These areas help identify locations where birds are threatened, near-threatened, or have a limited geographic range, facilitating their protection by the state and conservation organizations.
By Dr. Ghassan R. Jaradi, ornithologist, field researcher and professor; SPNL’s scientific consultant
The designation of an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) signifies that a particular region is crucial for bird conservation and must be preserved. These areas meet specific criteria established by BirdLife International, a global partnership headquartered in Cambridge, UK, ensuring that IBAs are designated based on solid scientific foundations.
IBAs are internationally recognized conservation sites. They help identify locations where:
- Threatened or near-threatened bird species are found.
- Birds with limited geographic distribution exist.
- Bird populations gather in large numbers during migration, whether in marine or freshwater habitats.
However, national-level conservation efforts are essential, particularly in Lebanon, where mass bird killings remain widespread. This issue is also prevalent in other Mediterranean countries. IBAs contribute to state-led bird conservation efforts, aligning with the protection of species classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as endangered. These species are also designated as protected under Lebanon’s hunting law, prohibiting their capture or killing.
Lebanon’s IBAs: Past and Future
Out of 13,000 IBAs worldwide, Lebanon currently has:
- 14 internationally significant IBAs
- 2 regionally important IBAs (Bentael Nature Reserve and Wadi Ramlieh)
The first IBAs in Lebanon were identified in 1994 by Mike Evans (BirdLife International) in collaboration with Assad Serhal (Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon – SPNL). Later, between 2005-2008, a team from A Rocha, including over eight experts, spent 3,000 hours conducting fieldwork led by Chris Naylor and Assad Serhal, with funding from the MAVA Foundation, to expand Lebanon’s IBA network.
In 2017, Dr. Ghassan Ramadan Jaradi discovered new biodiversity data while conducting research for Environment for Life (EFL) in Rachaya, as part of two integrated projects funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for 2017-2023, under the supervision of Dr. Salim Hamadeh. His findings documented birds, mammals, and reptiles that qualified Rachaya as an IBA, leading BirdLife International to officially designate it as an IBA in 2024.
Currently, Dr. Jaradi is preparing documents for SPNL to submit two additional proposed IBAs to BirdLife International for evaluation. If accepted, Lebanon’s IBA network will expand to 18 sites by 2025.
IBA Classification Criteria
Not all IBAs hold the same level of importance. They are classified based on internationally recognized criteria:
A1: Presence of Globally Threatened Species
- Example:
- Palm Islands Nature Reserve
- Anjar/Kfar Zabad Hima
A1 & A2: Presence of Endemic or Range-Restricted Species
- Example:
- Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve
- Shouf Cedar Reserve
- Both sites are home to the Syrian Serin, a Middle Eastern endemic species.
📌 Correction Needed: Anjar/Kfar Zabad also has Syrian Serins, and its classification should be updated to A1 & A2.
A3: Presence of Biome-Restricted Bird Species
- Example:
- Ras Baalbek’s Semi-Arid Region
- Hosts species like:
- Sardinian Warbler (Mediterranean biome)
- Pale Rock Sparrow (Irano-Turanian biome)
- Black Redstart (Indian Desert biome)
A4iv: Major Migration Bottlenecks (20,000+ birds passing through)
- Example:
- Jabal Moussa, Beirut River, Qaraoun Lake
- Jabal Sannine and Akkar/Dinniyeh highlands
These sites witness massive concentrations of migratory birds, including storks, raptors, and cranes during spring and autumn.
IBA Selection Process
How Are IBAs Identified?
To qualify as an IBA, a site must be thoroughly monitored to:
- Document the presence of threatened species.
- Assess population sizes and determine if birds are resident, breeding, migrating, or wintering.
- Identify habitat use (feeding, roosting, nesting).
- Evaluate the presence of range-restricted birds (e.g., Syrian Serin).
- Map migration corridors and gathering sites (wetlands, forests, bottlenecks).
Once data is collected, the site is matched against IBA criteria, mapped, and submitted to SPNL, BirdLife International’s national partner in Lebanon. SPNL reviews the proposal before forwarding it to BirdLife’s regional office for evaluation.
Reviewing & Updating IBAs
Lebanon’s IBA network needs urgent updates to reflect new ecological data.
Key Questions for Revision
1️⃣ Anjar/Kfar Zabad:
- Currently classified as A1 only (based on the presence of threatened species).
- However, it also hosts the Syrian Serin (A2) and multiple biome-restricted species (A3).
- Updating its classification would elevate its ranking to Lebanon’s second-most important IBA.
2️⃣ Rachaya:
- Hosts Syrian Serins and Eurasian Turtle Doves (both globally threatened).
- Yet, A1 & A2 criteria were not applied.
- Recent studies (2023-2024) confirm larger populations than previously recorded.
- Updating its classification could make it Lebanon’s top IBA.
3️⃣ Palm Islands Nature Reserve:
- Are seabird colonies properly documented?
- Enhancing marine bird population data could elevate its IBA ranking.
4️⃣ Why Haven’t IBAs Been Updated in 18 Years?
- The last official revision was in 2007.
- BirdLife International has introduced new IBA criteria, including a Near-Threatened species category, which has not yet been applied in Lebanon.
5️⃣ Time for a Land Trust Fund?
- Many countries have established Land Trusts to finance the protection of IBAs.
- Why doesn’t Lebanon have one?
- Such a fund could support conservation programs and reduce hunting pressure.
Protecting Lebanon’s IBAs for the Future
IBAs provide Lebanon with a unique natural wealth, but protection efforts must go beyond listing these sites.
- Strengthening legal enforcement is critical to combat illegal hunting.
- Establishing new nature reserves could safeguard key IBAs.
- Encouraging sustainable eco-tourism could benefit local communities while preserving biodiversity.
By updating conservation priorities, investing in habitat restoration, and reducing poaching, Lebanon can secure a future where migratory and resident birds thrive.
📌 For more information on Land Trusts for IBAs, visit:
👉 Cornell Lab – Important Bird Areas
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