AFFORESTATION STRATEGIES IN SEMI-ARID MEDITERRANEAN ECOSYSTEMS: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FROM CHMISTAR, LEBANON

Authors

• Ahmad Saker, Faculty of Sciemce, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LebanonFollow
• Mohammad Saleh, Faculty of Sciemce, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LebanonFollow
• Wael Mostafa, Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC), LebanonFollow
• Safaa Baydoun, Research Center for Environment and Development, Bekaa, Beirut Arab UniversityFollow
• Jamilah Borjac, Faculty of Sciemce, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LebanonFollow
• Dalia El-Badan, Faculty of Sciemce, Beirut Arab University, Tripoli, LebanonFollow

Keywords

Afforestation, Competitive vegetation, Environmental conservation, Pit-digging methods, Seedling survival

Disciplines

Botany | Desert Ecology | Other Plant Sciences | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology

Abstract

The success rate of broadleaf tree growth in semi-arid Mediterranean environments is reduced in afforestation operations constrained by water scarcity, shallow soil depth, and intense competition from herbaceous vegetation. This study, conducted between 2022 and 2024 in Chmistar, East Lebanon, using a completely randomized block design, aimed to evaluate the impact of three planting broadleaf trees techniques (traditional digging pits , hoedad tools, and auger digging) and four effective vegetation control (herbicide application, mowing,  mulching, and no control) on the early growth of three native broadleaf tree species (Pistacia palaestina, Quercus calliprinos, and Quercus infectoria ).

The results showed that the planting method had the least impact on growth compared to mulching, with mulching consistently achieving the highest seedling survival rate and growth. In contrast, tree Mowing and untreated control pieces showed poor performance. It was also measured by the annual rate of seedling survival, growth parameters (height in centimeters), and root collar diameter (mm). Although some planting methods proved effective when combined with mulching, their effectiveness was highly site-dependent. Across all species, both Quercus species varieties exhibited slower growth, lower survival rates, and less stable growth over the years, along with greater sensitivity to early water stress. In contrast, the Pistacia palaestina trees demonstrated the highest resilience, maintaining higher survival rates and more stable growth over the years.

Overall, the results stand out in semi-arid Mediterranean environments, and underscore the importance of species selection and site-adapted planting strategies for successful afforestation, as well as the importance of mulching as a key intervention to improve early establishment of broadleaf trees.

Author ORCID Identifier

Safaa Baydoun www.orcid.org/0000-0003-1820-4995

Jamilah Borjac www.orcid.org/0000-0002-7722-5617

Dalia El-Badan www.orcid.org/0000-0002-1043-6954

Recommended Citation

Saker, Ahmad; Saleh, Mohammad; Mostafa, Wael; Baydoun, Safaa; Borjac, Jamilah; and El-Badan, Dalia (2026) "AFFORESTATION STRATEGIES IN SEMI-ARID MEDITERRANEAN ECOSYSTEMS: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FROM CHMISTAR, LEBANON," BAU Journal - Science and Technology: Vol. 7: Iss. 2, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54729/2959-331X.1184

ISSN

2959-331X