Jabal Moussa Mountain (24245)
Lebanon, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Jabal Moussa Mountain
Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.0308, Longitude: 35.7505
Elevation (m): 1100 to 1100
Area of KBA (km2): 219.53109
Protected area coverage (%): 0.12
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Jabal Moussa is situated on the western side of the Mount Lebanon range of mountains on the western side of Lebanon. The site is a mountain which extends westwards from the main Mount Lebanon chain along the southern edge of the Nahr Ibrahim (Adonis River), just to the west of Jabal Aalmat on the opposite side of the river.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mediterranean Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and global threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: This site is most important for soaring migratory birds, with extrapolated numbers exceeding the 20 000 threshold. White Storks are the most common in spring while birds of prey dominate autumn passage. Breeding birds locally include many of the common species which would be expected in this kind of habitat such as Chukar, Black Redstart, Rock Nuthatch, Great Tit and Eurasian Jay. The presence of 2 Blue Tits in all four seasons indicates that this species is a resident breeder here, which makes Jabal Moussa one of the most southerly sites for the species in Lebanon.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Broad-leaved woodland covers much of the mountain but there are large areas of more open scrubby habitat and also bare rocky slopes. On the lower slopes, particularly on the north side, above the river, there are terraces with arable agriculture and orchards
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Much of the mountain is now protected by a local NGO (The Association for the Protection of Jabal Moussa)—hunting, tree felling and quarrying are banned therefore. However, there is evidence of overgrazing/browsing, deliberate persecution of birds, hunting,quarries, tree felling and occasional wood cutting for charcoal production around the periphery of the protected area.