In the heart of Lebanon’s diverse landscapes, where forests meet rivers and mountains give way to grazing lands, a unique initiative is empowering citizens to become active participants in biodiversity conservation. The BioConnect Project, funded by the European Union, is equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge needed to assess environmental health and detect ecological disturbances through simple observational techniques. This initiative, led by SPNL’s Hima Conservation Program, provides a pictorial guide that enables volunteers to collect crucial data, ensuring a science-driven approach to safeguarding Lebanon’s rich biodiversity.
We hope you enjoy using this Guide.
Informational-PamphletThe Impact of Herbivores and Human Activities
Understanding the effect of large mammals such as boars, horses, and goats on forested areas does not require complex scientific measurements. Instead, observers can track specific indicators such as:
- Bark stripping and stem breakage, recording the number and species affected.
- Ground disturbances, noting tracks, scrapes, and other signs left by animals.
- Herbivore presence, such as wool or hair caught in barbed wire, fecal pellets, or evidence of plant consumption.
Additionally, human activities like illegal logging and unregulated grazing contribute significantly to habitat degradation. By monitoring these factors, citizen scientists help conservationists develop informed strategies to mitigate environmental harm.
Assessing River Ecosystems
Rivers and freshwater bodies serve as lifelines for Lebanon’s biodiversity. Volunteers assess water turbidity by collecting samples and comparing clarity on a scale of 1 to 5. Measuring river flow speed is as simple as floating an object downstream while timing its travel between two points. These straightforward methods allow researchers to detect early signs of pollution or hydrological changes affecting aquatic life.
Forests Under Threat: Disease and Fire Risk
Forests are not just green spaces; they are complex ecosystems vulnerable to both natural and human-induced threats. Tree diseases and parasites often result from stress caused by drought, freezing temperatures, or air pollution. Monitoring tree health helps prevent large-scale forest decline.
Meanwhile, forest fires, often linked to human activity, pose a severe risk. By tracking factors such as proximity to roads and power lines, temperature extremes, and moisture levels, conservationists can predict and mitigate fire risks before they escalate.
Grazing and Its Ecological Balance
Overgrazing by livestock, particularly small ruminants, threatens biodiversity by reducing species richness and altering forest composition. Volunteers assess grazing pressure using indicators such as the number of livestock entry points, frequency of dung piles, and shifts in plant species composition. Identifying these changes aids in sustainable land-use planning and conservation.
Illegal Activities: Hunting and Quarrying
Lebanon ranks among the most dangerous countries for birds due to illegal hunting, which claims an estimated 2.5 million birds annually. Volunteers play a crucial role in reporting signs of poaching, such as discarded bullet casings and bird carcasses. Similarly, quarrying activities devastate native vegetation and slow down ecosystem recovery. By monitoring these activities, citizen scientists contribute to enforcing environmental laws and protecting fragile landscapes.
The Role of Citizen Scientists in Conservation
The success of BioConnect’s biodiversity monitoring initiative relies on the dedication of ordinary citizens who take an interest in preserving their natural surroundings. Through a structured approach to data collection, these efforts ensure that Lebanon’s forests, rivers, and wildlife remain resilient against threats.
With the active involvement of local communities and conservation organizations, this initiative marks a critical step towards environmental sustainability, proving that small observations can lead to big changes in protecting Lebanon’s natural heritage.
#EUBioConnect4Lebanon
The European Union supports Lebanon’s stability, independence and sovereignty, its prosperity and democratic order. It strives also to help protect its environment and natural resources by supporting sustainable enterprise and development.
Find out more about the EU’s work in Lebanon or follow it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EUinLebanon
BioConnect Fund
This mobile application was developed under the project “BioConnect”, funded by the European Union, as part of a broader effort to enhance citizen science, biodiversity monitoring, and community-led conservation in Lebanon. The application serves as an interactive platform for scientists, environmental organizations, universities, practitioners, and researchers, allowing them to engage with and contribute to the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon’s (SPNL) mission of fostering a citizen science culture in Lebanon.
About BioConnect: Partners and Objectives
BioConnect is a collaborative initiative aimed at bridging the gap between scientific research, environmental policy, and community engagement. The project brings together a diverse consortium of partners, including:
- Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) – Project lead, focusing on conservation and Hima-based participatory management.
- Regional and international research institutions – Providing scientific guidance and biodiversity monitoring expertise.
- Local universities and academic partners – Integrating citizen science methodologies into environmental education and research.
- Municipalities and local communities – Ensuring grassroots involvement and real-world application of conservation strategies.
- European and Mediterranean conservation networks – Facilitating knowledge exchange and best practices in biodiversity monitoring.
Deliverables and Impact
The BioConnect mobile application is a key deliverable of the project, designed to democratize biodiversity data collection and environmental governance. Key features and expected impacts include:
✅ Community-Driven Biodiversity Monitoring – Enabling local stakeholders to actively participate in data collection, making biodiversity information more comprehensive, dynamic, and accessible.
✅ Decision-Support Tool – Using real-time data to inform land-use planning, conservation policies, and sustainable management of protected areas, especially Himas (Lebanon’s traditional community-managed protected landscapes).
✅ Scientific Research & Citizen Engagement – Bridging academia and local knowledge, allowing researchers and citizens to collaborate on critical environmental issues affecting their communities.
✅ Digital Access to Conservation Efforts – Providing interactive maps, species identification tools, and reporting mechanisms that make conservation more inclusive and participatory.
✅ Capacity Building & Awareness – Training local communities, conservation practitioners, and decision-makers in the use of citizen science for ecological and social benefits.
Through BioConnect, we aim to empower rural communities as environmental stewards, ensuring Lebanon’s biodiversity is protected for generations to come.
