The Iris sofarana is a unique plant species from the Iris genus that is endemic only to Lebanon, more specifically the high-altitude mountains of Lebanon. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has not assessed this species yet, but preliminary studies conducted by the Royal Botanic Gardens, suggest that it is highly threatened due to unsustainable grazing, agricultural activities, and construction activities. Another important threat to the Iris sofarana is the beauty of its flower, making it prone to uncontrolled collection by locals and plant traders. Hence, this prevents the flower seeds to settle in the natural environment, thus reducing its regeneration rate.
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon, SPNL, has officially released the seventh issue of Al Hima magazine, reaffirming its commitment to advancing community-led conservation and positioning Lebanon as a regional leader in nature-based solutions.
This latest edition comes at a critical moment for environmental action in Lebanon and the wider region, bringing together scientific insight, traditional knowledge, and global perspectives under the unifying theme: “From Ridge to Coast, One Hima at a Time.”
More like this

New, simplified guidance for protecting birds

New UN-backed Atlas Maps Migratory Lifelines of Highly Vulnerable...




