Deforestation in Lebanon: Cedars, Poverty, and Conservation

Introduction: Lebanon's Vanishing Forests

Lebanon is home to some of the most famous forests in the world, with Mount Lebanon's cedars mentioned in the Old Testament numerous times. For millennia these trees have been planted and replanted, preserving history within the land. However, in recent times, the ancient forests of Lebanon have been cut down for fuel to heat the homes of impoverished Lebanese. Over time, the trees on Mount Lebanon have been steadily depleted to make houses, boats, and other goods, owing to the high quality of the cedar wood. Even with ancient Roman conservation attempts and modern efforts by organizations such as the WWF and the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC), various conditions continue to promote deforestation: frequent forest fires, commercial exploitation, unregulated tourism, and overgrazing.

The beauty of Lebanon exists within its ancient and storied trees. People today do not always cherish the nature surrounding them and, at times, take desperate measures to ensure their survival — at the cost of losing something as precious as the forests and the wildlife within them. In an article by Al-Fakih, the people of northern Bekaa are described using lumber from nearby forests to heat their homes: "With the beginning of winter, residents of villages and towns in northern Bekaa, many of whom are unable to afford fuel, are turning to wood from the area's forests" (Al-Fakih, 2011, p. 3).

Poverty and the Demand for Wood Fuel

Many residents do not fully understand the extent of the damage caused by cutting and burning the few trees that remain in the country; they see the trees simply as a means of keeping warm. Poverty is rampant in certain areas of Lebanon, and where there is a deep need for warmth and comfort, the trees are used to supply that need. In truth, it would be very difficult to control the misuse of lumber by local residents without first providing them with alternative fuel or insulation to keep their homes warm during winter. Ultimately, the loss of trees — both historically and at present — stems from the human desire for comfort: ancient peoples used the wood for boats and homes, while modern people use it to heat their homes and cook their food. Prioritizing human comfort over ecological balance is, unfortunately, common across societies.

The Garden of Eden was seen throughout biblical history as a paradise. Lebanon's forests were similarly viewed as a heaven of lush cedars and oaks. But over the course of several thousand years, all but five percent of the original tree cover remains. Now more and more trees are cut down to satisfy the demand of Lebanon's poor. "The poorest of the poor secure their need by gathering fallen branches in orchards and fields and at the edges of the area's forests, or by buying them from the owners of the fields for LL150,000 to LL200,000 a ton" (Al-Fakih, 2011, p. 3).

Not only are trees being cut down, but branches are also taken, as people view wood as their only viable source of fuel. Without any income to pay for gas or electricity, people in small towns and villages see the woods of Lebanon as their only means of maintaining a decent, if sparse, existence in a world full of poverty and misfortune. There are, however, suggestions for reforestation, specifically in certain regions that require only rainfall to support growth. One expert "suggested reforestation take place in the plains and mountains of the Hermel region, as it would only involve planting tree seedlings which could grow on their own with the help of the area's soil and high rainfall levels" (Al-Fakih, 2011, p. 3).

Most of Lebanon is either too dry or too densely inhabited to provide enough room and water for healthy trees to grow. Like the strength of Samson, trees draw their vitality from strong roots. Planting seedlings in mountainous regions — especially on Mount Lebanon — allows at least some possibility of regrowth. The ancients often replanted to keep Lebanon's forests from disappearing entirely, even as tree numbers gradually diminished.

Ancient and Medieval Exploitation of Lebanese Timber

Back when the Phoenicians built their empire amid the lush forests of Lebanon — then called Phoenicia by the Greeks — trees covered the land. Today, most of Lebanon is covered in scrub vegetation. "It is now generally agreed that the prevalent scrub vegetation of the Levantine highlands is the degraded remnant of an original cover of forest" (Mikesell, 1969, p. 1). The once-beautiful landscape that supported a flourishing civilization now exists as a mere skeleton of its former self.

Much as in modern times, the ancients also extracted from the bountiful land to survive and flourish, and many peoples beyond the Phoenicians depended on Lebanese timber. "From the time of the earliest Egyptian and Mesopotamian documents until the reign of Emperor Hadrian, this area was known for its valuable timber" (Mikesell, 1969, p. 1). People used Lebanese timber for many purposes, most notably for boats used in fishing and exploration. The ancient Phoenicians were able to settle Carthage partly thanks to timber cut from Lebanon. Sadly, less and less of this once-plentiful resource survives today.

"Only scattered remnants survive of the once extensive stands of cedar, fir, and juniper, and most of the oak forests have been reduced to scrub" (Mikesell, 1969, p. 1). Scrub is neither useful nor beautiful. Cedars, which remain green year-round, barely exist now, with a few stands on Mount Lebanon and sparse examples elsewhere. Beyond the needs of the impoverished, forest fires are also depleting the already exhausted supply of woodland.

"In the Middle Ages, mountain villagers cleared forests for farmland, using the wood for domestic fuel and construction. And in the early 1900s, the Ottoman Empire cleared much of the remaining cedar forests for use as fuel in steam trains" (Gunther, 2010, p. 1). As the 2011 article by Al-Fakih similarly demonstrates, most of the deforestation that occurred in the past and continues in the present is driven by the need for fuel. If people do not find alternative sources of energy, the forests will continue to diminish until nothing remains.

Lebanon is home to a great variety of tree species. Ten species of conifers in five genera are found as wild populations in Lebanon: Cilician fir Abies cilicica, cedar of Lebanon Cedrus libani, Mediterranean cypress Cupressus sempervirens, Syrian juniper Juniperus drupacea, Grecian juniper J. excelsa, J. foetidissima, prickly juniper J. oxycedrus, Calabrian pine Pinus brutia, Aleppo pine P. halepensis, and stone pine P. pinea (Talhouk, Zurayk, & Khuri, 2001, p. 206). When the forests were intact, these conifers extended across all of Lebanon, making the country a notable destination for travellers and traders alike.

Conclusion: Rekindling Lebanon's Natural Heritage

Thousands of years have been associated with the trees and forests of Lebanon. They became a valuable resource and commodity for the ancient peoples, the people of the Middle Ages, and the people of today. Wood has been used continuously as a means of fuel and sustenance. If the forests disappear, an unending sadness will plague the land, and the visitors who come hoping to see the ancient, biblical landscape will find only a phantom of its former glory.

Deforestation in Lebanon is a critical issue that demands urgent attention. Previous conservation efforts have fallen short, but as more people recognize the benefit of keeping the trees and forests intact, there is a real chance for the splendor of the past to be rekindled. Nature always retains the capacity to heal itself. Even though people have damaged and degraded the land, they can also rebuild and regrow it. The Phoenicians should not be the only people to witness the full beauty of Lebanon. Modern generations and those yet to come deserve to experience its grandeur as well.

References

Al-Fakih, R. (2011, November 26). Poverty drives deforestation in northern Bekaa Valley. The Daily Star [Lebanon], p. 3. Retrieved from

DiscoverLebanon. (2013). Forests in Lebanon: Species and distribution, oak, pine, forest fires reasons. Retrieved December 10, 2013, from http://www.discoverlebanon.com/en/panoramic_views/forests-species-distribution.php

Gunther, M. (2010). WWF — Lebanon's forests: Introduction. Retrieved December 9, 2013, from http://mediterranean.panda.org/about/forests/forest_fires/background/

Mikesell, M. W. (1969). The deforestation of Mount Lebanon. Geographical Review, 59(1), 1–28. Retrieved from

Shackley, M. (2004). Managing the cedars of Lebanon: Botanical gardens or living forests? Current Issues in Tourism, 7(4–5), 417–425.

Talhouk, S. N., Zurayk, R., & Khuri, S. (2001). Conservation of the coniferous forests of Lebanon: Past, present and future prospects. Oryx, 35(3), 206–215. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605300031872