOW and Homat Al Hima are raising public awareness about the importance of the Look Oak and its habitat.
4. Research and Monitoring: Studies on the ecology and population dynamics of the Look Oak are being conducted to inform future conservation planning.

Grey Wolf: Protecting a Local Apex Predator

The Grey Wolf (Canis lupus), classified as a least concern species globally, is locally threatened in Hima Ain Zebdeh and Kherbet Qanafar. With only one camera trap photo recorded and local testimonies confirming its presence, this apex predator faces threats from habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflicts.

Threats:

• Habitat destruction and poor land-use management.
• Low social acceptance, particularly among shepherds who perceive wolves as threats to livestock.
• Reduced prey availability due to hunting and habitat degradation.

SPNL’s Conservation Actions:

1. Awareness Campaigns: Educating locals, shepherds, and farmers about the ecological role of wolves in maintaining ecosystem balance.
2. Sustainable Forest Management: Integrating continuous wolf monitoring into sustainable forest management plans to ensure the species’ survival.
3. Conflict Mitigation: Promoting coexistence by addressing human-wildlife conflicts and encouraging better livestock management practices.

Striped Hyena: Conserving a Misunderstood Scavenger

The Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena syriaca), classified as vulnerable in the Mediterranean, plays a critical role in the ecosystem but is endangered in Lebanon due to persecution and habitat loss. Camera traps recorded 0.3% of sightings, and local testimonies confirm its presence in the forests of Kherbet Qanafar and Ain Zebdeh.

Threats:

• Misconceptions leading to persecution.
• Habitat destruction and fragmentation.

SPNL’s Conservation Actions:

1. Awareness Campaigns: SPNL is educating local communities about the ecological importance of hyenas and dispelling myths about their behavior.
2. Community Engagement: Locals are being trained to monitor and protect hyena populations through citizen science programs.
3. Monitoring Program: Long-term camera trapping and tracking initiatives are being implemented to better understand hyena behavior and population trends.

A Collaborative Approach to Conservation

SPNL’s work in Hima Kherbet Qanafar and Hima Ain Zebdeh highlights the importance of partnerships between conservation organizations, local communities, and municipal councils. By addressing threats and promoting sustainable practices, SPNL is ensuring the long-term protection of these vital ecosystems and their unique biodiversity.

A Call to Action

SPNL calls on government bodies, local communities, and international partners to support ongoing conservation efforts in Hima Kherbet Qanafar and Hima Ain Zebdeh. Protecting biodiversity in these regions is crucial not only for Lebanon’s ecological balance but also for global environmental sustainability.