Current view: Text account
Site description (1994 baseline):
Site location and context
From the area of Majdal Shams, north to the Lebanese border. Much of the area is under Israeli military control, but a road to a ski resort allows easy access to 2,000 m and the rocky summit lies at 2,814 m. Woodland from 800 m to the treeline at 1,800-1,900 m is dominated by
Quercus calliprinos,
Q. cerris,
Colutea cilicica and
Spartium juneum, above this by a scrubland of
Phlomis chrysophylla,
Prunus ursina,
Astragalus hermoneus,
Acantholimon libanoticus and
Onobrychis species. There are orchards on the lower slopes.
See box for key species. Other breeding species include
Lullula arborea,
Eremophila alpestris,
Oenanthe oenanthe libanotica,
Sylvia hortensis,
Parus lugubris,
Sitta neumayer and
Emberiza caesia.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Sciurus anomalus (rare), Apodemus hermonensis (endemic). Reptiles: Cyrtodactylus amictopholis (endemic), Elaphe hohenackeri, Vipera bornmuelleri (I; endemic). Flora: Alcea dissecta.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
All the non-military area is treated as a Nature Reserve by Israel. Ski-lifts lead to heavy recreational activity and disturbance at the highest elevations in summer, and there is considerable military traffic. Overgrazing, tree-felling and diversion of water are potential threats.
Data-sheet compiled by S. Blitzblau, reviewed by R. Frumkin.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mount Hermon (Syria). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mount-hermon-iba-syria on 23/11/2024.
