Countries

Forests and the forestry sector

Resources
Forests occupy an area of about 461 000 ha (2.5 percent of the country¿s area) of which 229 000 ha are human-made forests. The productive forest is only about 60 000 ha. The remainder has gradually become degraded, mainly because of overgrazing, forest fires, illegal overcutting for fuelwood and charcoal production, encroachment from agriculture and technical difficulties in forest regeneration because of climatic and ecological conditions.

The major woodland resources of the country are found in the northwestern Governorate of Lattakia and are situated mainly on the foothills of the Alaouite Mountains. There are extensive areas of maquis, predominantly oak (Quercus calliprinos). Quercus aegylops and Quercus pseudocerris form good dense stands on middle altitudes with high rainfall, while Cilician fir (Abies cilicica) and Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) stands are still present in small residual forests above 1 000 m altitude. Pure stands of the pine Pinus brutia cover areas at lower altitudes. As a result of frequent forest fires, most of these forests are in very young age classes.

Syria has a modest network of protected areas (five at present, with three under discussion). State Forest Protection Zones provide the most substantive forest conservation measures.

The country has developed extensive programmes of afforestation and reforestation, but more active involvement of local communities is needed to make such programmes sustainable.

Products and trade
The country is a net importer of wood and wood products, producing 5 to 6 percent of its requirements. Incentives for private plantations could have potential to raise this percentage, but the country has no such policy. The value and benefits of forests and forest services are clearly perceived at the higher political level, as well as their role for environmental improvement and recreation. The protection of natural forests and afforestation of new areas are the main preoccupation of the forest service. For achieving these targets, 40 forest nurseries have been installed with a production capacity of 30 million seedlings per year. The afforested area averages about 24 000 ha per year. Most new plantations are located in areas of low rainfall, where they cover roadsides and hills on bare land and contribute ecological and aesthetic value.

Last updated: 2002