Abstract:
Rangelands represent the most extensive land cover type of the earth’s land area. They
are natural ecosystems embracing genetic resources of microorganisms, animals and
plants. Worldwide, rangelands’ diverse ecosystems provide a wide diversity of services:
some can be traded within traditional market systems others have intangible values. Given
the unavailability and outdated policies in Lebanon toward the importance of these
services to sustain these ecosystems, rangeland management plans must be set to preserve
their services.
This study assesses the ecosystem services of rangelands in the chosen villages of the
West Bekaa, to propose management plans for the use of these services in a sustainable
way allied with regulations for a sustainable management of the rangeland.
This study was conducted in the West Bekaa, more specifically in the villages of Ammiq,
Khorbet Qanafar, Ain Zebde, Saghbine,Bab Mareh, Aitanit and Machghara.
Data was collected from the database of the Environment and Sustainable Development
Unit (ESDU) at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Information was retrieved on
livestock farming, history and current status in addition to uses, grazing routes and
adaptation strategies. Furthermore, data was retrieved from database on perceived
rangeland ecosystem services by people who forage edible plants as well as changes
occurring throughout time, any regulations enforced by the municipalities towards
grazing and rangeland managements.
A case-study on pasture management plan was implemented in the West Bekaa to
investigate the benefits it offers to the farmers and other stakeholders that were involved.
Results show that shepherds are shifting to sedentary farming systems following the
depletion of pastures and their farming cost is increasing making it hard to continue with
their activities in the absence of governmental support. Concerning people who forage,
their benefits from rangelands differ between the selling of products, household
consumption, foraging, hunting and woodcutting. Local authorities knowledge that
grazing is forbidden in the villages but is practiced illegally, therefore there is a need for
sustainable rangeland management plans accompanied with policies to enforce these
plans, some of which are recommended, with an assumption of improving ecosystem
services for pasture users.