“SALMA Project”: Forest and Rangelands Monitoring System and Forest Suitability Map Development in Lebanon

Project Done in October 2023

On February 2^nd 2023, an agreement was made between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the National Council for Scientific Research of Lebanon (CNRS-L) in order to contribute to enhancing the resilience of fragile forest ecosystems and vulnerable communities in forested mountain areas. This project delves into the establishment and operation of a Forest and Rangelands Monitoring System and Unit in Lebanon, while also shedding light on the development of a Forest Suitability Map. These initiatives represent a concerted effort by the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO to address environmental challenges and enhance the country’s natural resource management practices. Furthermore, this project explores the development of a Forest Suitability Map, which represents a forward-looking approach to sustainable forest management in Lebanon. The creation of this map involves the integration of geospatial data, ecological modeling, and expert knowledge to assess the suitability of different areas for reforestation, afforestation, or other conservation interventions. The resulting map not only aids in making informed decisions regarding forest restoration but also contributes to climate change mitigation and resilience building in the face of environmental challenges.

The initiatives discussed in this project represent Lebanon’s commitment to preserving and restoring its forests and rangelands, recognizing the vital role these ecosystems play in supporting biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem services, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. By implementing a robust monitoring system and leveraging cutting-edge technology to develop a Forest Suitability Map, Lebanon is poised to take significant strides toward achieving its conservation and sustainability goals, setting an example for effective natural resource management worldwide. An update of the existing Derived Forest Map (2005), using the latest results from Forest Resources Assessment (FRA), LULC Map, latest high-resolution satellite imagery was also done and a dashboard showing those changes was developed.