Ecologia Mediterranea

Methods
Species richness
The field survey relied on stratified sampling,
using permanent quadrats (Anderson et al.
1979; De Angelis & Gross 1992; Kent &
Coker 1992; Bucland et al. 2001). The locations
of the 20 x 20 meters quadrats were
defined by taking into account altitude ranges,
topography, exposure, dominance of tree
species, and the different vegetation zones.
The designated permanent quadrats in the six
regions of Jayroun, Qemmamine, Hrar, Michmich
and Qammoua (12 quadrats) and in Sir
region (30 quadrats) were visited at onemonth
intervals, during the four seasons from
May 2006 to May 2007. In the Sir region,
quadrats of 1 × 1-m 2 and 2 × 2-m 2 were sampled
in order to cover plant species in the
alpine life zones. The survey forms were
designed to gather data on the abiotic and
biotic parameters, plant names, botanical
characteristics, plant density, using the Domin
Scale of vegetation cover and plant distribution
patterns (patchy, uniformed/mixed, pure
stands). Species richness was measured by
calculating alpha, beta, and gamma diversity
(Mc Cune & Grace 2002). The plants were
identified in the Post Herbarium at the American
University of Beirut (AUB), using local
and regional flora (Post & Dinsmore 1963;
Feinburn-Dothan 1978; Greuter et al. 1986;
Mouterde 1966). Jaccard’s similarity indices
were calculated to highlight the importance of
species richness in the different sub-regions
of the study area and to maximize the number
of species represented by the defined
quadrats (Ferrier 2002).
ecologia mediterranea – Vol. 38 (2) – 2012
Towards the establishment of a natural park in Eastern Mediterranean forests in Mount Makmel:
Botanical assessment and communities participation practices
Forest structure and composition
The quadrats were designated following a
random stratified sampling in parallel transects.
The latter covered the different altitude
ranges and vegetation types. The establishment
of these quadrats relied on the accessibility
of the different sites in the study area.
Data on physical and biotic characteristics
was gathered in 20 × 20 meters quadrats
(Kent & Coker 1992). The total number of
quadrats sampled was 33. The difference in
the number of quadrats within the studied
region depended on its surface area, difference
in site physiography, slope exposure, and
vegetation composition. The 400-m 2 quadrat
was divided into four quadrants where data on
associated species was recorded. The survey
form was designed to collect data on disturbance
factors, diameter of trees at breast
height, their basal area, height, shape and status,
and the composition of vegetation communities
(Hart 1998; Hunter 1999).
Vegetation map
The production of the maps was based on 2.5meter
pixel size aerial photographs (Satellite
Image IKONOS 2006), land cover, topography,
and mother rock maps (Dubertret 1955;
CDR 2004). The three layers were overlaid on
top of the provided satellite image as auxiliary
information and information layers on
forest map of 1:50,000 and the derived forest
geographical database of 1:20,000 (MOA
2004). The development of the vegetation
map considered forest composition and densities,
and plant communities, which were reclassified
into different vegetation series. The
Table 1 – Permanent and non-permanent quadrats characteristics for biodiversity assessment.
Region Altitude Longitude Latitude Anthropogenic Land Permanent Non-
Ranges Ranges Ranges Activities Cover/Land Quadrat permanent
(m) Use Quadrat
Jayroun 450 34o 26’ 31.1 36 05 57.9 Grazing Garrigue 1 1
625 34o 26’ 45.6 36 07 27.9 Lumbering
NTFPs collection
Shrubland
Qemmamine 900 34o 25’ 06.6 36 07 31.3 Grazing Dense forest 2 4
1000 34o 26’ 03.8 36 08 19.7 NTFPs collection Garrigue
Hrar 550 34o 25’ 09.4 36 07 28.7 Grazing Open forest 2 4
1000 34o 26’ 38.5 36 09 30.0 Dense
Forest/Garrigue
Qabait 450 34o 26’ 42 36 06 08.5 Grazing Garrigue 1 1
550 34o 26’ 45.6 36 06 13.3 NTFPs collection
Michmich 1500 34o 25’ 28.5 36 10 18.4 Grazing Open forest 3 6
1630 34o 26’ 33.5 36 12 05.0 Abandoned
agricultural lands
Qammoua 1350 34o 27’ 09.1 36 12 25.3 Grazing/Lumbering Open forest 3 17
1825 34o 29’ 7.9 36 15 09.8 NTFP collection Recreation Dense forest
85