Rahaf Nezha*1 , Osama Radwan1 and Wael Ali1

1 Department of Forestry and Ecology, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Lattakia University, Lattakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Rahaf Nezha, Email: rahafnezha2019@gmail.com)

Received:10 /12 / 2025        Accepted: 26/03 / 2026

Abstract: 

The study was conducted in 2024 at three tourist sites of Brutia pine (Pinus brutia) forests in the Latakia region: Al-Rawda (J1), Ballouran (J2), and Al-Nahr Al-Aswad (J3). The aim was to understand the dynamics of their plant communities and evaluate the impact of human pressures on them, through the use of a set of traditional biodiversity indicators (species richness, Shannon index, Simpson index, Jaccard index) and some developed indicators reflecting plant biodiversity (Indicator Value (IV)) in order to identify strongly indicative species, significantly indicative species at each site, and the Total Indicator Value (TIV) to classify the sites within the Brutia pine forests. The results showed a clear variation in species richness and diversity between sites. The results of the indicator value (IV) showed a set of species that are strong and significant indicators. Among the most notable of these species, Calycotome villosa was recorded as a significant indicator in J1, Poterium spinosum as a strong and significant indicator in J2, and Arbutus andrachne as a strong and significant indicator in J3. The use of traditional indicators and developed indicators demonstrates an integrated concept for evaluating tourist sites under the impact of human stress, providing a scientific basis for guiding conservation efforts and the sustainable management of these sensitive ecosystems.

Keywords: biodiversity, Pinus brutia, Indicator value, Total indicator value, tourist sites.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF