Conservation Status of Crop Wild Relatives in Lebanon’s Protected Areas: Eco-botanical Surveys for Baseline Data on Lathyrus

Lebanon, situated within the biodiversity-rich Mediterranean Basin, hosts a remarkable diversity of Crop Wild Relatives (CWR), including several species of the genus Lathyrus. These taxa represent valuable genetic resources for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, yet they remain under increasing pressure from habitat degradation, overgrazing, and climate change. This study presents a comprehensive eco-geographical survey of Lathyrus species across eight Lebanese protected areas, integrating field-based transect and quadrat sampling with ecological metrics, GIS-based spatial analysis, and morphological characterization. A total of 75 georeferenced occurrences representing 11 taxa were documented across 41 transects, revealing heterogeneous distribution patterns influenced by altitude, slope orientation, and anthropogenic disturbance. Richness and frequency mapping highlighted the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) as a high-priority conservation area, while smaller reserves provided complementary habitats that enhance overall diversity. Several rare and previously overlooked taxa were recorded, and ambiguous accessions from earlier missions were clarified through morphological and ecological assessment. The findings provide essential baseline data for in situ conservation planning and support the designation of genetic reserves and long-term monitoring plots. A structured monitoring framework is proposed to track population dynamics and extend coverage to underrepresented taxa, thereby contributing to the preservation of Lebanon’s agrobiodiversity and strengthening regional conservation strategies.