Pinus pinea L. forest, a very important but threatened ecosystem in the Lebanon

Pinus pinea L. is a specie of great interest and economical importance in the Lebanon since its management renders a variety of valuable products: nuts, wood, firewood, resins, etc. and therefore has a good and beneficial impact on the local communities and incomes especially from the edible nuts production and marketing. But the pine forest ecosystems in the country are mainly threatened by deforestation, over-grazing, urban development, road development, bad agricultural techniques, excessive use of chemical products, hunting and industrial development. And therefore, such degradation has a considerable negative impact on the environment as it increases soil erosion, induces losses of fauna and flora biodiversity, changes the microclimate and leads to desertification, etc.