AUB - Plants and People - Plants and People

Programs - Plants and People

Biodiversity in Mediterranean and arid lands of the Middle East is intertwined with local culture and livelihoods. The conservation biology group of the Center conducts its scientific activities in a context where both nature and people are marginalized. The group constantly seeks trans-disciplinary approaches to identify and promote local conservation measures in parallel to scientific species and habitat assessments.

carob

Status and prospects for the conservation of remnant semi-natural carob Ceratonia siliqua L. populations in Lebanon

The project objective was to provide baseline information on the current status of remaining semi-natural carob Ceratonia siliqua populations in Lebanon. Assessment was made through an eco-geographic survey, a bio-climatic distribution study, and a genetic analysis.

Economic value of cedar relics in Lebanon: An application of contingent valuation method for conservation

An EU funded partnership [...] aim[s] to valuate Lebanese cedar forests by determining perceptual differences in the value of cedar forests between citizens and villagers, users and non-users and to identify sustainable sponsorship approaches as field based information for the conservation of the cedar forests.

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Perspectives for sustainable management of cedar forests in Lebanon: situation analysis and guidelines

An EU funded partnership with the objective of elucidating different management approaches and strategies of Lebanese cedar forests based on locality including the natural, cultural, social and economic aspects.

Morphological and genetic characterization of local olive (Olea europea L.) varieties in Lebanon

The objective of this project supported by EU allowed the sponsorship of a collaborative supervision of an MSc. student registered at AUB and who studied assessed the Lebanese olive germplasm using morphological and molecular characterization.

Assessing the Current Use And Significance Of Wild Edible Plants Traditionally Gathered in Lebanon: An Ethnobotanical Study

An ethnobotanical study was conducted in rural Lebanon between 2002 and 2004. Twenty-five key informants from fourteen towns and villages were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire, the objectives being to find out which wild edible plants are currently known and used and what these plants signify for the users.

Production, Postharvest and Economic Potentials of Origanum syriacum as New Crop in Lebanon

The potential of Origanum syriacum of becoming a new crop in Lebanon was investigated at the production, post harvest and economic levels. Three irrigation schemes were tested on growth parameters of cultivated oregano plants...

Evaluation of the Distribution of Orchid Species in Al-Shouf Biosphere and their In-Vitro Germination Potential

Ecogeographic surveys were conducted in the north-western part of the Al-Shouf biosphere to locate orchid species and shed light on their distribution. Data was collected based on belt transects that travered most of the study area and the presence of fourteen orchid species was recorded.

Survey and characterization of almond (Amygdalus spp.) germplasm in Lebanon

The objective of this project supported by IPGRI allowed the sponsorship of a collaborative supervision of an MSc. student registered at AUB and who studied the current distribution of almond species in Lebanon and characterize the almond germplasm focusing on both wild and cultivated habitats.

Germplasm characterization and climatic zoning for viticulture in Lebanon

Despite the importance of grapes as number one fruit commodity in Lebanon little research has been done at the national level. Best variety-climatic region combination, which is essential for the production of quality wines, has not been defined, nor has there been any classification of local varieties.

Characterization of local almond (Amygdalus communis) varieties in Lebanon

This IPGRI sponsored project supported the funding of a collaborative supervision of an MSc. student registered at AUB and who studied the genetic base of almond (Amygdalus communis) in Lebanon.

Survey and characterization of pistachio (Pistacia spp.) germplasm in Lebanon

This IPGRI sponsored research supported a collaborative supervision of an MSc. student registered at AUB and who studied pistachio germplasm in Lebanon. The study objectives were set to survey pistachio germplasm in Lebanon, assess the genetic diversity of Pistacia species...

Floristic assessment of selected communities along the Lebanese coastal zone

The outcome of this Darwin sponsored collaborative activity between the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the University of Reading and the American University of Beirut was an assessment of the floristic richness presently harbored in the Lebanese coastal zone...

Plant Distribution, Genetic Characterization and Horticultural Applications for the Conservation Management of Two Coastal Plant Species in Lebanon.

The objective of this project supported by the Darwin Initiative allowed the sponsorship of a collaborative supervision of an MSc. student registered at AUB and who studied two coastal plant species native to Lebanon, Pancratium maritimum and Vagaria parviflora.

Ibrahim River: a case study for investigating vegetation patterns and assessing riparian habitat

The objective of this project supported by the Darwin Initiative allowed the sponsorship of a collaborative supervision of an MSc. student registered at AUB and who studied the vegetation along the coastal stretch of Ibrahim River...

Evaluating methods for assigning conservation status of Lebanese plant species.

The objective of this project supported by the Darwin Initiative allowed the sponsorship of a collaborative supervision of an MSc. student registered at AUB and who evaluated conservation categories and their applicability in Lebanon.

Preliminary Market Assessment of Herbal Remedies in Lebanon

The objective of the study was to identify the major characteristics of the herbal market in Lebanon as for provide a basis for future studies. The applied methodology was an interviewed-based approach targeting major stakeholders from the public and private sector.

Effect of Provenance on Essential Oil Composition of two Native Lebanese Plants: Salvia triloba L. and Origanum ehrinbergii Boiss

The essential oils isolated from two native Lebanese plant species were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry GC-MS). Salvia triloba essential oil was found to contain...

Conservation of the Cedrus libani populations in Lebanon: history, current status and experimental application of somatic embryogenesis

The application of in vitro techniques such as somatic embryogenesis was initiated to assist in the conservation of this Cedrus libani species...

Insect Diversity Along the Lebanese Coast in selected Plant Communities.

This project supported by the Darwin Initiative allowed the sponsorship of a collaborative supervision of an MSc. student registered at AUB and who determined insect species richness and diversity in different plant communities along the Lebanese coast.

Propagation and conservation of Iris cedreti Dinsmore and Vinca libanotica Zucc

Investigation of two native species and their cultivation potentials revealed the following findings...

Assessing potential uses of wild fruit trees in Northern drylands of the Beqa'a

The objective of this project supported by UNDP allowed the sponsorship of an MSc. student registered at AUB and who conducted a study as part of a larger national project: Agrobiodiversity Project Area-Baalbek Casa.