Horsh Ehden
Encyclopedia
North Lebanon
North Lebanon may refer to:*North Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania*North Governorate, Lebanon...
, it contains a particularly diverse and beautiful remnant forest of the Cedar of Lebanon, making the reserve a very important part of the country’s cultural and natural heritage. Located on the northwestern slopes of Mount Lebanon
Mount Lebanon
Mount Lebanon , as a geographic designation, is a Lebanese mountain range, averaging above 2,200 meters in height and receiving a substantial amount of precipitation, including snow, which averages around four meters deep. It extends across the whole country along about , parallel to the...
and pampered by mist and relatively high precipitation, a multitude of rare and endemic plants that flourish in it. Stands of cedars are bordered by a mixed forest of juniper
Juniper
Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on taxonomic viewpoint, there are between 50-67 species of juniper, widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Africa in the Old World, and to the...
, fir
Fir
Firs are a genus of 48–55 species of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range...
, and the country's last protected community of wild apple trees. On a peaceful hike through the forest, the lucky visitor might spot an endangered Eastern imperial eagle
Eastern Imperial Eagle
The Eastern Imperial Eagle is a large species of bird of prey that breeds from southeastern Europe to central Asia. Most populations are migratory and winter in northeastern Africa, and southern and eastern Asia. The Spanish Imperial Eagle, found in Spain and Portugal, was formerly lumped with...
or Bonelli's eagle
Bonelli's Eagle
The Bonelli's Eagle is a large bird of prey. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae.It breeds in southern Europe, Africa both north and south of the Sahara Desert and across southern Asia to Indonesia...
, a Gray wolf
Gray Wolf
The gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
, or a wildcat
Wildcat
Wildcat is a small felid native to Europe, the western part of Asia, and Africa.-Animals:Wildcat may also refer to members of the genus Lynx:...
. The reserve's beautiful valleys and gorges, with their wild orchids, brightly colored salamanders, mushrooms, and other flora and fauna, are sure to soothe even the most harried visitor.
Biodiversity
Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve is rich in biodiversity. Over 1,058 plant species have so far been recorded in the reserve, accounting for nearly 40% of the plant species in LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. This is impressive, considering that the reserve represents less than 0.1% of the total area of Lebanon. The forests form a unique assemblage of conifers, deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
and evergreen broadleaf trees in an isolated phyto-climatic region with a highly varied topography. Some interesting facts regarding the native plant species in the reserve:
- 212 species (20%) are rare and another 126 species (12%) are considered threatened.
- 115 plant species are endemic to Lebanon, and 10 are endemic to Horsh Ehden.
- 78 plant species are recognized as medicinal plants.
Flora: 1030 species of higher plant species in Lebanon, and 39 species of trees have so far been recorded in the reserve. 70 species were given the name of Lebanon such as: Cedrus Libani, Salix Libani, Berberis Libanoticum; and 22 species carried names from Lebanon such as Dianthus Karami (after Youssef Bey Karam, a 19th century national figure) and Astragalus Ehdenensis (after the village of Ehden
Ehden
Ehden is a mountainous town situated in the heart of the northern mountains of Lebanon and on the southwestern slopes of Mount Makmal and Kornet el Sawda, the highest peak in Lebanon...
). The reserve is also considered the southern most limit to Ciliciam Fir
Abies cilicica
Abies cilicica, or Cilicia Fir, is a species of conifer in the Pinaceae family.It is found in Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.In 2009 at Berenice Troglodytica, the Egypto-Roman port on the Red Sea, archaeologists found: "two blocks of resin from the Syrian fir tree , one weighting about 190 g and the...
. The main forest communities of highest conservation importance are:
- The Lebanon cedarLebanon CedarCedrus libani is a species of cedar native to the mountains of the Mediterranean region.There are two distinct types that are considered to be different subspecies or varieties. Lebanon cedar or Cedar of Lebanon Cedrus libani is a species of cedar native to the mountains of the Mediterranean...
Cedrus Libani forest community which represents about 20% of the remaining cedar forests in Lebanon and is thus significant at the national level. - The Ciliciam Fir Abies Cilicica forest community.
- The Greek juniper Juniperus Excelsa forest community which is considered a resource and a gene pool for possible reforestation projects at higher altitude. It is considered nationally significant as a gene stock for the reforestation of the high peaks of Mount Lebanon above 2000 m altitude line.
- The Lebanese wild apple Malus Trilobata forest community
Horsh Ehden is the only protected area in Lebanon containing the last remaining forest community of the endemic wild apple of Lebanon.
Fauna:
- Mammals:More than 27 mammals have been sighted in the reserve (not including bats), representing a third of the mammals in Lebanon. There are mainly six big families of mammals in this reserve: Insectivores, Carnivores, RodentRodentRodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
ia, LagomorphaLagomorphaThe lagomorphs are the members of the taxonomic order Lagomorpha, of which there are two living families, the Leporidae , and the Ochotonidae...
, Chiroptera, Artiodactyls. 13 Species are globally threatened and 1 species is locally threatened and highly endangered ( Gray wolf, Canis lupus), 1 species is endemic to Horsh Ehden (Lesser white-toothed shrewLesser white-toothed shrewThe Lesser White-toothed Shrew is a tiny shrew with a widespread distribution in Africa, Asia and Europe, but not in most of Spain, north–west France and mainland Great Britain. Its preferred habitat is scrub and gardens and it feeds on insects, worms, slugs, snails and small mice...
, Crocidura suaveolens), and 4 species are considered threatened at global level. Among the species recorded are: Cape hareCape HareThe Cape, Common or Brown Hare is a hare natively found throughout Africa, and has spread to many parts of the Europe, Middle East and Asia. The Cape Hare is a nocturnal herbivore.They are fast...
(Lepus capensis), Wood mouseWood mouseThe wood mouse is a common murid rodent from Europe and northwestern Africa. It is closely related to the yellow-necked mouse but differs in that it has no band of yellow fur around the neck, has slightly smaller ears, and is usually slightly smaller overall: around 90 mm in length...
(Apodemus sylvaticus), Eurasian badgerEurasian BadgerThe European Badger is a species of badger of the genus Meles, native to almost all of Europe. It is classed as Least Concern for extinction by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and large population....
(Meles meles), Southern White-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor), Indian porcupineIndian PorcupineThe Indian Crested Porcupine , or Indian Porcupine, is a member of the Old World porcupines. It is quite an adaptable rodent, found throughout southern Asia and the Middle East. It is tolerant of several different habitats: mountains, tropical and subtropical grasslands, scrublands, and forests...
(Histrix indica), Caucasian SquirrelCaucasian SquirrelThe Caucasian squirrel is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus endemic to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. Its natural habitat is temperate broadleaf and mixed forests....
(Sciurus anomalus), Striped hyenaStriped HyenaThe Striped Hyena is a species of true hyena native to North and East Africa, the Caucasus, the Middle East, Middle and Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent...
(Hyaena hyanena), Least weaselLeast WeaselThe least weasel is the smallest member of the Mustelidae , native to Eurasia, North America and North Africa, though it has been introduced elsewhere. It is classed as Least Concern by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and presumably large population...
(Mustela nivalis), WildcatWildcatWildcat is a small felid native to Europe, the western part of Asia, and Africa.-Animals:Wildcat may also refer to members of the genus Lynx:...
(Felis silvestris), Gray wolfGray WolfThe gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
(Canis lupus), Marbled polecatMarbled polecatThe marbled polecat is a small mammal belonging to the monotypic genus Vormela within the Mustelinae subfamily. Vormela is from the German word Würmlein, which means "little Worm". The term peregusna comes from pereguznya, which is Ukrainian for polecat...
(Vormela Peregusna). The reserve may hava also been home to many extinct species in Lebanon such as : Roe deerRoe DeerThe European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
(Capreolus capreolus), Persian fallow deerPersian fallow deerThe Persian Fallow Deer is a rare ruminant mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. Its taxonomic status is disputed, with some maintaining it as a subspecies of the Fallow Deer, while other treat it as a separate species, Dama mesopotamica.-Description:Persian fallow deer are bigger than Fallow...
(Dama dama mesopotamica), Anatolian leopardAnatolian leopardThe Anatolian leopard , also called the Asia Minor leopard is a leopard subspecies native to southwestern Turkey. Its continued existence is uncertain.- Distribution and habitat:...
(Panthera pardus tulliana), Syrian Brown BearSyrian Brown BearThe Syrian brown bear is a relatively small subspecies of brown bear native to Eurasia.- Distribution :Within the former Soviet Union, it occurs in Transcaucasia, Talysh, Northern Armenia, Abkhazia, Karabakh and Kopet Dag. Outside the ex-USSR, it occurs in Iran, Iraq and Turkey...
(Ursus arctos syriacus), and the AurochsAurochsThe aurochs , the ancestor of domestic cattle, were a type of large wild cattle which inhabited Europe, Asia and North Africa, but is now extinct; it survived in Europe until 1627....
(Bos primigenius).
- Birds:Horsh ehden reserve is rich in bird life, since it provides a number of different habitats which allows different species to live in it. Among the species recorded 4 species are considered threatened at global level, 5 species are considered vulnerable at regional scale, 18 species are facing unfavourable conditions in Europe, and 57 species are rare in Lebanon. The species recorded include: Eastern Imperial EagleEastern Imperial EagleThe Eastern Imperial Eagle is a large species of bird of prey that breeds from southeastern Europe to central Asia. Most populations are migratory and winter in northeastern Africa, and southern and eastern Asia. The Spanish Imperial Eagle, found in Spain and Portugal, was formerly lumped with...
(Aquila heliaca), Bonelli's eagleBonelli's EagleThe Bonelli's Eagle is a large bird of prey. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae.It breeds in southern Europe, Africa both north and south of the Sahara Desert and across southern Asia to Indonesia...
(Hieraaetus fasciatus), Blue titBlue TitThe Blue Tit is a 10.5 to 12 cm long passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is a widespread and common resident breeder throughout temperate and subarctic Europe and western Asia in deciduous or mixed woodlands...
(Parus caeruleus), Corn CrakeCorn CrakeThe Corn Crake, Corncrake or Landrail is a bird in the rail family. It breeds in Europe and Asia as far east as western China, and migrates to Africa for the winter...
(Crex crex), Levant SparrowhawkLevant SparrowhawkThe Levant Sparrowhawk is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers....
(Accipiter Brevips), Saker falconSaker FalconThe Saker Falcon is a very large falcon. This species breeds from eastern Europe eastwards across Asia to Manchuria. It is mainly migratory except in the southernmost parts of its range, wintering in Ethiopia, the Arabian peninsula, northern Pakistan and western China...
(falco cherrug), White pelicanWhite PelicanThe Great White Pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus also known as the Eastern White Pelican or White Pelican is a bird in the pelican family...
(Pelecanus Onocratalus), Black storkBlack StorkThe Black Stork Ciconia nigra is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It is a widespread, but rare, species that breeds in the warmer parts of Europe, predominantly in central and eastern regions. This is a shy and wary species, unlike the closely related White Stork. It is seen in...
(Ciconia Nigra), Egyptian vultureEgyptian VultureThe Egyptian Vulture is a small Old World vulture, found widely distributed from southwestern Europe and northern Africa to southern Asia. It is the only living member of the genus Neophron. It has sometimes also been known as the White Scavenger Vulture or Pharaoh's Chicken...
(Neophron Perenopetrus), European Bee-eaterEuropean Bee-eaterThe European Bee-eater, Merops apiaster, is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It breeds in southern Europe and in parts of north Africa and western Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, India and Sri Lanka...
(Merops Apiaster), Sand martinSand MartinThe Sand Martin is a migratory passerine bird in the swallow family. It has a wide range in summer, embracing practically the whole of Europe and the Mediterranean countries, part of northern Asia and also North America. It winters in eastern and southern Africa, South America and South Asia...
(Riparia Riparia), White storkWhite StorkThe White Stork is a large bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. Its plumage is mainly white, with black on its wings. Adults have long red legs and long pointed red beaks, and measure on average from beak tip to end of tail, with a wingspan...
(Ciconia Ciconia), Common Wood-Pigeon (Columba Polumbus), Great spotted cuckooGreat Spotted CuckooThe Great Spotted Cuckoo is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals....
(Clamator Glandarius), Barn owlBarn OwlThe Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
(Tyto Alba), and the Syrian woodpeckerSyrian WoodpeckerThe Syrian Woodpecker is a member of the woodpecker family, the Picidae.-Distribution and habitat:The woodpecker is a resident breeding bird from southeastern Europe east to Iran. Its range has expanded further northwest into Europe in recent years...
(Dendrocopos syriacus) .
- Amphibians and Reptiles:There are 23 species recorded in Horsh Ehden, 4 Amphibians and 19 reptiles,1 species is globally threatened (Mediterranean chameleon, Chamaeleo Chamaeleon), 1 subspecies is unique, and 19 species are threatened in Lebanon. The species include: Lebanon Viper (Montivipera bornmuelleri), Palestinian viper (Vipera palaestinae), Green Whip Snake (Hierophis viridiflavus), Bridled MabuyaBridled MabuyaThe Bridled Mabuya or Bridled Skink is a species of skinks found in North Africa and Middle East. The length of those skinks is up to 22 cm.The binomial name of this species has seen multiple updates in early 2000...
(Trachylepis vittata), Schreiber's Fringe-fingered LizardSchreiber's Fringe-fingered LizardSchreiber's Fringe-fingered Lizard is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family.It is found in Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey.Its natural habitats are sandy shores, pastureland, and plantations ....
(Acanthodactylus schreiberi), Desert Black Snake (Walterinnesia aegyptia), Common ToadCommon ToadThe common toad or European toad is an amphibian widespread throughout Europe, with the exception of Iceland, Ireland and some Mediterranean islands...
(Bufo bufo).
Cultural heritage and Activities
- Best season to Visit:For hikers, autumn and spring are the most temperate and enjoyable seasons for outdoor walks. For visitors who love soaking up nature's many colors, October is the best month to enjoy autumnal colors, and April to May are the best months to see the reserve in bloom.
- Major recreational activities inside the reserve:Bird watching, hiking, and photography can be enjoyed throughout the year. The reserve has a camp offering outdoor educational activities for children during the week and for adults on the weekend. The precise activities depend on the season and vary from year-to-year.
- Archaeological sites:There are no archaeological siteArchaeological siteAn archaeological site is a place in which evidence of past activity is preserved , and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology and represents a part of the archaeological record.Beyond this, the definition and geographical extent of a 'site' can vary widely,...
s inside the reserve. However, in the village of EhdenEhdenEhden is a mountainous town situated in the heart of the northern mountains of Lebanon and on the southwestern slopes of Mount Makmal and Kornet el Sawda, the highest peak in Lebanon...
, the visitor can visit some historical churches and monasteries, as well as the old souk (market place) in the historic part of the city. For example, the Church of St. Mamas (Mar Memas) is considered to be the first Maronite church constructed with stones in LebanonLebanonLebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. - Major activities nearby the reserve:Visitors may want to spend the night in Ehden or one of the other villages near the reserve. For a panoramic view of north Lebanon, visitors can visit the Cathedral of the Lady of the Citadel (Saydet Al-Hosn), a modern church built in the shape of a star and located on a summit. Visitors will also not want to miss Al-Midan, Ehden’s historic souk characterized by traditional Lebanese architecture and filled with cafés, patisseries, and restaurants.
See also
- Al Shouf Cedar Nature ReserveAl Shouf Cedar Nature ReserveAl Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in the Chouf District of Lebanon. It is located on the slopes of Barouk mountain and has an area of 550 km², nearly 5.3% of the Lebanese territory....
- Aammiq WetlandAammiq WetlandThe Aammiq Wetland is the largest remaining freshwater wetland in Lebanon, a remnant of much more extensive marshes and lakes that once existed in the Bekaa Valley...
- Palm Islands Nature ReservePalm Islands Nature ReserveThe Palm Islands Nature Reserve consists of three flat, rocky islands of eroded limestone and the surrounding sea area, located offshore and northwest of Tripoli, Lebanon....