Impact of conservation efforts on the Syrian Serin at HIMA Anjar

By Dr. Ghassan Ramadan Jaradi

The Syrian Serin (Serinus syriacus) species is classified as Globally Vulnerable by IUCN because the small population (2500-10000 mature individuals over an area of about 7500 km2) which was once thought to be stable, appears to be declining since 1996. This species occurs in Jordan, Palestine, Syria and Lebanon with highest occurrence in the latter country.

1st Mediterranean Plant Conservation Week

SPNL attended the first Plant Conservation Week which was held in Ulcinj, Montenegro from Oct.24 to Oct.29. Botanists; civil society institutions working in the plant conservation field; community members; and those interested in including plant conservation programmes into their conservation or sustainable development projects, attended the workshop.

The European robin (Erithacus rubecula)

By Fouad Itani

The European robin (Erithacus rubecula), is a distinctive looking bird from the Muscicapidae family. It measures 14cm in length, with a wingspan of 22cm, and an average weight of 18g.

National Consultation Workshop for Ecosystem Profile update for the Mediterranean Basin

The Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot, Lebanon being one of its major components, is the second largest hotspot in the world and the largest of the world’s five Mediterranean-climate regions.

The Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar)

By Fouad Itani,

The Chukar Partridge is a large game bird from the pheasant family. It measures 35 cm in length, with a wingspan of 80 cm, and an average weight of 550g.

UN Biodiversity Conference – Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Well-Being

On Friday, 2 December 2016, the High-Level Segment (HLS) of the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 13) opened in Cancún, Mexico, preceding the  concurrent meetings  of CBD COP 13, the eighth  meeting  of  the  Conference  of  the  Parties  serving  as  the  meeting  of  the  Parties  to  the  Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP 8) and the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting  of  the  Parties  to  the  Nagoya  Protocol  on  Access  to  Genetic  Resources  and  the  Fair  and  Equitable Sharing of Benefits  Arising from their Utilization (COP-MOP 2). The meetings comprise the UN Biodiversity Conference.

Heaven’s eyes: Luc Hoffmann, unsung hero of nature conservation

By James Breiding

Born into the wealthy family that founded the Roche pharmaceutical and chemical giant, Luc Hoffman turned his back on the comforts of wealth at an early age, writes James Breiding, and dedicated his life, and his money, to conservation.

World species are waiting for a serious implementation of the climate deal 

Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing the planet, and current levels of adaptation and adaptation support are insufficient to protect people and nature from its impacts.

Lebanon showcases at COP22 cross-sectoral collaboration towards Climate Change Action

The Lebanese Ministry of Environment co-organized with the AUB’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs and UNDP a side event entitled: “Triangular climate action: harmonized efforts of businesses, NGOs and the Government”. The event, which was held at the COP22, focused on inter-sectoral collaboration between government, the private sector and civil society in Lebanon, was also supported by the EU–funded ClimaSouth project.

Jellyfish species sighted for first time in Iraq

Life continues to return to Iraq’s historic marshlands – and in some cases, species that have never been recorded before in the country. In July, a species of jellyfish Catostylus perezi was discovered at the Main Outfall Drain (MOD) channel and in southern part of Hammar Marshes of southern Iraq. This is the first Iraqi record for this species.

Navigating a sustainable path to eco-tourism in Palestine

Palestine’s first-ever eco-tourism conference which took place yesterday focus on finding ways to protect Palestine’s unique natural heritage while sustainably tapping its economic and social benefits.