So every time I go to Lebanon and I drive around the country I end up finding something mysterious (to me at least). Remember the buddha statue in Qanet Bakesh that I came across last year? :nuts:

This time, I found this in Metn:

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/782/img4407edited.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9296/img4409edited.jpg

Anybody knows what is it used for exactly?

maybe it's owned and operated by the AUB. Just my guess for astronomical research! or maybe it's owned operated by a staellite tv channel.
PS I hope this is a protected park, I have never seen anything healthier than this forest in Lebanon.

This is the Arbanieh earth satellite station, and that's its 32 meters satellite dish. The station has been active since 1971 the Sixties, but the advanced stuff was installed in the last decade or so. It's mainly used for telecommunications, although those same dishes can be used in Astronomy if needed and equipped properly.

This area has 2 main satellite earth stations, the other is the Jouret El Ballout station, which has smaller satellite dishes (12-18 meters).

Melkart, all the "Mount Lebanon" is covered with healthy forests. I guess this is why Lebnen is akhdar, isn't it? Here's the location of that site on wikimapia:
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=33.8731859&lon=35.6688309&z=17&l=0&m=b&v=1
Keep scrolling as much as you like, and you will keep seeing the greenery...

On a serious note, if we fill that dish with Hummus, damn it man, we're gonna make one hell of a Guinness record! (You really thought I was serious when I said "on a serious note"?! common!)

I wish that it was true Zippo, but we all know the poor state of the environment in Lebanon. Desertification, soil erosion, pollution,illegal construction/quarries, rafuse, and overall human activity including over hunting, poor water management, forest fires. not to mention animal grazing on public and private lands. It is estimated that Lebanon's land mass is currently 6-8% forested. A far cry from what used to be an 85% forested region. Even as early as the late 19th century Lebanon's land mass was 35% forested. That diminished down significantly after the Ottomans cut down the forests to fuel the railroads. What is left of our forests are small remnants of ecosystems clinging to life. Perhaps I see the glass half full, but they don't call the mountains al-Jirid (deforested) for nothing.

i saw a report about this station on LBC a few years ago, they said it was the largest broadcast station in the middle east, and that when it is retired, the dish thingies will be turned into reservoirs for rain water

I apologize for providing inaccurate information in my previous post. This satellite station is operational since 1971 (yes, seventy one!) actually, the Sixties. It's one of the oldest, if not the oldest in the Middle East.

Here's a collectors stamp that I've found for the Arbaniyeh station:

http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/ttsujino/space/miseiri/libanC637.jpg

It was found here (http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/ttsujino/space/list_e.htm) under Lebanon. Issued in May 1971.

--

I wish that it was true Zippo, but we all know the poor state of the environment in Lebanon. Desertification, soil erosion, pollution,illegal construction/quarries, rafuse, and overall human activity including over hunting, poor water management, forest fires. not to mention animal grazing on public and private lands. It is estimated that Lebanon's land mass is currently 6-8% forested. A far cry from what used to be an 85% forested region. Even as early as the late 19th century Lebanon's land mass was 35% forested. That diminished down significantly after the Ottomans cut down the forests to fuel the railroads. What is left of our forests are small remnants of ecosystems clinging to life. Perhaps I see the glass half full, but they don't call the mountains al-Jirid (deforested) for nothing.

Unfortunately Melkart, you're right in what you said. But you know me and how I always tend to be optimistic, so here's the other half of the glass:

The "Jird" is not the result of our nature maltreatment. It's deforested due to natural geological factors, and has always been like that. It consists of the eastern foothill of the Western Mountains Chain, along with most of the Eastern Mountains Chain. I was specific when I said "all Mount Lebanon is covered...".

Actually, and despite the abusive behavior that some were causing to our nature, but there were lots of countering actions held by some NGOs, who organized tree planting events in the mountains, as well as the local municipalities who were planting a lot of trees. The latest local hype is some Chinese trees that can reach insane heights in no time (like couple of years to reach 20 meters), and they are dirt cheap. Those were being sold like crazy, and the municipalities are buying them to restore the burned forests by the summer wildfires.

This year, I was impressed by the level of awareness of the residents of Chouf, concerning the preservation of our greenery.

Anyway, I believe that "a picture is worth a thousand words", so here's a satellite image dated November 7th (last week), and posted by Hassoun. I only brightened it and improved its saturation, but I haven't touched it's colors in any way, to keep it "forgery free". I also overlaid the Lebanese borders on it, for clarification.

http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af175/_Zippo_/personal%20stuff/Aerial-Lebanon-Nov-2011.jpg

Note that the brown/reddish area in the Beqaa Valley is due to the Winter season, and this will become a vibrant green in the Summer. Some of the greenery is also covered by snow...

Not bad I would say. :)

Sorry for drifting WAY off topic!

^^ nice.. forgive my ignorance, but satellite station for what exactly?

Damn it! I stand corrected once again. Apparently this satellite station dates back to the Sixties, but the stamp was issued in 1971. I guess the "Sixties" is vague yet accurate enough for now, until further notice. I am afraid if I keep investigating I will discover that the first version of that station was carved in stone by the Homo habilis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_habilis)! LOL

Rabih, I'm as confused as you are concerning its specific "broadcasting" role.
According to my father, back in the Sixties and the Seventies, this station was used for airing the broadcast of the "Lebanese Radio Station" (http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A5%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A9_%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86) (l ize3a l Lebneniyye), which was established in 1938 and still an active radio station till that day. it was also used for broadcasting "Tele Liban", when it was the only TV station in Lebanon. (and probably in the region)

Whenever I try to research or ask about its function, I keep getting the "telecommunications" answer! I guess if there was an even broader word they would have used it instead! Don't even try to ask them "telecommunication for what", cause you will get the "DUH! you-don't-know-what-telecommunication-is?" look... (you know it?)

lol Zippo according to ur satellite image Beirut is a grassland. :-) I think this satellite image was taken circa 4000 BC. PS the lebanon range in the north is also refered to as the jird. Lebanon is indeed greener than other middle eastern countries perhaps thats why they call it green lebanon. but let's face it the cedar forest range is only 2000 hectares in its current state. Not to mention that urbanization and over development has taken a huge toll on the countryside. just look at jounieh and see how quickly it developed in just a 30 year period. also in the fall/spring time lebanon appears greener due to the vegetation and shrubs that feeds from the snowmelt/rain. but the fact remains that shrubs, grasses are not the same as forests / Trees.

Actually, and despite the abusive behavior that some were causing to our nature, but there were lots of countering actions held by some NGOs, who organized tree planting events in the mountains, as well as the local municipalities who were planting a lot of trees. The latest local hype is some Chinese trees that can reach insane heights in no time (like couple of years to reach 20 meters), and they are dirt cheap. Those were being sold like crazy, and the municipalities are buying them to restore the burned forests by the summer wildfires.



Hi Zippo, would you be able to remember the type of tree you are talking about? Any specific species?
If not, maybe you can describe the tree? Coniferous / decidious? evergreen?

I'm sorry about this random question, but its something i'm extremely interested in.

thanks!

Sounds like Paulownia Trees:


"Paulownia is poised to be the new timber tree of the 21 century. There are presently 4 to 5 million acres of these trees growing worldwide. China is the country of origin of the fantastic trees. Field production and usage as ornamentals and shade are just now getting underway in the US and other areas of the Western Hemisphere."

http://www.paulowniatrees.com/

So do you guys think that growing this paulownia tree is the answer to deforestation in Lebanon or any region for that matter? Is this really a good idea? How does it effect the ecosystem? is it going to attract bugs and other pests that are associated with this tree? not to mention replacing native plants with foreign ones thus reducing the flaura diversity of the area!

John, all I can remember about it is its leaves. I remember it's very similar to the Lebanese vine leaf, but that's pretty much it.

When CF221 mentioned the Paulownia, I looked for it and I immediately recognized its leaf, so I guess he was right.

Here's the Paulownia leaf:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Paulownia_imperialis_leaf_345.jpg
Source: Wikipedia

Here's the Wikipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulownia

It says "They are deciduous trees"...

There's also some interesting info on that website (they are basically selling them)

www.dragontrees.com

some quotes: (from dragontrees website)

"Grows from 4" to 30' In Just Three Years!"

"THIRTY FEET IN 10 YEARS WITH SHADE AND FLOWERS!"

"Plant your tree in full sun and watch it grow 12-15 feet its first year! When mature, the decorative or ornamental Paulownia Kawakamii tree reaches a height of 30 ft. in 3 years, and the Paulownia Fortunei and Paulownia Elongata trees, reach a mature height of 75 ft. in 10 years!"

Also, here's a picture:

http://www.dragontrees.com/images/smithville.jpg
Courtesy of www.dragontrees.com - Seven year old Kawakamii Tree
Smithville, Maryland

Credit goes to CF221 for stating the name of that tree...

Thank you CF221 and Zippo. a really fantastic tree, however, it seems to be considered an "invasive" species in the US. Though "reforestation" keeps popping up in searches.

melkart you might be right, i'm not sure about the consequences of using an invasive species to reforest the lebanese mountains. It could be catastrophic for the native ecosystem. However, perhaps it could be a good pioneer species to plant on the eastern mountain chain? I only dream of seeing the anti-Lebanon mountains covered in vegetation in my lifetime.. and maybe this could be the answer?

The sources i checked say its drought-resistant and very flexible with soil types, also preferring a warm climate! Maybe the Paulonia mixed with several evergreens like Scots Pine, Deodar Cedar and Norway Spruce (all of which are fast growing, coniferous and drought resistant) would make a great eastern ecosystem.

Whatever happens though, I hope that the Lebanese realize its potential and start growing it for timber cultivation. That could drastically decrease illegal deforestation and in turn erosion, desertification and all that follows. That's an entire untapped industry.

^^ If only anyone with any authority is listening to us!