El Qaleh Geosite

Overview

El Qaleh sits about 40 km from Beirut in Jezzine, at 1,150 m above sea level. It is known for compact, heavily bedded limestone marked by deep fractures and joints and by impressive karstification. From the site a full 360° panorama takes in large rocky units shaped by alluvial erosion, scattered green cover, and abandoned terraces once farmed for wheat, hay, and fruit trees.

Biodiversity

The vegetation is diverse, with perennial broadleaf trees including Quercus calliprinos and other oaks, Crataegus azarolus, Styrax officinalis, Prunus ursina, and Ruscus aculeatus. Non-flying mammals include the Eurasian badger, golden jackal, mole rat, and several species of field mice. The rock formations and caves offer foraging sites and shelter for at least eight species of bats.

Geology

The site’s rock formations record deep time. The Sannine formation (Upper Cretaceous, roughly 105–100 million years ago; classified C3–C4) is overlain by the Maameltein formation (Turonian, roughly 93–89 million years ago; C5). Together these make up the Sannine–Maameltein formation (C4–C5) — an accessible window into the region’s ancient landscapes.

Why it matters

El Qaleh supports a wide range of plant and animal species, and that diversity raises the stakes for conservation. Understanding the link between the site’s geology and its biodiversity is a central goal: degradation of the karstic formations could remove the habitat that dependent species rely on, reducing overall species density.

What we are doing

• Awareness sessions and legal action to protect the site from quarrying, which would damage its geology over the long term.
• Rehabilitation strategies for the terraced fields to help preserve biodiversity.
• An agricultural plan reintroducing traditional techniques and crops (including edible and medicinal plants) that support the local economy.
• Introduction of the Geofood concept — promoting food sourced and produced on the site and emphasising the connection between local agriculture and geology.
• Anti-hunting awareness among hunters, and removal of partridge-hunting machines and cartridges found on the site.