Cedar trees used by King Solomon threatened by climate change
Cedars are closely associated to Lebanon,
with the tree even serving as the country's
national emblem. The relationship between
the country and the cedar is even
documented in Scripture.
The phrase "Cedars of Lebanon" is used
quite often in the Bible and the trees were
famously used by King Solomon for the
purpose of constructing his temple.
The cedar of Lebanon is also mentioned in
Psalms.
One particular passage from Psalm 92:
12-15 reads: "The righteous will flourish
like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar
of Lebanon; planted in the house of the
Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our
God. They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming,
'The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and
there is no wickedness in him.'"
These cedar trees, however, may become
harder and harder to find in the future.
A report earlier this month from The New
York Times cited a 2010 study and Lebanese
specialists who said that climate change is
posing a great threat to the cedar trees of
Lebanon.
"Climate change is a fact here. There is less
rain, higher temperatures, and more
extreme temperatures," Nizar Hani, the
Shouf Biosphere Reserve's director, told the
publication.
Cedar trees need moisture and cool
temperatures to grow strong and thrive for
decades, and increasingly, areas that
provide those are becoming harder to come
by in Lebanon.
The New York Times' Beirut chief, Anne
Barnard, noted that the cedars' "ecological
comfort zone" is steadily moving up to
higher altitudes, among the mountains.
Scholars also told her that if the climate in
the country continues to climb at the rate it
is expected to over the coming years, the
n
by the year 2100, the cedar trees may only
be able to live comfortably in the northern
tip of Lebanon.
However, northern Lebanon is still no safe
haven for the cedars due to the insects.
Previously, insects infecting cedar trees to
such a degree as they are doing now were
rare occurrences, but the sawfly is now
emerging earlier due to the earlier
snowmelt and eating new cedar shoots.
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Some people in the country are now
working to make sure that cedar trees
remain abundant.
Scientists are investigating the trees to see
how the changing climates have affected
them, and Dr. Youssef Tawk, a medical
doctor and conservationist, is working with
his colleagues to help restore forests.
with the tree even serving as the country's
national emblem. The relationship between
the country and the cedar is even
documented in Scripture.
The phrase "Cedars of Lebanon" is used
quite often in the Bible and the trees were
famously used by King Solomon for the
purpose of constructing his temple.
The cedar of Lebanon is also mentioned in
Psalms.
One particular passage from Psalm 92:
12-15 reads: "The righteous will flourish
like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar
of Lebanon; planted in the house of the
Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our
God. They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming,
'The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and
there is no wickedness in him.'"
These cedar trees, however, may become
harder and harder to find in the future.
A report earlier this month from The New
York Times cited a 2010 study and Lebanese
specialists who said that climate change is
posing a great threat to the cedar trees of
Lebanon.
"Climate change is a fact here. There is less
rain, higher temperatures, and more
extreme temperatures," Nizar Hani, the
Shouf Biosphere Reserve's director, told the
publication.
Cedar trees need moisture and cool
temperatures to grow strong and thrive for
decades, and increasingly, areas that
provide those are becoming harder to come
by in Lebanon.
The New York Times' Beirut chief, Anne
Barnard, noted that the cedars' "ecological
comfort zone" is steadily moving up to
higher altitudes, among the mountains.
Scholars also told her that if the climate in
the country continues to climb at the rate it
is expected to over the coming years, the
by the year 2100, the cedar trees may only
be able to live comfortably in the northern
tip of Lebanon.
However, northern Lebanon is still no safe
haven for the cedars due to the insects.
Previously, insects infecting cedar trees to
such a degree as they are doing now were
rare occurrences, but the sawfly is now
emerging earlier due to the earlier
snowmelt and eating new cedar shoots.
ADVERTISEMENT
Some people in the country are now
working to make sure that cedar trees
remain abundant.
Scientists are investigating the trees to see
how the changing climates have affected
them, and Dr. Youssef Tawk, a medical
doctor and conservationist, is working with
his colleagues to help restore forests.
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