A groundbreaking botanical survey in Mount Hermon’s Bekaa side, conducted by researchers from Lebanese University, Beirut Arab University, ICARDA, and independent experts, has mapped the distribution of wild relatives of cereals and legumes. The study, which aimed to assess and document these vital genetic resources, highlights the importance of prioritizing conservation efforts in a region facing increasing environmental threats.
Mount Hermon, a biodiversity hotspot at the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, is home to an extensive variety of wild flora, including 46 species of crop wild relatives (CWR) from the Fabaceae and Poaceae families. These plants are crucial genetic resources for global agriculture, offering resilience against climate change, diseases, and environmental stressors. However, habitat fragmentation, overgrazing, and urban expansion threaten their survival.
Why Wild Relatives of Crops Matter
Crop wild relatives are essential for breeding programs, as they possess unique traits that can improve cultivated crops’ resistance to pests, diseases, and extreme weather. Species such as Aegilops (a relative of wheat), Avena sterilis (wild oat), and Trifolium (clovers) are invaluable genetic reservoirs for agricultural development. Despite their significance, these plants are often overlooked in conservation initiatives, making studies like this vital in bridging knowledge gaps and guiding future preservation efforts.
The wild relatives of our staple crops hold the key to food security. They provide genes that can help crops adapt to harsh conditions, ensuring sustainable agricultural production for future generations.
Surveying and Mapping: A First-of-Its-Kind Study
The researchers conducted an extensive botanical survey between April and June 2021, covering 17 sites across Mount Hermon. Using systematic transect and quadrate sampling methods, they recorded and georeferenced 854 occurrences of CWR species. These were then mapped using the DIVA-GIS program, revealing important insights into the region’s plant diversity.
Among the surveyed areas, three locations—Al Fakiaa, Sham El Hafour, and Ain Ata-al Berke—showed the highest levels of biodiversity. These sites, which host 87% of the recorded CWR species, have been identified as prime candidates for conservation efforts. The Shannon diversity index, a measure of species richness, ranged between 2.45 and 2.83 in these regions, indicating significant ecological importance.
The Threats Facing Mount Hermon’s Wild Flora
Despite its ecological richness, Mount Hermon’s flora faces severe challenges. The study identifies habitat degradation caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, overgrazing, climate change, and urban encroachment as key threats to CWR species. Without immediate conservation efforts, Lebanon risks losing a crucial genetic reservoir that could be instrumental in addressing future agricultural crises.
Increasing awareness and implementing conservation strategies are urgent. If we don’t act now, we risk losing invaluable genetic resources that could secure global food supplies.
Conservation Strategies: The Road Ahead
To mitigate these threats, the researchers propose a dual conservation approach:
- In Situ Conservation: Protecting CWR species within their natural habitats by establishing conservation reserves in high-richness areas like Sham El Hafour and Al Fakiaa.
- Ex Situ Conservation: Collecting and preserving genetic material in seed banks, such as the ICARDA genebank, to safeguard biodiversity and support future crop improvement programs.
Furthermore, integrating local communities into conservation initiatives is crucial. Many of these wild plants are traditionally used by local populations for food, medicine, and grazing, making community engagement essential in preserving them.
A Call for National and International Support
Lebanon’s recent declaration of Mount Hermon as a nature reserve provides a unique opportunity to integrate CWR conservation into national environmental policies. The researchers urge policymakers, conservationists, and agricultural institutions to collaborate in implementing targeted conservation strategies.
Protecting Mount Hermon’s wild relatives should be a national priority. These plants are not just part of Lebanon’s heritage; they are essential to the future of global agriculture.
With climate change intensifying and food security becoming a growing concern worldwide, the role of wild crop relatives has never been more critical. By prioritizing their conservation today, Lebanon can contribute to a more resilient agricultural future while preserving its rich biodiversity for generations to come.
Source: Sayde, E., Chalak, L., Baydoun, S.,Shehadeh, A., El Zein, H., Al Beyrouthy, J., & Yazbek, M.(2024). Surveying and mapping cereals and legumes wildrelatives in Mount Hermon (Bekaa, Lebanon). Ecology andEvolution, 14, e10943. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10943
