Can the damage caused by anthropogenic activities on Urginea maritima in Bentael natural reserve be a signal of health problems?

Abstract

In the caza of “Byblos”, Lebanon, a new road has been constructed near the natural reserve of “Bentael”, threatening the fauna and the flora of the reserve. Among the 360 floral species, “Urginea maritima” has been declared rare by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)[1]. Concerns on the extinction of some species are getting serious. In order to elucidate the seriousness of these worries, “Urginea maritima” was chosen as a bio indicator to monitor the effects of this pollution on the reserve's flora. Ten parameters were studied: pH, total chlorophyll content, pheophytin, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, relative water content, proline, Air Pollution Tolerance Index, total carbohydrates content and hydrogen peroxides. Results show significant correlation between pollution load and the biochemical parameters analyzed from the different sites.