Horsh Ehden

Situated on the upper north western slopes of Mount Lebanon, ranging in altitude from 1200 m to 2000, Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve covers more than 1700 ha and is considered as a very important part of the country for its unique biodiversity.

Extending over 3 bio-geographic zones, the forest assembles different species of mammals, birds and plants of which some are nationally rare and threatened such as the imperial eagle and wolf.

The amount of plant species recognized till now accounts for nearly 40% of plant species in Lebanon.

Nowadays, the Horsh Ehden Committee is according much more attention on the reserve for its particular importance:

• Outstanding example of Cedrus libani forest (diversity of age classes and species diversity)
• Outstanding ecological condition (minimum degradation and pollution…)
• Habitat of rare, national and threatened animal and plant species
• Potentially outstanding high quality visitor experience in a forest
• The forest is home to an approximate number of 1030 plant species of which 10 are endemic to the Reserve, 126 are globally and nationally threatened species, 115 are endemic to Lebanon or the neighboring countries, 78 have medicinal potential.
• The forest harbors 39 trees species, is recognized to be the southernmost limit of the Cilician fir. HENR is the only protected area in Lebanon containing the last remaining forest community of the wild apple.
• More than 27 mammals species representing the third of the mammals in Lebanon.
• An impressive 168 bird species, all native species, were recorded in the Reserve.
• The forest is home to 69 breeding bird species, almost 18% of the breeding species of Lebanon. It is declared an IBA (Important Bird Area)  
• More than 23 species of amphibians and reptiles are recorded in the reserve.
• Over 300 fungi species which are critical to maintain a healthy forest ecosystem.

Thus, Horsh Ehden is an outstanding example of Lebanese and Mediterranean natural ecosystem especially for its diversity of Cedars and other native plant species.

Wealth in Trees

The cedar forest in Horsh Ehden represents 20% of the remaining cedar forests in Lebanon.

With other tree species such as acer, pine, wild plum and pear this forest protects the last remaining forest community of wild apples which are endemic to Lebanon.

It also forms the natural Southern limit of the fir tree (Abies cilicica)

Contacts:
Nature Reserve Office

Tel: 961 6 660248

Mob:961 70 60601

Fax: 961 6 666248

info@horshehden.org

http://www.horshehden.org/