In the cradle of ancient civilizations, where wars, revolutions, and shifting borders have reshaped landscapes and histories alike, another struggle is quietly taking place—a struggle to preserve the natural world.
A groundbreaking study conducted by environmental scholars Brandon P. Anthony and Diane A. Matar takes a rare and revealing look at the state of protected areas (PAs) in three Arab countries of the Levant—Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Conducted during the Arab Spring and published as part of a wider conservation biology initiative, the study delivers both a sobering assessment and an unexpected ray of hope.
Biodiversity in the Balance
Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan lie within the East Mediterranean Basin, one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots. The region hosts thousands of species of flora and fauna—many of them endemic—thriving across mountains, wetlands, cedar forests, and coastal ecosystems. Yet, despite this natural wealth, these countries have only recently begun to prioritize environmental protection through the legal designation of nature reserves and biosphere areas.
The study, which used 33 indicators adapted from international conservation evaluation frameworks, presents the first comparative snapshot of PA management effectiveness across the Levant.
Jordan’s Silent Success
Surprisingly, Jordan emerged as a regional leader. With nine recognized protected areas—seven of which are managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN)—Jordan scored significantly higher than both its Levantine neighbors and the global average. Jordan’s protected areas benefit from regular management assessments, structured governance, and international partnerships, especially with UNESCO and the IUCN.
“Jordan has implemented systematic monitoring tools like the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT),” the authors note, “which enables adaptive management and continual improvement.”
Lebanon’s Fragile Promise
Lebanon’s picture is more complex. Thirteen legally recognized nature reserves exist, supported by a patchwork of governmental and non-governmental bodies. The study finds considerable variation in performance across Lebanese PAs—from internationally acclaimed reserves like the Shouf Biosphere Reserve to under-resourced sites lacking clear management frameworks.
While planning and legal designation scored well, Lebanon’s challenges lie in implementation. Limited technical capacity, project-dependent funding, and weak law enforcement continue to hamper efforts. One reserve, Jabal Rihane, is even described as being “protected” in name only—managed informally by political forces with no institutional framework.
Yet, Lebanon also shows glimmers of hope. NGOs and local communities have played critical roles in protecting habitats, often stepping in where the state falls short.
Syria: A Lost Decade for Nature
Syria’s protected area network was the least evaluated, due to the country’s ongoing conflict and institutional collapse. Data was gathered from only three of the 27 recognized PAs—all of which had received international funding and support through UNDP-GEF projects.
The authors caution against over-interpreting Syria’s relatively “basic” management scores. “The lack of national management plans, monitoring tools, and legal enforcement likely means most PAs are highly vulnerable,” the report states.
Common Threads, Urgent Needs
Across all three countries, the most effective area of management was “planning”—including legal designation and site design. However, inputs such as funding, staff training, and political support scored lowest. The weakest indicator across the region? Marking and securing PA boundaries—an apt metaphor for the invisible lines separating conservation ambition from reality.
Significantly, the study finds that older PAs—those established earlier—tend to perform better, likely due to more time and opportunity to build effective systems.
Recommendations for a Path Forward
The authors issue several practical recommendations. Among them:
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Adopt national monitoring tools for PAs in Lebanon and Syria, based on successful models like Jordan’s.
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Integrate conservation into political priorities, ensuring that policies are enforceable and not sidelined by instability.
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Empower local communities and NGOs, whose involvement in planning and benefit-sharing is strongly linked to better conservation outcomes.
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Legalize biosphere reserves, giving them formal standing and consistent oversight.
In a region where environmental protection is often overshadowed by political crises, this study is a rare call to action grounded in evidence. It proves that even amidst conflict and institutional fragility, there is room for progress—provided the will and strategy are in place.
As Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan navigate uncertain futures, their biodiversity remains a silent, steadfast witness. Whether future generations will inherit these natural treasures intact depends not just on political peace—but on ecological responsibility and the strength of those committed to protecting the Levant’s living heritage.
