In the rolling landscapes of Lebanon, where valleys and mountains shelter a rich array of biodiversity, a quiet but significant effort is underway. Husein Ali Zorkot, a dedicated biomonitoring researcher, has spent the past month traversing the country’s ecological hotspots—observing, documenting, and working tirelessly to preserve Lebanon’s natural heritage.
From Beirut Valley to Kayfoun, Baissour, Kfar Matta, Kherbet Qanafar, Ain Zebdeh, and Hammana, Zorkot’s work is part of a larger vision—to create a comprehensive record of Lebanon’s flora and fauna. His latest efforts under the BioConnect project, running until September 2025, are bridging science and conservation by equipping communities with knowledge and tools for biodiversity preservation.
A Month of Exploration and Discovery
Between January 24 and February 23, 2025, Zorkot led biomonitoring programs across multiple regions, analyzing plant biodiversity and ecosystem health. He connected with coordinators across 10 key locations in Beirut Valley, laying the groundwork for community-led conservation efforts starting in March.
His fieldwork took him through Hammana (February 17), Kherbet Qanafar-Ain Zebdeh (February 20), and Ras El Matn (February 24 and 27)—each visit requiring intense physical exertion, long hikes, and meticulous documentation. In parallel, he continued efforts to manage Hima gardens in Mount Lebanon and a butterfly garden in West Bekaa, ensuring that conservation efforts remain sustainable for the long term.
Beyond the Field: Science Meets Storytelling
Biomonitoring is not just about data collection; it is also about sharing knowledge. Zorkot is deeply invested in illustrating and documenting Lebanon’s biodiversity through scientific research and artistic representations. His work includes:
- Maintaining the “Lepidoptera Libanotica” website to track Lebanon’s butterfly species.
- Compiling a pictorial volume on Lebanese animals, updating scientific illustrations and photographs.
- Developing additional pictorial volumes on Lebanese plants and wildlife, which will serve as essential educational and conservation tools.
- Exploring funding opportunities to support the expansion of Lebanon’s natural history documentation.
His long-term goal? To illustrate 2,900 species of plants and animals from Lebanon and the Middle East, with the scientific illustrations organized into 20 to 24 pictorial volumes. Already, four volumes have been published, and many more are in development.
The Bigger Picture: BioConnect and the Future of Conservation
Zorkot’s work is a crucial part of the EU-funded BioConnect project, which runs until 2025 and focuses on community-driven conservation. BioConnect strengthens Lebanon’s biodiversity efforts by:
- Engaging local communities in scientific research through citizen science initiatives.
- Developing monitoring strategies for priority species and habitats.
- Enhancing conservation methodologies to adapt to climate variability, such as the dry and warm winter affecting Lebanon’s Hima landscapes.
One of Zorkot’s key contributions is refining biomonitoring methodologies—should species inventories be compiled into a single comprehensive report or divided into location-specific reports? These discussions will shape how Lebanon’s biodiversity data is archived and utilized for conservation strategies.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
As the month comes to a close, Zorkot prepares for another round of biomonitoring in new locations while working to finalize the pictorial volume on Lebanese animals. His plans also include continued work on Hima garden management, research on priority species and habitats, and evaluating how a dry winter impacts Lebanon’s ecosystems.
With unlimited wildlife prints from his books and potential expansions into SPNL-hosted platforms for Lebanon’s birds, mammals, and plants, his work is not just about preserving nature—it’s about telling its story.
Through dedication, research, and scientific artistry, Zorkot is ensuring that Lebanon’s rich biodiversity is documented, protected, and celebrated for generations to come.
