Talal Darwish

National Council for Scientific Research, Lebanon | CNRS · center for remote sensing

In this study the aim was to evaluate alternative crops able to tolerate thefuture rise in salinity, likely to occur in the East Mediterranean coastal areas. For this, two genotypes of pearl millet (Tall and IP13) were submitted to saline conditions (4, 8, 12 dS.m-1 and 2 dS.m-1 as control) in a field trial. Water consumption using neutron probe te...

The implementation of organic amendments, such as biochar and compost, can be an effective and innovative environmental friendly option for the recovery of functionality of soils contaminated by potentially toxic elements (PTE). The aim of this study was therefore to assess the influence of a biochar added at 3% w/w (Bio) and its combination with a...

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of major food crops grown worldwide and in Lebanon. The response of field grown potato to 0, 200, 300 kg of potassium (K) ha⁻¹ was examined under deficit irrigation (imposed water stress). Trials were conducted under Near East-North Africa (NENA) pedo-climatic conditions found in the semiarid central Bekaa of Le...

Given the absence of soil loss indicators within the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) framework, this study integrates land cover suitability, soil erosion and sediment transport as complementary Mediterranean-tailored indicators. The 309 km2 Lebanese Nahr Ibrahim basin was chosen for this purpose. Land cover suitability was determined by combinin...

In the Mediterranean region, agricultural soils are seriously polluted with toxic trace elements (TEs) which could enter the food chain via the soil-plant trophic chain. For food safety reasons, the monitoring of TE concentrations in these agricultural soils is thus imperative. The most powerful monitoring method for TE measurements is based on per...

This study aims to implement the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) concept on a test site: the 309 km 2 Nahr Ibrahim watershed Lebanon, by integrating soil erosion as an LDN indicator given its status as a land degradation driver and common concern of the Mediterranean region. Land degradation was mapped, and erosion risk maps were also established...

Although Lebanon has the highest mean annual rainfall of all Middle Eastern countries, it is affected by water stress, negatively impacting agricultural food production, energy generation, and public health. The Bekaa Plain, where the Litani River Basin (LRB) is located, suffers serious water quality and quantity problems, which threaten agricultur...

This study aims to propose a framework for assessing climate change in Mediterranean data-sparse contexts. For that purpose, the 309-km 2 Lebanese Nahr Ibrahim watershed, extending over 3% of Lebanon's surface, was chosen as a representative of the targeted settings. Generally, holistic climate change assessments encompass both climate trend analys...

Darwish, T. M., Hamze, M., & Nsouli, B. (2021). Quaternary Agricultural Soils of Lebanon-East Mediterranean. Lebanese Science Journal, 22(2), 185-208. Soil contamination by trace elements (TE) causes health and environmental risks. This work focused on arable lands of Central Bekaa of Lebanon, East Mediterranean. The spatial distribution of TEs in...

Food security and water security in the Mediterranean are intrinsically linked and are facing similar challenges. Food security is threatened mainly by the high dependency of Mediterranean countries on food imports, making them vulnerable to external pressures such as volatile food prices. From a nutritional standpoint, the number of overweight and...

Le projet « CEDRE Nahr Ibrahim » a été initié pour combler une lacune scientifique concernant les paysages emblématiques du Liban, les territoires de la montagne libanaise n’ayant jamais fait l’objet d’une étude de l’évolution des sociétés en relation avec le milieu physique sur le temps long. Cette entreprise innovante n’est cependant pas une créa...

Lebanon, a Middle Eastern country with an area of about 10,400 km2, is known for its plentiful water resources. The precipitation rate averages about 900 mm, thus 15 rivers exist and more than 2,000 major springs, in addition to a number of potential groundwater reservoirs. However, the country faces several challenges resulting from water stress t...

The unique landscape, where wetlands are located, needs to be monitored and reserved, since their continuity depends on the balanced input-output water system. The hydrologic setting of wetlands is always creating unique ecosystems for flora (e.g., pollens, etc.) and fauna (e.g., migratory birds, etc.). In Lebanon, wetlands are well pronounced, and...

The promotion of optimum rotations and agricultural management of winter wheat-based cropping systems is very critical, as wheat is considered an essential component in the Mediterranean diet. Considering the delicate economic situation of farmers in the Mediterranean area, recommending a low risk, sustainable farming system is desirable. In this s...

Organic based amendments can be used to reduce metal(loid)s mobility in polluted soils and alleviate possible toxicity phenomena towards soil microbiota. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) on the mobility of metal(loid)s in different contaminated soils and to determine the...

This study aims at investigating several dynamical parameters of the monthly variability of eight streamflow time series, recorded at different stations along the major courses and springs of the Litani River (Lebanon). The contribution of the annual periodicity to the total variance of the series depends on the geomorphological characteristics of...

The ability of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Sentinel-1 data to detect the main wheat phenological phases was investigated in the Bekaa plain of Lebanon. Accordingly, the temporal variation of Sentinel-1 (S1) signal was analyzed as a function of the phenological phases’ dates observed in situ (germination; heading and soft dough), and harvesting....

A detailed comparative chapter for assessment of soil erosion patterns by erosion modelling under two different contexts with characteristic land occupation patterns. In addition to erosion assessment, the chapter further discusses the use of the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) concept for counter-erosion measures in the Nahr Ibrahim basin, and t...

This study aims to implement LDN through a simple data requirement methodology obtained by a compilation of several existing methods on two different settings in Lebanon: the agricultural Awali watershed and the Nahr Ibrahim watershed characterized by the typical unequal Mediterranean watershed land occupation distribution. By implementation of LDN...

The Land Degradation Neutrality concept (LDN) has undoubtedly transformed the notion of land degradation and its treatment measures, and has emerged as one of the most effective means for facing land degradation thereby accelerating the implementation of the UN 2030 SDGs. However, the need to shift LDN from its theoretical to its operational aspect...

2) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO The agriculture sector, main source of livelihood for most of the rural population and an important source of income, is one of the most affected sectors by natural hazards, especially hydro-meteorological ones. Lebanon's agricultural sectors have always been threatened by many hazards...

Soil erosion and land degradation (LD) have become some of the most preoccupying threats for most Mediter-ranean countries. Loss of prime soils and degradation of productive lands threatens food security and sustainable development in the region. In response to the UNCCD's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this study aims to implement Land D...

For the purpose of mapping land capability by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) criteria, this paper presents a validated model to map land capability at a scale of 1:20,000 using a digital elevation model and the available soil information for Hermel District (525.6 km²) in Lebanon. The model was validated through fieldwork and it ind...

Recognized by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) as a global developmental and environmentally threatening process, land degradation (LD) is initiated by natural factors but aggravated by unsustainable anthropogenic activities and absence of proper management plans. Therefore, in response to the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustai...

This report reveals Lebanon’s agricultural risk profile, each Governorate risk profile and agricultural subsectors risk profiles. These results were generated through a detailed procedure developed in the report. A thorough methodology was adapted to the Lebanese agriculture case. This methodology mainly consisted of: A review of relevant publicati...

My chapter is about the soils of Lebanon. It presents a historical overview of studies on the genesis, classification and mapping of the Lebanese soils and analyzes the aspects of soil degradation and soil management in the country for sustainable agriculture and livelihood.

ESRI Lebanon Best Map Award 2018 - An additional contribution to the pilot integration of the LDN concept to Lebanon using an established GIS model combining several methodologies for land degradation assessment and subsequent remedial measures through implementation of the LDN concept.

Over the past fifty years, soil studies in Lebanon focused primarily on soil genesis, classification and mapping. Earlier studies had reflected the old French soil classification of the red Mediterranean soils of Lebanon with major stress on reconnaissance soil mapping at 1:200000 scale. Studies in the sixties and seventies addressed soil genesis,...

The Near East North Africa (NENA) region spans over 14 % of the total surface of the Earth and hosts 10 % of its population. Soils of the NENA region are mostly highly vulnerable to degradation, and future food security will much depend on sustainable agricultural measures. Weather variability, drought and depleting vegetation are dominant causes o...

Global wheat production reached 754.8 million tons in 2017, according to the FAO database. While wheat is considered as a staple food for many populations across the globe, mapping wheat could be an effective tool to achieve the SDG2 sustainable development goal—End Hunger and Secure Food Security. In Lebanon, this crop is supported financially, an...

Analysis of the state of water-quality deterioration and land degradation in the Litani River Basin (LRB) and the governmental response is elaborated in this chapter. This is based on the projects and programs run in the basin starting from the mid-1990. Results of the assessment showed that the main sources of contamination in the basin imply a ch...

North East North Africa (NENA) region spans over 14 % of the total surface of the Earth and hosts 10 % of its population. Soils of the NENA region are mostly highly vulnerable to degradation, and food security will depend much on sustainable agricultural measures. Weather variability, drought and depleting vegetation are dominant causes of the decl...

This work presents a method for simultaneous proton induced gamma-ray emission analysis of fluorine, lithium, and sodium in “as received” geological reference materials. 1.7, 2.4 and 3.0 MeV proton energies were chosen for this study. The choice of the most appropriate incident energy was made after the study of the variation of the signal/backgrou...

Soil organic matter is a key soil component that plays a critical role in ecosystem functioning including soil productivity and resilience to erosion and drought. Most Arab countries are located in semi-arid and arid areas with dominance of drylands soils with poor organic matter content and soil quality. In line with the efforts of the FAO Global...

The objective of this experimental study was to determine the effect of agronomic practices usually implemented in olive groves (addition of olive mill waste and herbicides) on soil microbial communities and to test whether drought enhanced such effects. For that purpose, mesocosms containing soil cores from olive groves were incubated for 5 months...

This research examines how agricultural practices commonly used in Lebanese olive tree orchards (no-tillage, co-culture with Vicia sativa L. var. sativa and conventional tillage) affect soil microbial and chemical characteristics, and whether this depends on geographical context (coastal or inland areas). Four coastal and four inland sampling sites...

A “wetland” often occurs where there are considerable water resources, and there is a de"ned hydrologic regime that discriminates it from other water bodies. The unique landscape where wetlands are located needs to be monitored and preserved, since wetland continuity depends on a balanced input-output water system. The hydrologic setting of a wetla...

A trial on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) response to three doses of potassium (K) under deficit irrigation was conducted under dry sub-humid conditions in Bekaa plain, Lebanon, between 8 April 2015 and 31 July 2015. Grown on clay, neutral pH, Eutric Fluvisol, table potato crop (cv. Spunta) was fertilized at three levels of K: 120 (K 1), 240 (K 2) a...

Land surface evapotranspiration (ET) transfers large volumes of water from soil (evaporation) and vegetation (transpiration) to the atmosphere. Quantifying the consumption of water over large agriculture areas and within irrigated projects is important for water rights management, water resources planning, hydrologic water balances, and water regul...

September 15, 16, and 17 The World Bank 1818 H St NW, Washington, DC Evapotranspiration (ET) is the primary consumer of fresh water and is essential to understanding the hydrologic cycle and impacts of water diversion, storage, and use at local, regional, and global scales. The last several decades have witnessed substantial advances in our ability...

Le feu spontané, souvent provoqué par un orage, étant un élément naturellement présent dans tous les types de forêt, les espèces forestières y sont adaptées et ont la capacité de se régénérer plus ou moins rapidement après son passage. Cet équilibre est aujourd’hui rompu en raison de l’intervention humaine qui épuise certaines ressources par le sur...

The aim of this paper is to explore the effects and linkages between snow cover areas, distribution, probability and measured water discharge along east Mediterranean coastal watershed using moderate-resolution satellite images (MODIS-Terra). The Nahr Ibrahim River is a typical Lebanese watershed with an area of 326 km2 stretching between the sea a...

As a result of rural exodus, terraced orchards are the first abandoned lands in Mediterranean Lebanon. The aim of the present study was to develop knowledge of the status of soil organic carbon (SOC) in abandoned olive orchards. Thirty pairs of abandoned-actively managed fields were sampled at two soil depths (0-0.1 and 0.1-0.3m) and two positions...

A “Wetland” often occurs where plenty of water resources are dominant, but with defined hydrologic regime that discriminates it from other water bodies. The unique landscape, where wetlands are located, needs to be monitored and reserved, since their continuity depends on the balanced input-output water system. The hydrologic setting of a wetland i...

There are tremendous aspects of water resources in Lebanon where the surface water sources are the most exploited. However, snow is still the major water aspect that plays a role in feeding groundwater, springs and rivers. This water resource has been ignored since long-time and it was considered only for tourism. Nevertheless, the recently existed...

Mediterranean regions are considered among the most vulnerable to the projected climate change in the 21st century. Recent studies suggest that climate change would have direct impacts on the hydrologic regimes of most Mediterranean river basins. Projected changes are expected to affect both the frequency and magnitude of surface flow, ground water...

A map depicting the crop fields of potato and other crops is created using a methodology that integrates multi-temporal, multi-spatial and multi-spectral resolutions satellite imageries. During the process of map creation, statistical data on crop area, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and parcel boundaries from GeoBird satellite image...

Litani River is the largest river in Lebanon and has been affected by several physical and anthropogenic factors that influenced its flow dynamics. By means of the Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA), the time dynamics of the stream flow of seven sites along the course of Litani River was investigated, extracting for each site the long-term trend. A c...

Lebanon, the water tower, occupies 15 permanent watercourses, i.e., rivers, locally the so-called "Naher". Likewise most of the Lebanese rivers, El-Assi River or the Orontes River is witnessing indicatives of pollution. While it represents a vital vein in north of the Bekaa valley, a spectrum of pollutant sources is known to increase this geo-envir...

We investigate the time dynamics of monthly rainfall series intermittently recorded on seven climatic stations in northern Lebanon from 1939 to 2010 using the detrending fluctuation analysis (DFA) and the Fisher-Shannon (FS) method. The DFA is employed to study the scaling properties of the series, while the FS method to analyze their order/organiz...

Water resources in Lebanon are witnessing excessive use and demand for water has increased. Surface water is the most exhausted type of water in Lebanon due to the ease of its exploitation. Among examples of surface water, snow has received attention lately because it represents the major source for rivers, springs and groundwater reservoirs. Howev...

Research conducted between 1999 and 2004 to assess pressure on coastal zone focused on three main objectives: first, the evaluation of seawater intrusion in southern coastal wells, second, the soil salinization in greenhouses irrigated by well waters, and third the management of saline water in two soil textures. Groundwater contamination was asses...

Research conducted between 1999 and 2004 to assess pressure on coastal zone focused on three main objectives: first, the evaluation of seawater intrusion in southern coastal wells, second, the soil salinization in greenhouses irrigated by well waters, and third the management of saline water in two soil textures. Groundwater contamination was asses...

Of all natural disasters, floods affect the greatest number of people worldwide and have the greatest potential to cause damage. In fact, floods are responsible for over one third of people affected by natural disasters; almost 190 million people in more than 90 countries are exposed to catastrophic floods every year. Nowadays, with the emerging gl...