Optimizing the production of goods and services by Mediterranean forests in a context of global changes

This project is funded by the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM), with the operational support of FAO and Plan Bleu and focuses on four main components:

Seeds-int is currently providing technical consultation and implementation support to two components of the project: component 2 “Evaluation of the economic and social value of goods and services provided by Mediterranean forest ecosystems” and component 3 “Development of participatory and territorial approaches for forest governance in Mediterranean forest ecosystems”  on the selected pilot site in Lebanon, the biosphere reserve of Jabal Moussa.

Component 2 aims at assessing the socio-economic value of goods and services provided by Lebanese forest ecosystems, in order to help stakeholders in the decision process, and to reinforce the actions taken toward sustainable management of forest ecosystems.

The 3rd component aims at encouraging the development of participatory management approaches across territories. It promotes at a local scale strategies to reduce pressures on these ecosystems, while ensuring the users that goods and services on which they depend, will be maintained in the long run. These participatory initiatives involve all stakeholders on the pilot site in the management of forested areas by encouraging and strengthening the dialogue and cooperation between forest users and the Association of Protection of Jabal Moussa (APJM) involved in the management of the site.

It is expected to provide a methodology for improving the governance at the level of the forest resources while engaging the stakeholders in the decision making process.