The Economic Value of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve Lebanon. EDILE project regional exchange session - January 29, 2015

Transcription

1 The Economic Value of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve Lebanon EDILE project regional exchange session - January 29, 2015

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4 Established in ,000 hectares of surface, which make SBR on of the largest protected areas in the Middle East and the East Mediterranean (covers 5% of the Lebanese territory) Designated as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in 2005 SBR is managed by MOE / Local committee / Management team

5 Environmental Highlights Some of the highest mountains in the Middle East, providing a full wealth of environmental services including wild genes pool, freshwater storage, climate mitigation, hydrogeologic balance, and aesthetic/leisure value. Interesting wildlife, 31 species of mammals, with a good potential for restoration through the reintroduction of charismatic species such as Ibex, Gazelle, Vultures, etc. A crossroads for bird migration, strategically located on the routes between Europe, Africa, and West Asia.

6 620 hectares of Cedar forest - the largest expanse of this species in Lebanon and 30% of the remaining cedar forests in the country. The Reserve is the globally southern limit of Lebanon Cedar 520 species of plants, 25 internationally and nationally threatened species, and 48 plants endemic to Lebanon 270 bird species recorded in the Biosphere Reserve, many of which are recorded from the Ammiq wetland.

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15 Challenges The Shouf Biosphere Reserve is the largest in Lebanon and hosts inhabitants in its development zone. Suffering from the low employment opportunities The managing body of the Reserve wants the local populations to play an effective role in the reserve management

16 Management Plan Vision A world class Biosphere Reserve where natural and cultural heritage are conserved, resources are treated as wealth, investment receives due care, and development is controlled by citizens, businesses, and the managing authority.

17 Objectives 1. Taking Care of the Capital 2. Empowering the Management Body 3. Supporting the Shareholders 4. Putting the SBR on the Global Map local communities, management body, scientists, researchers, NGOs, educational and cultural groups, local business people and other stakeholders

18 Ecosystem Services Ecosystem Services are the benefits people derive from ecosystems (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2001). Those include 1- Provisioning services such as food, water, wood, plants and other raw materials; 2- Regulating services such as flood control; 3- Supporting services such as prevention of soil erosion, pollination of crops and water purification; 4- Cultural services such as tourism, recreational and cultural benefits.

19 Based on a review of available data, quick surveys, and discussions with the reserve management team and concerned stakholders, the study focuses on five ecosystems services Not calculated

20 1. Carbon The SBR acts as a carbon sink, sequestering atmospheric CO2. It also generates a substantial quantity of wood and other organic products from forest management and agriculture that can be used as briquettes. The reserve also offers an unlimited supply of native seeds that support several commercial plant nurseries. Total value of Carbon Services: $1.1 million - $1.9 million / year Carbon Description Value in US$ Carbon sequestration Social Cost of CO2-e = $37/MT $860,000 Biomass production Seed production (commercial nurseries) Annual briquette production potential (Years $ 0.2 / briquette Contribution of SBR seeds to two commercial plant nurseries in the region $200,000 - $1,000,000 $50,000

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22 2. Water Services The SBR is a water tower that benefits at least 50 villages, hundreds of commercial facilities and at least 4 commercial water bottling plants. The reserve gives rise to 3 perennial rivers and about 231 springs. Environmental flows support downstream ecosystems services and functions including the 100ha Ammiq Wetland. Total value of Water Services: $13.7 million 17.5 million Provision of Water Description Value in US$ Grid water (western district) 75,000 subscribers at $150/year $8,437,500 - $11,250,000 Grid water (eastern district) 6,980 subscribers at $150/year $785,250 - $1,047,000 Bottled water Gross revenue from two bottling plants $2,640,000 - $3,360,000 Value of wetland Eco. value of some of the world s wetlands $600,000 Hydropower MWhr generation at $0.08/Kwh $1,300,000

23 and 1 Ramsar Site of International Importance The SBR supports 3 rivers..as well as 4 water bottling plants and 10 man-made hill lakes

24 3. Food Services The SBR provides 1000s of hectares of rangeland that play an important role in the provision of feed to animals (12,500 heads). The reserve also supports the production and marketing of branded products (prepared by local women in communal workshops), as well as increased honey production by providing cleaner pastures (no pesticides and limited grazing). Total value of Food Services: $1,180,000 / year Provision of Food Description Value in US$ Rangelands 12,500 goats in SBR and 60% of revenues at $800/goat $600,000 Wild harvesting Qualitative assessment Not Estimated Rural products Annual sale of branded SBR products ( ) $130,000 Incremental honey production 3000 registered beehives in SBR; 5kg incremental production per beehive at $30/kg $450,000

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26 4. Tourism The SBR has become a preferred destination for rural tourism. Visitors (about 60,000-70,000 per year) are benefiting from improved services and facilities most of which was made possible through donations and grants (about $2.2 million in 10 years). Conventional restaurants and hotels have also reported increased visitor numbers thanks to the reserve. Total value of Tourism: $712,500 / Year Tourism Description Value in US$ Entrance fees Visitor numbers at 4 entrances ( ) $186,000 Lodging services (B&B) Revenues from lodging in SBR ( ) $79,000 Conventional restaurants Incremental revenues due to the SBR $247,500 Tawlet Ammiq (eco-restaurant) Gross revenues in 2013 $200,000

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28 5. Cultural Services The patrimonial value of the iconic cedar tree is priceless. Books and tales have been written about this species and its presence in Lebanon (Memoirs of a Cedar: A history of deforestation A future of conservation). The appeal of the SBR has triggered several programs including the Cedar Loan to support SMEs and the Adopt A Cedar Tree Program. Total value of Cultural Services: Priceless (not estimated)

29 Summary of SBR Economic Value Ecosystem service Value ($/year) Carbon: C sequestration $860,000 Seed collection for nurseries $50,000 Biomass provision $200,000- $1,000,000 Water provision: Grid water (Barouk and Safa) $8,437,500 - $11,250,000 Grid water (eastern district) $785,250 - $1,047,000 Water bottling industry $2,640,000 - $3,360,000 Ecological benefits of Ammiq wetland $600,000 Hydropower $1,300,000 Food provision: Rangelands for animal production $600,000 Rural products (SBR label) $130,000 Incremental honey production $450,000 Tourism: Tourism entrance fees $186,000 Guesthouse accommodation $79,000 Conventional restaurants $247,500 Tawlet Ammiq (Eco-restaurant) $200, million dollars Cultural services: Priceless Total $16,765,250 - $21,359,500

30 Limitations of the Study The economic value of the SBR presented in this report is a small fraction of the total economic value of the reserve if all the ecosystem services and functions could be quantified. The analysis has the following limitations: 1. Some data are incomplete or not obtainable. 2. Several services and functions could not be monetized (climate change regulator, flood defense) for lack of data or credible proxy indicators. 3. The assessment may contain some double-counting (Carbon emission from briquettes may reduce the Carbon sequestration potential of the reserve) 4. Establishing causality between the service and the SBR (attribution). How much of the value of a service can one attribute to the presence of the SBR? The findings presented in this study should be regarded as a subset of the overall value of the SBR. Future studies and additional resources should be dedicated to refining the estimation of the economic value of the SBR.

31 Total Value What you can describe in monetary terms What you can capture in rents SBR core management : $ US 1 million Value : $ US 19 millions! 1$ = 19 $ Source: New Economics Foundation adapted from TEEB The SBR is priceless nature is priceless life is priceless and many of the values that are related to it cannot be described in monetary terms

32 Thank you for your attention and feedback!

33 Partners Federparchi and Abruzzo National Park Dana Biosphere Reserve

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