Conservation of the Cedrus libani populations in Lebanon: history, currentstatus and experimental application of somatic embryogenesis

Cedrus libani, the cedar of Lebanon, is a threatened conifer native to the Levant. Over 4000 years of exploitation have resulted in the fragmentation and degradation of the Lebanese cedar populations. Continued urban and agri cultural development in Lebanon adds to the difficulty of effective conserv ation. Two protected areas have recently been established which contain two of the more important forests: a cedar dominated forest in the Shouf regio n and a mixed forest at Ehden. A number of other populations are protected by ministerial decrees, and there is a need for rigorous management of all the remaining populations. The application of in vitro techniques such as s omatic embryogenesis may assist in the conservation of this species. We hav e produced somatic pro-embryos using immature zygotic tissue as explants cu ltured on half-strength MS medium containing an auxin and a cytokinin (10 m u M 2,4-D and 5 mu M BAP). The application of somatic embryogenesis to the Lebanese cedar would be in the propagation and preservation of selected gen otypes, either those from old growth provenance for use in restoration, or those with desirable commercial or horticultural characteristics.