The implementation of Ramsar Convention in Lebanon

Transcription

1 The implementation of Ramsar Convention in Lebanon Nabil Assaf Ramsar Focal point Ministry of Environment Regional meeting, LAS Cairo June 2009

2 Date of Ratification: 16 August, Ramsar sites

3 1-Ammiq Wetland (16/04/1999) The last remaining significant wetland in the country, a remnant of much more extensive marshes and lakes that once existed in the Beqaa Valley. It remains an important staging and wintering area for migratory waterbirds en route between Europe and Africa.

4 The site has been designated as an Important Bird Area: Notable species include the globally threatened Blackwinged Pratincole, Ferruginous Duck, White Pelican and Great Snipe.

5 Local people and visitors from other parts of the country use the area for outdoor recreation

6 During summer the site provides irrigation for the surrounding agricultural land and supports livestock grazing. Threat: Ammiq Wetland is privately-owned Area: Ha

7 2-Tyre Beach Reserve Date of Designation: 16/04/1999 Was established a Nature Reserve in November 1998 Area: 3.8 Km2 One of the most beautiful and scenic sandy beaches in Lebanon It encompasses a variety of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

8 Importance several springs, used since the time of the Phoenicians for irrigation and drinking water, feed 1500 l / sec* into the three striking pools of Ras Al Ain. The pools provide a freshwater habitat and the off-flow creates small areas of marshland attractive to frogs and other amphibians.

9 The inflow of fresh water from the springs into the sea creates brackish water, especially productive and rich in aquatic species. Such brackish areas are of special significance for the future of fisheries in Lebanon

10 The reserve is a sanctuary for a great variety of birds and the beach has special significance as a nesting site for the globally endangered marine turtles. Measures are being taken to implement environmentally sound cultivation methods.

11 3-Palm Islands Nature Reserve The overall area of the reserve is 4.2 sq km. Mediterranean Specially Protected Area under the Barcelona Convention (1995). Important Bird Area by BirdLife International Designation as Ramsar site: 3/8/2001

12 The importance of the reserve is mainly due to its biodiversity, i.e., what it encloses of species of fauna and flora as well as habitats and ecosystems, it also represents a resting area for rare and globally endangered migratory birds (White-tailed Sea Eagle... Also, its sandy shore is considered one of the few remaining areas for the nesting of the globally endangered marine turtles such as the Green Turtle Chelonia mydas and the Loggerhead Turtle Caretta caretta. It also hosts in its caves the Mediterranean Monk seal Monachus monachus that is the sixth mammal on the list of globally endangered species.

13 Its flora, contains medicinal plants and other rare and endemic species. The remarkable is that the surrounding submerged area of the reserve, is considered as unique ground for spawning fish and sponges.

14 Threats The oil spill on the Lebanese shore during the Israeli war on Lebanon (July 2006), several cleaning projects have been conducted Biodiversity have recovered in the reserve The reserve is being highly visited during summer

15 Deir El Nourieh Cliffs of Ras El Chakaa Date of designation: 16/04/1999 The site is significant because of its position as a coastal headland on the Middle East bird migration route: notable bird species include the White Pelican and Purple Heron

16 The presence of submarine freshwater springs off the coast at Ras Chekaa is thought to enhance the biodiversity of the waters

17 the convent of Deir el Nouriyeh is of historical and cultural interest is. The main agricultural use of the site is the cultivation of olives. Land ownership: Waqk (Religious)

18 Priority issues National Ramsar Committee National Wetland inventory Update of existing management plans Solve the issue of land ownership at legislative level Update of Ramsar Information Sheets (RIS) Development of National Wetland Strategy